ON THE COVER: The French Resistance Memorial in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, erected in 2021, honors the French Resistance’s crucial role in the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944, and its support for the elite Jedburgh teams during World War II.
The monument depicts three symbolic figures: a civilian armed with a Sten submachine gun, a woman operating a radio transmitter (representing clandestine communications), and a child with a bicycle (representing young liaison couriers). Surrounding them are 93 parachute canopies, symbolizing the 93 Jedburgh teams—mixed French, British, and American units who parachuted into France before D-Day to support the Resistance.
Read Part 2 of the account of the Chapter 78 delegation’s visit to this site and others at the link below. Part one can be read in our August issue. (Photo courtesy of Robert Casillas)
In this issue:
The story continues in Part 2 of the acclaimed After Action Report chronicling our Chapter 78 Delegation’s unforgettable journey to Normandy, France. Picking up on June 5, former Chapter President Aaron Brandenburg offers his highly personal and moving account of the experiences that followed.
From its experimental beginnings to the Armed Forces Network remembered by generations of service members, frequent Sentinel contributor Marc Yablonka traces AFN’s evolution through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. This nostalgic tribute honors those who brightened millions of military days—including Chris Noel, who continues serving veterans today.
SFA Chapter 78 July 2026 Chapter Meeting
Our July Chapter meeting celebrated Richard Simonian’s 94th birthday and featured guest speaker Sean Singleton, Beaten Zone Venture Partners, who discussed strengthening partnerships among the Department of Defense, investors, and entrepreneurs to preserve America’s technological edge.
Sean’s latest article, “Homecoming: A Framework for Harnessing Venture Capital for Strategic Advantage,” explores how stronger partnerships between the DoD, VCs, and entrepreneurs can accelerate critical tech development and help America maintain its edge over strategic competitors. Click here to read this essay.
From the Archive:
He Wore the Medal ALL THE WAY HOME
As a Chapter 78 member, treasurer, and former chaplain, Richard has helped the Chapter grow, thrive, and fulfill its purpose. At SFACON 2022, he received the prestigious St. Philip Neri Award, later telling author Alex Quade how honored he was to receive it and how his Special Forces experience had served him throughout his life.
A link to the video shot at the award presentation is listed below in “What’s New? YouTube @SFAChapter78.
WHAT’S NEW?
How Onebrief Streamlines Military Planning | Will Walker
Playlists: Chapter Meeting Presenters
What if updating one map instantly updated your slides, sync matrix, and every downstream doc? Ranger vet Will Walker of Onebrief shows how live data is cutting military planning time by 95%—and why the human still calls the shots.
The Road to D-Day: Honoring the French Resistance and OSS | Joey Ivanov
Playlists: Chapter Meeting Presenters
D-Day began long before June 6, 1944. Former Green Beret Joey Ivanov explores the often-overlooked contributions of the French Resistance, OSS, and Jedburgh teams—and how their work helped shape the unconventional warfare heritage of today’s Special Forces.
Inspired by a visit to Normandy, Joey also shares the story behind his effort to create a lasting tribute to these resistance fighters and connect today’s soldiers with this shared history.
Discover the history behind D-Day that began years before the invasion.
Original Green Beret Legend Richard Simonian Receives Medal of St. Philip Neri
Playlists: Meet SFA Chapter 78
SFA Chapter 78’s own Richard Simonian, an Army Special Forces “Original,” was awarded the Gold Medal of St. Philip Neri at the SFA Convention in Colorado Springs on September 24, 2022. In this video, SFA National President Kevin Harry speaks about Richard and his extraordinary contributions to the welfare of Veterans, refugees, and the Special Forces community.
A true “Quiet Professional,” Richard has spent decades helping thousands of Veterans and refugees, including providing affordable housing and assistance to Veterans through Santiago Communities. He also devoted considerable personal resources to helping Afghan commandos and interpreters escape danger and establish new lives in the United States. Despite the scope of his accomplishments, Richard has always worked quietly and without seeking recognition—making him a true embodiment of the “Silent Professional.”
SOGCast 053: Air Force Covey Pilot Gary Green. Flying Over Teams Under Enemy Fire
Featured Channel: Jocko Podcast — SOGCast
Featured Playlist: SOGCast
Air Force Covey Pilot Gary Green joins Tilt for a firsthand look at the secret war from above—flying over MACV-SOG reconnaissance teams operating deep behind enemy lines, and, at times, under intense enemy fire. Gary’s perspective is unlike most SOG stories. From the cockpit, he witnessed the danger the teams faced on the ground and the critical role Covey pilots played in helping them survive and get out alive.
SOGCast 054 Council Jordan “Pete” Armstrong Jr. Uniques Assignments After Running SOG Missions
Featured Channel: Jocko Podcast — SOGCast
Featured Playlist: SOGCast
In this episode, John Stryker Meyer sits down with Council Jordan “Pete ” Armstrong Jr. to hear his extraordinary story of service, leadership, and sacrifice during his time with MACV-SOG in Vietnam. Pete shares firsthand accounts of covert missions, the bonds forged with teammates, and the enduring legacy of the brotherhood that defines SOG.
Featured Channel: Howard Melton Nichols – Topic
Featured Playlist: Of Interest from Ch78 Members
With so many new songs online being produced using Artificial Intelligence, it was a pleasure to find this song written and performed by a real human being, Howard Melton Nichols. Upon releasing this performance in 2024, he wrote, “Today I released a song I wrote about returning home from Vietnam. I served with the 25th Infantry (2/27 Wolfhounds). I sing about coming home and how lucky I was to return. I wish my friend Alan Kahn had made it back home with me, but he did not. I will always remember him. The name of the song is “I’m Home” by Howard Melton Nichols. I heard it today on Amazon music. It was distributed to many other platforms. I hope you like it.” (Vietnam War Photos and Memories Facebook group)
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SENTINEL Awards
- Awarded Special Forces Association Best Newsletter of the Year of 2025-2026 at SFA National Convention, June 2026
- The Golden Arrows for Excellence in Newsletters 2020 awarded by SFA National
- The Golden Arrows for Excellence in Newsletters 2019 awarded by SFA National
- The War Reporters Award, Presented by Alex Quade – (War Reporter and Film Producer) for Chapter 78 Sentinel’s Commitment documenting Special Forces History, July 2018
- Special Forces Association (SFA) Cross Arrow Award for Excellence, 2018, First Award Presented by SFA in this category
- Best Newsletter Award for 2017 from Special Forces Association National Board of Directors at the International Convention in Fayetteville, NC
- Awarded Golden Quill at SFA National Convention June 2015 and June 2016
- Awarded best Special Forces Association Monthly Newsletter at SFA National Convention June 2011 and 2014
The Sentinel is published monthly by Special Forces Association Chapter 78, Southern California — art direction and design by Debra Holm, Dinwiddie Holm Graphics. The views, opinions and articles printed in this issue do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Army or the United States Special Operations Command, the Special Forces Association, or Special Forces Association Chapter 78. Please address any comments to the editor at sfachapter78@gmail.com.
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