From the Editor:

Normally, I don’t mention the “From the President” page, letting it speak for itself. This month, though, our new president and GWOT veteran, Aaron Brandenburg, has written a lengthy column highlighting a broad swath of information on nonprofits, what they have to offer all of us, and how and why we should support them.

Then we start this month with a tribute to the man on the cover, retired Green Beret and Medal of Honor recipient Roger Donlon. His passing on 25 January, 2024, evoked an outpouring of tributes from many whose lives he affected. Ken Bowra (CDR USASOC) has shared his tribute to Roger, and more will be said in the future.

Chapter member Tom Turney is a long-time supporter of our Vietnam allies, the Montagnards, and charities that support them. He shares that Viet Dreams is a new organization that is working directly with Montagnards in the highlands of Vietnam, and Doc Padget’s Refugee Relief International is now involved. These are really worthy organizations you can support.

Next is my review of an excellent book from a Sentinel reader, called The Green Berets and Their Victories, by former Green Beret Joseph Patrick Meissner. His multifaceted reporting of interviews and experiences during his time in Vietnam is food for thought for any past, present, or future Green Beret. That, along with his retelling of significant battles SF was involved in during his 1968 to 1969 tour, is not only good reading but also worthy of study.

For example, Joseph shares the story of the battle for Duc Lap A-camp, starting on page 6, in “II Corps and the Battle to Split Vietnam.” Don’t miss it.

Often, our articles have to do with SF history, and sometimes they reflect current events. Chapter member and frequent Sentinel contributor Greg Walker is involved with two of our current event stories. Greg lost his good friend Roger Donlon and also lost another good friend called Pesh, who was killed in a recent Irani missile attack in Irbil, Iraq. Greg reveals a lot of background on Peshraw Dizayee, founder of the Falcon Group, and how they both had worked on behalf of the Kurds. Besides being a tribute to “Pesh,” it is a real eye-opener. There is also a sidebar on Greg’s successor at Falcon Group, Guy “Bear” Barattieri.

Please enjoy Rick Carter’s photos of the January Chapter 78 meeting.

We welcome submissions of tales of your service with SF downrange. A lot of the stories we share with you come from our readers.

How Miller
Sentinel Editor