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Home2026-10-01T01:45:25-07:00

SFA Chapter 78 SENTINEL

THE Newsletter of the Quiet Professional

Published monthly—featuring stories of interest to the entire SF community.

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Untold stories of MAC-V SOG. Vietnam. The Secret War.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or other major podcast providers. Video episode are available on our YouTube channel SOGCast playlist.

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“I never expected that my one year in Vietnam would follow me for the last 55 years.” Penni Evans was one of 627 Donut Dollies who traveled into Vietnam’s combat zones to lift the spirits of American troops. Now she faces cancer alone in a remote Colorado valley, without the benefits given to the men she served beside. "Welcome Home, Sister" asks why these women were forgotten. Read her story in the October 2026 Sentinel (https://www.specialforces78.com/welcome-home-sister-the-forgotten-story-of-vietnams-donut-dollies/)and help bring this film to the audiences it deserves. Visit WelcomeHomeSister.com to learn more and to watch the "Welcome Home, Sister Trailer!" Plan to attend the Preview Screening & Fundraiser Oct 19, 2026, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Laemmle Town Center 5 17200 Ventura Blvd, Unit 121, Encino, CA 91316 Visit the website to learn more about this event and to RSVP. Please donate in support of this project Your donation will support the completion of this project, including festival submissions, and help bring this overlooked chapter of American service to audiences nationwide. Welcome Home, Sister is a fiscally sponsored project of the International Documentary Association (IDA), 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization. Contributions are made payable to IDA, our fiscal sponsor, and are tax-deductible as allowed by law. @welcomehomesisterdoc #donutdollies #vietnamwar
From the October Sentinel: What happens when an 18D realizes he has the freedom to act? David Daugherty tells the story of a 2006 humanitarian mission in Afghanistan, the warlord he confronted, and the teammates who helped make it happen. Click the link to this month's issue of the Sentinel and read "Primum Non Nocere" for the answers to the question. #18d #SFMedic #Afghanistan
The October issue of the Sentinel is now live and ready to read! @special_forces_association @sof_org @welcomehomesisterdoc #SFA #SOA #18D #sfmedic #donutdollies
James Stejskal's presentation at our June meeting on his book "Masters of Mayhem: Lawrence of Arabia and the British Military Mission to the Hejaz" was absolutely fascinating! Watch the full SFA Chapter 78 presentation, “Lawrence of Arabia: Railway Raids & the Strategy of Guerrilla Warfare” for more on the tactics, armored cars, and air support behind the campaign. You'll find a link to the video in our bio! Get his book at Amazon: https://a.co/d/0fw3bsPy #lawrenceofarabia #militaryhistory #unconventionalwarfare
We lucked out getting Bill Scott to speak at our May chapter meeting. Our chapter president, James McLanahan, had the good fortune of meeting his son, who told him about his father. James knew Chapter 78 would love to have him as a guest speaker. We were so fortunate to see this presentation about Air Force Legend Robert “Earthquake” Titus! In this clip, Bill tells how a Special Forces-led MIKE Force team was surrounded in Vietnam, with cloud cover complicating air support. Robert “Earthquake” Titus descended through the clouds and delivered the support that helped the team get out. This is just one account of several told in this presentation about a pilot whose career connected ground combat, fighter aviation, and experimental flight testing! Click on the link in the bio to hear more from Bill Scott's presentation. You can also read an excerpt from his book “Earthquake” in our August 2025 Sentinel. Visit our website at the link in our profile to go to the August 2025 Sentinel, or visit https://www.specialforces78.com/earthquake-bg-robert-f-titus-fighter-pilot-test-pilot-leader/. Visit williambscott.com to learn more about Bill Scott. Thank you, Mr. Scott, for the time and effort you put into the presentation. We enjoyed having you! #Earthquake #vietnamwar #williambscott #
Thanks to Lonny Holmes and Brad Welker for the link below to John Joyce's obituary. A Celebration of Life will be held at Palm Mortuary - Henderson, 800 South Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015, on September 26, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, with refreshments from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. https://sl1nk.com/vv7voar @special_forces_association @soaaorg
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Featured Member:
Ramon Rodriguez

We salute a former Chapter 78 President (2003-2007), Ranger Hall of Fame inductee, one of the most decorated soldiers in the Vietnam War, receiving a total of 17 combat medals and awards, including three Silver Stars and five Purple Hearts, and a nominee for the Medal of Honor. Ramon Rodriguez retired after 23 years of service as a Command Sergeant Major.

Ramon is currently the Chairman of the Board for the American Veterans Assistance Group (AVAG). AVAG is a community of veterans in manufactured housing communities located in Southern California. The purpose of AVAG is to thank and reward our veterans for their service to our country by providing them with a way to connect with one another in a supportive, encouraging living environment and to promote the availability of affordable housing.

Learn more about Ramon Rodriguez. Click here visit his member profile.

Ramon Rodriguez was interviewed by Chapter member How Miller on February 17, 2024.

View on YouTube

© Copyright 2026 | Special Forces Association Chapter 78 | All Rights Reserved

2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION
VALOR LUNCHEON

Sunday, April 19, 2025
11 am – 2 pm
On The Greens Conference Center
Cypress, CA

FEATURING GUEST SPEAKER

U.S. Army LTC (Ret.)
Henry “Dick” Thompson, Ph.D.

Legendary MACV-SOG Veteran, Codename “Dynamite”
Internationally recognized consultant, educator, speaker, and author

Sponsor the Valor Luncheon
Your support makes a difference.

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!!!

2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

Special Forces Association
Valor Luncheon

Sunday, April 27, 2025
On The Greens Conference Center, Cypress, CA
2025 Valor Luncheon attendees listen to Tony Viggiani's inspiring story.

Thank you
to all who attended
SFA Chapter 78’s
2025 Valor Luncheon.

A special thank you
to our sponsors!
Your contributions made
this event possible.
Preisker Ranch
 
HomeXpress Mortgage Corp.
 
In memory of
COL Roger H.C. Donlon, MOH
Friend of SFA Chapter 78
 
American Veterans Assistance Group
 
APEX Service Partners
 
Expert Home Loans
 
Primal Risk
2025 SFA MOH Valor Luncheon Header

Special Forces Association
Valor Luncheon

Sunday, April 27, 2025
11 am – 2 pm
On The Greens Conference Center
Cypress, CA 90630

Featuring Guest Speaker

Navy Cross Recipient
U.S. Marine Corps CW04
Anthony L. Viggiani

Auctions

“Raise Your Paddles”

for the benefit of
Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy and
the ACL Afghan Community Summer Youth Program
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