Chapter 78 Celebrates Christmas 2023
Photos by Rick Carter,
How Miller, and Debra Holm
Upon arrival, Christmas party attendees were greeted by the brilliant afternoon sun streaming from the clubhouse windows, and through them, the sight of the Newport Harbor.
Jim Duffy donated several tables of shirts and hats for the event's raffle. He and his friends set up them up on the tables, along with items brought in by others as they arrived
From left to right, Lauretta, Roger, and Jewelretta Rustad, Michael Wayne, April McClure, Jerry and Regina Romiti, Jim Duffy, Sharon Hancock.
SFA President Kevin Harry (left) meets Robert Casillas and his wife Jaclyn
Lani Dolick, left, catches up with Suzanne Lockhart.
At right, CPT Anli Boone met SF Original Vahan Sipantzi, SF COC retired.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and Chapter President Greg Horton's welcoming introductory remarks, Chaplain Doreen Matsumoto (above left) of the American Veterans Assistance Group (AVAG) delivered the invocation.
Chapter Secretary Gary Macnamara (above center) introduced the event's VIP guests: Green Beret Original Vahan Sipantzi, COL (ret.) Chris Sorenson, Bill Wenger, CPT Anli Boone FA UCI, and Kevin Harry, SFA President.
Bob Crebbs (above right) performed the Missing Man ceremony. Bob is a founding member of the Chapter, having served as the original secretary.
Ladies and gentlemen, charge your glasses! Toasts to the Army, the Regiment, Chapter 78 (by president Greg Horton, shown above), to absent friends and fallen comrades, and last but not least, the ladies.
Keynote speaker COL (ret.) Chris Sorensen, made a presentation about the first special operations raid of Operation Enduring Freedom into Kandahar, Afghanistan. Objective Gecko included the execution of the longest air assault in history.
Introducing the Gecko Ranger Dagger
COL Chris Sorenson’s presentation included bestowing SFA Chapter 78 with a Gecko Ranger Dagger.
Richard Simonian and Ramon Rodriquez
Aaron and Kathleen Brandenburg
Chris Sorenson and wife, Julie Collins
Vahan and Zoe Sipantzi
Sharon Hancock, Jim Duffy, and April McClure
Cora Servia Keele and Geri Long
Si and Chris Rangel
Mike and Christine Jameson
Bob and Arlene Crebbs
Rick Carter
Jim and Suzanne Lockhart
Erik and Jean Berg with Bill and Martha Reed
Gus and Patty Populus
Art and Lani Dolick
Ham and Linda Salley
Susan Weeks and How Miller
Don Gonneville
Dennis and Glo DeRosia
CPT Andi Boone and Seana Miller
Lizbeth Rios and Norberto Villegas
Chris Sorenson with Ahmadullah, Nimo, Bashir Amad, Masood Farzan and Richard Simonian
An Unforgettable Memory in the Combat Zone
Chaplain (ret.) Vahan Sipantzi, who attended Chapter 78’s Christmas party along with his wife, Zoe, as an honored guest, shares a story from his first six months in Vietnam (68-69) serving as a Protestant Chaplain for the 101st Airborne Division.
Frank DiSalvo provided tunes from the great American songbook during the dinner. Learn more about Frank at frankdisalvo.com
Greg Horton and Geri Long selected winning numbers for the raffle
DJ Sommer Cruz, of SomFun4u.com, provided a wide selection of music designed to entice folks to the dance floor.
Dancing the night away!
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