Special Forces Association Chapter 78 Medal of Honor Luncheon
By Debra Holm
Special Forces Association Chapter 78 hosted its first fundraiser on April 28th at the On The Greens Center in Cypress, CA. Our honored guest and speaker was retired Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee.
Guest Speaker, U.S. Army Master Sergeant Earl Plumlee, MOH
The venue, beautifully decorated by volunteers from Tennis Serves Others (TSO) and the Sunburst Academy, bustled with guests browsing raffle items and auction displays. The event opened with remarks from Master of Ceremonies LTC Johann Hindert and SFA Chapter 78 President Aaron Brandenburg, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by American Veterans Assistance Group (AVAG) Chaplain Doreen Matsumoto.
AVAG’s sponsored banquet table ready for guests
Master of Ceremonies LTC Johann Hindert
Chapter 78 President Aaron Brandenburg
AVAG Chaplain Doreen Matsumoto
A delicious lunch preceded a captivating talk by Master Sergeant Plumlee. He shared his journey, from Marine to Green Beret, culminating in the story behind his Medal of Honor.
Raffle winners were drawn, followed by a Live Auction featuring unique experiences and items, like a private jet ride to meet the Affordable Community Living (ACL) Afghan refugee community in located in Mojave, California.
The Live Auction included a presentation by Masood Farzan, Community Manager for the ACL Afghan refugee community. Masood holds English classes for 50+ children in the community. The auction included a “Fund A Need” segment to provide an opportunity for donations to purchase supplies for the Masood’s summer sessions.
SSG Sydney Stevens of the Sunburst Youth Academy also spoke to share about the program, and two cadets were recognized by SFA Chapter 78 for exemplary performance. A Toor knife, rack and training were auctioned, with the proceeds to go directly to the Starburst Academy.
Reza Honarvar of The Heavy Machine, located in Lake Forest, CA, was on hand to speak about the customized Glock 19 SFA 78 Pistol and Live Fire Training at Academi SW. This auction was won by a member of Chapter 78!
A heartfelt thanks to Melanie McLanahan, Tennis Serves Others and the Starburst Academy, who provided essential assistance for this event.
Master of Ceremonies LTC Johann Hindert, Melanie McLanahan, MSG (ret.) Earl Plumlee
MSG Plumlee admires the custom SFA 78 Pistol, part of a Live Auction package.
The buffet featured tasty desserts.
Special Forces Association Chapter 78 members gathered for a photo with LTC Hindert and MSG Plumlee.
LTC Johann Hindert, Richard Simonian, and MSG (ret.) Earl Plumlee
MSG Plumlee displays the Toor knife that was part of a Live Auction item package.
MSG Plumlee displays the custom SFA 78 Pistol to a chapter member.
LTC Hindert and Reza Honarvar of The Heavy Machine, who spoke about how his company customized SFA 78 pistol.
SSG Sydney Stevens of the Sunburst Academy
Masood Farzan, ACL Community Manager
Laura Anderson, and Jenny Thurrel of TSO
Robert and Jaclyn Casillas and LTC Johann Hindert
SFA Chapter 78 President Aaron Brandenburg present a Certificate of Appreciation to Cadet Sarai Mojica of the Sunburst Academy.
SFA Chapter 78 President Aaron Brandenburg present a Chapter coin to Cadet Ramos.
Raffle baskets
Chapter 78 member Don Gonneville places his raffle ticket into the box for an item.
Melanie McLanahan
Melanie McLanahan checks in with Kelley McBride and Jenny Thurrel of TSO
Don Deatherage, Tom Turney, and Len Fein
Geri Long and Donna Miller
Mike and Christine Jameson
Aaron and Kathleen Brandenburg
Sunburst Academy cadets with advisors
Jenny Thurrel, Melanie McLanahan, Lisa and Tom Rutherford
Lani Dolick and Debra Holm manned the raffle ticket table.
Bob Crebbs and Ramon Rodriguez
Richard Simonian, Ramon Rodriguez, Art Dolick
SGM (ret.) Tony Bell, Rick Carter, Earl Plumlee, Tom Turney
April McClure, Jim Duffy, Sharon Hancock
LTC Hindert and Chapter 78’s Richard Simonian with the ACL Afghan Community members
Erik Berg and his wife, Gloria Jean
A special thank you to our event sponsors!
Auction / Raffle Items Donated by
The Heavy Machine
Affordable Community Living
Afghan Community
Any Given Day
California Pizza Kitchen,Mission Viejo
Caroline and Jeff Gee
Debra Holm
Donna Miller
Emily Coleman PT, DPT, OCS
Ex Umbris Designs
IE Laserware
Jenny and Jeff Thurrell
Julia Keene
Kelley McBride
Laura Anderson
Leah and John Dietz
Lisa and Tom Rutherford
McKinatec
Mel and James McLanahan
Primal Risk
Reza Honarvar
Richard Simonian
Roberto Cardenas
Roya and Mostafa Khairzada
Tennis Serves Others
The Heavy Machine
Toor Knives
Wet and Sandy Clothing
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