2019 Detachment“A”/PSSE Special Forces Berlin Get Together After-Action Report

The 2019 Detachment “A”/PSSE Special Forces Berlin Get Together held in Asheville, NC from 12 September 2019 – 15 September 2019 was outstanding and truly special. The 2019 Detachment”A”/PSSE Special Forces Berlin was incredible and truly special, one of the best yet.  They just keep getting better.

Highlights

Many thanks to all the folks that contributed to this year’s function which was extra special this time.  Sid Williams contributed enormously to this function in both time and effort.  His support is greatly appreciated.  He also kept the bar stocked which was no small task.  Many thanks also to Gil Turcotte as well for his contributions to this function. Mercer “Mac” Dorsey, Ron Braughton, Chris Feudo, Gil Turcotte, John Lee, Pat and Gabbie Walters, all made very generous donations of beer to the bar and food, as did many others. Alan MacRae and the PSSE contributed their time and efforts to help keep things going, many thanks to all of them.  Alan will be hosting the 2020 function. John Lee provided us all with the sharp-looking name tags using our Berlin logo.  Many thanks from the attendees. Nick Brokhausen was in attendance and he brought along copies of his first book WE FEW: U.S. Special Forces in Vietnam; three of which were auctioned off at the function.  Nick has written a new book entitled Whispers in the Tall Grass with an expected publication date of 19 October 2019.  All the information about Nick’s second book has been posted to the Special Forces Berlin/Detachment”A” web site.  

Betty Amaker from the JFK Museum/Gift Shop was in attendance.  Betty brought a large assortment of Special Forces and Detachment”A” items for sale. Sid Williams donated several artifacts for the JFK Museum including: two US Command Berlin telephone directories:  US Command telephone directory, Directory of key personnel; copies of Berlin photos from 1935 to a 1963 checkpoint Charlie photo and maps from Berlin from the early days.  These artifacts were handed over to Betty who will transport to Roxanne Merritt for processing.

Original Member Recognition

One of our Original Detachment”A” members, James Wilde attended with his lovely wife Rosi.  Jim was in Detachment”A” from 1957 to 1963.

Some of the couples we managed to snap pictures.

Meeting

Bob Charest kicked things off.  Bob spoke about members on sick call, and how they were greatly missed; wishing them all well.  Bob then introduced Chris Feudo who gave the blessing of the function.  Chris gave a meaningful and inspirational invocation. Bob then introduced Alan MacRae who will be the hosting our next function in 2020.  The Detachment”A”/PSSE Berlin Special Forces function will be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado in September 2020.  Alan gave a detailed presentation to everyone about the next function.  Bill Crowley is doing a lot of the groundwork for this function. All this information has been posted to the Berlin Special Forces /Detachment “A” web site so you can find out all about the next function.  For full information on our 2020 Detachment“A”/PSSE Special Forces Berlin Function go to the web site. Bob then asked Sid Williams to give everyone a briefing on his efforts with the Veterans Cemetery in Monterey, CA.  Sid provided a full status on all the work done for the veterans’ cemetery.

Auction

Bob Charest and Nick Brokhausen were having breakfast when Nick came up with the idea to auction off three books and donating the proceeds to our function.  He suggested to Bob Charest that he preside over the auction.  Right about the time Bob was thinking it over as to who could be drafted as auctioneer instead of himself, along came Ron Bruce at the most opportune time.  To make a long story short, Ron was ‘assigned’ the job of auctioneer although somewhat reluctantly having informed us he had no experience in this area. Later that day, the auction began.  Ron assumed his role as auctioneer and not only did he perform as well as any trained auctioneer, he excelled; it was performance to behold.  Ron was a big hit with the folks. Jeanne Fondas aided Ron by keeping records of all the bids.  The bids exceeded expectations having raised over $300.00 for the three books.  Many thanks to Nick for his generous donation.  Bob Charest gave the money raised by the auction to Alan MacRae for the 2020 function.

Special Toast

Lee Fondas surprised Bob Charest with a special toast.  Lee shared a $500.00 bottle of cognac with the troops.  He and his wife Jeanne set it up.  They prepared special shot glasses for those present and toasted Bob for his friendship, and his efforts and contributions to Detachment”A” and Berlin Special Forces.

MG(Ret)Jim Guest

Our honored guest MG(Ret) James Guest could not make our function this year, and he was sorely missed.  A specially crafted eagle cane was to be presented to Jim at the function by Gil Turcotte who had the woodcarver artist create a personalized eagle cane for Jim.  The cane was mailed to Jim’s home.