All posts by DetASnake

Scuba Starnberger See 1981

Image December 9, 2016 DetASnake

1981 at the German Engineer base at Starnberger See South of Munich 1981

Taps

TAPS – Command Sergeant Major, Jeffrey Herman Raker

November 10, 2016 DetASnake

It is with deep regret that I inform you that our friend and comrade, and one of the most distinguished and respected members of Detachment(A), Command Sergeant Major Jeffrey H. Raker passed away 10 November 2016. Jeff served in Detachment(A) from 1976-1981.

CSM (R) Raker was laid to rest on 17 November 2017 at the Guam Veterans Cemetery.

Photos of the Internment can be viewed by clicking here.

A picture video can viewed by clicking here.

Video disclaimer rifle volley and taps are the only sound track associated with actual photos.

Bob Charest

Images

Piusz and Warriner 1977

Image November 6, 2016 DetASnake

Paul Piusz and Dennis Warriner running the German American Fest Stand Berlin 1977

Chicken Friday, DET-A-Functions, History

Jeff Raker’s Chicken Friday Plaque

September 21, 2016 DetASnake

One last wish from CSM Jeff Raker, was to donate the Chicken Friday plaque he received upon his departure from Detachment”A” in 1981, to the members of Detachment”A”.

Chicken Friday was created back in the 1971-1972 era with SGM Tony Kriculi, and MAJ Sid Shachnow. In the 1970s era, Detachment”A” annexed the old HQ & HQ company mess hall kitchen right next door to the Detachment”A” building. It was renovated by Detachment”A” members into a Day Room complete with a bar, which was annexed from the hospital. The Day Room also included a pool table, a parachute canopy over the bar, and beer from Czechoslovakia called “Budvar”, not local beer i.e., Schultheiss and Berliner Kindl. It was improved during the years leading up to the deactivation of the Detachment in 1984.

On Friday afternoons we had a formation and assigned tasks for various cleanup areas, vehicle maintenance, and other such upkeep duties. These activities lasted about two hours which then turned into “Chicken Friday”, a social gathering and bier fest for the rest of the evening. Because of our compartmentalization, and not much downtime among us for socializing, it became a highly anticipated event. Chicken Friday was frequently attended by Navy Seals from Crete, teams from 10^th Special Forces attending our classified city training course, and the German Secret Police whom we worked with. Chicken Friday and the fest after, was a really big morale booster for the men of Detachment”A” and helped keep “What happened in the Detachment, stayed in the Detachment”.

At our Detachment”A” function in Asheville on Friday 16 September of 2016, Jeff Raker presented the plaque he received in 1981, to our Chicken Friday. He hand carried this symbolic artifact all the way from Guam, and it came with him first class – 35 years later. After the meeting Kevin Monahan suggested that the plaque be donated to the JFK museum. Bob Charest secured the Chicken Friday plaque to ensure the plaque is transported to Roxanne Merritt, the JFK museum director/curator where she will ensure that it will reside and serve as part of Detachment”A” history.

This historic Chicken Friday plaque presented to CMS Jeff Raker back in 1981 is being donated to the JFK Museum on behalf of all the men from Detachment”A” 39^TH Special Forces.

However, the nature of the plaque made it ineligible for the JFK Museum. After I notified you all of this, Glen Craig made a recommendation that we donate it to SFA HQ.

Bob thought this was a great idea, so he coordinated with Roxanne Merritt Director, JFK Special Warfare Museum and Cliff Newman Executive Director of SFA who said he would be honored to have it. Many thanks for Glen’s suggestion and many thanks to Cliff Newman and SFA for giving this special artifact a permanent home.

Jeff Raker’s Chicken Friday plaque which he brought to our September 2016 Asheville NC function has a new and permanent home at SFA.

Plaque for Jeff Raker’s Chicken Friday Momento

Jeff Raker showed up ready for Chicken Friday

Chicken Friday 1977

Chicken Friday, 1977 – Left to Right: Billy Krieger, Dennis Hebler, Klemme Lemcke

Images

Detachment(A) Football Team

Image September 20, 2016 DetASnake

DET-A-Functions

2016 Detachment”A” Function – Jeff Raker Honored Guest Speaker

September 20, 2016 DetASnake

Highlights

Bob Charest hosted another extremely successful Detachment(A) function. It was highly attended and everyone thoroughly enjoyed time with our DET-A family.

Gil Turcotte arrived on Tuesday and was the advance party on the scene. He got all the supplies for our meals. He got all the signatures for Joel Schenkelberger’ sympathy card.

Gil Turcotte also bought a card and had Detachment-A members sign it to recognize and show appreciation to Bob Charest for all his efforts and work on behalf of Detachment-A, including the planning, setting up, selecting great guest speakers, hosting, and conducting and our Det-A functions which brings fellow Detachment-A members together and all the other projects Bob led to bring Detachment-A in from the cold. Gil had members at this function sign it. Jeff Raker presented the card to Bob recognizing Bob’s individual efforts for putting Detachment-A on the map and for keeping Detachment-A alive.

Gil purchased a sign in book and got the signatures of all members who attended our function.

We had quite a few folks show up on Wednesday including the point man, Sid Williams.

The two decals that were passed out to you all were each created and donated by Henry Bertrand and Jon Lee.

Thursday’s highlight was Jack Tobin’s SFA CH-6 ham, briskets, and barbecue. He cooked and served a great meal. He also had lots of sauces. Bob Charest brought German potato salad, rolls, mustard, and some deserts.

Sid is relaxing, John is smiling on the inside.

Friday’s session began when Jeff Raker showed up ready for Chicken Friday. He presented the original Chicken Friday symbolic plaque he received in 1980.

Bob Charest then got Friday’s session agenda going by introducing our two highly accomplished guest speakers, Warner “Rocky” Farr and Larry Niedringhaus. He also talked about 2017’s DET-A Function.

Warner “Rocky” Farr spoke about his long and distinguished career spanning 46 years, very impressive and accomplished.

Larry Niedringhaus spoke about his days as an enlisted member of Special Forces before he became an officer rising to the rank of full colonel.

Mike Mulieri brought the keg of German beer this year for all to enjoy.

The brats meal by John Phipps and Brad Cooper was outstanding.

There were many other contributions, Ron Braughton with his beer contribution, Dennis Hobbie’s wife made 4 huge gourmet cakes, and Lin Niedringhaus brought her homemade cookies. I can go on and on. It was great team work.

Jeff Raker showed up on the scene and spent quite a bit of time with fellow Det-A members. His son Jeff made a surprise appearance on Friday and stayed the rest of the weekend. He came equipped to make Chicken Friday, Chicken Friday by bringing the original Det-A chicken.

Saturday’s session started off with Bob Charest introducing two great guest speakers: MG Jim Guest and Jeff Raker. He also introduced Vinnie Feudo who provided an inspirational speech to start the meeting. Jim spoke about Special Forces historically and future.

Our honored guest speaker, Jeff Raker was the main man. He looked frail, but folks not in his mind nor stature. He stood and spoke for over 45 minutes with no notes and was incredibly focused. He is an amazing man. His lovely wife Minako walked up to him as he was finishing up his speech and spoke to the members about Jeff, like only a devoted and loving wife is able.

Next year’s event will be in honor of him.