Our next Detachment “A” Berlin function will be held from 11-14 September 2025 same location in Greenville, SC, same hotel, spread the word.
Contact Host/POC Detachment “A” for full information
Dedicated to the history of Detachment “A” Berlin
More details to follow in monthly sitreps as they become available.
Bob Charest Host/POC
Bob Charest started the meeting with an overview of the topics: notifications and announcements, introductions, JFK museum update by Roxanne Merritt and special guest speaker Detachment “A” member Pete Kelley.
Our next Detachment “A” Berlin function will be held from 11-14 September 2025 same location same hotel, spread the word.
More details to follow as they become available.
The hotel was very accommodating and very nice and new, and we had a roomy conference room for our meetings and activities. The meeting room was equipped with ample seating, refrigerators and microwaves and a projection screen.
Detachment “A” member Reverand John Lee gave the invocation.
Original Detachment “A” Berlin member Jim Wilde (1957) and his wife Rosie were in attendance.
Two widows of Detachment “A” Berlin members attended:
Annemarie Dover widow of Jesse Dover.
Marie von Hass,
widow of Bruno von Haas and daughter Magdalina.
Guest Speaker Pete Kelley
Pete Kelley Team 6, serving as Team Leader and S3, 1975 -1979, gave an outstanding and substantial speech covering the historical period in his career leading up to and culminating with his time in Detachment “A”, a role he was “born for”. His extensive and very personal recollections will be presented on the Detachment “A” website and the DET-A Berlin YouTube channel at a later date.
Roxanne Merrit Director of the JFK museum/curator presented a detailed SF Museum update. She thanked Det-A members for their support, went through the JFK closing attempt, the new facility located across from the JFK chapel and the Detachment “A” display including a Berlin wall artifact.
Kevin Monahan produced and donated 150 Detachment “A” Berlin decals for the members; they disappeared overnight. This generous contribution is much appreciated.
This generous contribution of the Detachment “A” decals is much appreciated.
Bob Charest’s personal “Thumbnail Look at Detachment “A” Berlin film was shown which is dedicated to all Detachment “A” Berlin members. This film will be shown on the October SF Cruise. Video Link
Discovered that Lee and Jeannie Fondas could not go on the October SF Cruise. Rather than seeking a refund, they donated this luxury dream vacation complete with an executive suite package to an SF Gold Medal family.
Lee was also presented with a card and cake celebrating his birthday.
Bob and Linda Charest also unable to attend the cruise donated their deposit back to the cruise.
Phil Hanson, President of Chapter 17, the Jerry “Robin” Sage Chapter attended.
Yuri Estam who received city training from Detachment “A” attended and brought along old city training maps with him.
Beautiful long-stem RED roses were presented to all the women attendees by some anonymous person(s), but we have our suspects. Thank you!
Our next Detachment “A” Berlin function will be held from 11-14 September 2025 same location same hotel, spread the word.
Detachment “A” Get Together
This function is dedicated to the history of Detachment “A” Berlin, 1956-1984, and as a special tribute to some of the original members of Detachment “A”: Chuck James, Bob Olson, Albert Slugocki, Tom Twomey Jim Wilde, and other original members.
Thursday 12 September – 15 September (checkout) 2024
Greenville, SC
Contact Host/POC Detachment “A” for full information
Dedicated to the history of Detachment “A” Berlin
This is Part II of the speech Jeff Raker, former SGM of Detachment “A”, gave at the Detachment “A” get together on 17 September 2016.
The 2021 Detachment “A”/PSSE Special Forces get together was held in Colorado Springs from Thursday 13 May 2021 –through Sunday 16 and was well attended.
On Thursday an informal meeting was conducted in the hospitality room for announcements and provide updated schedule changes.
On Friday afternoon , Visited the 10th SFG Compound, Group HQ, Regimental Mess, new Team Room, and Maritime.
On Saturday there was a lunch held at the Edelweiss Restaurant.
Many thanks to Bill Crowley and Chuck Sekelski for all the hard work of setting everything up.
The German food was outstanding.
The 2021 will be held from Thursday 13 May 2021 – Sunday 16 May 2021 (checkout).
Host/POC:/RSVP: Alan “Mac” MacRae
Hotel Eleganté Conference & Event Center
2886 S Circle Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 576-5900
Click for Hotel web site. You can use it to make your reservations.
If you call to make a reservation our code for the reunion has changed to 2767819 or “SF Berlin” when calling the Hotel for a reservation.
The hotel has agreed to give us the same rates and benefits as what we had set up for the canceled 2020 reunion. Please pay attention to the reservation procedures as there have been some changes.
Hotel Reservation Info
| DAY | DATE | Rate*with Breakfast |
| Thursday | May 13, 2021 | $130.00 |
| Friday | May 14, 2021 | $130.00 |
| Saturday | May 15, 2021 | $130.00 |
| Sunday | May 16, 2021 | Checkout |
The dates for the reunion are 13-16 May 2021
The cost per night for single King or Double Queen occupancy is $130.00 (includes breakfast)
Additional guests (up to 2) will be charged $10 per guest for breakfast
Priority will be given to those who make reservations prior to Tuesday 13 April so please make reservations early to insure your space at the Hotel
Use “SF Berlin” or code 2767819 when making a reservation by phone: (719) 576-5900.
Use either the website or the phone to make a reservation, but NOT both
The rate of $130 per night (including breakfast) will be honored for 3 days prior to and 3 days after the event dates for those who wish to come early or stay late
If you make reservations for certain dates and decide you will leave early without notifying the Hotel at check-in of an earlier than planned departure, there will be a $75 charge added to your bill
We will have a Hospitality Room provided by the Hotel that is capable of holding 60+ people and we will be allowed to have our own adult beverages.
Guestrooms feature Starbucks Coffee, Bath and Body Works toiletries, internet and custom 13.5” Simmons Mattresses with 800 thread count sheets in all guestrooms.
NOTE: Rates does not include taxes, currently 10.25%
We will try to have the same events at the 2021 reunion that we were planning for the 2020 reunion. More info to follow as events are scheduled.
Three restaurants on property-Rustler’s Country Cafe, Rawhide Sports Bar and The Sweet Tooth featuring Starbucks Coffee and Colorado Creamery Ice Cream.
Complimentary wireless internet service in guest rooms and public space.
COMPLIMENTARY parking spots on site, including 700 reserved spaces for Combat Wounded Veterans.
24 hour complimentary fitness center.
Indoor and outdoor pool and hot tub.
Fitness Trail and Outdoor Sports Court featuring volleyball, tennis, basketball and pickleball with equipment available for check out at the front desk.
Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain and the
Cog Railway
Garden of the Gods National Park
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
United States Air Force Academy
World War II Aviation Museum
United States Olympic Training Center
Cripple Creek – an old mining town with Casinos and a working gold mine.
Royal Gorge Railway
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The 2020 Detachment”A”/PSSE Special Forces Berlin 2020 get together that was to be held in Colorado Springs, Colorado from 17 – 20 September 2020 has been cancelled.
This event will be rescheduled for a future date. More info to follow when date has been selected.
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. The after action report will be forthcoming ASAP.
Folks,
Despite the adverse weather conditions, we had a big crowd and plenty of beer. Wives brought cakes and snacks, and everyone donated big time to keep the bar well stocked.
PSSE member Mike “Ike” Ivosovic gave a large donation for beer. Styk and Doug Snow bought and tapped a keg along with six others.
On Sunday there was still a well-stocked bar. According to Kevin Monahan, it was donated to the local SFA chapter 17 rather than leaving it behind.
A good time was had by all at this Special Forces Berlin function.
Many thanks to all of you who attended.
Bob Charest Host/POC
