Category Archives: DET-A-Functions

Chicken Friday, DET-A-Functions, History

Jeff Raker’s Chicken Friday Plaque

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 10th 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” 39TH 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.

Chicken Friday 1977

Left to Right: Billy Krieger, Dennis Hebler, Klemme Lemcke

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

DET-A-Functions

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

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.

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.

Jack Murphy interviewed quite a lot of folks for our 10,000 word Detachment(A) exclusive article.

DET-A-Functions

2015 Detachment”A” Asheville Function

Detachment(A) September 2015 Function After Action Report

Our September 2015 function held in Asheville, NC was a huge success.

It began with an advance recon party arriving on Tuesday, 8 September consisting of Gil Turcotte, Rick Westbrook and Kim Kendle. Folks continued to filter in throughout the function.

The head count on Saturday, our main meeting, according to Mike Linnane stood at 90 folks.

On Friday SFA President Jack Tobin gave us an in depth update on SFA today and a glimpse of SFA tomorrow. His informative and wide-ranging lecture was greatly appreciated by all.

On Saturday Darrell Katz gave a captivating speech about the days he was Commander of Detachment(A). He revealed previously unknown and very interesting information that occurred during his tenure as Commander of Detachment(A).

Then Roxanne Merritt updated us on the JFK Museum.

LTC Larry Niedringhaus II who is attending the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA gave a comprehensive and informative speech on SF Operations today which was very well received. He will be receiving credit for the speech for his graduation.

MG(Ret) Jim Guest and Jack Tobin were made honorary members of Detachment(A) and presented with Detachment(A) Lapel pins.

Many thanks to Betty Amaker who set up the JFK Museum gift shop with a wide array of SF merchandise.

The absence of Jeff Raker due to his illness was deeply felt and he was sorely missed by all.

Mike Mulieri came through with his keg of beer.

Many thanks to you all for making this function successful.

Bob Charest Host/POC

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Group Photos

Event Photos

DET-A-Functions

2014 Detachment”A” Function Columbia Function

The 2014 Detachment(A) function was held on Thursday, 12 June 2014 at the Knights of Columbus in Columbia, SC. It was held in conjunction with the SFA Conference in Columbia, SC, from 9-15 June 2014. Well over 120 folks attended our DET-A function, including MG Jim Guest(Ret) – our guest of honor, MG Sidney Shachnow(Ret) – guest speaker and CSM Jeffrey Raker(Ret) – guest speaker.

John Blevins put together a DET-A People and Places CD with over 200 pictures he collected from DET-A members. He packaged them and gave them out at our function. He plans on adding more pictures for our next function in 2015 with improvements.