Category Archives: Taps

History, Taps, Videos

Major General James A. Guest Memorial Service After Action Report

 

Many thanks and much appreciation to all those who made this Special Forces Honor Guard Ceremony for Major General James A. Guest possible.

Major General Lawrence G. Ferguson, Commanding General 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) attended.

POC/MSG –  Robert “Bob” Charest coordinated with all military-related Special Forces Honor Guard services was in attendance.

Representation from the Special Forces Association, and representation from Special Forces in the area were in attendance including Chris Wilkerson – President, Special Forces Association, Garon Strong – Special Projects, Special Forces Association.  Pete Tingstrom – Special Forces Association provided much support and services.

MSG Scott Fagan was there with his Junior Army ROTC cadets providing support as needed.

Honor Guard Team  from the  7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) performed the Honor Guard services including, 21-gun salute, TAPS, and playing of the Ballard of the Green Beret.

Doug Elwell Regimental Bagpiper performed family-requested music including Amazing Grace.

Articles, Taps

TAPS – Bradley Cooper

Detachment “A” member Bradley Cooper passed away on 8 May 2025.  Brad served in Detachment “A” from 1977 – 1980.

Detachment “A” member Jon Phipps has requested to share his humble comments about his esteemed teammate, the dearly-departed Brad Cooper.

As a young Special Forces engineer Brad began his career on A Teams in Viet Nam. After serving in the 10SFG at Ft. Devens, Brad was assigned to Team 4 at Det A.  He excelled there and was chosen to be cadre in Winter Operations Training. Brad became the Team 4 Mountaineering instructor, contributing to the unofficial designation of Team 4 as the Det A Mountain Team.

Brad was up for everything and an invaluable contributor to our participation in Urban Warfare Training and Readiness. He was hand-picked for the Top Secret, ultimately high-profile Operation Eagle Claw.  After their time at Det A SGM Jeff Raker selected Brad for another classified two-man operation at Flint Kaserne.

Beyond these accomplishments, Brad was a ready teammate and up for anything. He epitomized competence and bonhomie. We were proud to know and serve with Brad and will miss this unique Special Forces soldier.

May he rest in honored peace.

 Here is a link to additional information

 

Taps

TAPS – Gilbert R. Turcotte

Folks, sad news.   Our brother Gil Turcotte passed away on 11/10/2019.  Gil was a generous man, full of caring for all of us. One hell of an SF TROOPER. He will be sadly missed among his Detachment (A) family.

Gil served in Detachment”A” from 1976-1984.

A Celebration of Life ceremony was held for Gil on Saturday, 14 December 2019 in Augusta Maine at  the Maine Army and Air Force Joint Forces Headquarters Maine National Guard Maine Camp Chamberlain Assembly Hall.

The service began with a Color Guard unit made up of the three law enforcement departments that SGM Gilbert Turcotte worked with plus the Maine Army National Guard soldier in dress blues carrying the US Army Flag. Then the Maine State Select (the best in the state) honor guard brought the folded Colors and the Urn to the table in the front. Followed by a female army guard singing the National Anthem.   This was followed by the Invocation by LTC Earl Weigelt Maine National Guard Chaplain.

Then speakers from the Agency Gil worked for in order:

Army MSG Bob Charest Detachment”A” member

Det Paul Ferland of the Winthrop Police Department

Sheriff Ken Mason Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office

Dan Davies of the Sabattus Police Department.

Kevin Cookson Major Kennebec Sheriff’s Office and Gil’s commander as LT in the  CID.

Next came remarks from folks present which was well over 100.

Detachment”A” members Douglas Curry, Ron Russell, and Ric Patrick attended along with former army buddies of Gil including “Smitty”, and Steven Boyd were also in attendance.

This was followed by Dot given her emotional remarks.

A poem read at a lot of Vietnam veterans funeral was then recited by MSG retired Ryan Hewins.

The poem was followed by Gil’s one and only request:  to have the Ballard of a Green Beret by SSG Sadler.

This was followed by LTC Earl Weigelt Chaplain Maine Army National Guard. Once his remarks were over the Honor Guard standing outside at attention in the pouring rain gave the 21 gun salute.

Two SSG performed the unfolding then re-folding of the colors which was presented to Dot.

Chaplain Weigelt performed the benediction.

After the ceremony a catered reception was held in the camps dining hall.

This is a link to an article from the Central Maine Newspaper.

Taps

TAPS – Peter M. Gould

Peter Marcus Gould passed away on 31 October 2019.  Peter served in Detachment”A” from 1980-1984.

A Celebration of Life was held on December 14, 2019 at the Contoocook Fire Station, 9 Pine Street, Contoocook New Hampshire .  Detachment”A” members Doug Curry and Ron Russell were in attendance.

Additional information

Taps

TAPS – Emmett L. “Jesse” Dover

Jesse passed away on 6 April 2019.  Jesse served in Detachment”A” from 1973-1978.

Jesse’s love of his life Annmarie stated:

Jesse requested cremation without any fanfare. I will pick up  the  ashes and wherever I go, he will go with me.

He wants everyone to remember him the way he was, he suffered enough.

He was the love of my life and death will not separate us.