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Chapter Meeting Minutes
17 October 2026
Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grill
515 SE Carolina Street
Portland, OR 97239
Call to Order: 1230
Attendance (21): Steve Walker, Mike Ward, Geno Williams, Tony Tycer, Joe Smith, Jerry Powell, Joe Vering, Bill Gritzbaugh, Sid Macken, Danny Deitz, Weldon Burton, Dennis Klein, Lee Reese, Andrew Klein, John Steinbaugh, Janis Zuments, Steve Summers, Jeff Cuipers, Tina Kennedy, Chuck Koscinski, Paul Henderson
Honors: Geno Williams, Sgt. at Arms, led the Pledge of Allegiance, Tony Tycer, Chaplain, presented the Special Forces Prayer and a short homily on Revelations 3:20, the Fallen Comrade Table.
Introductions: Steve Walker re-introduced members Tina Kennedy and Chuck Koscinski
Sick Call: Ivan Davis has had shoulder replacement surgery. Steve Cornacchia reports he has acute anemia and Mike Peck had kidney stones removed with complications.
Minutes: A motion to accept the August 2026 and September 2026 minutes: Accepted.
Financial Report: Weldon Burton, Treasurer, reported a bank balance of $13,321.41, and a Benevolent account balance of $1,100.00.
Danny Deitz reported that the bottle fund has a balance of $481.00. A motion to approve the financial report. Accepted.
President’s Comments: Steve Walker thanked all those that worked and attended the annual Chapter 47 Picnic. Steve also reminded members that October is SFA membership renewal month. Send your application and check to Weldon Burton, 13210 SE 7th St., Unit J-48, Vancouver, WA 98683.
Steve also requested that members submit scholarship applications for themselves or family members. John Steinbaugh and Andrew Klein gave updates on their daughters that are past recipients of scholarships. Congratulations to the three of them.
Steve also encouraged members to wear their “Colors” to help recruit new members.
It was decided to cancel the December 2026 chapter meeting as it is too close to the Christmas holiday.
Guest Speaker: Andrew Klein discussed his recent trip to Tunisa and Estonia to train military and police in identifying illegal drug and explosive-making labs.
Andrew also reported that in August he attended the reunion of ODA 9114
This is your Life: Chuck Koscinski
Charles ‘Chuck’ J. Koscinski was born on August 7, 1941, in Hamtramck, Michigan. One of six children, Chuck grew up on Detroit’s east side.
His mother, Emily, was one of six children herself, and his father worked as a plumber after serving in the United States Navy as a Petty Officer and Gunner’s Mate aboard various LST vessels in the Leyte Gulf.
Chuck attended St. Hyacinth Parochial School and later St. Mary’s Orchard Lake Boarding School. He began his college education at Highland Park Junior College before continuing at Wayne State University, where he pursued pre-medical studies. Along the way, he also entered a plumbing apprenticeship, completing three of the five years while continuing his education.
In February 1962, Chuck enlisted in the United States Army as unassigned Airborne. His military training took him to Fort Knox for basic training, Fort Gordon for AIT and Fort Benning for Airborne training. He was selected for Special Forces and subsequently completed his SF medical training at Fort Sam Houston.
Chuck was assigned to Company C, 3rd Bn, 7th SFG, at Fort Bragg, NC. He was later assigned to Vietnam, where he joined Captain Roger Donlon’s A-726 team in May 1964. Following the fighting at Nam Dong, Chuck served as the team medic, replacing Terrance Terrin, who had been wounded in action and awarded the Silver Star. Chuck helped establish Camp Tako along the border with Laos.
Chuck returned to Fort Bragg in December 1964 and completed his active Army service in February 1965. He later joined the 12th Special Forces Group.
Returning to Wayne State University, Chuck continued pursuing his interest in medicine. In 1968, he was selected to attend the California College of Podiatric Medicine in San Francisco. He completed his studies in 1972 and went on to practice podiatric medicine in La Jolla, California.
During this period, Chuck married his first wife, Pattie, and they had two children. His professional interests continued to expand, eventually leading him to pursue additional studies at a naturopathic college.
In 1981, Chuck accepted a commission in the United States Army and served as a podiatrist at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado until 1984. After leaving the Army, he continued his medical career with Kaiser Permanente, working as a staff podiatrist in Oregon.
Chuck later met his current wife, Sandy, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. They were married in March 2000.
Chuck recently moved from Lincoln City to Gresham, to be closer to family.
50/50 Drawing: John Steinbaugh won the drawing and donated his share of the $189.00 back to the chapter. In addition, shirt sales totaled $100.00. A metal SF emblem donated by John Steinbaugh was given to Tina for Fort Kennedy.
Old Business: Dennis Klein gave an update on the ROTC and JROTC programs. The ROTC programs at both OSU and U of O have new Professors of Military Science (PMS).
New Business: John Steinbaugh informed members that there is a market for old military items. His advice is “don’t just dispose of it, look around”.
Danny Deitz has acquired a mockup of a M16 rifle and he will be adding it to the items for the Fallen Comrade table.
Tina Kennedy informed members that Fort Kennedy is hosting the 5th annual Veteran Benefit Gala on November 7, 2026. If you are interested in attending, go to fortkennedy.ejoinme.org/GalaTickets for additional information and tickets.
Congratulations to Steve and Barbara Walker as they will be in Hawaii to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in November.
Chapter 47 Events for 2026
November 21 - Chapter 47 Meeting, Salem
December 19 - Cancelled
January 16 - Chapter 47 Meeting, Portland
February 20- Chapter 47 Meeting , Salem
Adjournment: 1317
Mike Ward
Secretary
SFA Chapter 47