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Chapter Meeting Minutes
15 August 2026
Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grill
515 SE Carolina Street
Portland, OR 97239
Call to Order: 1232
Attendance (13): Steve Walker, Mike Ward, Geno Williams, Jerry Powell, Paul Foster, Joe Vering, Cliff Canucci, Sid Macken, Danny Deitz, Weldon Burton, Dennis Klein, Steve Summers, Jeff Cuiper
Honors: Geno Williams, Sgt. at Arms, led the Pledge of Allegiance, Danny Deitz presented the Special Forces Prayer.
Introductions: Dispensed
Sick Call: Cliff Canucci reported that he has finished his radiation treatments and Steve Summers is scheduled for an oblation procedure this week.
Minutes: A motion to accept the July 2026 minutes: Accepted.
Financial Report: Weldon Burton, Treasurer, reported a bank balance of $12,149.96, and a Benevolent account balance of $1,100.00
Danny Dietz reported that the bottle fund has a balance of $1,139.18. A motion to approve the financial report. Accepted.
President’s Comments: Steve Walker will email the invitations to the annual SFA Chapter 47 Picnic scheduled for September 19, 2026.
Volunteers are needed to help with picnic setup on Friday the 18th. Contact Danny at 503.851.4596 if you can help.
The “Fire God” also known as Geno will not be available to help setup this year as he will be in Michigan attending the wedding of his grandson.
Steve reported that Jim Ketrow is moving to Camas and that David Brock is moving from Sweet Home to Prineville.
Andrew Klein is in either Tunisia or Estonia instructing on chemical safety.
This is Your Life - Paul Foster:
Paul was born in 1949 on a small ranch along Sarpy Creek near Hardin, Montana. His father, Benjamin Foster, was the youngest son of a frontier pioneer who established the community of Foster, Montana, opening a mercantile and post office between Custer and Hardin. His farther enlisted in the Army following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was wounded in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest just three days before the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and other decorations. The bullet that wounded him remained lodged near his spine for the rest of his life.
Growing up on a Montana ranch, work always came before comfort. As he often recalls, "You may attend school, but work was your first priority." While working on a large ranch during the bitter Montana winter of 1967, enduring temperatures of 25 degrees below zero while feeding cattle, Paul decided it was time for a new challenge. On September 6, 1967, he enlisted in the United States Army.
Before even beginning basic training, Paul volunteered for Vietnam and was assigned to the Engineer Corps. He arrived in Vietnam on February 11, 1968 and served for more than eighteen months. The experiences of Vietnam profoundly shaped his view of military service.
After returning home, Paul resolved that if he ever returned to combat, he wanted to serve among the military's finest. That commitment led him to the U.S. Army Special Forces Reserve, where he joined Company A, 12th Special Forces Group. He served from the late 1970s until the unit's deactivation in August 1994, Paul volunteered for every opportunity for advanced training and challenging assignments. After completing Operations and Intelligence training, Sergeant Major Luccas selected him to serve as Team Sergeant of Operational Detachment 313, a position he held from 1990 until his retirement in 1994.
Throughout his Special Forces career, Paul was mentored by many of the legendary "old-timers" whose experience dated back to the early years of Special Forces. Their professionalism, toughness, and unwavering standards left a lasting impression. They instilled in him the enduring Special Forces ethos of never quitting, never failing, and always placing the mission and the team first. Their philosophy was simple: work hard, train harder, and enjoy the camaraderie earned through shared sacrifice.
Paul retired from military service in August 1994. He then continued serving his community in law enforcement until retiring in 2004. He spent the next four years supporting U.S. government missions overseas, providing security operations in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates while also serving in border security operations in Kosovo.
Paul also recommended the book, Unbreakable Valor - A Special Forces Medic’s Fight to Heal What War Left Behind by Drew Webb.
Old Business: Danny Deitz gave an update on the Chapter 47 picnic. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken Skewers will be provided. Members are requested to bring a side dish or dessert.
Danny will have his golf cart available to those that need assistance getting to and from the picnic area.
As of today the estimated cost for the picnic is $800.00. Thanks to Brian Boquist for the use of his tables and chairs! This is a big savings for the chapter.
50/50 Drawing: Weldon Burton won the drawing and donated his share of the $79.00 back to the chapter. The chapter donated $20.00 to Weldon's lunch.
New Business: Steve Walker reminded members to start thinking about the SFA Chapter 47 Scholarships available for members, their children and grandchildren.
Dennis Klein let members know that he has ROTC Scholarships available. Contact Dennis if you know someone that might be interested.
Good of the Order: Dennis Klein discussed the Casualty Assistance officer and their role. He is currently assisting a battle buddy’s widow work through the process. His message – PREPARE YOUR FAMILY!!
Chapter 47 Events for 2026
September 19 – Annual Chapter 47 Picnic. Deitz River Front Estate in Keizer
October 17 - Chapter 47 Meeting, Portland
November 21 - Chapter 47 Meeting, Salem
Adjournment: 1320
Mike Ward
Secretary
SFA Chapter 47