Skip to main content
HomeCh. 55

Michigan Special Forces Chapter 55

Michael F. May Memorial Chapter

CHAPTER LEADERSHIP

 

PRESIDENT             JOSEPH KOLP

VICE PRESIDENT    LEE SILVERS

SECRETARY            CHRISTOPHER MIZE

TREASURER            DOUGLAS MORGAN
CHAPLIN VINCENT MESSINA

 

HISTORIAN:           DAVE FETTERS

                                    (PRESIDENT EMERITUS)

 

MEMBERSHIP:     DOUGLAS MORGAN

                                dm4banger@aol.com

 

POC:                       DOUGLAS SHERD

                                15975 SIPPLE AVE

                                SAND LAKE, MI. 49343

                                doug.sherd@sfchap55.net

tAB 02

*Attention*

WARNING NOTICE

 

Date for Winter Meeting

 

Our November get together is going to be November 8, 2025 at the Lansing Hilton Home Suites.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO FOLLOW

*BOARD CHANGES*

 

 

MEET JOSEPH KOLP (PRESIDENT)

 

Joe is a graduate of the Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger School, Special Forces Sniper (SQTIC), Military Free-Fall Course and Defense Language Institute (Vietnamese).

 

Joseph Kolp was born in Detroit Michigan. He joined the Military in 1983 and served in numerous units to include E/60th Infantry's Long Range Surveillance (Airborne). The 325th Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne. 1st and 19th Special Forces Groups (Airborne) and Special Operations Detachment-Pacific. SFODA participation in the workup for the Iraq Invasion and later infiltration into the Baghdad A/O as part of the coalition Special Operations.

 

Joe retired from the Military as a Master Sergeant in 2006 and continued to serve as a police officer in Washington State. He has two adult children who reside in the Seattle area. Joe retired from police work and moved back to Michigan in 2023.

MEET LEE SILVERS (VICE PRESIDENT)

 

Lee is a graduate of the Special Forces Qualification Course, Ranger School, Air Assault, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC).


Lee Silvers was born in a U.S. Army Hospital in Wurzburg Germany. He commissioned from Arizona State University ROTC in 2011 and served his PL and XO time in the First Infantry Division before going to selection and on to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Lee served as an SFODA Detachment Commander on SFODA 5126 for two combat deployments to Syria and Iraq as part of OIR. 


Lee left the Army as a CPT after 10 years in 2021. Lee returned to his hometown of Marshall Michigan where he has since started a family with his Wife Marissa. They have a 1 year old son and another baby on the way!


 

 

MICHIGAN'S


"QUIET PROFESSIONALS"


Your home for continuing your

SPECIAL FORCES JOURNEY

AND KEEPING THE PRIDE ALIVE




Pavilion

WINTER MEETING SCHEDULE


TBD

 

 

Check the website for updates! specialforcesassociation.org/SFAChapter55

CAMP10

LOOKING BACK TO

"2012"


CAMP1
CAMP10
CAMP2
CAMP3
CAMP5
CAMP8
CAMP7
miller
may
Ynemta

FRANKLIN D. MILLER MOH

JANUARY 1945-JUNE 2000


Member SFA Michigan Chapter 55. Command Sergeant Major Ret. 6 tours in Viet Nam March 1966- Nov 1972.


Unit: 5th SFG, MAC-V SOG.


Other Awards: Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars w/V, 6 Purple Hearts

SGT. MICHAEL F. MAY

JUNE 1947-March 1969


Namesake of SFA Michigan Chapter 55.


Unit: 5th SFG, MAC-V SOG.


Other Awards: Bronze Star, Purple Heart


KIA, BNR

SGT. GORDON D. YNTEMA MOH

JUNE 1945-JANUARY 1968


Honorary Member of SFA Michigan Chapter 55.


Unit: 5th SFG, A431


Other Awards: Silver Star, 2 Purple Hearts.


One of 4 MOH recipients from Holland, Michigan

 

 

 

 

REAL ID ALTERNATIVES


If you have a VA Health ID, DOD identification, or retired Military ID you do not need to get a Real ID indorsement on your Drivers License. These and several other types of ID are listed alternatives.


WERE YOU AWARDED A PURPLE HEART


The MICHIGAN MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART has a special offer for those who qualify. MICHIGAN MOPH will pay half of any new members life membership application. The regular life membership fee is $200. MICHIGAN MOPH will offset $ 100. of that fee upon membership eligibility confirmation.Eligibility required is a copy of the applicants DD214 showing the Award of the Purple Heart Medal. For more information contact MICHIGAN MOPH Commander Fred Honerkamp @989-859-8587

ranger sf


**SEPTEMBER LUNCH**

SAME PLACE SAME TIME

SEPTEMBER 6TH