Above photo from the 1949 reunion in Chicago, IL
2016 Reunion - The First Special Service Force
70th Reunion
Garrison Petawawa/Pembroke
August 10 -13, 2016
70th First Special Service Force Association Reunion After Action Report
The 70th annual First Special Service Force Association (FSSFA) reunion was held in the communities of Pembroke and Petawawa, Ontario, August 10-13, 2016 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the official stand-up ceremony for the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR). The reunion began with a Meet and Greet social Wednesday evening.
Thursday focused on Association business, starting with a Board of Directors meeting which was immediately followed by our annual General Business Meeting. The business formalities wrapped up with the second Board of Directors meeting Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon buses looped through Pembroke providing Association members with transportation to select Pembroke attractions.
Thursday evening’s social was attended by the Honorable Mike LeMay, Mayor of Pembroke. Mr. LeMay wanted to greet the FSSFA and pay respects to the Force veterans before departing for a prior commitment. Col (R) Bernd Horn, author of "Of Determination and Courage" provided an interesting presentation on the challenges and logistics of writing a historically accurate book. This was followed by a presentation on WW II dance styles by Marisa Rowe, from Caledon, Ontario.
Friday the FSSFA membership was invited to Garrison Petawawa to commemorate CSOR’s 10th anniversary of the official stand-up ceremony. The morning started on a garrison firing range with CSOR conducting a live-fire demonstration named Exercise Enduring Dagger to showcase the unit’s capabilities. FSSF veterans were event VIP guests with front row seating and were formally recognized by dignitaries who recognized and commended CSOR’s lineage to the FSSF. After completion of the exercise, CSOR troops formed up for a review. The weather was not cooperative as the area received some badly needed rain. The meteorological challenge was reminiscent of inclement weather endured by the FSSF and gave the audience a mild example of unpleasant conditions our special operators, both former and current, often work in to aid the oppressed and protect our nations from those who wish to do us harm. Exercise Enduring Dagger concluded with a barbecue on the garrison.
Friday evening the Force veterans were honored guest at CSOR’s Ball and Awards gala. FSSFA Presidential officers with a guest, Corliss Olson and Doug Drake, with John and Charlotte Woon, were also invited to participate in this wonderful evening. The Force veterans were a focal element of the event with frequent comments directed to them and annual awards given in Forcemen’s names were presented to current CSOR operators. Friday evening also had Pembroke’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 72 welcoming FSSFA members by opening their doors to the FSSFA. Branch Ladies Auxiliary provided an incredible no-host lasagna meal. Pembroke’s Antique Car Club graciously provided transportation in beautiful vintage vehicles for FSSF wives and widows attending this event.
Saturday started in Petawawa with the FSSF Memorial Service at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 517. The Memorial Service was originally planned for the cenotaph near Canadian Legion Branch 517, but continued heavy rain in the area compelled us to move the service indoors. Members of the Legion graciously invited us to use their Legion hall and they worked fervently to set up the hall for our Memorial Service. Capt. Michael Hughes, CSOR’s S3 officer served as Master of Ceremonies for the service. After welcoming Memorial Service attendees, the Colors were marched on and were presented by a Color Guard of CSOR soldiers Our national anthems were played and Father Alex Varga, CSOR Padre provided the service Invocation. In addition to the many who attended this Memorial to pay their respects, we were honored to have the following dignitaries in attendance: MGen (R) Lewis Mackenzie; Col Bradley Moses, Group Commander, 3rd Special Forces Group (A) representing U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Command; LCol Steven Hunter, Commanding Officer Canadian Special Operations Regiment; Maj Alex Varga, Padre Canadian Special Operations Regiment; Capt Michael Hughes, S3 Officer Canadian Special Operations Regiment; CWO Mike Gauley, Regimental Sergeant Major Canadian Special Operations Regiment; CWO Jack Durnford, Director General Military Careers, Canadian Armed Forces; CSM Aubrey Hawkins, 3rd Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group (A) representing U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Command; Deputy Mayor Ron Gervais, Pembroke.
Guest speaker for the Memorial, Col Bradley Moses, addressed the Force veterans and the audience describing some of his military experiences with Canadian forces in the field and injecting some Canadian humor which highlighted the true strength of the ongoing U.S. – Canadian Special Forces brotherhood. CWO Jack Durnford read the names of 42 Force veterans who passed away in the past year and 2016 Frederick Award recipients, CPL Don Mitchell, CSOR and SFC Ryan Hendrickson, 7th SFG(A) placed the wreath on behalf of the veterans of the FSSF. A wreath was also placed by the wives and widows of FSSF veterans. Pipes & Drums of the Black Devils were joined by renowned piper Barkley Hawkins in playing Lament and Rouse.
Saturday evening the reunion concluded with the FSSFA annual banquet. Pipes & Drums of the Black Devils were again joined by Barkley Hawkins to open our annual banquet. Bill Story’s tradition of leading in the signing of our national anthems was continued with his son, Kirk Story leading us with vocal abilities that surely made his father proud. Padre Varga gave the Invocation, which was followed by the formal toasts. LCol Steven Hunter, addressed the Force veterans and audience highlighting the FSSF and the Special Forces lineage they established which CSOR proudly carries forward today. President John Woon presented a plaque to Past President Corliss Olson, thanking her for her support and dedication to the FSSF Association and veterans. Force veteran Charlie Mann, 4-3, presented the Frederick Award to CPL Don Mitchell and Force veteran Herman Kasoff, 3-2, presented the Frederick Award to SFC Ryan Hendrickson in recognition of these two exceptional soldier’s extraordinary service. Bill Woon, on behalf of Fred Conrod, presented the Eugene V. McCormick Award for outstanding service to the Association to Herman Kasoff.
Thank you for the incredible hospitality and support provided by the Petawawa and Pembroke Legion Branches, along with overwhelming support by the cities of Petawawa and Pembroke. They not only made us feel so welcome, but were essential to our reunion being such a success. We will forever remember their gracious and generous outpouring of assistance for our Force veterans and Association members.
~ John Woon Reunion Committee Co-Chair
The 70th annual First Special Service Force Association (FSSFA) reunion was held in the communities of Pembroke and Petawawa, Ontario, August 10-13, 2016 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the official stand-up ceremony for the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR). The reunion began with a Meet and Greet social Wednesday evening.
Thursday focused on Association business, starting with a Board of Directors meeting which was immediately followed by our annual General Business Meeting. The business formalities wrapped up with the second Board of Directors meeting Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon buses looped through Pembroke providing Association members with transportation to select Pembroke attractions.
Thursday evening’s social was attended by the Honorable Mike LeMay, Mayor of Pembroke. Mr. LeMay wanted to greet the FSSFA and pay respects to the Force veterans before departing for a prior commitment. Col (R) Bernd Horn, author of "Of Determination and Courage" provided an interesting presentation on the challenges and logistics of writing a historically accurate book. This was followed by a presentation on WW II dance styles by Marisa Rowe, from Caledon, Ontario.
Friday the FSSFA membership was invited to Garrison Petawawa to commemorate CSOR’s 10th anniversary of the official stand-up ceremony. The morning started on a garrison firing range with CSOR conducting a live-fire demonstration named Exercise Enduring Dagger to showcase the unit’s capabilities. FSSF veterans were event VIP guests with front row seating and were formally recognized by dignitaries who recognized and commended CSOR’s lineage to the FSSF. After completion of the exercise, CSOR troops formed up for a review. The weather was not cooperative as the area received some badly needed rain. The meteorological challenge was reminiscent of inclement weather endured by the FSSF and gave the audience a mild example of unpleasant conditions our special operators, both former and current, often work in to aid the oppressed and protect our nations from those who wish to do us harm. Exercise Enduring Dagger concluded with a barbecue on the garrison.
Friday evening the Force veterans were honored guest at CSOR’s Ball and Awards gala. FSSFA Presidential officers with a guest, Corliss Olson and Doug Drake, with John and Charlotte Woon, were also invited to participate in this wonderful evening. The Force veterans were a focal element of the event with frequent comments directed to them and annual awards given in Forcemen’s names were presented to current CSOR operators. Friday evening also had Pembroke’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 72 welcoming FSSFA members by opening their doors to the FSSFA. Branch Ladies Auxiliary provided an incredible no-host lasagna meal. Pembroke’s Antique Car Club graciously provided transportation in beautiful vintage vehicles for FSSF wives and widows attending this event.
Saturday started in Petawawa with the FSSF Memorial Service at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 517. The Memorial Service was originally planned for the cenotaph near Canadian Legion Branch 517, but continued heavy rain in the area compelled us to move the service indoors. Members of the Legion graciously invited us to use their Legion hall and they worked fervently to set up the hall for our Memorial Service. Capt. Michael Hughes, CSOR’s S3 officer served as Master of Ceremonies for the service. After welcoming Memorial Service attendees, the Colors were marched on and were presented by a Color Guard of CSOR soldiers Our national anthems were played and Father Alex Varga, CSOR Padre provided the service Invocation. In addition to the many who attended this Memorial to pay their respects, we were honored to have the following dignitaries in attendance: MGen (R) Lewis Mackenzie; Col Bradley Moses, Group Commander, 3rd Special Forces Group (A) representing U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Command; LCol Steven Hunter, Commanding Officer Canadian Special Operations Regiment; Maj Alex Varga, Padre Canadian Special Operations Regiment; Capt Michael Hughes, S3 Officer Canadian Special Operations Regiment; CWO Mike Gauley, Regimental Sergeant Major Canadian Special Operations Regiment; CWO Jack Durnford, Director General Military Careers, Canadian Armed Forces; CSM Aubrey Hawkins, 3rd Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group (A) representing U.S. Army 1st Special Forces Command; Deputy Mayor Ron Gervais, Pembroke.
Guest speaker for the Memorial, Col Bradley Moses, addressed the Force veterans and the audience describing some of his military experiences with Canadian forces in the field and injecting some Canadian humor which highlighted the true strength of the ongoing U.S. – Canadian Special Forces brotherhood. CWO Jack Durnford read the names of 42 Force veterans who passed away in the past year and 2016 Frederick Award recipients, CPL Don Mitchell, CSOR and SFC Ryan Hendrickson, 7th SFG(A) placed the wreath on behalf of the veterans of the FSSF. A wreath was also placed by the wives and widows of FSSF veterans. Pipes & Drums of the Black Devils were joined by renowned piper Barkley Hawkins in playing Lament and Rouse.
Saturday evening the reunion concluded with the FSSFA annual banquet. Pipes & Drums of the Black Devils were again joined by Barkley Hawkins to open our annual banquet. Bill Story’s tradition of leading in the signing of our national anthems was continued with his son, Kirk Story leading us with vocal abilities that surely made his father proud. Padre Varga gave the Invocation, which was followed by the formal toasts. LCol Steven Hunter, addressed the Force veterans and audience highlighting the FSSF and the Special Forces lineage they established which CSOR proudly carries forward today. President John Woon presented a plaque to Past President Corliss Olson, thanking her for her support and dedication to the FSSF Association and veterans. Force veteran Charlie Mann, 4-3, presented the Frederick Award to CPL Don Mitchell and Force veteran Herman Kasoff, 3-2, presented the Frederick Award to SFC Ryan Hendrickson in recognition of these two exceptional soldier’s extraordinary service. Bill Woon, on behalf of Fred Conrod, presented the Eugene V. McCormick Award for outstanding service to the Association to Herman Kasoff.
Thank you for the incredible hospitality and support provided by the Petawawa and Pembroke Legion Branches, along with overwhelming support by the cities of Petawawa and Pembroke. They not only made us feel so welcome, but were essential to our reunion being such a success. We will forever remember their gracious and generous outpouring of assistance for our Force veterans and Association members.
~ John Woon Reunion Committee Co-Chair
Below is the information in pdf format.
| spearhead_feb_2016_-_reunion_info_only.pdf |