SOA Candidates for the 2009 Board of Officers and DIRECTORS For Secretary, SOA: Lee Torbett, SOA # 2670-GA My name is Lee Torbett. I am interested in being the next Secretary for the SOA. Although I have only been a member for a little over two years, I fell that I can serve the SOA and its members in a superior manner. I enlisted in the Army in April 1966. I graduated from the SF Q in April 1967 as a 12B and was assigned to the 7th group at Ft. Bragg. I graduated from Ranger School at Ft. Benning and upon graduation in March 1968, I was awarded the Ranger Tab and promoted to SSG ( E-6 ). I received orders to report to Ft. Holabird for 96B ( Intel Analyst ) training enroute to Viet Nam. I reported to 5 th group HQS in September 68 and was assigned to B-52 in Tay Ninh. I transferred to B-36 ( 3 rd Mobile Strike Force ) several months later and was assigned to the Recon Company where I served as a Recon Team Leader for 6 months and was a Reaction Platoon Leader for several months. Finally, I was asked to serve as a company commander for an indigenous company. While in Viet Nam I attended and graduated from RECONDO School in Nha Trang. In September 69, I received a direct commission to 2 nd Lt. and returned to the States to attend IOBC. Upon graduation, I was assigned to the 172 Infantry at Ft. Richardson, Alaska where I served as an infantry platoon leader and S-4. I returned to Viet Nam in September 71 after attending the Jungle Expert Course in Panama and graduating as the Distinguished Honor Graduate. I served with the 101 st as an infantry leader until they stood down in December 71. I transferred to Cam Ranh Bay where I served as a security officer for the Drug Rehabilitation Center for several months before being assigned to FANK. I served at Dong Ba Thin as an XO for an A team until DEROS in September 72. Upon returning to the States I attended DLIWC for Spanish and then went to Ft. Bragg for the SF Officers course. I graduated 6 th out of 99 officers and was assigned to the 7 th Group at Ft. Gulick, Panama where I served as an A team commander. I left active duty in September 75 and joined the Texas Army National Guard in Jan. 76 and served as an Airborne Infantry Company Commander until 78. During this time I attended and graduated from Texas A & M with a BS in History. I left the Guard in 1978 because of job conflicts. In 1982 I rejoined the Texas Army National Guard, resigned my commission and served as an E-5 clerk-typist in the S-1 section of the 49 th Armored Division DISCOM HQ. In May 84, I received a direct commission to Captain. I served as the S-4 for the DISCOM. I latter attended the Quartermaster Advance Course, serving as Class Leader. Upon graduation, I received the Leadership Award. I later attended the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. I served in numerous positions with the DISCOM until my retirement in May 99. I retired as a Lt. Col. The last 17 years of my civilian career were spent in city government, where I worked as a Property Manager for the City of Waco and a Real Estate Specialist and Right of Way Agent for the City of Irving. I retired from the City of Irving Nov. 06 and am currently living in Marlin, Texas with my wife Gale.
For Director, SOA Biography for Melvin ( Sleepy ) Hill SOA # 832-GL 829 Stoneykirk Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28314-0734 Phone: (910) 868-4820 Fax: (910) 401-1608 E-mail: melhilccn@aol.com 1955-1977 U.S. Army SPECIAL FORCES CONTIGOUS ASSIGNMENTS: 1964-1976 Communications Sergeant Assignments include: 6 th Special Forcers Group, 3 rd Special Forces Group, MACV SOG (CCN) and 7 th Special Forces Group Operations Sergeant Assignments include: MACV SOG (CCN), 10 th Special Forces Group and the 1 st Special Forces Group. Life Member- #M-1627 Special Forces Association Life Member- # 832-GL Special Operations Association Having also served more than 49 years as an Officer in other Fraternal Organizations, I believe the most important issue facing the SOA is recruiting new members to fill the ranks, to insure organizational continuity. As a Director, I will make this my priority, as long as it does not conflict with the SOA priorities. Robert L. Strange, SOA # 1304-GL I have served as a Director for the past three (3) years and appreciate your support. I would like to continue serving in that capacity for another term. During my tenure I was responsible for the operation of SOAMS. I was also the website administrator prior to the changeover to our existing website. I ve been an SOA member since 1996
and have attended every SOAR since then. I am a life member of The Khe Sanh Veterans, The American Legion, and my local VFW where I serve as the Post Adjutant. I m also a member of SFA (MI) Chapter 55. Working with the current Board I realize that this is a dedicated, hardworking group of individuals who have the members and the Association as their number one priority. I get great satisfaction coming to SOAR and seeing and being around my former comrades. Now, I am asking for your vote so I can continue working for you. Every vote is important, so do your part: VOTE! Earl N. Trabue, SOA # 1056-GL Biography I have served in combat twice. As an enlisted man I was a First Scout in the Infantry. AS an officer I was the commander of C5/CCS from June 68 to June 69. I have also served the SOA as a Board Member for approximately ten (10) years. During that time I have been a Director and the Vice President. Since September of 2008 when I came off the Board I have continued to work for the SOA by completing the SOP for the Board. I have learned that to be successful on the Board of Directors you have to spend time and effort. The service that I have given the SOA as a Board Member has been, to say the least, a definite learning experience. Did I make mistakes? Yes. ( I believe that if a man does not make a mistake once in a while he isn t doing anything.) I corrected those mistakes that I could, learned from all of them and make sure I didn t repeat any of them. It is my belief, that the learning curve I have gone through in the past, fully qualifies me to give even better service to the membership and the Association if I am elected as a Director for the term starting September 2009. Bill Werther, SOA # 497-GL I first came to SOA in 1983 and have returned as business and time permitted. I retired after serving 21 years in the Army. I am now fully retired and now have the time to fully commit to the SOA. I am asking for your vote and support to serve on the Board of Directors. I am a Life Member and have worked at the Memorabilia table and assisted at the Registration Desk through the years.
I served in SOG for the better part of three (3) tours of duty. I was stationed at FOB-1, FOB-3, CCN and CCC. I was either on the Hatchet Force or in the Recon Company as a One-One or One-Zero. I feel that it is time for me to give back to the organization that has allowed me to once again reestablish old friendships with the buddies I worked with in the late 60 s and early 70 s. I have never met a group of men who cared so much or gave so much to their country. I will try to serve you with hard work and be prepared to listen to you, the General membership, for your ideas and concerns. Henry J. Cook, III, SOA # 331-GL Life member of the SOA and SFA (#D-2985). Combat tours in Viet Nam where in 1967-68 as a member of A-403 serving with the 4 th Mobile Guerrilla Force and 1969-70 serving as member of A-402, 4 th Mobile Strike Force Battalion ( MIKE FORCE). In 2007 I attended my first SOAR after more then 25 years as a member. Upon renewing old friendships forged as comrades in arms, I vowed not to miss another. IN 2008 at SOAR I inquired as to how I might help more than merely serving as a members and am now seeking a Director s position. I am a member of numerous veterans organizations and have served as a past national commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. I am currently retired from my law practice but serve in a Pro Bono capacity as the Legislative Advisor for Soldier s Angel and as a Municipal Judge in Bay, St. Louis, MS. My wife, Nancy, and I currently reside in Diamonhead, MS. I seek your support to serve as a Director for the Special Operations Association.
THE BALLOT IS BELOW FILL IT OUT PLACE IN ENVELOPE MARKED BALLOT ONLY PLACE THAT ENVELOPE IN ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO TALLY COMMITTEE C/O BILL SYLVESTER 1791 TORRANCE ST SAN DIEGO, CA 92103 PLACE A 1 ST CLASS STAMP (46 CENTS) ON THE ENVELOPE AND MAIL IT TODAY
SPECIAL OPERATIONS ASSOCIATION OFFICIAL BALLOT SOAR XXXIII 2009 SECRETARY Vote for one (1) only ( ) Lee Torbett SOA# 2670 GA ( ) Write in DIRECTOR Vote for two (2) only ( ) Henry Cook SOA# 331 GL ( ) Mel Hill SOA# 832 GL ( ) Bob Strange (Incumbent) SOA# 1304 GL ( ) Earl Curly Trabue SOA# 1056 GL ( ) Bill Werther SOA# 497 GL ( ) Write in ( ) Write in Please note there are only two (2) Director positions open. So, please vote for only two (2) candidates. You have never lived until you have almost died. For those who have fought for it, life has a flavor the protected will never know