San Antonio hosts Green Berets from around the world, 2013

Hundreds of past and present Army Green Berets from around the world will gather in San Antonio next summer for the 2013 convention of the national Special Forces Association.

It will be the first time San Antonio has hosted the national meeting since 1986, said Armando Canales, president of San Antonio’s Green Beret Chapter 15. The gathering is scheduled for June 26-30 at the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Convention chairman is Fred Solis, a retired Army colonel now chief of police in Olmos Park. “We just got back from this year’s annual convention in Fayetteville (N.C.) and  made a strong pitch to the membership to come to San Antonio next year,” said Solis. “Based on early registrations and the enthusiasm we saw for San Antonio, we are expecting a very good turnout.”

Planned highlights of the convention will be a picnic at LaVillita, a golf  tournament at Fort Sam Houston Golf Course, a military ceremony at the Alamo, and a banquet featuring USAA President and CEO Joe Robles as keynote speaker.

“Of course, the real highlight for many attendees is meeting up with old Army buddies, guys who haven’t seen each other in years, and telling war stories,” said Solis. Members also traditionally receive briefings from current Special Forces leaders about their training and recent experiences, he said.

For registration and further information, use the Membership tab at the Special Forces Association web site, www.specialforcesassociation.org.

The Special Forces Association, based in Fayetteville, N.C., is a non-profit fraternal organization of active and retired U.S. Army Green Berets with 84 chapters in every state of the United States, plus Panama, Germany, South Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Guam. Australia and Okinawa. General Membership is open to anyone who has been Special Forces qualified. Associate membership is available to those who have served with or supported Special Forces “in a unique and definable way.”