I dont know if everyone knows this, but even if I am preaching to the choir it can never be said too often; Just as when you speak about the Special Forces in Viet Nam you need to talk about the Montagnards, you can not talk about STMP without talking Special Forces. When the organization was formed in 1986 as GCMA, it was formed by Special Forces men and their Special Forces wives. Whenever groups of Montagnards arrived in NC they were met at the airports by groups of STMP and groups of SF soldiers, many hoping to see among old soldiers they had worked with in the Central Highlands. When Dega families needed help getting settled in new homes, SFA Chapters and STMP worked with the church and social service groups to find and stock apartments. And long after the the social service groups have moved on, STMP and SFA are still helping. When STMP needed money to buy, then expand the land near Asheboro, legendary SFA chieftain Jimmy Dean put out the word and the beret was passed. SF men around the world kicked in, and together with donations from the Dega communities, the down payment was made. STMP continued to raise money to make payments then out of the blue another SF soldier stepped up and paid off the land. Today, STMP continues to hold our Memorial Day Doings in May, the Dega Day picnic in September, and Operation Save Christmas in December. We present a presence at many veteran function around the country. At the farm, we also have an active SFA chapter, Chapter 57 and a Knights of Columbus group. We show the colors at the SFA convention and at SOAR to name a few.And always, no matter the other issues of the day, SF men and SF wives are there to help us out. STMP has grown now and you dont have to have been SF to belong, or even have served in Viet Nam, or even be a veteran. Our membership roster is filled by people of whom we ask only one thing....be willing to help the Montagnards. Remember; They were there for us then, Let us be here for them now.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 12:03:41 +0000
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