Special Forces group to dedicate chapter to fallen Green Beret
Founding members of the new Special Forces Association Chapter 43 are pictured at the May 7 Veterans Stand Down at North Idaho College. From left: Chapter Vice President retired Sgt. Maj. Stephen "Durf" Durfee and Chapter President Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Legler.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Durfee
At the Lilac Day Parade, Saturday, May 14, from left: Special Forces Association Chapter 43 External Communications Director, Master Sergeant Nathan Ellison, Taylor Fernandez, and Chapter Treasurer Sergeant First Class Harrison McLean. McLean is currently a reservist with the 19th Special Forces Group. Each is holding a poster commemorating fallen soldiers from the Pacific Northwest.
POST FALLS — An activation and dedication ceremony for Kootenai County's first chapter of the Special Forces Association will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 11 at the Idaho National Guard Armory in Post Falls. The public is invited to attend.
Retired Sgt. Maj. Stephen Durfee helped found the local chapter and serves as its vice president. The chapter is dedicated to the memory of fallen Green Beret soldier Sgt. Maj. Bradly D. Conner, who grew up in Coeur d’Alene and died in May 2007 while serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The Special Forces Association has chapters worldwide. Kootenai County’s first chapter, No. 43, joins a second Idaho chapter, No. 69 in Boise, Durfee said.
“We promote the health, morale and welfare for the Special Forces, past, present and future,” Durfee said.
Conner enlisted in the Army in June 1987 as an ammunition specialist. After basic training in Alabama, Conner was assigned to the 515th Ordinance Company, Redstone Arsenal. In 1992, he volunteered for Special Forces training. Conner served during four deployments in Iraq and in May 2007, he sustained wounds while conducting a combat patrol outside Al-Hillah, Iraq. Conner died May 9, 2007.
Conner is survived by his wife, Cynthia, a son and two daughters, and two brothers and a sister.
Conner’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal Second Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal Fifth Award, National Defense Service Medal Second Award, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and others.
Originally founded in 1964, at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, the fraternal organization serves as a voice for the Special Forces Community, with a focus on public service. The SFA provides support, manpower, funds and seeks to educate the public and its members on Special Forces history, present contributions and the future development of the United States Army Special Forces. SFA provides resources to assist Special Forces units to ensure they are adequately manned and equipped.
The Idaho Army National Guard Armory is at 5453 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls.
RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/33820784777.
This story has been amended to accommodate a correction.