Join Us to Hear Ray L. Oden, U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret)
at the
JAVA Luncheon, Awards Presentation & Annual Membership Meeting
July 24, 2021
11:30 am
Peking Gourmet Inn
6029 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041
Price: $30 per person
JAVA is excited to host its first post-pandemic luncheon. Sadly, the Harvest Moon Restaurant where we gathered for many years has closed. However, the Peking Gourmet Inn offers us not only delicious fare but also a wonderful atmosphere to rekindle old friendship and welcome new members. We look forward to seeing everyone on July 24th.
Lieutenant Colonel Ray L. Oden, U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret)
President
Special Forces Association Chapter XI
The National Capitol Chapter
Ray Oden is the president of Special Forces Association Chapter XI, “The National Capitol Chapter.” He was elected in 2014.
Chapter XI serves as the voice for the Special Forces Community in the National Capitol Area. The Chapter perpetuates Special Forces Traditions and Brotherhood, Commemorates the Memory of all Special Forces soldiers who have Given their Lives in Defense of Freedom, Advances the Public Image of Special Forces, and Promotes the General Welfare of the Special Forces Community. The Chapter also participates in the funerals of all Special Forces personnel in the National Capitol Area.
Ray enlisted in the Army in 1971, and was assigned to U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School (USMAPS), Fort Belvoir, VA. From USMAPS he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduated and was commissioned a Lieutenant of Infantry in June 1976.
Earning the coveted Green Beret in 1981, he was one of the first officers inducted into Special Forces when it became a branch of the Army in 1987. Retiring from the Army in 2001 he has been, and continues to be, a contract Intelligence Analyst since.
During his career he has received the following decorations and awards: Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/OLC, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/OLC, Army Achievement Medal w/OLC, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/2 BSS, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/2BSS, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon-2ndAward, NATO Medal (Yugoslavia), Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Force Space Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Army Staff Identification Badge, CIA’s Exceptional Performance Award, National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Award(CIA-Haiti), and National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Award (DIA-Habeus Declassification Team).