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The Stephen's Green Club, in conjunction with our friends at the Irish Veterans, request the pleasure of your company at a unique and poignant event on Tuesday, 8th October 2019.

On this evening, we honour and pay tribute to SSG Chris Falkel, a distinguished US Special Forces officer who died in action. In 2005, while supporting Operation "Enduring Freedom", Chris was involved in a 54 hour combat engagement with the Taliban in Afghanistan. During the first 5 of 7 battles, his planning, professionalism and bravery saved the lives of everyone on his team as well as the sixteen Afghan National Army Soldiers fighting with them. He was only 22 years old. For his incredible actions, SSG Falkel was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

On 8th October your Club is privileged to welcome Chris's father Jeff Falkel, who will speak more about his son and his bravery. He will then present the Stephen's Green Club with Chris's Green Beret and his Silver Star Medal.

The second guest speaker for the evening served for almost two decades with the British Special Forces in the SAS.

Tickets are limited for this event and cost € 40 per person which includes arrival drinks reception and dinner. Advance booking is essential. Please click on the link below to make a reservation or alternatively call Sharon in the Club on +353 1 673 0205 or sharon.walshe@stephensgreenclub.ie

Dress code is Lounge Suit, Uniforms or Decorations.

Chris was born on September 24, 1982 in Boston, Mass. In June 2002, he completed the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course and assigned to the Special Forces Qualification Course. He graduated May 21, 2003. After finishing his Arabic Language course and SERE training, he was assigned to Operational Detachment, Alpha 316, Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a weapons sergeant.

ORDER OF EVENTS:

The Silver Star Medal

The Silver Star Medal is the United States Armed Forces third highest personal decoration for valour in combat. It is awarded to members of the US armed Forces for gallantry in action against enemies of the United States.

On the evening of 8th October Jeff Falkel will present the Club with his son's Silver Star Medal that he was awarded posthumously for his acts of valor, courage and professionalism during the Battle of Mari Ghar on 7 - 9th August 2005.

Guest Speaker of the evening

Our speaker served for almost two decades with British Special Forces in the SAS, ultimately commanding their covert special operations programmes in Iraq and Afghanistan. His experience in ‘behind the lines’ covert operations is unsurpassed in today's Special Forces, his talents seeing him serve two of the longest operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan in the history of the modern day British Army. His unique story, travels, and experiences make for fascinating listening. His views on leadership, team cohesion, and motivation are insightful, unconventional, and full of lessons learned.

The Irish Veterans is a non-sectarian, non-denominational organization with no political affiliations. Their aim is to unite all who identify themselves as Irish and who are military veterans, or who are interested in their shared history.

It was the Irish Veterans, friends of SGC, who originally proposed the idea of hosting this unique event at the Club and we are privileged to collaborate.

Find our more about the Irish Veterans here.