Stephen Durfee is the president of the Special Forces Association Chapter 43, located in Post Falls. Durfee has one child, Yukika, whom he shares with his wife, Ikuko. Recently, Durfee and SFA 43 donated $2,000 to the Post Falls Veterans Home in a partnership with UpNorth Distillery. Durfee's donation will help make residents' days more active and maintain a high quality of life.  

1. What kind of work do you do with the Special Forces Association Chapter 43?

A. The Special Forces Association serves as the voice for the special forces community; perpetuates special forces traditions and brotherhood; advances the public image of special forces and promotes the general welfare of the special forces community in partnership with other veterans' service organizations and our North Idaho communities. We accomplish this through fundraising and donor support, providing tangible resources to real Veterans, Gold Star Families, and those with real needs in our community.

2. What inspired you to be a part of the organization?

A. After serving 25 years in the US Army Special Forces, taking care of each other and developing Soldiers, and seeing to their well-being,g we developed an intrinsic need to continue to serve others and be connected to other Veterans after our service is completed.

3. What kind of hobbies or pastimes do you enjoy?

A. Fresh and saltwater Fishing, boating, shooting, and occasionally working various security jobs when it fits my schedule.

4 . What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you?

A. The number of countries I had the opportunity to visit and work in during my military career. I am married to a woman from Okinawa, Japan. During my service, I lived on Okinawa for 9 years over two overseas assignments.

5 . What have been some of the best/most impactful moments in your career?

A. The blessing of my marriage to my wife Ikuko, as she was my light in the dark and hope in times of danger and fear.Because of God and he,t I was able to survive and perform with honor during four combat deployments in three different war zones. A close second was helping Chuck Riffel be chosen as the CDA Veteran of the Year 2026!

    Tommy Dixon, Stephen Durfee and John Way.
  

    Terrence W. Smith and Stephen Durfee pose for a photo at a veterans event.