2023 Reunion Information
30th Anniversary Reunion
November 2023, Arlington, VA
When? 08-12 November 2023
Where? Marriott Residence Inn Rosslyn, 1651 North Oak St., Arlington, VA 22209
It was thirty years ago this November that Red Hill rallied his fellow Vietnam Veterans to Arlington, VA, for the first 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment annual reunion. Since that time 2/9 has been deactivated, reactivated and again deactivated. In the interim, besides peacetime Marines, 2/9 members have served in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. At last year’s reunion we unveiled our newest 2/9 banner, pictured below, always prevalent at the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima), on The Birthday, for the official USMC Wreath Laying Ceremonies. For our Vietnam Veterans, fear not. The original banner will still be standing proudly in our Hospitality Room at the hotel throughout the reunion. It has been at every reunion and will continue there every year. I urge all 2/9 Marines, from Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and peacetime, to consider attending this year. It is special. That is all that can be said.
Special Notes
1. Our contract with the Marriott Residence has been finalized. Room rates will be $139/night, plus taxes. The hotel has set up an exclusive internet reservation page for us at Book Your Group/Corporate Rate | Marriott International. If clicking on that link does not work type this link into your internet browser to reach the page: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1680024458050&key=GRP&app=resvlink You can book rooms a day or two earlier or later if you want to plan a D.C. area vacation around the reunion dates, and our rates still apply.
2. Room reservation cutoff date is Friday, 13 October. If you do not make a room reservation by that date you may be forced to accept normal room rates at the hotel, and they are MUCH higher than our negotiated rates of $139/night. Parking is normally $25/night but our contract gets us half off, so the rate for parking will be $12.50 for reunion folks.
3. Our annual Birthday dinner is still in the works but will be on 10 November with an expected cocktail hour beginning not later than 1800 hours.
Details
Synopsis of Reunion Agenda
08 November:
No set events. Hospitality room open with snacks and beverages.
09 November:
2/9 Jam Session, 1400-1700 at the hotel with the Gallatin Canyon Band. Light
snacks and beverages included.
10 November:
USMC Wreath Laying Ceremony. Iwo Jima Memorial. 1000 hours. Transportation provided as needed.
USMC Birthday Dinner, 1800 hours to approximately 2200 hours. Venue to be determined. Transportation provided as needed.
Trip to The Wall immediately following our return to the Residence Inn following dinner (approximately 22-2300 hours). Transportation provided.
11 November:
No set agenda, but Veteran’s Day Ceremonies at “The Wall” around 1300 hours. National Museum of the Marine Corps is in Quantico about a 45 minute drive.
12 November: Say our goodbyes until next year.
Donations
I do not have a list of donors for this Battalion Runner since none have been received. Please consider helping out as our sole source of income is those donations and they help pay for the reunion and expenses to run our website.
Danny
Conclusion
We are losing our Vietnam Veteran brothers at an increasingly rapid pace. Please consider attending before it is too late. I learned earlier this year the value of having seen men I served with in Vietnam and becoming great friends with many other Marines, their families, and friends who have attended our reunions. For our younger Marine brothers, it is time. Please consider attendance if you can do it. If anyone is residing in the D.C. area and cannot afford to attend (everything is free except the rooms and travel expenses), or have other comitments that prevent them from attending the entire reunion, consider The Birthday Dinner on the 10th or just drop by our hotel any time to say hello. Free beer, soft drinks, water and snacks!!!
As always, if you have questions or issues please do not hesitate to contact me.
SEMPER FIDELIS
DANNY SCHUSTER
2/9 NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR AND REUNION COORDINATOR
978-302-4126, twoninencoic@aol.com