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Together Then .....
Happy New Year! Reunion 2000Well,
once again the reunion was a tremendous success. I am constantly surprised each year by the turnout that we have.
This year 120 persons registered in the sign-in book. This is forty two more men than we had last year.. Birthday Dinner We
had 156 people at the banquet.
And unfortunately I had to turn 30+ persons away because
of space constraints. To those men and their guests and families
I apologize from the bottom of my heart.
It was an unexpected snafu but it ate away at me immensely. Colonel
Joe Long was our guest speaker.
Colonel Long presented us with a light hearted oratory about
his experiences in the "Corps."
Corporal Long joined 2/9 at Phu Bai in September, '66 as
a member of H&S Communications Platoon.
In March '67 he became 2/9 XO's radio operator (Major Hill,
then in July Major Murphy). Joe departed Vietnam in October '67. In 1999, as a now Colonel Long was brought
back to active duty for a minimum of three years to head up the
development and construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center. The
Network presented Colonel Long with a 2/9 Logo Glass Etching which
was provided by Colonel Tom Richards and Diane Richards. Special Thanks I
really want to thank Steve and Marnette Clemons again for providing
the cakes for the birthday. Although
unable to participate in this years events due to Marnettes unexpected
illness they both felt the camaraderie that is shared to once again
provide the cakes as they have done for the last 6 years.
Thanks Steve. Thanks
Marnette. And for all of you receiving this letter, please stop
and take a moment to say a prayer for Marnettes speedy recovery.
Marnette is suffering from a very life threatening illness.
She has been in the hospital for well over a month now.
She needs our love and support!
And also say a prayer for Steve.
This has been very hard on him as well.
Both
of them have been a tremendous help with this Network. They live in the DC area and have been to "The
Wall" doing requested "rubbings" for 2/9er’s. On holidays they have taken a banner and gone
again to "The Wall" searching for men who might have served
with us in 2/9. They also
searched and provided the Panel and Line numbers for "Our Men
On The Wall." If
you would please, please take the time and send a "Get Well"
card or some note of support to the both of them.
Here is the address: Steve
& Marnette Clemons, 8054
Fair Breeze Drive, Severn,
MD 21144 More Thanks Ken
Elliott.......what can I say about brother Ken. Again he provided a beautiful wreath that was placed at "The
Wall" to remember are fallen brothers.
Thanks Ken. You can
view the wreath at the web site in the "Picture Gallery." (as soon as I receive a copy to post.) And
to my daughter Rickie. Rickie has been a tremendous help the last six years
with keeping things straight. A
"Thank You" to my wife Darnell for the help and support
she has provided. She watches
me sit at the computer night after night adding "New Member
Additions" from the web site.
She watches me putting the reunion packets together and answers
the phone and says "It's a ‘Red’ call."
And for her help keeping things straight at the reunion.
I am going in twenty different directions and she points
me in the right one. And both Rickie and Darnell run the table with
the t-shirts, hats, pins and the raffle tickets. To
Brother Bob Staump. Thanks
for donating the K-Bar and case which was raffled off along with
the NCO Saber. To
Don "Snoopy" Truesdale for providing the POW/MIA Table
and prayer at the Banquet, Thank
You! Thanks
to Alex Montoya and Ray Nieto for being the youngest and oldest
Marines (in the conference
room) at the time we cut the cakes on the Marine Corps Birthday. And
to once again say Thanks to Tom and Diane Richards for providing
the Glass Etching which was presented to Colonel Long. Welcome
Pre and Post Vietnam era 2/9ers
As
you will see on the "Network Roster" there are the names
of men that served in WW II, Korea, pre Vietnam, post Vietnam, Desert
Storm era, Somalia and up until the colors were retired in 1994.
I know you men are wondering why you would be in a Network
that is mostly Vietnam era. Well,
we all served in 2/9. If
you have any info’ that you would like to have written such as a
WW II reunion or Desert Storm Reunion or Korea Reunion or whatever,
get in touch with me and I will put it out in the newsletter.
This is the 2/9 Network.
I will help in any way I can.
I also have listed the Network roster alphabetically with
the exception of putting pre 1960 at the top of the Company rosters
by date and then in alphabetical order. (Hope you can follow that) Reunion
2001
As
usual the dates of the reunion will be the same. They will be on November 9,10 and 11. That will be on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you wish to get
an early start the telephone number is 1-800-424-1501. Mention the 2/9 reunion and Group Number 1765.
Singles, Doubles, Triples, Quads are all $75.00.
And be sure to get a confirmation number!
And be sure to get a confirmation number!
And be sure to get a confirmation number!
I repeat myself but it is necessary that you
get a confirmation number and periodically check with the hotel. I had a phone call from a couple of men who
made early reservations and when they checked on their rooms the
hotel had no registration for them.
And at the time they checked there were no rooms left.
I have blocked 65 rooms.
At this past reunion the hotel was completely booked by September. 2/9 Website! The
site has been a tremendous success.
There have been over 18,000 + visitors.
We have been seen virtually from all corners of the globe. If
you haven’t been there here is the address: http://www.2ndbattlion9thmarines.org
(all one word). If
you would like your e-mail address posted on the site please e-mail
me at graymarine@aol.com and let me know.
I will edit you name on the web site.
If you do a new "Member Addition" I will have to
go and edit out one of your names.
When a New Member Addition is done it now automatically goes
to the site. And even if
you do not have a computer your name is listed on the web site under
the company that you served with.
Your address and phone number is not listed on the web. Just the town and state. I notify "New" members that if they
see a name they recognize to let me know and then I provide the
address and phone number to them.
So if you get a computer you do not need to fill out a "BECOME
A MEMBER OF 2/9." If
you have any suggestions about the site please let me know. There
is a "Picture Gallery."
If you have a photo you would like placed there send it to
me at graymarine@aol.com in a JPEG format.
If you scan a photo you can "save as" and it gives
you options. Please use JPEG format. If
you don’t have a scanner just mail me the photo and I will scan
it and mail it back to you. And
please don’t bombard me with photos for there are space constraints
on the web site. I will
only do 2 photos per member. Do
not send photos of dead or mutilated bodies. John Evans
inducted into Military Order of Devil Dogs
John
Evans, Echo Company ‘67-’68 has been awarded several accolades from,
and by way of, the Marine Corps League.
First was the "Marine Corps League Distinguished Citizen
Medal". Next, a Marine Corps Flag autographed by members
of the Marine Corps League Southern Staff Conference including Marine
Corps League National Commandant Diana Dils, and "The Walking
Man" himself, Bill Callahan.
And then a United States Flag, flown over the capital on
October 10, accompanied by a certificate of request by the Honorable
Kay Granger declaring that day to be John Evans Day.
Then, personally autographed to John, pictures of the Commandant
and the Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps. Marine Corps League Commandant
Diana Dils inducted John into the Military
Order of Devil Dogs at the highest grade Pedigree, by presenting
John with the yellow ribbon and medallion, that took her years of
dedication and loyalty to earn, from around the her own neck.
All this happened on Friday, Oct. 13 at Johns home in Burleson
Texas. The
following Saturday, at the Marine Corps League Conference in Fort
Worth, Congresswoman Kay Granger was the honored guest speaker. At the ceremony she was presented with the
prestigious "Chapel of the Four Chaplains" Award which
she so generously dedicated to John.
And last but not least, John was presented with a wonderful
poem written and signed by Bill Callahan "The Walking Man".
John
states "Once again, a bunch of Marines hold true to the old
saying, "Marines take care of their own", by making an
old jarhead just feel good."
OORAH
JOHN! SEMPER FI DEVIL DOG! Comrades
of KIA's & MIA's The
Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (FVVM) have instituted
a no-cost program designed to put the families of Vietnam casualties
in touch with veterans who served with them and it helps the vets
get in touch with the families of their fallen comrades. The
following list contains the names of those 2/9 casualties whose
families are seeking Marines who served with them. FAIRFIELD, Dennis H.
L/Cpl KIA/MIA 5/19/67
FOX Company GRANT, Robert O. Cpl KIA/MIA 7/29/66
HOTEL Company JOHNSON, Oliver PFC KIA/MIA 11/6/66 FOX Company JUERS, Roy J. Cpl KIA/MIA 9/12/67
GOLF Company MORELOCK, Willard F.
S/Sgt KIA/MIA 9/24/68
H&S Company MORSE, Richard Lucien
Cpl KIA/MIA 8/11/67
FOX Company UPCHURCH, James G. 2nd
Lt KIA 3/25/69
ECHO Company Kathy is listed
in the roster
Anyone
desiring to get in touch with the families of any of the above should
contact: IN TOUCH, c/o Friends
of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 2030 Clarendon BLVD., Suite 412,
Arlington, VA 22201 or telephone (703) 525-1107. Anyone desiring to get in touch with the families
of any of the above should contact:
IN TOUCH, c/o Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 2030
Clarendon BLVD., Suite 412, Arlington, VA
22201 or telephone (703) 525-1107. Also,
Nancy Rylee, 241 Gower Rd., Maysville, GA
30558 would like to hear from anyone who served with PFC
Weldon G. Lynn who was a machine gunner with Hotel Company and KIA
on Feb. 17, 1969. And
Shawn Acton would like to hear from anyone who remembers her father
David Acton. David was KIA
in June of 67’ Shawn can
be reached at 419-385-0988. Address
is 541 Wyman, Toledo, OH 43609
William
Worthington , brother of James Worthington (Echo Co. KIA April 23,
1969) would like to hear from buddies that knew his brother. Contact William at P.O. Box 819,
Winterville, NC. 28590 252-321-1394 Buddy Search
If
you’re looking for a lost buddy you can give Ed Gorman a call. Eds’ number is 303-690-3630. (Mountain time)
Or you can e-mail Ed at Edgorman1@aol.com Replacing
lost Medals
You
can replace lost service medals by filling out a standard Form 180
(request Pertaining to Military Records).
You can request via a copy of the form by visiting their
web site at http://www.nara.gov/regional/mpr.html. If you are using the mail send to: Navy Liaison Office, National Personnel Records
Center, Room 3475/ N-314, 9700
Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100.
Whether using the internet or by mail you need to send proof
that you received these medals.
Providing a copy of your DD 214 will satisfy that requirement.
Also include your full name, DOB, Service Number, Social
Security Number, approximate dates of service and your return address. Personnel
Rosters
If you are looking for the names of the men that you served with
you can request that info’ by writing the DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, Headquarters USMC, Personnel Management Support Branch, 2008 Elliot Rd., Quantico, VA 22134-5030.
Just write that you are looking for men that you served with and
give them the time frame and unit you served with. You might also be able to request copies of the Unit Diaries at this
place. Circumstances
of Death
If
you are looking for information on how a “Brother” or loved one
died you can request the circumstances of the death from: NATIONAL
PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER, MILITARY PERSONNEL RECORDS, 9700
PAGE AVENUE, ST. LOUIS, MO 63132-5100. Include
service number if you know it or at the least all of the info’ surrounding
this event. Paralyzed
Veterans
Any
vets having any paralysis from any cause, whether it be service
connected or not, please contact your nearest VA hospital or Paralyzed
Veterans of America. Paralyzed
Veterans of America 801
Eighteenth Street, NW Washington,
DC 20006-3517 Telephone
Numbers PVA
National Headquarters 800-424-8200 PVA
Health Care Hotline 800-232-1782 Sports
n' Spokes Magazine 888-888-2201 PVA
Donor Service Line 800-555-9140 PN/Paraplegia
News Magazine 888-888-2201 PVA
Publications Distribution Center 888-860-7244 Their
Internet address is http://www.pva.com Network
Contributors
A very special THANK YOU goes out to Kathy Upchurch, Charles Cooper,
Timothy Forbes, Ted Licitra, General Dennis Murphy, Eugene R. Lant,
Kenton Dean, Bob Slattery, Herbert Thrasher, Joe Henebury, Andrew
Puttagio, Randal Peterson, Mike DuPas, Ed Gorman, Verlin McManigal,
Ed Amstutz, Van Olson, Gunny Ed Harker, Jim Gilchrist, General Clyde
Dean, Thomas Knipper, Joe Guggino, Dave Steinkuehler, Vaden L. Cobb,
Mike McCrea, Ray John, Steve Smith, Dan Hernandez, JamesMatthews,
Kevin Jewers, Don "Snoopy" Truesdale, Mannie Blank, Max
Wetzel, Manny Gonzalez, Junior Tippen, Ken Blankenship, Ron Payne,
Myles Herring Sr., Dennis Voge, Joe Ferris, Roger Spurr, Edgar Davis,
Paul Bell, Harry Swain, Joe Jennings, Henry Myzia, David Torrel,
Tim Forbes, Donald Remington, Geoffrey Steiner, Colonel Joe Long,
Tom Darcy, Colonel Harvey "Barney" Barnum, Jim McCrea,
Brobert Arboneaux, William Hazelrigs, Frank Southard, Jim Chase,
John Mattern, Herbert Thrasher, Larry Brinkman, Lawrence Taylor,
Ted Licitra, Colonel John J. Peeler, Richard Jukiewicz, Thomas Weaver,
Colonel Ron Losee, Ken Elliott, Ward Hoffman, Stephan Roman Jr.,
Peter Eccles, John Towell, Colonel Dave Garner, Louis Dudeck, Richard
Wertz, Colonel William Coti, Bob Staump, Joe Stine, Henry Ostaszewski,
Ralph Fatello, Ralph Martinez, Glenn Siegler, Neil Smith, Pete Rivera,
Stephen Gehring, Colonel Bill Cryan, Jack Hartzel, John Robinson,
John Runice, Tom Reasch, Robert Bennett, Ted Licitra, George Kinnaman,
Bill Schissler, William Sanford, Tom "Schoolboy" Martic,
Colonel Bill Kent, Colonel Tom & Diane Richards, Jim Murphy,
Jim Burney, Bob Skahan, Barry Yeakle, John & Wanda Carson, Major
J.T. Guggino, SgtMaj. William Little, Dennis Gundling, James McGunnigle,
Steven Enlow, Max Bauer, George B. Hummer, Pete Peterson, George
Spiekermann, Ray Nieto, Robert Mumper,
Gene Holland, John Foster,
James Coan, Paul
Stephanson, Major Bob Ramsey, Bernard Truschka, Wayne Gomez, Len
Etcho, Richard LaDolce, Bob Slattery, Dave Bigler,
Joe Murphy, Bob Holmes, Bill Smallwood, John Kasparian, Joe
Mannino, Dennis Voge, Peter McClaine, Joe Henebury, Hernan "Speedy" Gonzalez,
James Gilchrist, Kate Reisinger, Dave Sitren, Thomas Weinhold, Joe
"Red" Cullen and Captain Pat Pearce And
as I usually do at this
time, if you can contribute anything it would be
greatly appreciated. We
have added 193 brothers this year.
That’s 1250 newsletters to mail.
And with the cost to maintain the 2/9 web site I definitely
need your help. There are no dues to pay. The 2/9 Network is strictly
run on your donations. I probably donate 20 hours a week
working on the Network. Not complaining but your support is greatly
appreciated. Thank You for
your help. Semper
Fi “Red”
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