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The Battalion Runner March 2005 2 nd Battalion 9 th Marine Network “Hell in a Helmet” Gabe Coronado P.O. Box 611535, Pt. Huron MI 48060 Tel:
810-987-4038 As many of you know, the founder of the 2/9 Network, and our fearless leader
for the last 20 years, Richard “Red” Hill, has decided to step
back and lead from the rear. My name is Gabe Coronado, and I have volunteered
to take over as Battalion Scribe. I’ll be handling the website, newsletter,
and keeping the roster. I’ll also be working with Stephen Clemons who
is organizing the 2005 Reunion. Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I served with Echo Company 2 nd
Bn. 9 th Marines, Weapons, 1 st Squad, Machine Guns. I arrived in Da Nang in
spring of 1965, and was hit the first time in Feb. 1966, on my birthday. They
took me to “Charlie Med” for 3 days then to Japan for R & R.
About a week later, I was choppered back in to E Company, and got hit again
in May. That time I was brought back to the States and after a few months at
the Great Lakes Naval Hospital, I finished recovering at home. Eventually,
I returned to duty as a chaser/guard at Portsmouth Naval Prison. The 2/9 Network found me through Ed Gorman, and Red Hill sent me info on
the reunion. My friend Janet & I attended the reunion for the first time
in 1998. I knew I was with comrades when we arrived at the hotel and I greeted
a guy coming off the elevator with a, “Hi, how ya doin’,” and
he replied “80/20.” That was the beginning of 3 days of brotherhood. You guys have been giving great support to the Network over the years and
with your continued support, I will do my best to keep things going. Our website is getting a lot of activity. We’ve added almost 30 new
members since Christmas. Check the message board often because there are some
interesting subjects that come up, such as NVA heat tabs, and current events
in Iraq. There is a lot of information available on the site, too. You can
find a list of unit honors and Medal of Honor winners, a member list roster
with email addresses to help us keep in touch, and a photo gallery. If you have moved, or plan to in the near future, please think of the 2/9
Network and a change of address. When I get a return from the post office it
runs 92¢. Last mail-out there were over 100+ returns. If you have a computer
just send me an e-mail. Just click on “Contact the Battalion Scribe” on
the 2/9 website, or call me at the phone number above. 2005 Reunion All the information currently available on the 2/9 Reunion
is included on a separate sheet with this newsletter. If you’ve never
attended before, this event is something you don’t want to miss. We have
a block of rooms reserved at a special rate and a conference room that we keep
open throughout the 3 days. This is a place where we hang out, renew old friendships
and make new ones. Guys bring old photos and other stuff from their military
and Viet Nam experiences, and we sit around and swap stories and memories.
We have coffee, soft drinks, beer, and snacks available, and we’ll be
having a pizza party there on Thursday night. There is no charge for the refreshments.
A “donation can” will be set out in the room, or you can donate
in advance…see next section. Donations The Network is organized and run by unpaid volunteer members, but there are
some costs involved in keeping it going. Money is needed to pay the web host,
printing charges and postage for the newsletter, and incidental costs for the
reunion. There are no charges of any kind to members. Everything is paid for
strictly through donations. If you feel moved to donate any amount, make your
check out to Gabe Coronado and mail to: 2/9 Network – Gabe Coronado, PO Box 611535, Port Huron, MI 48061-1535. A big OOH-RAH for Stephen Clemons, Ed Gorman and Phil Franklin
for their help & support in keeping the Network going. If you want Command Chronologies and After Action Reports for 2/9 write to:
Department of the Navy, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, Historical
Center, 1254 Charles Morris Street, SE, Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5040
They will send you a CD with all the unit records and actions. You can replace lost service medals by filling out a standard Form 180 (request
Pertaining to Military Records). Request 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. 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. 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. Address Label Here Upside Down Wednesday, November 9th through Friday, November 11 th This is a family friendly affair. If there are wives coming for the first
time, the other wives are friendly and will explain everything to them. We
know where to send them to have a little fun shopping or sightseeing. There
is a Metro subway stop located 2.5 blocks from the hotel, cab fare is affordable
and sightseeing tours are available. Places of interest include: the Capitol,
the Supreme Court, the Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln Memorials, the White
House, the National Cathedral, National Archives, the Smithsonian and many
other museums. The subway will also take you to Georgetown shopping or the
Pentagon Plaza underground shopping mall. There has been some discussion about
getting a small delegation together to visit patients at either Walter Reed
or Bethesda Naval Hospital. Reunion attendees are responsible for making their own reservations with
the hotel, payment of room, and guaranteeing for late arrival. There are 65
rooms reserved for reunion attendees. If you want extra nights, you may have
to negotiate the rate. These rooms will be available until October
9th, 2005. After that the rooms that are left will be returned to
the hotel, so please reserve early. Contact person for the reunion is Stephen
Clemons, phone:(410) 551-7920 or email: stephen@cablespeed.com. When making reservations be sure to identify yourself with Wednesday Thursday 1900 hours there will be a Pizza Party in the hospitality room. Friday SOME GENERAL INFORMATION T he Quality Inn Hotel at the Iwo
Jima Memorial is a first-rate facility. Room Amenities Hotel Amenities Getting Around: “The Metro rail stations are immaculate,
cool, and attractive, with terra-cotta floors and high, vaulted ceilings; the
sleek subway cars are air-conditioned, carpeted, furnished with upholstered
seats, and fitted with picture windows; the tracks are rubber-cushioned so
the ride is quiet; the service is frequent enough so you usually get a seat;
and the system is so simply designed that a 10-year-old can understand it.” Frommer’s
Washington, D.C. Travel Guide Links to more information: www.washington.org Official Tourism
Site of Washington, D.C. www.whitehouse.gov Everything you
want to know about the Whitehouse including tours. www.si.edu The Smithsonian Institutions home
page which leads to individual sites for each of the museums. www.wmata.com Timetables, maps, fares
and more for the Metro buses and subways. www.nps.gov/nacc This National Park
Service site includes links for many memorials & monuments, including the
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. The Network is organized and run by unpaid volunteer members, but there are
some costs involved in keeping it going. Money is needed to pay the web host,
printing charges and postage for the newsletter, and incidental costs for the
reunion. There are no charges of any kind to members. Everything is paid for
strictly through donations. If you feel moved to donate any amount, make your
check out to Gabe Coronado and mail to: 2/9 Network – Gabe Coronado,
PO Box 611535, Port Huron, MI 48061-1535. |
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