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Battalion Runner Gabe
Coronado P.O. Box 611535, Pt. Huron MI 48060 2007 REUNION Everyone is gearing up for the 2/9 Reunion in November. I've had a lot of phone calls from new members who are looking forward to coming and the event is growing every year. Information for making reservations is included in this newsletter. In the past, the birthday dinner was held at a local restaurant. Because of the difficulties in planning this, it was changed to a pizza party in the hospitality room. Recently members have been requesting an off-site dinner again. If any of you would like to coordinate that project, here are some comments from Red Hill, founder of the 2/9 Network, about the problems to consider. "You will need to find a facility, gather everyone's money and keep things in check. You will need to get everyone to pay in advance...good luck. There will be plenty of stragglers. I would usually spend the first day of the Reunion signing people up who couldn't take the time to do it earlier. And I am talking about 20 or more people. And when I stated in the newsletter that there would be no sign-ups after a certain date, there still were stragglers. And after signing these folks up (how could one refuse) I would have to spend time with the Banquet facility to get things "re-squared" away." Stephen Clemons (E2/9, 65-66) lives in D.C. and has been running the Reunion for the past several years. This is a big job for one person to manage. If you want to help plan the reunion for 2008, contact Stephen at: (410) 551-7920 or email: stephen@cablespeed.com 2nd BN 9th MARINES REACTIVATION CEREMONY The reactivated 2nd Battalion 9th Marines is commanded by Lt. Col. Thad Trapp, and an article by Trista Talton in "Military Times" reported on the 2/9 reactivation ceremony recently held at Camp Lejeune, NC. Here are some excerpts from that article: A small crowd of Marines, sailors, their families and former members of 2/9 attended the ceremony. Second Battalion, 9th Marines, is one of the Corps' most combat decorated battalions and one of the first to land in Vietnam. The battalion participated in the battles for Bougainville, the Northern Solomons, Guam and Iwo Jima during WWII. The unit was in Vietnam from July 1965 through August 1969, fighting in such places as DaNang, Cua Viet, Than Cam Son and Hue. Lt. Col. Trapp said it's an honor to command any battalion, but commanding a unit his father once served in makes his job particularly special to him. Patrick Pearce was in 2/9 during Vietnam from November 1966 through November 1967. He made the quick drive from a town west of Lejeune to attend the ceremony. "The 2/9 is the finest battalion in the Marine Corps," he said. "This brought me to tears. I'm enthusiastic. I'd like to re-enlist, but I can't" – Trista Talton, Marine Times. NOTES FROM THE MAILBOX
Kenneth Holmes (G2/9, 68-69) writes, "I participated in operation Dewey Canyon, Quang Tri Province and was WIA 18 Feb 69. I'm looking to connect with former marines who were there and survived. I have been disconnected from my brothers in arms since leaving Vietnam. It's time to reconnect." You can email Ken at: mitchell.r.holmes@ccad.army.mil. Joe Driscoll writes, "I'm a former Marine (HML 367, Scarface 43) trying to find someone who knows my high school classmate, John Goodfellow (F2/9, 65). John joined the Corps right out of high school, Needham MA, 1964, and was severely wounded (wp burns) in August 1965 while on patrol with F 2/9. I last saw John in Quantico in July 1967. He died in 1971. Any contacts would be greatly appreciated." Contact Joe at 831-655-6612 or Joe_Driscoll@lansmont.com. Cpl Travis L. Adkins (1st Squad Leader, 2nd Platoon, Fox 2/9) writes, "I am one of the Marines that recently stood up for 2/9. There is a lot of enthusiasm from the Marines to become part of such a well known unit with a lot of history. This is especially true because most of us stood up with the Antiterrorism Battalion right out of SOI. This is the first time we are able to be part of an infantry line unit and we are all very motivated to carry on the traditions and history of Second Battalion Ninth Marines. This being said, no one can find the origins of the battalion's motto "Hell in a Helmet". Do you or anyone you know have the answer to our question? We've looked everywhere we can think of. Any information or contacts to get information on its origins would be greatly appreciated." Contact Cpl. Adkins at adkinstl@hotmail.com.
Jim Rogers (F2/9, 66) writes, "I'm planning on going to my first 2/9 Reunion this November. My friend Lcpl Robert Davidson was KIA on 5 Oct 1966 while serving with F2/9. He was from Glen Burnie, Maryland. Does anyone know where he was buried? I would like to pay my respects while at the reunion." Contact Jim at: 32 Francis Street, Evertt, MA 02149. Gina Fairfield writes, "I would like to hear from people that may have known my father, Dennis J. Fairfield (64-68). He served in Golf 2/9 until August '65, then went to Lima 3/3 until May '66. He passed away June 13, 2007 after a long struggle with numerous health problems, many of which he attributed to Agent Orange." Contact Gina at: deezrthedaze13@yahoo.com. Dennis Murphy, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) made a donation to the Network with the following note: CIVILIAN WOUNDED It's not just the veterans who carry scars from the war. Rebecca Samuels contacted the network for help healing her wounds from the Vietnam War. She would like to hear from anyone who knew John Klabunde from Omaha, Nebraska. He was her boyfriend, and served with Echo 2/9, 3rd platoon. He was KIA on Sept. 6, 1967, just one month after his 21st birthday, in Con Thien while on search and rescue during Operation Kingfisher. "I thought I had dealt with my grief," she writes. "I went on with my life got married and had a family. Now I know I was way too young to fully understand what had happened. The first Memorial Day Weekend of the Iraq war I found myself sad and weeping. Then I realized the feeling was coming back to me from the Vietnam era. The memories of John and his brother Marines had resurfaced, and I was crying for them all over again. All I know is that a wonderful man never came home to those who loved him. I knew him as a rather quiet, almost shy, very gentle person. Yet he died on a Marine search & rescue mission. I am trying to learn more about John, the Marine, and how he served his country. I have gone on with my life, but I will never forget John. I will honor his memory always. Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated." Contact Rebecca at: RebeccaSamuels@aol.com Reunion
2007 Our reunion is a casual and family friendly affair. 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, souvenirs, equipment, and other stuff from their military and Viet Nam experiences. We just sit around, swap stories and share memories. We have coffee, soft drinks, beer, and snacks available, and we'll be having a dinner party there on Thursday night. There are no registration fees or charges to reunion attendees. There is no charge for the refreshments or dinner party. A "donation can" will be set out in the room, or you can send a donation designated for the reunion in advance. Reunion attendees are responsible for making their own reservations with the hotel, payment of room, and guaranteeing for late arrival. Please reserve early. Last year there were so many last minute people that we didn't have enough rooms and it was too late to add more. If you change your mind, you can cancel with no penalty as late as 2 days before your reservation date. We have reserved additional space for the Marine Corps Birthday Party this year so it will be much less crowded. Contact person for the reunion is Stephen Clemons, phone: (410) 551-7920 or email: stephen@cablespeed.com. If you need info the week of the Reunion, call his cell phone: (301) 717-1988.
ITINERARY
DONATIONS A big OOH-RAH to the men that have donated to keep things going since the last newsletter including: Joseph Guggino, Pete Padilla, Neil Smith, Don Wainio, Capt. Patrick Pearce, John Suddarth, Maj.Gen. Dennis Murphy, Ralph Martinez, Charles Conley, John Powell, Kenton Dean, Paul Morin, John Carson, Andrew Puttagio, Charles Cooper, John Towell. 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, along with costs incurred 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: The 2/9 Network - Gabe Coronado |
Domingo "Pappy" Aguilar (G2/9, 65-66) writes, "I hope you print my photo and I will hear from friends from G2/9. I haven't heard from anybody in a long time. I just got this laptop computer and hope to hear from anybody that wants to email me." Contact "Pappy" by email: 
Neil Smith (E2/9, 67-68) writes, "I was wounded 2 Feb 68, Hill 26. I was in 1st Plt. E 2/9, in Tyree's squad. Our platoon Sgt. who I only know as Sgt. Ski, shielded me from small arms fire, RPGs, and incoming mortars. This gentleman has been on my mind, thoughts and prayers since then. Needless to say, I owe him a great deal of gratitude. If you could assist me I'd appreciate it a lot. I just want to know: 1. Did he survive? 2. Where is he now?" If you can help with this request, call Neil at 1-800-583-5732 or 574-583-9242.