Your Board of Directors wishes all members of our Class and their families the very best this Holiday Season and may the New Year bring happiness and success to everyone.
Article November 2009 Leatherneck Magazine
One of our classmates, Carl Bergman, an H-34 pilot is featured in this article. Col. Dick Camp, USMC (Ret) wrote the article based on personal interviews and input from another of our classmates, Digger Odell. Digger was the Intel Officer for the 3rd Force Recon Company.
The article is entitled "Last Full Measure of Devotion". It involves an 8 man recon patrol, call sign 'Box Score', and their actions commencing on 16 Feb 68 and the ensuing firefights they encountered. The fighting was ferocious and they suffered heavy casualties resulting in only three survivors when they were finally extracted.
With gunship and other fire support, two H-34's were involved in extracting the recon patrol, one piloted by Dave Underwood and the other by Carl Bergman. For their actions Dave Underwood received the Navy Cross and Carl received the Silver Star. Given his billet in 3rd Force Recon, Digger wrote the recommendations for all awards for this particular action.
To read this article go to the Leatherneck Magazine website and page to the November 2009 edition and search to "Last Full Measure of Devotion." There is also a "podcast" where you can listen to Digger's interviews with the participants.
2011 Reunion
here is not a lot to report on the Reunion at this point. We have notified Camp Lejeune and MCAS Cherry Point of our decision to hold our 2011 Reunion at their facilities. We have also notified the New Bern Hilton that we have selected their hotel for our lodging for the period 5-9 Oct 2011. We are awaiting the first draft of their proposed contract.
Your Reunion Committee will hold our first Conference Call Meeting probably sometime in February 2010.
2010 Voluntary Dues
Again, I want to mention our Voluntary Dues Drive for 2010 which many of you have already contributed to. These voluntary contributions help fund the organization and provide the funds for our annual Charities Contributions. The various levels of support remain the same.
Again, dues are strictly voluntary and contributions will be recognized on our website. The check should be made out to "38th OCC/BC 3-66 Alumni." Dues payments should be sent to our Treasurer, Chuck Sooter, at:
Chuck Sooter
11932 Yearling Street
Cerritos, CA 90703
Miscellaneous Items
Skip Storey reported that a gold pen, in a black leather case, was found near his table following the banquet at our October Reunion in San Diego. If anyone lost this item please contact Skip at story2@cox.net. (Based on a discussion with Dave Wall, we have located the rightful owner of the pen and Skip Storey will return it accordingly.)
We have mentioned many times before about the importance of registering with the V.A. relative to Agent Orange. The V.A. has recently added three additional illnesses to their ever growing list of conditions that are connected to Agent Orange exposure. Anyone who served in Vietnam should check with the V.A. and complete their screening process.
Given the current Health Care debate, those of us who are members of Tricare for Life should be alert to possible changes. There are many varied opinions as to what may or may not impact Tricare for Life. Not that we can do much about it, but we do need to pay attention.
Lastly, Dave Wall and I will be leading another tour to Vietnam for Military Historical Tours from 7-20 May 2010. We will be covering all of I Corps from Quang Ngai to the DMZ. Dave and I have done a number of tours over the last four years and one of our last tours included some of our classmates: Fred Frey, Steve Hinds, Dave Mellon, Chuck Sooter and Mitch Vickers. I am sure they can give you an evaluation of our tour. If you are interested please contact Dave at 603-744-9661 or me at 724-625-8100.
I am honored to have been elected as your new President for the next two years. Dave Mellon did such an outstanding job over the last two years that it will certainly be a very hard act to follow. I will try to live up to the high standards he established and will attempt to maintain the policies and procedures he has put in place. Once again I want to thank Dave for his exemplary performance as our President.
As was mentioned in the previous Newsletter, we have four new Board Members: Pete Clay, Larry Edwards, Tom Howe and Darrell Wells. I know they will each make significant contributions to our organization. We have four Board Members who have elected to step down from the Board making room for the four Marines mentioned above. They are: Steve Bowen, Mike Janay, Al Stefl and Dave Wall (past President). We want to thank each of them for their noteworthy contributions to our Class.
Missing Classmates
We are still searching for missing Classmates. Jack Sheehan has done a fantastic job of tracking down members of our Class, but there still are Marines out there that we have not been able to locate. Any assistance in this area would be greatly appreciated. Speaking of missing items, we continue to search for OCS pictures for two platoons: Alpha 4 and Bravo 3. If anyone has one of those pictures please contact Jack Sheehan at jack@peddlers.net.
Many of you have visited our Class Website: www.usmc-thebasicschool-1966-com. If you have not, I encourage you to do so. Please go to the Member Section and check the accuracy of your personal listing. If corrections are necessary, there is a form available to correct the data and forward to our Webmaster. You can also check out info from previous Reunions and if you have not attended in the past, hopefully you will elect to join us at our next one in 2011.
2011 Reunion
The Board and the Membership unanimously approved the site location of New Bern, NC for our 2011 Reunion. We have formed a Reunion Committee consisting of 12 members and they will be getting to work early next Spring to plan and execute this event. There will be plenty to do in New Bern and we will have interesting tours at Camp Lejeune and MCAS Cherry Point. The dates are October 5-9, 2011.
Please remember Dave Mellon's challenge in the last Newsletter. Since we had our entire TBS Suite: McClinchie, Mellon, Merrihew and Miller in attendance this year in San Diego, the challenge is, for those who attended TBS, to recruit all surviving members of your suite and attend the 2011 Reunion. We will see you in New Bern.
Another idea has surfaced and that is: the idea of having off-year regional get togethers. These would be held in the even numbered years between our biannual Reunions. One idea mentioned was a regional Mess Night at a local "O" Club. Another suggestion was an informal dinner prior to an athletic event. Any additional suggestions would be welcome.
2010 Voluntary Dues
Again, I want to mention our Voluntary Dues Drive for 2010 which many of you have already contributed to. These voluntary contributions help fund the organization and provide the funds for our annual Charities Contributions. The various levels of support remain the same.
Again, dues are strictly voluntary and contributions will be recognized on our website. The check should be made out to "38th OCC/BC 3-66 Alumni." Dues payments should be sent to our Treasurer, Chuck Sooter, at:
Chuck Sooter
11932 Yearling Street
Cerritos, CA 90703
Happy 234th Birthday
10 November 2009 is the 234th Birthday of our beloved Corps. I want to wish all members of our Class and their families a very happy Marine Corps Birthday. In line with that thought, I have included a video narrated by the Commandant, General James T. Conway.
Here is my report to you on the 2009 Reunion that concluded on October 11th. The Reunion was attended by 64 Classmates and 43 guests for a total attendance of 107 - and a great time was had by all. If you weren't in San Diego, please ensure you hold the dates for the 2011 Reunion, which will take place in New Bern, NC, October 5-9, 2011, and get there with your significant other!
First let me report on the Biennial Membership Meeting which was held on Saturday morning, October 10th. Early in the program, Steve Bowen, Jack Sheehan and Al Stefl lead a Remembrance Ceremony for our 32 Classmates, who died in Vietnam. Board members, Dave Wall, our Past-President, Steve Bowen, Mike Janay and Al Stefl, who have all given of their time and exceptional talents and decided not to run for re-election, in order to allow other Classmates to serve on the Board. The Officers and the Committee Chairs, reported the progress made in their areas of responsibility. The members of the 2009 Reunion Planning Committee were introduced and their unique contributions were explained. Enough can't be said about the contributions each to the success of the Reunion:
Bernie Allen Andy Blenkle Rick Cleland
Terry Cox Dave Mellon Digger O'Dell
Mike St. Clair Chuck Sooter Skip Storey
Earl Wentworth
The Reunion Committee put together an outstanding program. We were able to observe the Fox Company, 2/7, 1st MARDIV doing small boat raid training at the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group-Pacific, a tour of the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum and the graduation ceremony for India Company at Marine Corps Recruit Depot-San Diego.
Next, the Membership elected the Board Members, who will serve terms from 2009 through 2013:
Andy Blenkle Pete Clay Larry Edwards
Tom Howe Terry Lewis Jack Sheehan
Darrell Wells
The Membership, then, elected the Officers to serve through the next Reunion in 2011:
President - Sam McClinchie
Vice President - Mike St. Clair
Clerk - Steve Snyder
Treasurer - Chuck Sooter
Sgt-At-Arms - Tom Howe
The Membership then voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Sam McClinchie and Dave Wall as endorsed by the Board to hold the next Reunion in New Bern, NC.
The concluding event of our Reunion was the Banquet. It opened with a Color Guard from Ceremonial Marines, MCRD-San Diego presenting the Colors. After dinner, on behalf of our Class, I presented a $5,000 check to Wendy Lethin, Director of Community Relations for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. In order to put a face on the Marines that IMSFF helps, Wendy introduced Gy/Sgt Nick Popaditch, USMC (Medically Retired). Nick, who has written a book, "Once a Marine" and is running in the June 2010 Primary for the 51st Congressional District in California, gave a truly inspirational speech describing his service, injuries and the assistance he received from IMSFF. It was truly a highlight of the Reunion.
In closing, I want to thank you for allowing me to lead our Class for the past two years. It was a great journey and terrific learning experience. I was particularly fortunate to have a great group of guys (2009 Reunion Committee) step forward when I asked if they would be willing to serve. We had a lot of fun preparing for the Reunion and overseeing its execution. It was definitely a team effort, and all should receive the Navy/Marine Commendation Medal.
It is now time to pass the guidon, to your new President, Sam McClinchie. Sam was a suitemate at Basic School, so I know him well. He will do an outstanding job of leading our organization. It is worth pointing out that our entire TBS Suite (McClinchie, Miller, Mellon and Merrihew) attended this reunion. We collectively issue a challenge to all those who attended TBS to gather your whole surviving suite together and attend the 2011 Reunion in New Bern, NC October 5-9, 2011. See you there!
The bylaws of our Corporation require that all members be provided notice of the Regular Biennial Meeting and those items which will be submitted to the membership for action. This email is intended to comply with that requirement.
Notice of Regular Biennial Meeting:
The Regular Biennial Meeting of the Membership is scheduled to take place at the Corporation's Hospitality Suite (Rooms 1131/1132) of the Crowne Plaza, 2270 Hotel Circle North, San Diego, CA 92108 on Saturday Morning, October 10, 2009 at 8:30 AM in conjunction with the scheduled 2009 Reunion. All Members of the Corporation are encouraged to attend. The Membership will be asked to take action on the election of Directors and Officers of the Corporation, 2011 Reunion Site and any other items, which may rightfully be introduced at the Meeting.
The Nominating Committee and the Board of Directors have endorsed and will submit the following nominees to the Membership for election:
Directors (To Serve 2009 to 2013)
Andy Blenkle
Pete Clay
Larry Edwards
Tom Howe
Terry Lewis
Jack Sheehan
Darrell Wells
Officers (To Serve 2009 to 2011)
President - Sam McClinchie
Vice President - Mike St. Clair
Clerk - Steve Snyder
Treasurer - Chuck Sooter
Sgt.-At-Arms - Tom Howe
The Membership will also be asked to approve the site of the 2011 Reunion. Additionally, reports will be shared by Officers and the the Chairs of the Board's Committees. Please make every effort to attend this meeting to understand the workings of your Corporation, cast your vote on the action items and identify areas where you may wish to volunteer your time in the future.
I hope to see you at the Regular Biennial Meeting on October 10th.
Sincerely,
Stephen M. Snyder
Clerk
38th OCC/Basic Class 3-66 USMC Alumni, Inc.
As our Reunion (October 7-11, 2009) is only 3 weeks away, I am devoting this issue of the Newsletter exclusively to updating you on the program and passing along some ideas whick will hopefully facilitate your preparations for the Reunion. Your Reunion Committee has pulled together an awesome Reunion site and program.
I have tried to pull together some brief topics which will let you know what is planned and how to prepare for the event. When you arrive at the reunion hotel, the Crowne Plaza, San Diego, after checking in, please proceed to the Hospitality Suite (Room 1131/1132). In the Hospitality Suite, you will be able to pick up the Registration Packet that Terry Cox has prepared for you. It will have your name tag(s), a complete schedule of events, information on our organization and brochures of sights to see in San Diego and recommended restaurants as well as the favors you previously ordered.
As always, if you need more information on the reunion beyond what you find in this email, please visit our website and clicking on the "Reunion 2009 Update" on the home page: www.usmc-thebasicschool-1966.com or send me your questions by replying to this email.
Please travel safely on your way to the Reunion and be prepared for an outstanding event!
Semper Fi,
Dave Mellon
President
Reunion Attendees - 2009
Classmates - Attending
As of September 22nd, the following Classmates and guests are registered:
Bernie and Alyce
Allen Joe and Irma Alonzo
Rick Anderton
Carl and Michelle Bergman
Andy Blenkle
Steve Bowen and Joan
Pete and Ginny Clay
Rick and Trudy Cleland
Steve Colwell
Jim and Diane Conklin
Kelly and Susan Couch
Terry and Harriet Cox
Gary and Sue Cummins
Larry and Barbara Edwards
Phil and Hazel Gariboldi
Mel and Luanne Gibbs
John Giddings
Mark Haiman
Steve and Mary Hinds
Tom Howe
Andrew and Cynthia Jones
Mike Joseph
Joe Lisante
Sam and Molly McClinchie
Steve and Ginny McComb
Pete and "Charlie" Meade
Dave and Val Mellon
Bill and Judy Merrihew
Mike and Bobbi Miller
Lonnie and Jacquie Myers
Jim Newman
Digger O'Dell
Steve and Mary Palmer
Mike and Janice Parker
Stan and Ellen Pasieka
Phil and Max Perzan
Mike and Jan Pierson
Carol Quinn-Lassell
Fred and Susan Rivero
Bob and Jan Rix
Chuck Schroeder
Frank and Jamie Schigg
Jack Sheehan
Tom and Ann Snead
Steve and Faye Snyder
Chuck and Carol Sooter
Dick Souza
Mike and Cindy St Clair
Al and Joan Stefl
Bob Stimson
Skip and Vicki Storey
Joe and Joanne Stoskus
Ron and Rhetta Sutton
Len and Anita Torres
Andy and Pam Traynor
Jim and Jane Uecker
Mitch and Betty Vickers
Dave and Geri Wall
Tom and Janet Wellman
Darrell Wells
Earl and Nancy Wentworth
San Diego Weather
San Diego
While historical weather patterns can not be relied upon to predict with accuracy the weather for the period October 7 - 11, 2009, it does give the best assessment of what we can expect. Daytime highs average 74 degrees Farenheit, while overnight lows average 61 degrees Farenheit. Accordingly, mornings and evenings may require a light jacket or sweater, while you should be comfortable in shirtsleeves at midday. While rain is not normal in October, it is possible. Again, please pack a light weather-proof jacket against the possibility of rain.
Uniform of the Day - Reunion Dress
The key to enjoying the Reunion is to dress comfortably. As indicated by the article above on "San Diego Weather", the day time temperature should dictate your dress. Shorts and a collared shirt would be appropriate for the Thursday visit to the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group and the USS Midway, although slacks and a collared shirt would be appropriate as well.
We plan to take some group pictures on Friday, during our visit to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Accordingly, we would ask that all hands wear a navy blue collared polo shirt and khaki slacks. The exception will be the Parade Reviewing Officer, Andy Blenkle and those who will be seated on the Reviewing Stand (Jack Sheehan, Dave Wall, Dave Mellon, Sam McClinchie, Steve Snyder, Terry Cox and Mike St Clair). This group will wear white dress shirt, red tie and Navy Blue Blazer.
There is no formal dress code for the banquet. Marines and their ladies will wear whatever is most comfortable for them. For those desiring to "dress up" we would suggest a blazer, whereas a collared shirt and slacks would also be acceptable.
Merchandise - Group Picture at MCRD, San Diego
As mentioned above, the group photos memorializing this year's Reunion will be taken on Friday, October 9th, during our visit to the Recruit Depot. Again, the suggested dress is a navy blue polo shirt with khaki slacks. If you don't have an appropriate navy blue polo shirt, you will have an opportunity to purchase one at the Reunion. Chuck Sooter is going to have available 8 Large and 10 Extra Large navy blue polo shirts and will have them for sale in the Hospitality Suite. The shirts will be adorned with the eagle, globe and anchor in the colors depicted in the graphic above (with the print removed). If you want to reserve one, please contact Chuck Sooter at chucksooter@hotmail.com . The cost of shirt will be $15 per shirt.
Summary of the Reunion Activities
Wednesday - will be spent registering and getting reacquainted in the Hospitality Suite.
Thursday - will feature a visit to the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group - Pacific to observe a rifle company from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines engaged in raid training. The afternoon activity will be a tour of the USS Midway, which features most of the aircraft that have flown off her deck before her decommissioning.
Friday - will be spent observing the recruit graduation parade at MCRD, San Diego, followed by lunch and an after luncheon address by the new Commanding General of the Recruit Depot, BGen Ron Bailey. The afternoon will be spent at the Depot's PX or the MGen James L. Day Museum.
Saturday - the Business Meeting will be conducted in the morning and the concluding banquet will be that evening
Throughout the Reunion, lots of time will be devoted to gathering in the Hospitality Suite to enjoy the camaraderie of your Classmates and their wives or significant others.
Riverwalk Golf Course
Bernie Allen has put together a great golf tournament for our Classmates and guests. On Thursday, October 8th, those signed up for golf (and paid the separate fee) will play the four star Riverwalk Golf Course, a 27 hole facility. The tournament will be contested on the Mission and Friars nines. The format will be a shotgun scramble beginning at 8:00 AM. Riverwalk is one of the most highly rated courses in the San Diego Area. The $150 golf fee includes greens fee and cart, access to the driving range and balls, a box lunch and a goodie bag of golf related paraphernalia to include a golf club. Additionally, handsome plaques will be awarded for closest to the pin on two 3 pars and for the longest drives on two of the 5 pars. The "low gross" foursome will receive a one-year subscription to "Golf Digest" and commemorative plaques. As the Class had to give a guarantee of 40 players for this event, Classmates will be given priority through August 31, 2009. At that point, Bernie will open the tournament up to friends and associates in the Southern California area. Members of the Class are urged to sign up for the golf outing as part of their Class Registration with Terry Cox in advance of August 31st to ensure a spot in the tournament.
The Golf Foursomes are assigned as follows:
1st:
Bernie Allen
Ed Van Horn
Jeff Bohn
Hank Snyder
2nd:
Ron Sutton
Mel Gibbs
Lonnie Myers
Jacquie Myers
3rd:
Kelly Couch
Joe Roblen
Gino Gibbons
4th:
Jack Sheehan
George Caravalho
Leo Dennis
Dave McCravey
As our Reunion (October 7-11, 2009) is less than 4 months away and the effort to get as many of our Classmates to the Reunion is in full swing, I am devoting this issue of the Newsletter exclusively to the Reunion. Here, in one spot, you will learn all you need to know about what is planned and how you can be part of it. I hope this information will make it easy for you to get registered and join your Classmates in San Diego, a mere 43 years after we graduated from Basic School and began our service in the Fleet!
I am including summary information here, but you can see all of the exquisite details by going to the website and clicking on the "Reunion 2009 Update" on the home page: www.usmc-thebasicschool-1966.com
Please make your hotel and Class Reunion registrations as soon as possible. It will allow the Reunion Committee to acquire the necessary transportation. Easy access to both items is available below. Just click on the listed links and then follow the instructions.
I hope to see you in San Diego in October!
Semper Fi,
Dave Mellon
President
Reunion - 2009
CROWNE PLAZA, San Diego-Mission Valley
In order to make a hotel reservation, you can either call the reservation desk between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM EDT at 1-888-233-9527 or link to their website 24 hours a day at:
Just print the form, make your selections and send it by regular mail along with the relevant fees in a check payable to "38th OCC/BC 3-66 Alumni" to:
Terry Cox
6205 Via Subida
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Reunion 2009 Program - Summary of the Reunion Activities
Wednesday - will be spent registering and getting reacquainted in the Hospitality Suite.
Thursday - will feature a visit to the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group - Pacific to observe a rifle company from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines engaged in raid training. The afternoon activity will be a tour of the USS Midway, which features most of the aircraft that have flown off her deck before her decommissioning.
Friday - will be spent observing the recruit graduation parade at MCRD, San Diego, followed by lunch and an after luncheon address by the new Commanding General of the Recruit Depot, BGen Ron Bailey. The afternoon will be spent at the Depot's PX or the MGen James L. Day Museum.
Saturday - the Business Meeting will be conducted in the morning and the concluding banquet will be that evening.
Throughout the Reunion, lots of time will be devoted to gathering in the Hospitality Suite to enjoy the camaraderie of your Classmates and their wives or significant others.
Platoon Phone Program - Your Invitation to Attend
Terry Cox has put together an effort to call every member of the Class. In most cases, you will be called by one of the former members of your Basic School platoon. The Classmates who have volunteered for this duty are as follows:
Delta Company Echo Company
1st - Steve Bowen 1st - Andy Blenkle
2nd - Larry Edwards 2nd - Rick Cleland
Darrell Wells
3rd - Dave Mellon 3rd - Pete Clay
4th - Terry Lewis 4th - Earl Wentworth
5th - Jack Sheehan 5th - Al Stefl
Air - Rick Anderton
Please expect a call from the Marine assigned to your platoon and call him back if he leaves a message. Thanks for your cooperation.
Our 2009 Reunion is now only 5 months away. The Reunion Planning Committee has put together a great program for the Reunion, but as you know, the real attraction of our Reunions is renewing old friendships and making new ones with guys with whom we trained, served and made history.
The Reunion is being held at the Crowne Plaza, San Diego, which has been totally refurbished since our last visit in 2005. The dates are Wednesday, October 7th through Sunday, October 11th.
To date, approximately 45 Classmates have indicated they intend to attend the Reunion. Please find the listing below in the next section of this newsletter.
To make your hotel reservations at the Crowne Plaza - San Diego by either calling 1-888-233-9527 between the hours of 9:00AM and 8:00PM EST, or 24/7 at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/usmc38th . Please use the reservation code "USMC-38th OCC" to get the guaranteed rate of $119 per night.
To reserve your spot at the Reunion and select the activities you wish to participate in, please go to the website ( www.usmc-thebasicschool-1966.com ) and click on the "Reunion 2009 Update" on the home page then scroll down to the "Reunion Registration" section and click on the "Registration Form". Print the form, fill it out and send it along with your check to Terry Cox, 6205 Via Subida, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.
I hope that you will decide to join the Class for Reunion 2009 and I look forward to seeing each of you in San Diego in October!
Semper Fi,
Dave Mellon
President
Classmates - Attending
Those that have attended earlier Reunions were contacted by Terry Cox to determine if they were planning to attend this year's Reunion. While we have not heard back from everyone, I am listing below those that have already replied that they are planning to attend. I have listed their Basic School platoon, where appropriate, to give you an idea of who from your platoon are already committed:
D-1
Jose Alonzo Steve Bowen Terry Cox
D-2
Larry Edwards Dave Giddings Steve Hinds
D-3
Mike Janay Mike Joseph Terry Lewis
Sam McClinchie Dave Mellon
D-4
Lonnie Myers Digger O'Dell Stan Pasieka
Mike Pierson
D-5
Rusty Rusthoven Jack Sheehan Tom Snead
Steve Snyder Chuck Sooter Skip Storey
Mike St. Clair Len Torres Jim Uecker
Dave Wall Tom Wellman
E-1
Bernie Allen Andy Blenkle Rick Cleland
Jim Conklin Kelly Couch Chapman Cox
E-2
Phil Gariboldi Gene Gibbons
E-3
Tom Howe Joe Lisante
E-4
Steve Palmer Phil Perzan
E-5
Richard Souza Al Stefl Don Taylor
Earl Wentworth Ron Sutton Jimmy Ray
Air Option
Rick Anderton
Please add your name to the growing list of attendees.
Reunion 2009 Preview
Expeditionary Warfare Training Group - Pacific
On Thursday morning, October 8th, we will visit the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group and observe an infantry company from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines as they are engaged in the "Small Boat Raid Course" which will qualify them to conduct small boat, over the horizon amphibious raids. Captain Frey, the Officer-in-Charge of the Raid Training will also brief us on the syllabus. We will have the opportunity to interface with these Marines who are being trained as a Boat Company to provide that unique capability to the Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) they will ultimately join. We will also have the opportunity to talk with the Course Instructors, who teach the coxswain, navigator and scout swimmer skills to the company's Marines.
Operations and Charitable Mission
As you know, we do not charge annual dues, instead, we ask for Annual Voluntary Contributions. To date, we have had approximately 60 contributions totaling $6300. If you haven't already donated to the 2009/2010 Campaign to fund our operations and charitable giving mission, you may do so by sending your tax-deductible Voluntary Contribution check made out to "38th OCC/BC 3-66 Alumni" to our Treasurer at the following address:
Chuck Sooter
11932 Yearling Street
Cerritos, CA 90703-7615
We do provide recognition on the website (www.usmc-thebasicschool-1966.com ) of all those Classmates who do contribute. Please check the website to determine if you have already donated. We appreciate your support of the Class.
Bereavement
It is with regret that I pass along the following report of the passing of our Classmate Val Prost.
Val suffered a massive stroke and passed away on May 4th. He will be buried on Saturday, May 9th. Val was a member of E-4 in Basic School and served in Vietnam with the 7th Engineer Battalion. He was assigned to Delta Company and worked on projects related to the construction of Liberty Road, between the Song Thu Bon and An Hoa.
Val is survived by his wife Joy. who has requested that the Class' traditional memorial tribute be made in Val's name to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. The Bereavement Committee is in the process of honoring this family request.
If you would like to express your personal sympathy to Joy, she can be reached at:
Mrs. Val Prost
234 Vaughn Street
Aurora, CO 80011
(303)344-1255
Achievements / Items of Interest
Steve Snyder/Chuck Sooter
Secretary and Treasurer of our Class, respectively have recently submitted the IRS Form 990 EZ and the Massachusetts Form 3M to fulfill our tax obligations to the Federal Government and the Commonweath of Massachusetts. The forms are posted on the website, if you would be interested in viewing them (www.usmc-thebasicschool-1966.com)
5th Annual Andrew Torres Memorial Golf Classic This tournament which benefits Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) is sponsored by Classmate Len Torres and his wife Anita, in memory of their son 2nd Lt Andrew Torres, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in April 2004 at the age of 23. The "Classic" is scheduled for Monday, June 22nd at the La Canada Flintridge Country Club. If you would like to participate in the tournament or make a memorial gift to HMRI, please get more information by clicking on the following link: (www.andrewtorres.org)
OCS Platoon
We are looking for the following platoon pictures to complete the set that is displayed on the revised website:
A-4
B-3
B-4
D-3
New Look to the Website If you have not gone on the website since May 1st, please visit it as it has an entirely new look and is much more user friendly. We have a new webmaster, Sam Patel, and he has done an outstanding job of making the site more appealing and simpler to work with. I hope you enjoy the changes he has made. If you have any suggestions for further improvement of the site, please reply to this email or send me a separate email at (dave.mellon@cox.net).
Miramar Air Show
The Miramar Air Show is going to be conducted the weekend before our Reunion. The 2009 Show will feature the Blue Angels. It will be held on October 2, 3 and 4, 2009. Our Reunion starts on the Wednesday, October 7th. So the aviation enthusiasts in the Class may want to come to San Diego a few days early to enjoy one of the premier air shows in the country.
I am pleased to report that your Reunion 2009 Planning Committee met on January 24th and finalized most of the details of the reunion for which we will assemble in San Diego on Wednesday, October 7th through Sunday, October 11th. The reunion promises to be a great opportunity to recapture the camaraderie of our time together in 1965 and 1966. I hope you are all planning to attend. Terry Cox will be communicating with you shortly with all of the details. For now, the Reunion Committee asks that you note the dates on your calendar (October 7 - 11, 2009) and make your hotel reservations at the Crowne Plaza - San Diego by calling 1-888-233-9527 between the hours of 9:00AM and 8:00PM EST, or 24/7 at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/usmc38th . Please use the reservation code "USMC-38th OCC" to get the guaranteed rate of $119 per night.
I look forward to seeing each of you in San Diego in October 2009!
Semper Fi,
Dave Mellon
President
Reunion - 2009
Golf - Thursday, October 8, 2009 Riverwalk Golf Course
The Reunion Planning Committee has continued the tradition of offering the opportunity for a round of golf at the 2009 Reunion. Golf Chairman, Bernie Allen, has worked with "Showtime Golf" to put together a great event for the golfers. The Riverwalk Golf Course, one of the finest courses in Southern California, is a 27 hole venue. The 18 holes of golf planned for the Class Outing will be conducted on the Mission (9 holes) and the Friars (9 holes) lay outs. The course is only a couple of miles from the Crowne Plaza (host hotel), so the commute time by motor coach will be brief. In addition to "green fees and cart" the $150 fee will cover transportation to and from the course, a box lunch, a free golf club and a "goodie bag" of other promotional items. Club rental will be an additional charge. Bernie will have plaques for the performance prizes of "closest to the pin" on two par threes and "longest drive" on two par fives. The members of the low gross foursome, in addition to receiving a plaque, will get a one-year subscription to Golf Digest.
Operations and Charitable Mission
As you know, we do not charge annual dues, instead, we ask for Annual Voluntary Contributions. We kicked off the 2009 Annual Voluntary Contribution (AVC) drive for our fiscal year 2009 on the Marine Corps Birthday - 2008. Through January 31, 2009, we have received 41 "contributions" totaling $4,400 from the following classmates:
Allan AlgosoPaul Clark
Pete ClayKelly Couch
Chapman CoxLew Dale
Walt FlynnLarry Higbee
Jim JohnsonMike Joseph
Mike KlunkTerry Lewis
Joe LisanteLarry Malby
John MartinMike McCarey
Sam McClinchieJim McWilliams
Dave MellonBill Merrihew
Leon MillerLonnie Myers
Stan Pasieka Mike Phillips
Dar PierceRick Quinn
Fred RiveroRobert Rix
Chuck SchroederJohn Singleton
Ed SmithChuck Sooter
Al SteflJohn Stone
Coppley VickersDave Wall
Tom WellmanDarrell Wells
Brian WestWilliam Whiting
Jeff Wilson
In fiscal 2008, we had 91 Classmates demonstrate their support of the Class through a contribution. We hope to improve on that number in 2009. Remember, the "suggested" AVC is $25. I hope you will show your interest and support for the Class by making a contribution. To do so, please send your tax-deductible Voluntary Contribution check made out to "38th OCC/BC 3-66 Alumni" and send it to our Treasurer at the following address:
Chuck Sooter
11932 Yearling Street
Cerritos, CA 90703-7615
We do provide recognition on the website ( www.usmc-thebasicschool-1966.com ) of all those Classmates who do contribute. The leadership levels approved by the Board are as follows:
Eagle - $150 or more
Globe - $76 to $149
Anchor - $1 to $75
Your annual voluntary contribution will fund our Charitable Mission by allowing donations to Marine charities, including a substantial one we intent to make in conjunction with Reunion 2009. As we are a Non-Profit, contributions are tax-deductible. Please consider making a tax deductible contribution for 2009.
Thank you for your continuing support of the Class.
Looking for a Few Good Men
I want to thank those members of the Class who submitted information regarding updated addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses for those members of the Class that we reported as "Missing" in the last Newsletter. We were able to get in touch with several of our Classmates as a result of the information you provided. We are hoping that they will plan to join us in San Diego. We will update our lists and ask you for your help again in a future Newletter, as we continue to reach out to all of our Classmates in the hopes that they will join us for Reunion 2009.
Bereavement
Joanne (Jodi) Quinn - Wife of Classmate Rick Quinn
It is with regret that I pass along the following report of the passing of the wife of Classmate Rick Quinn, the late Joanne (Jodi) Quinn:
Jodi Quinn died of liver cancer on January 4, 2009 at the age of 67. She had been diagnosed with the disease approximately 9 months earlier.
If you wish to make a personal donation to the American Cancer Society, please send your check to:
American Cancer Society
201 Mission Street
Suite 720
San Francisco, CA 94105
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to:
Rick Quinn
1990 Glen Avenue
San Bruno, CA 94066-4724
Rememberance
Add Your Recollections of those lost in Vietnam
As you probably know, our Class lost 32 men as a result of their service in Vietnam. Board Member, Terry Cox has agreed to coordinate the collection and posting of recollections of these Classmates on the website. If you have additional information which would add further texture to the tapestry of their lives, please follow the instructions on the website and submit your stories to Terry. He will ensure they get added to information already collected on the website.
To access the Remembrance Project, go to the website: www.usmc-thebasicschool-1966.com
Click on "Members of the Corporation" (The first item on the left side)
Click on 3. Vietnam Deaths - Site of the Remembrance Project.
There you can view what has been posted already and detailed instructions are available on how to add your recollections of each man to that already posted.
Recently, I noticed that little had been written about our Classmate, Wayne Hayes. Yet, I had read about the circumstances of his death in Keith William Nolan's "Operation Buffalo - USMC Fight for the DMZ." Accordingly, I wrote to Terry Cox for inclusion in the Remembrance Project. Check it out.
Thank you for adding your recollections to the histories of these "Warriors", who "gave all."
Achievements / Items of Interest
Steve Snyder
Secretary of our Class, has been elected Vice Chairman of the Board of the Marines Memorial Association, the parent organization of the Marines' Memorial Hotel and Club, located at 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-1027. The Marines' Memorial is a great location in downtown San Francisco to stay when you are visiting the "City by the Bay." You can make reservations by calling (415)673-6672.
Tricare for Life Beneficiaries The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has floated a proposal, "Budget Options: Volume 1, Health Care", in which over 100 ideas intended to reduce civilian and military medical care or charge more for service were recommended for the consideration by the Congress. The impact of the recommendation on Tricare for Life would require beneficiaries to pay for he first $525 of Medicare-eligible military benefits and then half of the next $4725 out of your pocket. It is recommended that you protect your interest by contacting your Congressional Representative and Senators and let them know that you do NOT the terms of Tricare for Life changed.
Vietnam Archive
A recent email circulated identifying the site of an excellent Vietnam Archive at Georgia Tech:
Another excellent archive with a USMC Collection is the Virtual Vietnam Archive at Texas Tech. It can be accessed through the link below:
http://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/virtualarchive/
Enhanced VA Mortgage Options Available the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which was signed into law by President Bush on October 10, 2008 will help veterans with sub-prime mortgages to refinance into safer, more affordable, VA guaranteed loans. With the new law, loans may be made up to $729,750, depending where the property is located. For more information, or to obtain help from VA Loan Specialist, veterans may call 1-877-827-3702.
Archive of email newsletters.
Please contact us with any changes or incorrect information posted.
38th OCC/Basic Class 3-66, USMC, Alumni Inc. | 9 Regina Road | Weymouth | MA | 02188 | All Rights Reserved.
Paul Clark
