WEDNESDAY, October 7, 2015:

Arrive at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, check in and register at the Hospitality Suite. Reservations can be made at www.marriott.com, or 757-627-4200. Make sure you mention that you are with the USMC 38thOCC/BC3-66. Rates are $110.00/night or $120.00/night including breakfast. Parking is $10.00/night. A Board meeting will be held at 1500. There will be a cocktail reception at 1730,(cash bar), appetizers will be provided. Dinner will be on your own. Restaurant information can be found at www.visitnorfolktoday.com.

As an added attraction, a tour of Colonial Williamsburg including a visit to the Williamsburg Winery (a tasting included), will depart the hotel at 0830 and return at 1630. Cost of this trip is $55.00/person and will necessitate a Tuesday arrival. A minimum of 35 people is required.

THURSDAY, October 8, 2015:

Board buses at 0830 for a welcome tour of Norfolk finishing at Camp Allen. We will receive a Command briefing from the Marine Corps Forces Command, (formerly FMFLANT ). MARFORCOM is commanded by Lt. General Robert B. Neller and is tasked with force generation actions across active and reserve components for Joint USMC Forces. The Commander serves as C.G. FMFLANT and commands all embarked Marines. Further information can be found at www.marforcom.marines.mil.

We will enjoy lunch at the Camp Allen chow hall then board buses for a tour of Naval Base Norfolk and one of the new Amphibious Navy ships, returning to the hotel around 1700. Dinner is again on your own.

FRIDAY, October 9, 2015:

Board buses at 0830 and return to Camp Allen for a brief and demonstration by the Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team,(FAST). These Marines are tasked with a rapid response to any terrorist attack on or near American Forces anywhere in the world. FAST is Part of the Marine Corps Security Regiment headquartered in Norfolk and is organized into three companies containing six platoons of fifty Marines each. On deployment these teams are based in Norfolk, Spain, Bahrain and Japan.

Upon completion of our visit with FAST, the golfers will move to Seawells Point Golf Course and those who elect to do so, will board the "Spirit of Norfolk" for a lunch cruise around the port of Norfolk, (www.spiritcruises.com/Norfolk).

Dinner is again on your own.

SATURDAY, October 10, 2015:

Depart the hotel at 0830 for the four block walk to the Nauticus Museum and USS Wisconsin where our bi-annual meeting will be held at 0900. Our members will gather on the Wisconsin's fantail for the meeting while our ladies and other guests can tour the museum. Our entire group will gather on the fantail at 1030 for our Memorial Service honoring those of our class who fell in battle and who have passed on over the last two years. Upon conclusion of the service enjoy Nauticus and return to the hotel. The afternoon is open. We will have a cocktail reception, (cash bar), at 1700, then move to dinner 1830. The dinner menu is listed on the registration form, so please include your choices when you return the form.

SUNDAY, October 11, 2015:

The new Board will meet at 0900.

REGISTER NOW!

To Register Now, print the Registration Form. Open and print the registration form. Just fill it out and send it with your check to Terry Cox at the address on the form.

Once again I would like to express my thanks to the members of the reunion committee who have worked hard to put this together. As always should you have questions e-mail or call me.

Semper Fi,
Pete

Dave Wall has a new tour with Military Historic Tours, "Shades of Ireland & U.S. Marines, Sailors and Soldiers in WW II." Go to the Military Historic Tours link, found in the Links section of the Class website for more informtion.

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of one of our Classmates:

Captain Richard H. Freeman, USMCR of Babylon Village, Long Island died on August 31, 2014. In OCS, Richard was in D-3. At TBS, he was in E-2. In Vietnam, he served as a Platoon Commander with 3rd Recon attached to 1/3. After his service, Richard studied law ultimately becoming a partner in the firm, Cullen and Dykman. He was active in community affairs, serving as the President of the Brooklyn Benevolent Society and the Babylon Board of Education.

Gone, but not forgotten!

WARNING ORDER....WARNING ORDER

50TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION

(October 7-11, 2015)

To: 38th OCC and Basic Class 3-66 Alumni Association

Proceed and report to the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel no later than 1730 on October 7, 2015.

Mission: Gather with fellow Marine Classmates and their wives or significant other to spend four days of fellowship culminating a grand banquet celebrating the 50th anniversary of the day we reported for the 38th Officer Candidates Course and our subsequent commissioning on December 17, 1965.

The plans have been made, the contracts signed and the menu planning is almost complete! As mentioned in my last letter we have set up headquarters in the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

Room prices are:

• $120.00/night plus taxes and including a full breakfast
• $110.00/night plus taxes without breakfast
• $10.00/day for parking

Schedule as follows:

WEDNESDAY: Registration will commence at 1200 and a Board Meeting will be held at 1500. A cocktail reception, (cash bar), with appetizers will be held at 1730. Dinner on your own.

THURSDAY: We will board buses at 0830 for a short tour of downtown Norfolk then move to Norfolk Naval Base and Camp Allen for a command briefing by Marine Corps Forces Command Atlantic. Lunch will be in the chow hall. We will then tour the Naval Base and visit one of the new amphibious ships for a tour returning to the hotel around 1700. Dinner on your own.

FRIDAY: On the buses once again at 0830, we will return to Camp Allen for a briefing by the Command of the Fleet Antiterrorist.

Team, (FAST Team), and a demonstration by the Marines. Golfers will then leave for Sewall’s Point Golf Course and, for those who choose to do so, we will board the "Spirit of Norfolk" for a lunch cruise and tour of the Norfolk Harbor. We will return to the hotel around 1530. Dinner on your own.

SATURDAY: At 0900 we will hold the bi-annual meeting of our Association on the fantail of the USS WISCONSIN. Our ladies may enjoy the Nauticus museum while the meeting is underway and then join us at 1030 for a memorial service. The balance of the day will be free until 1730 when cocktails, (cash bar), will be served followed by our anniversary banquet at 1830.

Cost for event: $150.00/person

Optional Events Planned:

• Colonial Williamsburg tour: will depart the hotel on Wednesday at 0830 returning at 1630. This will necessitate arrival at the hotel on Tuesday and will cost $55.00/person.
• Golfers: upon completion of the FAST TEAM tour you will be taken to Seawells Point Golf Course to chase the ever challenging little white sphere. Cost of the round and lunch is $60.00.
• Norfolk Harbor Tour: Also upon completion of the FAST TEAM visit, the luncheon and narrated tour of the Norfolk Harbor will depart at 1130 returning around 1400. The cost for this event will be $45.00/person.

MARRIOTT REWARD CARDS: If you have a Marriott Reward Card we will have a drawing for which two lucky card holders will equally share the points for the entire total of room nights generated by the reunion. This is a great incentive to not only get a Marriott Rewards Card but to come to the reunion.

On behalf of our entire association I would like to thank the members of the reunion committee, Walt Flynn, Sam McClinchie, Greg Stockstill, Tom Howe, Dave Wall, Steve McComb, Jack Sheehan and Terry Cox for their hard work and dedication in putting this event together.

I look forward to seeing ALL of you next year. Registration forms and formal agendas will be sent out in late October. Should you have questions or comments you have my contact information.

Semper Fi,
Pete

Captain Robert E. Grot, USMCR. At OCS, Bob was in B-2 and at TBS, Bob was in E-2. Bob died on December 24, 2013 in Burnt Hills, NY, his home since 1969. He was a metallurgical engineer from Purdue, who later received a Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural History and Restoration Technology.

Bob was a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Navy Commendation Medal.

After leaving the Marine Corps, he worked for Knolls Atomic Power Labs. After receiving his post graduate degree, he opened Grot Enterprises and did specialty work on home restorations and repairs for 12 years. His final working years were were spent as the owner/operator of the Saratoga Tae Kwon Do Academy.

Bob was very active in his church, Our Lady of Grace in Ballston Lake, NY, serving is several capacities. He was a youth leader in his community, serving as a Little League coach and Webelos Scout leader. He also served as a short-term shelter parent and foster father.

Corporal William G. Massey, USMCR. At OCS, Bill was in A-1. While he did not graduate from OCS, he did fulfill his USMC commitment.

Bill died of cancer on March 7, 2014 at his home in Silver Beach, VA. Bill was a graduate of The Citadel. After his service in the Corps, Bill was employed as a news reporter and talk show host on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. He did stints with WESR, WKRE, WEXM, the Eastern Shore News and the Eastern Shore Post, where he was a stockholder.

Gone, but not forgotten!

Our reunion planning team spent three days in Norfolk last week and I wanted to keep you all informed on our progress. We have tried to insure that we have the perfect venue for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of our commissioning. As you may know we received proposals from the Norfolk Marriott and Sheraton. The team stayed at both hotels and spent a considerable amount of time with the sales and catering staffs of both hotels. The end result was the decision to stay at the Marriott, (www.marriottnorfolk.com). They have offered us a very competitive package for rooms, cocktail reception and our banquet. I will report the details and costs when I receive their formal contract.

The tentative agenda includes visits to and briefings by the Marine Forces Command Atlantic, Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security Team, a Norfolk City tour, a ship visit and a tour of Naval Base Norfolk, a harbor cruise with lunch, an opportunity for golf and perhaps a special side trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Our annual meeting and memorial will be held on the WW II battleship USS Wisconsin or the MacArthur Museum in the event of inclement weather. I will have a detailed schedule and costs within the next month.

Norfolk can be reached by car and Amtrak as well as air. If you are flying, please plan well ahead as Norfolk requires at least one connection. Apparently the connections occur in the early morning or late afternoon. If you live on the Chesapeake and have a boat Waterside Marina is close-by!

Plan on joining us on October 7 - 11, 2015. This will be a special time.

Our Annual Voluntary Contribution drive is in full swing. So, we are asking those who have not yet contributed for the 2014 fiscal year to send in your check. The funds you graciously donate not only provide our operating monies but, more importantly, allow us to continue to support the Semper Fi Fund and The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. During fiscal 2013, we were able to donate $7,000.00 to these two worthy organizations, thanks to your generosity. I would like to see us continue this and maybe increase our contributions. Remember that any contribution you decide to make is tax deductible.

We would like to encourage a nominal $25 donation from every member.

If you would like to donate at a leadership level, those are as follows:

Anchor $1 - $74
Globe $75 - $149
Eagle $150 OR MORE

All contributions are strictly voluntary, tax-deductible and will be recognized on our website. To view the Contributions Honor Roll, please go to the Class website, then click on: Info Library/Class Assn Info/Contributions.

Please consider making your 2014 donation today!

Checks should be made payable to "38th OCC/Basic Class 3-66 Alumni". On the memo line, please insert "Tax ID No. 54-2099257" and mailed to our Treasurer, Steve McComb, at:
Steve McComb
12904 Glenfield Road
Leawood, KS 66209

Thank you for your continued generous support of the Class!

The Veteran - by Lewis E. Thomas

He is a little wobbly now on his feet
As he makes sure his uniform is sharp and neat.
He is squinting, and his eyes have grown dim.
He is holding a U.S. flag and singing a gospel hymn.
He has battle scars on his body and on his heart.
When his country needed him he did his part.
He saw friends and enemies die on the battlefield;
He carries unseen wounds that will never heal.
He is a proud old warrior standing tall,
For his country he gave it all.
When he sees the Stars and Stripes - it makes him cry!
Please don't go up and ask him why.
He remembers horrible things that pierce his soul.
He is a warrior who has now grown old.
When you see him, give him the greatest respect.
Shake his hand and hug his neck.
Thank him for fighting in a land far away,
So you could enjoy your freedom today!

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of our Classmate Maj. Gunnar Gudjonsson, USMC (Ret). Gunnar was born in Iceland and migrated to the US with his family. He retired from the Corps with over 20 years service. After retirement, he remained active in the Virginia Beach community and did volunteer work for the Marine Corps League, VFW, Optimist Club, Scottish Rite, Icelandic American Association and the Masons. He died of a heart attack in Virginia Beach, VA on January 31, 2014. He is survived by his daughter, Kirstin and his son, Kennan.

Gone, but not forgotten!

Our Annual Voluntary Contribution drive is in full swing. So, we are asking those who have not yet contributed for the 2014 fiscal year to send in your check. The funds you graciously donate not only provide our operating monies but, more importantly, allow us to continue to support the Semper Fi Fund and The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. During fiscal 2013, we were able to donate $7,000.00 to these two worthy organizations, thanks to your generosity. I would like to see us continue this and maybe increase our contributions. Remember that any contribution you decide to make is tax deductible.

We would like to encourage a nominal $25 donation from every member.

If you would like to donate at a leadership level, those are as follows:

Anchor $1 - $74
Globe $75 - $149
Eagle $150 OR MORE

All contributions are strictly voluntary, tax-deductible and will be recognized on our website. To view the Contributions Honor Roll, please go to the Class website, then click on: Info Library/Class Assn Info/Contributions.

Please consider making your 2014 donation today!

Checks should be made payable to "38th OCC/Basic Class 3-66 Alumni". On the memo line, please insert "Tax ID No. 54-2099257" and mailed to our Treasurer, Steve McComb, at:

Steve McComb
12904 Glenfield Road
Leawood, KS 66209

Thank you for your continued generous support of the Class!

Ron Mikat is working on updating the website directory. He needs your help in locating some of our Classmates. He is currently looking for leads on the following:

• Wayne L. Carlson
• Timothy Casey
• Edward D. Klatte
• Kenneth A. Koelin
• Jerry Owens
• Richard Sokolowski
• Thomas J. Stack
• Lawrence J. Walsh

If you have an address, telephone number or email address for any of these Classmates, please forward the information to Ron Mikat at his email address: romeow@nycap.rr.com.

The wonderful love of a beautiful maid
The love of a staunch true man
The love of a baby unafraid
Have existed since time began

But the greatest of loves
The quintessence of love
Even greater than that of a Mother
Is the tender, passionate, infinite love
Of one drunken Marine for another

General Louis H. Wilson
26th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps

We recently learned of the passing of one of our TBS Classmates, David M. Costantino. Dave died of cancer on December 31, 2006 at the age of 66. An Indiana native, Dave earned a BS in Economics and a law degree from the University of Notre Dame. He was in D-1 at TBS. He served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart and Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing V. Dave spent his working career with Vanguard Services, a national truck driver leasing corporation, rising to the position of Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Gone, but not forgotten!