The Christmas season is upon us and we're ten months out from our San Antonio reunion scheduled for October 11-15, 2017.
Our 2017 fiscal year began on the Marine Corps Birthday in November and we recently made a donation of $4000 to the Semper Fi Fund which "Go Daddy" a web domain and website supplier founded by Marine Bob Parsons will match.
With the new fiscal year, it's also the time for our Annual Voluntary Contribution Drive to get underway. Contributions, as you know, are tax deductible.
We encourage a minimum $25 donation from all members, but support of our organization is strictly voluntary. Like the Corps itself, you have already earned membership. If, however, you would like to donate at the leadership level, those are defined as follows:
Anchor $1 to $74
Globe $75 to $149
Eagle $150 or more
Contributions will be acknowledged and posted on our website.
Please make your check payable to: "38th OCC/Basic Class 3-66 Alumni"
On the Memo line of the check, please insert Tax ID No. 54-2099257 and mail to our Treasurer:
Note: This is a new address
Steve McComb
2960 Pharr Court South, Apt. N-3
Atlanta, GA 30305-2188
Regarding the reunion, we have invited General Michael W. Hagee, USMC (Retired), 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps and last to have served in Vietnam, to be our guest speaker. It will be early summer before we know whether he will be able to attend. General Hagee is the President and CEO of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, which manages and financially supports the National Museum of the Pacific War, located in Fredericksburg, TX, which we will visit during our 2017 reunion.
The reunion plans are coming together. More information will be forthcoming in the next several months.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.
38th OCC/BC 3-66 REUNION: October 11-15, 2017 in San Antonio, TX
Our site in 2017 is in San Antonio, TX. A great city with lots to do and wonderful restaurants. We decided to try something different by holding the reunion in mid-USA, so everyone is traveling about the same distance, except for those that live in Texas, of course. This way no one needs to fly from Coast to Coast, which is becoming tougher on us more mature adults. The host hotel will be the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel.
This reunion only plans on one bus ride on Thursday (approximately 1 hour) to the National Museum of the Pacific War. A must see from what everyone says.
Instead of taking a long bus ride to a base to watch the young Marines demonstrate all the new weaponry we have decided to bring the Marines to us. Most of the comments we have received from our classmates is they wish they would have had more time to talk with these young Marine but we never had much time for doing this. So this reunion we are planning a Southwestern Bar-B-Q at our Hospitality Room on opening day and inviting Marines to join us in a relaxed setting where we can throw down a few brews and find out what the Corps is like today. It will make you proud I'm sure.
We're finally doing something special for the Ladies at this reunion. No, we're not giving them a Mameluke Favor. We have planned a luncheon,especially for them, at the famous Hotel Menger in downtown San Antonio (across the street from the Alamo). The luncheon would follow our Memorial Service at the Vietnam Monument on Friday morning. The luncheon will also include a special tour of this famous hotel and they will hear about the ghosts from the past that still haunts this place (it's only a rumor). This Luncheon is optional, if the wives don't want to leave their husband's side they don't have too.
I know in the past our Hospitality Suites have been crowded but for this Reunion, the El Tropicano has given us a very spacious room (banquet size, 2100 sqft w/overflow). There is plenty of room for tables and chairs to allow us to sit around, drink and chat. It has a good view of the Riverwalk and you can even sit out on the balcony and enjoy the river. We plan on leaving the hospitality room open much more than we have in the past. It will be left open for your convenience from around 1100 to 2300 most every day, even during meal time. Thursday it won't open up till 1600 because of our trip to the National Museum.
And yet, another first. We are planning a "Story Telling Time" on Thursday and Friday evening at one end of the Hospitality Suite. We have all enjoyed telling our stories to one another about our time at OCS/Basic School and Vietnam but never in an open forum. This time we want to open some of these great stories to everyone that wants to listen or participate in telling us about their great experiences...Jack Sheehan & Steve Bowen excluded of course, I've heard some of their stories and I don't think our Marines ears should be subject to that.
Some suggestions: Where were you during TET? What were some of your most interesting missions? How come the DI picked on you more than the other guys...maybe our ex-DI Mike St. Clair can shed some light on that subject. Were you involved with the Hill Fights or the 77 day Siege of Khe Sanh...I know I was! How come it was so much tougher on us Aviators, when you ground guys got three squares a day while walking through the beautiful country of Vietnam.
And finally, besides the program planned: BBQ, National Museum, Memorial Service & Ladies luncheon, we plan on having a lot of free time for everyone to enjoy the sites and restaurants of San Antonio. There is so much to do there --- why not expand your time and have a little vacation.
Alamo
Riverwalk
Riverboat Cruises
Mexican Market Square (largest Mexican shopping center outside of Mexico)
Tower of the Americas
Rivercenter Mall
Program:
Wed - Oct 11th - Check-in & welcoming Southwest Bar-B-Q withHonored Guests -- Marines from I & I
Thu - Oct 12th - Visit National Museum of the Pacific War (Admiral Nimitz - Commanding). This will be the only bus ride of the week.
Fri - Oct 13th - Memorial Service at the Vietnam Monument site honoring those Marines that fought and died at the "Hill Fight" on Hill 881S. (Dave Rogers, one of Our Classmates involved in the Hill Fights and whose poem is inscribed on the base of the monument will joining us along with John Baines, Founder of the organization that funded the Memorial)
Special Luncheon for the Ladies at the elegant Hotel Menger (First hotel built in San Antonio, which hosted several Presidents and military leaders, including Sam Houston and Robert E. Lee)
Sat - Oct 14th - Banquet - Andy is attempting to secure General Hagee as our Guest Speaker
More to come later with the costs of this shindig, but please MARK YOUR CALENDAR so you don't accidentally plan your Caribbean Cruise on these dates.
Semper Fidelis.
Terry Cox
Registration Coordinator
Well, Labor Day is almost here. I hope you are enjoying the extended vacation weekend! That leaves us just 401 days out from our reunion in San Antonio.
The Reunion Committee has made a lot of progress in getting everything set, but there are still a few details to be sorted out.
We'll be staying at the El Tropicano River Walk Hotel.
Terry Cox has put together the tentative schedule which can be found in the next section of this Newsletter. He has also gathered lots of additional items in the "2017 Reunion Information" in the third section. Hopefully, this information will motivate you to commit to attending the reunion and you will note and protect the reunion dates (October 11 - 15, 2017) on your 2017 calendar.
There will be lots more information coming your way regarding registration, once we finalize all the details!
We will have a Memorial Service at the San Antonio Vietnam Memorial, a monumental sculpture by Austen Deuel depicting a radioman preparing to call in a medevac during the Assault on Hill 881 South on April 30, 1967. It is truly impressive - and on the base of the statue is inscribed the poem our Classmate Dave Rogers wrote the previous evening. The Vietnam Memorial is very close to the hotel.
A good friend of mine, Ed "Tex" Stitler, (M/3/7 1967) who loves to BBQ, is going to provide a Texas BBQ on Wednesday evening for our reception dinner.
The hotel has guaranteed us a very large hospitality room along the River Walk.
I was looking through some old Vietnam photos and realized most of us had arrived in Vietnam by the end of August 1966. Where has the time gone?
This year, our class has donated $3000 to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
Last year Go Daddy doubled any donation to the Semper Fi Fund during the Christmas season, so we plan making our annual gift to them during this Christmas Season.
Please take the time to scroll down to the following sections for the information that Terry Cox has put together on the 2017 Reunion.
There are addition sections to this newsletter encouraging your financial support of the Class and the most recent information we have received on the passing of our Classmates!
Looking forward to seeing you in San Antonio in October of 2017!
Semper Fidelis.
Andy
2017 Reunion Tentative Schedule
38th OCC/BC 3-66 USMC Alumni Association
2017 Reunion Tentative Schedule
October 11 - 15, 2017
San Antonio, TX
Wednesday, October 11th
1200 - 2300 Reunion Registration Desk Open - Hospitality Suite
1200 - 2300 Hospitlity Suite Open
1530 - 1630 Board of Directors meeting
1730 -2130 Southwest BBQ Dinner in Hospitality Suite
Thursday, October 12th
0600 - 0830 Breakfast - included with hotel stay
0830 - 0845 Board buses for National Museum
0900 - 1600 Tour National Museum of the Pacific War
1600 - 2300 Hospitality Suite Open
1900 - 2100 Dinner on your own
2100 - 2300 Group story time (OCS/TBS/VN) in Hospitality Suite
Friday, October 13th
0600 - 0830 Breakfast - included with hotel stay
0930 - 1100 Memorial Service at Vietnam Memorial
1100 - 1115 Official Reunion Photo
1200 - 1400 Spouse's Luncheon at the Manger Hotel
1130 - 2300 Hospitality Suite open
1130 - 1800 Free Time
1900 - 2100 Dinner on your own
2100 - 2300 Group story time (OCS/TBS/VN) in Hospitality Suite
Saturday, October 14th
0600 - 0830 Breakfast - included with hotel stay
0900 - 1000 "All Hands" Biannual Business Meeting
1000 - 1800 Hospitality Suite Open
1000 - 1800 Free time or Optional Self Directed Tours
1900 - 2130 Banquet & programs
2130 - 2330 Hospitality Suite Open
Sunday, October 15th
0600 - 1200 Breakfast - included with hotel stay
0900 - 1030 Board Meeting
0600 - 1200 Check out -- SEE YOU IN 2019
Reunion Information
Reunion Dates:
October 11-14, 2017
Hotel Registration Information:
El Tropicano Riverwalk
110 Lexington Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78205
Cost:$115 + 16.75% tax for single or double occupancy with buffet breakfast included Group Rate:Available 3 days before/after based on availability Reservation Cutoff Date:Monday, September 11, 2017 Parking:$14 plus tax per night
Registration
Registration Cost: Still being developed
Other Information:
Hotel:
The hotel was built in 1960. It has touches of San Antonio with flair of Mexico and the tropics in its lobby. It has an atrium with a couple of South American Toucan Birds and Tortoises. Its lobby is very spacious and open and overlooks the Riverwalk. It has a "Tiki Bar", "Expresso Snack Bar" and "Restaurant" in the main lobby area along with a beautiful winding staircase leading to the second floor. Outside they have a beautiful pool and bar with plenty of room for lounging. Free Fitness Center (18 & up) & Business Center.
Hospitality Suite:
A very large (banquet size) hospitality suite - largest we've ever had, 2100 sqft w/overflow. There is plenty of room for tables and chairs to sit around in. You have a good view of the Riverwalk through their large bay windows. You can even sit out on the balcony and enjoy the river as it flows by. We plan on having the hospitality suite open much more at this reunion than in past.
The first night we plan on holding a good old fashion Southwest BBQ in the hospitality suite. We plan on inviting the Marines from "I & I" to join us. This will give us a chance to socialize with the Marines of today in a more relax setting.
Story Telling Time:
For the first time we plan on holding a group discussion regarding our time at OCS/TBS and Vietnam. We usually get together in small group and talk about our past, so we thought it might be fun to open it up to everyone. Terry Cox will moderate the discussion.
Rooms:
All rooms are non-smoking, wireless Internet access, 37" flat screen TV's with HD channels, iron/board, hair dryer, and Keurig Coffee maker. King Bed, One Queen Bed or Two Full Size Beds (will not guarantee room type but will honor upon availability on arrival). Check in 1600. Check out 1200. Cancellations - 24 hours with no penalties.
Transportation:
Airport - 8 miles. Use shuttle - not taxi. $19/person or $34 round trip.
Trolley - The trolley is a great way to get around SA. It cost less than $5 for a full days pass. Unfortunately they no longer have stop close to the hotel so you will have to pick it up by the Alamo now, which is about a 15 minute walk. It is well worth it if you want to see San Antonio easily.
Double Decker Tour bus: For $24 you can get an On/Off one day pass which will take you to even more places than the trolley. Along the way you will also get a historic narrative tour.
Riverwalk Taxi or Tour Cruise: For $12 you can get a one day taxi pass which allows you to ride the boat taxi up and down the Riverwalk. It stops by our hotel and will take you to the main Riverwalk area where the Alamo & restaurants are located. Unfortunately it doesn't always keep to a schedule. If the boat has a checkered flag you can wave them down just like any taxi. If you want to take a narrative tour it will cost you around $10/person.
Walking: This is the best. Walk along the Riverwalk and enjoy a nice easy pace and beautiful scenery. You will walk by all the riverfront restaurants in the downtown area and walk by many of the hotels. It's shaded throughout most of the walk. The walk from the El Tropicano to the Downtown area is about 25 - 30 minutes. If you want to get to the downtown area faster it is best to take the street and you will get there in 15 minutes.
Senior Discounts: Always ask for senior discounts - you can save a couple of bucks here and there.
Vietnam Memorial:
Only 5 minute walk from our Hotel. We will be holding our Memorial Service there on Friday morning which Dave Mellon will be preparing. Guest speakers will include John Baines (Founder of San Antonio Vietnam Memorial Project) and Dave Rogers (A classmate who was involved in the Hill Fights and the assault on Hill 881S and who authored the poem inscribed on base of the monument).
We, of course, will be remembering the 33 we lost in VN and those that have subsequently died. Following the Memorial Service, we will having our "Group Photo" taken.
Luncheon for the Ladies:
We are planning a special luncheon at the famous Hotel Menger for the ladies following the Memorial Service. It looks like the pricing will be $25 - $27/person. The Hotel is next to the Alamo and was the first hotel built in San Antonio (1859). The hotel is extremely elegant and has housed such famous guest as Presidents: Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, William Howard Taft, William McKinley, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Lyndon B. Johnson, George Bush, and Bill Clinton. There have also been a few military figures that have visited the hotel, including: Sam Houston and Robert E. Lee. During the Civil War the hotel was converted into a hospital.
National Museum of the Pacific:
Per the tentative schedule, we will have a lot more free time at this reunion. The only event we planned that will require a bus ride will be our trip to the "National Museum of the Pacific War" on Thursday. This will be from 0900 - 1600.
The Museum is in Fredericksburg about a one hour scenic bus ride from San Antonio.
The Museum is dedicated to everyone who served in the Pacific under Admiral Nimitz. It includes more than 34,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space including:
George Bush Gallery
Admiral Nimitz Museum
Plaza of the Presidents
Veterans' Walk of Honor
Japanese Garden of Peace
Banquet Dinner:
We are hoping to have General Hagee, Vietnam Veteran and 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps as our guest speaker. The entrees and cost are still being developed.
Restaurants in San Antonio
There are an abundance of restaurants around San Antonio, mainly in the Downtown area and the Riverwalk. If you want to venture out, there are plenty of restaurants in the outlying areas as well. A list of recommended restaurants will be included in the registration packet available upon check-in.
Places to See
There is much to do and see in San Antonio and there is plenty of shopping for the ladies. A listing of Thing to Do and See will be also included in the registration packet. A partial listing includes:
Alamo
Pearl Brewery
San Antonio Museum of Art
Tobin Center (next to Vietnam Monument)
San Antonio Mexican Market Square (Largest Mexican shopping center outside of Mexico)
King William Historic District
Tower of the Americas
Rivercenter Mall
Annual Voluntary Contributions
New Fiscal Year 2015-2016
As you probably know, our new fiscal year begins on the Marine Corps Birthday and we encourage annual voluntary contributions begin on November 10th.
Given the tax-exempt status of our Association, ALL Contributions are fully tax-deductible.
The suggested donation is $25 for every member, but membership has already been earned and is not contingent on making a contribution!
If you would like to make a leadership contribution, the levels are as follows:
Anchor: $1 to $74
Globe: $75 to $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, which has captured your historical contributions, go to Contributions.
Please consider making your fiscal 2015-2016 donation today!
The new contributions to the 2015-2016 Contributions Honor Roll will be posted during the fiscal year, as received.
Checks should be made payable to "38th OCC/Basic Class 3-66 Alumni". On the memo line, please insert "Tax ID No. 54-2099257". Mail your check to our Treasurer at:
Steve McComb
12904 Glenfield Road
Leawood, KS 66209
Thank you for your continued generous support of the Class and its activities!
Bereavement
We have recently learned additional information regarding the passing of two of our Classmates who died quite some time ago. Unfortunately, we have not received detailed obituaries, so the information is somewhat limited. We pass along to you what information we have available:
Patrick R. Mills - died on February 1, 1999 at the age of 55. Pat's cremains rest in Building 8 Outside, Tier 4, Crypt 6 in Holy Cross Cemetery, Santa Cruz, CA. The cremains were place there on June 11, 1999. Pat completed OCS with 2nd Platoon Charlie Company. Pat finished TBS with 4th Platoon of Delta Company.
Edward "Ned" R. Miller, Jr. - died at his home in Jacksonville, NC on April 12, 2006 at the age of 66. Ned was buried at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery on Monday, April 17, 2006 with full military honors. Chaplain Raymond Campbell officiated. Ned completed TBS as a member of 3rd Platoon, Delta Company.
Memorial Day Greetings from President Andy Blenkle
Marines of the 38th OCC and Basic Class 3-66
Marines and Friends,
The summer season is almost here - it begins with the coming Memorial Day weekend - a poignant day for all of us.
Let us all take time to remember our classmates who died in Vietnam and those who have subsequently passed on.
Time catches up with our physical bodies and our memories. Now, with the kids gone and on their own and most of us retired, we have more time to reflect on our past lives, especially time or times spent in harm's way for our nation.
Fifty years ago we had just graduated from The Basic School and were on leave. For the "grunts" their training was complete.
Most would be in West Pac by July.
Others went on to their particular MOS schools for training and then to Vietnam.
I just shake my head and wonder where has the time gone?
So let's say a prayer for those who served and have gone on to their heavenly reward and in a moment of silence remember them and all Americans who gave all serving this great country of ours.
Semper Fidelis.
Andy
Reunion 2017 Announcement
San Antonio has been selected as the site for our 2017 Reunion. Our hotel will be the El Tropicano on 110 Lexington Avenue, San Antonio.
The dates are October 11 to 15, 2017. Please mark your 2017 calendar for this event.
In subsequent issues of this Newsletter, comprehensive information on Reunion 2017 will be included.
Annual Voluntary Contributions
New Fiscal Year 2015-2016
As you probably know, our new fiscal year begins on the Marine Corps Birthday and we encourage annual voluntary contributions begin on November 10th.
Given the tax-exempt status of our Association, ALL Contributions are fully tax-deductible.
The suggested donation is $25 for every member, but membership has already been earned and is not contingent on making a contribution!
If you would like to make a leadership contribution, the levels are as follows:
Anchor: $1 to $74
Globe: $75 to $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, which has captured your historical contributions, go to Contributions.
Please consider making your fiscal 2015-2016 donation today!
The new contributions to the 2015-2016 Contributions Honor Roll will be posted during the fiscal year, as received.
Checks should be made payable to "38th OCC/Basic Class 3-66 Alumni". On the memo line, please insert "Tax ID No. 54-2099257". Mail your check to our Treasurer at:
Steve McComb
12904 Glenfield Road
Leawood, KS 66209
Thank you for your continued generous support of the Class and its activities!
In Search of Classmates
Your help is needed in locating several of our Classmates for whom we no longer have contact information for our website directory, especially a current email address which will allow usp to remain in touch with them.
Do any of you know where the following classmates reside or have definitive addresses or emails for them?
NameOCS PltTBS Plt Anderson, Charles JRA4D1 Arthur, John IIIC1D1 Bailey, James JRC3E1 Baxter, Richard JRC3E1 Carlson, Wayne R.B3D1 Casey, TimothyD3E1 Doherty, James JRC3E3 Foust, WilliamD3E2 Hoffman, Howard M.C2Pensacola
If you can help in any way with the current address or email or recall any details regarding these Classmates (College, Home of Record, etc.), please contact Ron Mikat at 518-463-3612 or by E-mail romeow@nycap.rr.com.
Bereavement
We have recently learned of the passing of several of our Classmates, some died quite some time ago. In some cases we have received obituaries and in some case merely notices of deaths. We will pass along to you what information we have available:
Gerald L. Barlow
Gerald died on August 4, 2014. He was in Bravo 2 at OCS and Echo 1 at Basic School. Gerald is buried at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.
Dennis P. Burns
Dennis passed away on March 20, 2016 at Lock Raven Veteran's Community Living Center in Baltimore, MD. He was in Charlie 4 at OCS and Echo 1 at Basic School. Dennis served 3 years in the Corps and had a full career with the Defense Information Systems Agency. He was buried March 30, 2016 in St. Joesph's Cemetery in Fort Edward, NY.
Thomas M. Edwards
Thomas passed on February 1, 2016 in Minneapolis, MN. He was a candidate with Charlie 2 at OCS and completed Basic School with Delta 2.
Preston D. Haynes
Preston died suddenly on April 30, 2007 at the age of 64. He was raised in Roxbury, MA and graduated from Boston University before joining the Marine Corps. At OCS, he was in Bravo 3 and at Basic School, he was in Echo 2. He served as an Air Traffic Control Officer in Vietnam and during his 24 year career in the Corps. After retirement from the Corps, he worked for the FAA for an additional 15 years. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V, the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon. Preston's ashes were scattered at sea with military honors.
Ben H. Van Norman (aka Ben H. Bell)
Ben died on June 4, 2011 after an 18 month battle with cancer. Ben was the Honor Graduate of the 38th OCC. He went directly to Pensacola for flight training. He flew the F-4 Phantom in Vietnam and was awarded the DFC. He remained in the Reserves and retired as a Colonel. His civilian career included EDS, Booz Allen Hamilton and K-Force. He was buried on June 13, 2011 with full military honors at the Quantico National Cemetery. His daughter, Jessica, graduated from the Naval Academy and is a Marine Officer.
Henry L. "Hank" Reed
Hank died on December 15, 2015 in Fort Washington, MD. He graduated from Hampton Institute and was in Alpha 1, at OCS. At Basic School, he was in Echo 4. He served two tours in Vietnam as an infantry officer. He was with 3rd Anti-Tank supporting 3/7 on his first tour and an adviser to the Vietnamese 5th Special Forces Group on his second. He also had a combat tour during Desert Storm. Hank had two major commands, Bravo Company 1/8 and 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. He retired as a Colonel in 1996. His awards included the Defense Superior Medal, Bronze Star with Combat V, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V and Gold Star in lieu of 2nd Award. Hank was buried in the Quantico National Cemetery with full military honors.
Special to 5th Marines
For those who served in the Fifth Marines, a 5th Marines Vietnam War Memorial Monument is being planned for construction aboard Camp Pendleton, California at San Mateo. Check out the web site, www.5thmarinesvietnammemorial.org for information on background, goal, and vision for the project.
A point of contact is Steve Colwell, stephenbcolwell@gmail.com
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.
