Christmas Greetings and News from President Walt Flynn
Marines of the 38th OCC and Basic Class 3-66
Marines and Friends,
Brothers, may the joys of the Holiday Season be with you and your families and may the blessings they bring be heaped on us, our predecessors and all those who have or will follow us in service to our country.
I particularly pray that the suffering of our wounded brothers be assuaged and they find comfort. I am extremely proud to say that our organization has recently helped to do that in a significant way. Recently, the Executive Board, on the recommendation of our Treasurer Steve McComb and the Charitable Gifts Committee consisting of Vice President Jim Herak, Steve McComb, Bob Nelson and Larry Aker, unanimously approved a donation of $8,000.00 to the Semper Fi Fund. That donation will be matched by the Parson Foundation so that our largesse will result in a $16,000.00 contribution.
For those who attended the San Antonio Reunion, you know that Andy Blenkle and his team organized an event of nothing but superlatives. Of those, the memorial service and the two "story telling" sessions stand out. Based on the success of Terry Cox's sessions, it was decided to include in our alumni website a place called "Our Stories", where you are encouraged to submit your story on your OCS/TBS/Vietnam stories. (See the block below)
While on the subject of the reunion, Jack Sheehan reminds that he has Challenge Coins available at $16.00. (See the block below)
Subsequent to the reunion, Terry Cox, who deserves the utmost gratitude for the work he has put into these last several reunions, surveyed the attendees about its every aspects. There were fewer returns than we had hoped, but we still got a strong sense of the members feelings. Regarding the site for the next reunion, a committee was formed and we met on Monday, December 11. It was the unanimous decision of the committee to send Newport, RI forward to the Executive Board as the recommended site of the 2019 reunion, and the Board unanimously concurred in that recommendation. The reunion is scheduled for Monday, October 7 through Friday, 11 October 2019 at the Cambria Hotel and Suites in Newport.
After reviewing the data available on Boston, Massachusetts as a site, the costs were determined to be excessive. Jack Sheehan and Larry Aker, along with Renate Aker, a travel agent, stepped up and provided a presentation recommending Newport, RI as the site which was fully fleshed out (they had obviously done their homework) and Newport had been included as one of the alternatives identified by the attendees at the business meeting in San Antonio. They had also contacted Discover Newport, a destination management organization, whose representative, Anne Roberts, joined with the committee and offered the services of that group.
Jack and Larry have accepted the role of cochairmen of the committee. Other members of the 2019 Reunion Committee include Sam McClinchie, Pete Clay, Dave Wall, Paul Ross, Ron Mikat, and Robby Robinson (a leader of Basic Class 4-66).I have also appointed to the committee Renate Aker, Gerry Wall, Patty Sheehan and Maryellen Flynn. Others may be added, so to that end let me know if you would be interested in serving on the Reunion Committee. If you have any questions, contact any of the committee members. They will provide any information you need and will gladly share their enthusiasm for the Newport site with you. In the meantime, go online and check out the wealth of site (Discover Newport, RI
)which make Newport a socially, culturally and historically desirable site.
Semper Fidelis.
Walt
Needed - Your Stories for the Website
The "Our Stories" header is now found on the menu bar of the website. There is currently one story posted, but we hope that many will be added soon. Go to the Class website to see the new section (Our Stories)
You are hereby invited and encouraged to write your own story for all to read and have it posted on our website. The Point of Contact for this project is Chuck Sooter, so send your stories to him for processing (chucksooter@hotmail.com). Ideally your story will be 6 -10 pages, so this means that you can string a number of related stories together, including pictures of yourself/events back in the day, to form a sense of what your military experience was like for you. Please send whatever you write, regardless. Just get it down on paper. Some other guidelines are as follows:
1.) Non-fiction, first person account
2.) No disrespect for others, the Corps, or Country
3.) Non-political
Besides writers, we are seeking volunteers to become editors to polish "Our Stories" into publishable form. You can volunteer to do both. If we get enough Classmates to participate, we will make an attempt to have these stories published, perhaps by the US Naval Institute.
Thank you for helping to document the service of our Class.
New Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Annual Voluntary Contributions
As you probably know, our new fiscal year begins on the Marine Corps Birthday and we encourage annual voluntary contributions to begin on November 10th.
As our Association has received tax-exempt status, ALL Contributions are fully tax-deductible.
The suggested donation is $25 for every member, but membership has already been earned and is not contingent upon 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 2017-2018 donation today!
The new contributions to the 2017-2018 Contributions Honor Roll will be posted during the fiscal year, as received.
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:
Steve McComb
2960 Pharr Court South, Apt. N-3
Atlanta, GA 30305-2188
Thank you for your continued generous support of the Class and its activities!
2017 Challenge Coin
As you probably know, our new fiscal year begins on the Marine Corps Birthday and we encourage annual voluntary contributions to begin on November 10th.
As our Association has received tax-exempt status, ALL Contributions are fully tax-deductible.
The suggested donation is $25 for every member, but membership has already been earned and is not contingent upon 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
The Class Challenge Coins prepared for the 2017 Reunion are still available. If you would like to purchase one or more, please contact Jack Sheehanl by calling him at 401-255-0387 or emailing him at the following email address (jacksheehanjtown@me.com)
Memorial Day Greetings from President Andy Blenkle
Marines of the 38th OCC and Basic Class 3-66
Marines and Friends,
This is my final letter as your President. One wonders where the last two years have gone. The older we get, the faster time seems to go.
Now, we're working on all the last minute details for the reunion. As mentioned earlier, we have a very large Hospitality Room. So there's going to be plenty of room to spread out and talk.
We have eleven first time Classmate attendees plus a TBS platoon commander, Dennis Gallagher and his wife, Maureen. Dennis had Delta 5 at TBS.
Here's the rundown on the scheduled events.
Wednesday
Dress should be casual for our BBQ - very casual - like California casual. We plan to have Marines from the San Antonio I and I staff, 4th Recon Battalion, as our guests.
My good friend Ed "Tex" Stitler is hosting the BBQ. I met Tex on my second trip back to Vietnam in 2003. He and his wife, Laurie, treated Terry Cox and me with gracious hospitality on our two recon trips to San Antonio. Tex took us everywhere we needed to go to coordinate the program.
In June, he even loaned us his 1995 Ford Bronco and is going to make it available for hospitality runs during the reunion, too. No, he didn't buy it from OJ.
Tex was Sergeant in I/3/7 - September 1966 to September 1967. He was wounded 16 days before his Rotation Date. After the Marines, Tex was a school teacher, principal, and had his own construction business. Please make it a point to meet him at the BBQ and thank him for all his help in making it a great event.
Thursday
We visit the Pacific War Museum. Walk around clothing, shoes and sun block should be considered.
We will be met on arriving by a representative of the Fredericksburg Visitors Center who will brief us on other places to dine and visit. Lunch will be on your own. We plan to leave the hotel at 0815 and depart Fredericksburg between 1430 - 1445. It is a pleasant bus ride. The buses are not yellow.
Friday
The Memorial Service at 0930 at the San Antonio Vietnam Memorial. Dave Mellon is coordinating this program, but will be relying on other leaders of the Association to handle key components of the Service. We will again be outside. So be sure to wear covers (hats/sun bonnets) and apply sun block. It is about a 4 minute walk from the hotel to the Veterans Memorial Plaza. The temperature is usually in the 80's this time of the year. If the weather is inclement (rain or too hot) the hospitality room will be the alternate site.
At the the conclusion of the Memorial, the group pictures will be taken by a professional photographer. The pictures will be displayed in the hospitality room and available for purchase Friday afternoon.
After the pictures the ladies will be transported to the Menger Hotel for their luncheon and historical tour via mini bus. The bus will make two trips as the capacity is 26. So far, 39 ladies are signed up. After the lunch and tour, the bus will pick up the ladies the around 1415 and return them to the hotel. You are not required to return to our hotel, El Tropicano. There is an Irish bar across the street; however the drinks are much less expensive in the hospitality suite. If you choose to walk back along the River Walk, plan on 25 to 30 minute trip.
Thursday and Friday Evenings
We are doing some thing new. Terry Cox came up with the idea of "Story Telling Time". He put this event together and will be the moderator. We're looking for stories of our experiences in OCS, TBS, VN and the Marine Corps overall. It is scheduled for Thursday and Friday nights in the hospitality room at 2100. The commentaries are expected to make Ken Burns series on the Vietnam War look amateurish!
Saturday Morning
We conduct the business meeting at 0900 for all hands. Ladies are invited, although sleeping in is an alternative.
At our Business Meeting we nominate/confirm the Officers and the Board members. Pete Clay has been working on this as Chair of the Nominating Committee.
Walt Flynn will assume the Presidency and lead the 2019 Reunion. Jim Herek has accepted the nomination as Vice President, so he will follow Walt as our President and be in charge of the 2021 Reunion.
Jack Sheehan, Steve McComb, Tom Howe have agreed to remain as Secretary, Sergeant at Arms, and Treasurer.
Saturday Evening
Our Banquet Dinner is at 18:00 and the suggested attire for gentlemen is jacket and tie. At dinner the change of command will formally take place and Walt Flynn will assume the Presidency.
Our after-dinner speaker is our classmate, John Admire, who wrote a great book "Darker Than Dark" about a Marine fire team in Vietnam. He will give us more background on the book and discuss his perspectives on Vietnam. Go to Amazon.com and read the comments on the book. They will give you some added context for John's presentation.
Comment
As my term comes to an end, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the tremendous job that Terry Cox has done over the last 12 years in bring order and efficiency to the conduct of our Reunions. Whether East Coast or West Coast, Terry has driven the Platoon Phone Program, been the point of contact for all registrations, collected the fees, kept all the myriad details straight, tracked and reported on progress while ensuring that every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted. This is his final year. Please make it a point to thank him for all his work on behalf of our Association. It is going to take a fire team to even begin to handle all he has done. Terry, thanks for all you have work, it is sincerely appreciated by each of us, who have led the Association and conducted the Reunions.
Reminder
Those of you driving to San Antonio, please remember to bring your large coolers and tubs for icing down the beverages for the hospitality room. Just put your name on them so we get them back to you before you depart.
Well, 12 days out!
See you in San Antonio and "Thank you" for the honor of being your President for the past two years.
Semper Fidelis.
Andy
San Antonio Reunion Attendees as of September 22, 2017
I am pleased to announce that our registrations have reached 73 Classmates, an all-time record for a "Western" Reunion. When you have time, go through the list and note all those that you absolutely have to talk to at the Reunion! The current list, broken down by Basic School platoon, is below:
Memorial Day Greetings from President Andy Blenkle
Marines of the 38th OCC and Basic Class 3-66
Marines and Friends,
We're a month into summer and two and a half months from our San Antonio Reunion. If you haven't registered with Terry Cox and the hotel, please do so. September 11th is the deadline for receiving the special hotel rate. The full details on how to register with the Class and hotel can be accessed, by clicking on the Reunion block on the website home page:
Terry Cox and I had a very pleasant visit to San Antonio at the end of June to make the final arrangements for the Reunion. We touched base with all our points of contact. We are now, all squared away!
We visited the Nimitz Foundation Headquarters, which operates the National Museum of the Pacific War and met former Commandant, General Michael W. Hagee's executive assistant. She said that if the General is in town, he will greet us when we arrive at the Museum in Fredericksburg, a pleasant bus ride from San Antonio.
We also coordinated with our host for the Welcoming BBQ on Wednesday, October 11th, Ed "Tex" Stitler. I've known Tex since 2003, when we met on a Return to Vietnam trip. He is essence of "Texas Hospitality". He was our host for the recon visit and drove us to all our Reunion venues. He even loaned us his 1995 Ford pick-up. Talk about going back in time - no electric doors, windows, locks, or back up monitor. We even had to use a key to open the doors. Tex was with India 3/7 in Vietnam in 1967. You will all enjoy meeting him at the Reunion. Pictured below are Tex and his wife, Laurie, at dinner with us during our visit.
October is sure to be warm, so be sure to bring covers, sun hats for the ladies, comfortable walking shoes/sneakers, sun block and other personal amenities for an active Reunion.
At our Memorial Service on Friday, Marines are requested to wear khaki trousers and a dark blue (navy) Marine collared shirt. We also ask that a jacket and tie be worn for the Saturday night banquet dinner.
Our banquet speaker will be Classmate, Maj Gen John H. Admire who will discuss his recent book, "Darker than Dark".
I am pleased to announce that our registrations have reached 53 Classmates. The current list, broken down by Basic School platoon is listed below:
We hope that you recognize some of your friends from either OCS or Basic School among the attendees and will be motivated to join us. It will be a great gathering. Please plan to join us!
Semper Fidelis.
Andy
Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Annual Voluntary Contributions
As our fiscal year draws to a close, we encourage you to make an annual voluntary contribution, if you have not already done so.
As our Association has received tax-exempt status, ALL Contributions are fully tax-deductible.
The suggested donation is $25 for every member, but membership has already been earned and is not contingent upon 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
Contributions will be acknowledged and posted on our website.
Fiscal Year 2016-2017 contributions will be posted to the Contributions Honor Roll, as received.
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:
Steve McComb
2960 Pharr Court South, Apt. N-3
Atlanta, GA 30305-2188
Thank you for your continued generous support of the Class and its activities!
Bereavement Notices
Since the last President's Newsletter, we have learned of the passing of several of our Classmates, some very recent, while others date back a couple of years. Please remember them in your prayers:
Stephen G. Bowen, Jr - died on July 6, 2017 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA of lung cancer. Steve was in C-4 at OCS and D-1 at Basic School. He served in Vietnam as an artillery forward observer and battery commander and was awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing "V". Steve was an accomplished rugby player and motorcycle rider. His civilian career was in advertising. A memorial service in Sharon, CT on July 21, 2017 was well attended by members of our Class.
Terrence M. Breen - Died on May 28, 2017 at his home in Seminole, FL of liver cancer. He was in D-2 at OCS and D-1 at Basic School. He spent 3 years on active duty and 20 additional years in the Reserves, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Terry retired from the Lawrence, MA school system and spent 20 years serving ceremonially as a member of the 1812 U.S. Marine Guard aboard the USS Constitution.
Gustavus L. Donnelly, Sr. - Died unexpectedly on July 6, 2016 at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC following surgery. He was assigned to platoon A-2 at OCS and D-2 at the Basic School. He spent 10 years on active duty, separating as a Captain. Gus served two tours as an artillery officer in Vietnam and was awarded both the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation medal with Combat Distinguishing "V" and the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing "V". He later graduated from Wake Forest University Law School and practiced in Mt. Airy, NC. He was buried with full military honors at Salisbury National Cemetery in NC.
Philip H. Ray - Died March 3, 2014 at his home in Fort Worth, TX. He was commissioned through the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program (NESEP). Phil joined our Class in platoon E-4 at Basic School. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel. Phil's urn was placed at the Quantico National Cemetery with full military honors.
Joseph W. Robben, Jr. - Died on May 31, 2017 at his home in San Clemente, CA of brain cancer. Joe was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Course and joined our Class with platoon E-4 at Basic School. He served as a Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battery Commander in Vietnam. Later, Joe was an Aviation planner in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm. Joe retire after 30 years service as a Colonel. His awards included three Legion of Merit medals, the Meritorious Service medal and the Navy Achievement medal with Combat Distinguishing "V". In civilian life, Joe managed the public safety radio communications for Orange County, CA and its 31 cities. Joe was buried with full military honors at the Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA with several members of our Class in attendance.
Memorial Day Greetings from President Andy Blenkle
Marines of the 38th OCC and Basic Class 3-66
Marines and Friends,
Well, we're four and half months away from our reunion in San Antonio.
Registration is progressing nicely. If you haven't made your hotel reservations for the reunion yet, don't wait too long. We have a finite number of rooms blocked at the special rate of $115 plus tax/night. Once the blocked rooms are sold out, we are at the mercy of the hotel and the special pricing may not be available. Also, the cut off date for hotel reservations is September 11. You should have received a call or an email by now from one of our phone captains regarding our reunion. If you haven't and wish to find out more about our reunion and receive a registration form contact Terry Cox ( tcox95@cox.net ).
Here are the names of 37 classmates who have already booked their reservations at the El Tropicano Hotel and sent in their Class registration forms:
John Admire
Larry Aker
Rick Anderson
Andy Blenkle
Pete Clay
Dick Costello
Kelly Couch
Terry Cox
Gary Cummins
Walt Flynn
Gene Gibbons
Ralph Golden
Jay Lillie
Dwayne Littlejohn
Sam McClinchie
Steve McComb
Joe McDavid
Dave Mellon
Ron Mikat
Mike Miller
Phil Perzan
Jim Ray
Bob Richardson
Bob Rix
Dave Rogers
Paul Ross
Bob Roughgarden
Jack Sheehan
Clay Sneer
Charles Sooter
Mike St. Clair
Al Stefl
Skip Storey
Ron Sutton
Jim Thornton
Jim Uecker
Dave Wall
Terry Cox and I will be making a final recon trip to San Antonio the 26th through the 29th of June.
We will touch base with our points of contact and tie up any loose ends.
General Mike Hagee, 33d Commandant, has been invited to be our Guest of Honor and speaker. The General was the last Commandant to have served in Vietnam.
Sometime in July his office will inform us whether he is indeed able to attend.
If the General is unable to join us, our Classmate John Admire, who retired with two stars, has agreed to be our speaker.
John has written an excellent book about Vietnam called "Darker than Dark". The focus of the story is on a Marine fire Team - yes, four Marines and their exploits. The book is a great read. It made me proud of the caliber of young Marines we served with in Vietnam.
Three of our classmates have made return trips to Vietnam and written a commentaries on their visit. The articles can be found by clicking here.
Darell Wells contacted his Basic School Platoon Commander (D5), Lt. Col. Dennis Gallagher, USMC (Retired). Dennis and his wife, Maureen (Mo), will be coming. Turns out Dennis and his family were my neighbors in Montclair, Virginia. He lived two houses up from me and our kids played together.
Four members of our Board of Directors will have their terms expire in 2017. So, anyone interested in serving the Class, as a director, please drop me a reply and let me know.
At our Saturday evening banquet, we ask that you wear a jacket and tie. We also suggest that, if you have them, you wear miniature medals on your jacket.
A Lt. Col. Clyde Johnston, USMC (Retired) emailed me. He was the Officer Selection Officer in Des Moines, IA back in 1965 and knows that he put some candidates into the 38th OCC. Does his name sound familiar? Unfortunately, he said he doesn't recollect any names. He was rather busy in those days.
This Memorial Day let us all remember our 33 classmates who gave all in Vietnam and those who have gone on to their heavenly reward in subsequent years.
Have an enjoyable and safe summer and make your reservations to join your Classmates at our October 11-15 Reunion in San Antonio, TX.
Semper Fidelis.
Andy
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.
