Reunions and Other Gatherings BS Page Volume 3

Halls of Montezuma Reunion

Sgt Grit...

Just this past week-end, Sept 18-20, the website “Halls of Montezuma” held the first reunion in Branson, Missouri. The majority of those who attended would of course be Vietnam Veterans and you can’t find any better company to be around….Of course, that is my opinion…OOOHRAH!!!

Here are a few cool picks of the attendees in their “Halls of Montezeuma” T-Shirts.

Hope you are able to open these photos as those pictured are supporters of your Sgt Grit catalog and newsletter.

Grandle Starling Cpl E4
1959-1963

Photos of our 45th Anniversary

Sgt. Grits and staff, these are photos taken at the 45th Anniversary of our boot cam platoon forming in August of 1964. We want to thank you for the box of "goodies" you gave us. We divided them up into 13 stacks and drew numbers, everyone was very plaesed.Our reunion was held at the place where it all started for us, Parris Island. In attendance were 10 of us "recruits" and 3 drill instructors. We were a pretty diverse group, I was the only one in the platoon that enlisted from the west side of the Mississippi. The total group size, with spouses, was 25. We toured the base, ate at 1st Battalion Mess Hall and visited the PX. We also spent a little time in the old brig which has been converted into a sports bar. We spent 3days reminiscing and reliving old things that happened to us in boot training. The photo -57_57 is the best one, I think. Once again, thanks for the goodies, I'm sure you'll get some patronage from our group.

Harold Jury
"C" Co. 1st Bn. Plt 178
Parris Island 1964

Sucessful 2/5 Reunion

Sgt. Grit,

First of all I need to thank Sgt. Grit and Grunt.com for all the help and donations for this fine event.

We've all heard the talk about the"10%" and I've found it to be true also. Only this time the 10%ers were the cream of crop. I contacted 230 Vietnam Veteran Marines and Corpsmen from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines of the 1st Marine Division advising them of a reunion to be held in Las Vegas on August 25th-28th in the year 2009. Some were contacted by snail-mail, some by phone and nearly 1/2 by email. The overwhelming response was "H&ll yeah" , "It's about time" and "I'll be there. You can count on me"

When the dust settled from the economic fall out, and the date for the reunion arrived, 25 proud Marines and Corpsmen (See Picture) came to Vegas for a few days of back slappin and ghost chasin.

Thanks to "Capt. Jack" (Las Vegas Marine Corps League) provisions were procured for a great reception full of toasts to our brothers, picture swapin and story tellin. The banquet was opened with the presentation of colors and armed marching routine by 8 future Marines from Basic High School in Henderson NV. This award winning Jr. MCROTC unit's presentation was one that all in attendance will not soon forget. The invocation given by Chaplin "One-Niner", Richard Lippert was a fitting tribute to those present and also to our "Table of Honor" ( See Picture) for those who did not return or have since past away.

Our guest speaker (See Picture) for the nite was also in Nam with 2/5 as a communications officer. Lt. Van Hackett, who after his service spent a lifetime in the news broadcasting field, gave a stirring, thought provoking history lesson of 2/5 using a "40 Years Later" approach to the year 1969.

A Grit Donation table was set up at the rear of hall and all were told the only requirement to obtaining any item from the table was a monetary donation and they MUST take a Sgt. Grit Catalog. It was another nite of pictures, stories, handshakes and hugs as we parted ways until the next, yet to be announced, reunion takes place.

It IS true...we may not be as MEAN or LEAN, but we ARE all still Marines. (and Corpsmen too!!!)

The brotherhood lives on.

Semper Fi
Merle (Igor)

Khe Sahn Veterans Reunion 2006

D-Day Museum in New Orleans

I just returned home from a ship's reunion in Mobile as I was stationed aboard the USS Navarro APA-215 (troop transport) from 1962-1964. I have three grandson's now in the Corps. One, LCPL Kane M. Funke, was killed in Falluja on August 134, 2004 as was in 2/7, Echo Co., WPNS PLTN: LCPL Justin Demaranville is also in Falluja and has been wounded once already is with 3/1 India Co., 3rd, PLTN and the third on is LCPL Rick Burke with the Marine Security Detachment at the Bangor Washington Trident Sub base.

While at the reunion we went to the D-Day Museum in New Orleans which was really a great experience. I found a sign there that I would like to share with you. I would recomend that all who can visit the D-Day Museum as it covers both the Pacific and European Theaters of the war.
ROBERT (BOB) BATES

Marine Bond Never Broken

Hi attached a photo of myself Rod Spinks on the left and Mike Wilson on right when we met up again last week after 42 yrs.The last time we were to-gether was in the Borneo Jungle serving in 40 Commando Royal Marines in 1962. We are now 64yrs old. The Marines bond will never be broken Regards Rod Royal Marines Commandos 1957 / 68.
PER MARE PER TERRAM

Special GriTogether plaque

Hi, All!
We wanted you to have a preview of something we'll all sign and give to Edith, Marine Wife of Gene for 57 years, at Barb's in Chattanooga this coming weekend. "GriTogether Grandma" seemed to be fitting. You can't say we're not doing anything to promote "Grit's"! Semper Fi...Bill & Pammie

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