February, 2004


Yeah, I blew it again. Said I was gonna get the newsletter out before the holidays and didn't. Sooo, belated happy holidays again.


2004 Reunion


The 2003 reunion was a huge success, so we're gonna do it again. Same place, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Alabama. The dates are August 14" to the 21" at Summer house "B" (the one we stayed at in 2002.) Four condos have been reserved so far. Doc Rupp has one. Father Ryan has one. Mac, Bob Wagner and my family account for four out of six rooms in the other 2 condos. At this point, I don't know if the other two rooms are taken, but if they are, there are 46 more condos available at this time. Unfortunately, we couldn't get all of the condos on one floor but that is only a minor inconvenience, as the building has elevators. The rate for a full condo (all three bedrooms) is between $1,131.00 and $1,171.00 for the week. To determine the cost of one bedroom, break it down to 40% of total cost for the master br. and 30% for either of the other two bedrooms. The master has a private bath and a king bed. Bedroom two has a queen bed and bedroom three has two twins. The building itself is right at the beach. All of the windows and balconies face the gulf except for the corner condos which have gulf and East or gulf and West views. The corner condos on the East end overlook the pool area also. Building "A" is set up the same way but is set back so the pool is between the building and the beach. All of the condos in Bldg. "A" overlook the pool and beach. The weather is beautiful and there is plenty to see and do. So come on down and visit us, for the week, or for a few days. We'd really like to see you there. Deposits are $60.00 per room and $178.00 for a full condo. Full condo reservations can be made directly through Kaiser Realty, but single rooms you'll have to reserve through Mac. Addresses are as follows:


R.P MCDAVID IV, COFACE NORTH AMERICA, 1950 SPECTRUM CIRCLE, SUITE A405, MARIETTA, GA 30067 (PHONE 770-980-4930


KAISER REALTY INC., P.O. BOX 1018, GULF SHORES, AL 36547-1018 ORANGE BEACH OFFICE- 251-981-5977, RESERVATIONS-800-225-485 1, FAX-251-968-4668,

Reunion 2003


I've been recounting our reunions for the past 15 years. Yes it has been that long since Bob Heuman and I got together for our first reunion in Chicago in 1988, with the First Mar. Div. Assn. Well, this time I'm gonna turn it over to my daughter, Taylor and let her tell it from an 11 year old's perspective. Ok Taylor, you're on.



Hey everybody! First of all, I would like to wish all of you a happy and prosperous new year. Next, I would like to thank Sgt. Mac for arranging our accommodations at the Summer House on Romar Beach Condominiums. Let's not forget, we wouldn't be having another reunion like this one if Sgt. Mac weren't here to arrange our itineraries.

I hope everyone had a good time! People that attended this reunion were: Bob and Helen Heuman and granddaughter, Raven; Doc Rupp, granddaughter Kyla, grandson Brennen, and lady friend, Louann; Sgt. McDavid; Sonny Castillo; Gary and Janet Seals and two sons Justin and Mike and his girlfriend ; Sgt. Taylor, wife Barbara, and dog, Penny; Larry and Cindy Lange; Steve Joyce; Larry and Julie Kosnik; Lt. Bob Wagoner; Father Ryan, his wife, and their three kids and I'm only 11 and can't remember everybody's name, and Bob Brieske, his wife Judy, and their daughters Taylor and Teri. Also, we had some surprise guests! Bob Heuman decided this year he would bring his neighbors along. We had a lot of fun with them, too.

The trip was great. Everyone had fun. A lot of the people that came this year are coming back next year. There were a lot of kids so nobody was lonely. I mostly watched Kyla and Teri as they played at the pool (that was visible from the balcony of the condo.) I think the stay was very nice. Raven, Kyla, Taylor, Teri, Bob Heuman, and Bob Brieske all went crabbing down at the beach at night. Of course, I am not fond of things with pinchers or hairy legs so I ran away and spent the rest of the evening in the condo. The men held a poker game called Texas Hold Em', while the women went to dinner and shopping. Also the men went golfing. There was a slide show (courtesy of Sgt. Taylor) that went great. I was able to see how my dad and everyone else lived part of their lives in Vietnam and training. All went well and hopefully next year will be as good as this year and the year before that.       Back to you daddy.

KA - BAR USMC COMBAT KNIVES

 

Back in October, Mac e-mailed all of us that are on the internet, with the idea of purchasing Ka-bars and having them engraved as a reunion memento. After some discussion it was decided to strike the reunion part and have them engraved as Whiskey Btry. mementos. Twenty knives were requested (a couple of people ordered 2), which Mac was able to purchase at wholesale price, $35.68 including tax, from Brigade Quartermasters. He then found reasonable engraving ($0.14 a letter). I received mine recently and I'm delighted with it. The blade, guard and butt cap are black steel. The handle is brown leather. U.S.M.C. is stamped on the blade below the guard. W/2/11, 1st Marine Division, Vietnam 1967-1969 is engraved in the blood groove. Unfortunately, the deal Mac got for the wholesale price, is no longer available. If you would like to order one on your own, here are a couple of places to try:

 

Brigade Quartermasters Ltd., Ph. 770-428-1248 / 800-338-4327. www.actiongeai-.com $42.99

 

Army Navy Sales, Ph. 773-348-8930. www.armynavysales.com $42.99 Ka-bar Knives Inc., Ph. 716-372-5952 / 800-282-0130 www.ka-bar.com

 

Condolences

 

Our sincere condolences to Paul Tordella and his family on the passing of his father, Dr.John P. Tordella Ph.D.. May he rest in peace.

 

Welcome

 

Another straggler made it inside the wire. I recently spoke with Kevin Weingartner who served with Whiskey Btry. in `67. He left the btry. around the time Whiskey went on float. He was transferred to First Guns at that time. Kevin has a good recollection of events that took place in Whiskey before most of us were there. I sent out an email announcing his arrival. Colonel Winkler responded with a welcome and an interesting accounting of "Operation Swift" and Whiskey's time in the Cua Son Valley. Thank's Colonel. Kevin is not on the internet so I will include a copy of your email in his newsletter as well as the others who are not on the net. I have included Kevin's info. in the updated phone list which is included in everyone's newsletter.

 

Phone List

As I stated above. The updated phone list is included. Please check your info. If it is incorrect, please contact me with corrections.

 

Sick Bay

 

Not long after the 2003 reunion, but not related to the reunion in any way, Doc Rupp suffered a minor stroke and Mac suffered a heart attack. Both were back on their feet a short time later and doing fine. They have both informed me that they will be attending the 2004 reunion. OOORAH ! ! ! !

 

I know there's stuff I forgot. It'll have to wait.

 

Semper FI