WHISKEY BATTERY NEWSLETTER
March 2001
First of all I would like to thank those of you who sent holiday greetings to me and my family. Unfortunately, I was unable to send out cards this holiday season, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a belated Happy Marine Corps Birthday, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Orlando Reunion 2001
I usually start out my newsletters by boring you with the details of the previous reunion, but due to the scheduling of this years reunion, ( a month earlier ) I’ll bore you later.
This year the reunion will be held in, yeah you guessed it, Orlando Florida. Now listen carefully....... It will not, I repeat, will not be held in August. The reunion dates are July 4 - 8. The site hotel is the Marriott World Center Resort. 8701 World Center Drive, Orlando, FL. 32821. For reservations call 1- 800 - 621- 0638 or call direct 1 - 407 - 239 - 4200. All rooms in the First Marine Division Association block are $ 88.00 per night.In order to get that rate you must specify that you will be attending the First Mar. Div. Assn. reunion. There are rooms available but they are going fast, so if you plan to attend or unsure you can still book a room and if need be cancel at a later date. You may cancel up to 24 hrs. before check in date with no penalties.
Enclosed you will find a registration form for the reunion. It is not mandatory that you fill out this form unless you plan on participating in one or more of the events listed therein. Whiskey Battery will once again be doing our own thing, which is, make it up as we go along. It’s much simpler than trying to follow a rigid agenda. Oh, by the way Harry, we’re getting better at it.
Welcome
Retired Colonel John T. Winkler. Former C.O of Whiskey Battery, ‘67 / ‘68
13028 Normeds Rd., Jacksonville, FL, 32223
904-260-4001 Email: jtwinkler@cbrichardellis.com
Andy Miszko 0811 ‘67 / ‘68
70 Baker Rd., Kerhonkson, NY, 12446
914-626-7678 Email: Frogeez@juno.com
San Diego Reunion
While most of Southern California was experiencing temperatures in the torrid zone, San Diego was pleasantly temperate. Temps. ranged from the low 70's to the low 90's.
We had a very good turnout. Those who attended were: Larry & Cindy Lange, Barb & Steve Taylor & their daughter, Stephanie, Gary & Janet Seals, Al & Carol Payne, Hank & Ann Hiskes, Spencer & Mary Hildre, John & Judy Winkler, Dave (Doc) Rupp, his daughter, Katie & his grand-daughter, Kyla, Bob Heuman, Arturo ( Sonny ) Castillo, Steve Joyce, Robert Patrick ( Sgt. Mac ) McDavid, Bob & Judy Brieske and our daughters, Taylor & Teri.
Some of us arrived a couple of days early, did a recon of the area and settled in to wait on the rest. On Thursday we boarded one of 37 busses for the Camp Pendleton tour. After a scenic drive on the Pacific Coast Highway we entered Camp Pendleton via Basilone Road. Our ride took us up through the 11th Marines area and finally stopping at Camp San Mateo, home of the 5th Marines, where we disembarked for chow. After standing outside in the chow line for the required amount of time we were served our meal from "hot rats" containers in a tent. From there we made our way into the mess hall. After chow, we met outside and toured a static display on the grinder. Following the static display we were herded into the bleachers and following a marine band concert on the grinder, the 50th anniversary ceremony with fly by commemorating the Pusan Perimeter in Korea commenced. Immediately after the ceremony we moved across the road for the final segment of our tour, a combined arms exercise.
Friday, after an early breakfast at the hotel, the boarding of the busses began again. This time the destination was MCRD San Diego. Instead of bussing it we opted to take our personal vehicles. After parking on the West end of the grinder we walked back to the East end where we began our unescorted tour of Boot Camp. Being a regular work day for the recruits, we were able to observe the "sensitivity" of the Drill Instructors as they "related" to their charges. All but a few of the Quandset huts are gone. The ones that remain looked as if they were not in use except as points of interest for tourists. And, as the tourists we were, we just had to pose for pictures in the doorways, etc. Of course, in the Marine tradition, we refrained from stepping on "THE GRASS".
Time for an emergency head call, so we headed for the nearest building that was in use, which turned out to be Recruit Receiving. As we departed the building we spied the infamous "YELLOW FOOTPRINTS". Yes, we stood on them and yes we took pictures of us standing on them. A......nd we sucked in our guts to some extent. We were then taken on a guided tour of receiving. It was interesting hearing of all the changes that have taken place since I had gone through. They still have the "Bucket Issue" but they have done away with the bucket. Recruits are no longer allowed any cash. Their pay checks are deposited in a bank account and they are issued an ATM card, which, until they graduate, is used solely at the recruit PX, for necessities. I’m getting a little long winded here, so I’m just going to skim through the rest.
We hung around MCRD for a couple more hours, Drove down to the waterfront for lunch then made it over to Old Town for some sightseeing, shopping and finally some R&R.
Saturday we drove back to Old Town where we boarded a Tour Shuttle. After touring San Diego, the shuttle took across the bridge to Coronado Island. We disembarked at the Coronado Hotel for lunch. The hotel and beach are an awesome sight. It was getting late so we cut our stay short, boarded the shuttle and headed for the San Diego Zoo.
Saturday evening, Whiskey Battery attended the BLT 3/1 Banquet at the Hanalei Hotel. The banquet was informal and set outdoors, in the hotel garden area. There were hundreds of our brothers present who covered our sixes while we fired support for them on the Cua Viet. BLT 3/1 also had a hospitality room at the site hotel (The best I’ve seen yet) which we visited numerous times during the reunion.
Sunday (check out day) brought another outstanding reunion to a close. Thanks to everyone who attended. It was a pleasure seeing each and every one of you and I hope to see you all again in a few short months along with some new faces. Special thanks to Stephanie Taylor, who placed her sanity on the line by allowing our two daughters to trouble her persistently from all sides. I owe you big time Steph. Also, special thanks to the Hiskes family who invited us into their home for two days after the reunion.
Whiskey 2002 Calender
Bob Heuman needs new pictures of Whiskey Battery Vietnam for the calender. If you have any photos you would like to have printed in the calender, please make a copy and send it to him. If you don’t have any pictures and would like to have some, order a calender from Bob. You can contact him at home; 315 Linda Lane, O’Fallon, MO. 63366 Phone; 636-240-8286 email; RHe5857701@aol.com
Web Page
Doc Rupp needs new material for the Whiskey Home Page on the internet. Please send anything you wish to contribute, (photos, past or present, or both, information, memoirs, etc.) to David I. Rupp , 1119 Ohio Avenue, Alamogordo, NM, 88310. email: dirupp@netmdc.com
Semper Fi