1

INCOMING

1st Bn 7th MarinesVietnam Veterans Association

Newsletter

February 2019

2

A MESSAGE FROM TERRY ALDRIDGE OUR 2018 – 2020 1/7 PRESIDENT

Happy New Year to all our 1/7 Marines, Corpsmen and Family members. We are getting ready for the next

2020 Reunion in Palm Springs, California, May 6 through May 10, 2020. For those who attended the 2018

Reunion in Washington DC, we hope you had a great time meeting old friends and making new ones. We had

389 Marines, Corpsmen, and family members attend the 2018 reunion. Of that number 43 were Gold Star

family members, representing 11 of our fallen Marine and Navy Corpsmen KIA brothers, were present to

share this reunion with us. Many of those family members voiced their appreciation and thanks for including

them in the reunion. They were moved to hear stories about their Marines and Corpsmen from those of us

who served with them in Vietnam. We were able to bring a smile to their faces with some of the many funny

stories we shared with them about their loved ones. We hope all of our Gold Star Family Members will come

to the Reunion in Palm Springs in 2020. The 2018 Reunion was outstanding. Alex Waigandt and the 1/7 staff

delivered a Reunion that we will all remember. Our banquet Guest Speaker was Secretary of Defense,

General James Mattis. He served as Battalion Commander of 1/7 during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. His

presentation was phenomenal and inspired us all. We were also entertained by the 8th

and I, Silent Drill

Platoon. They performed for 1/7 in the Atrium of the National Museum of the Marine Corps. They gave us a

fantastic performance. There, we also dedicated our 1/7 Memorial Monument, which lists the names of our

566 Marines and Corpsmen who were KIA in Vietnam. The monument is located in the Semper Fidelis

Memorial Park, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. Viewing the monument

and participating in the Memorial and Dedication services were special moments for us all. Our Gold Star

Family members expressed how moved they were by the love and respect we have for our KIA brothers. Our

Monument, with the black granite walls, listed with all our fallen brothers’ names inscribed on them, is a

sight to behold. If you have not done so, I recommend that you visit the National Museum of the Marine

Corps to see this wonderful and touching Monument to all who served in Vietnam with 1/7. It is a part of all

of us who had the honor of serving with these special brothers in Vietnam. A touching Memorial Service for

our KIA was held in the new Medal of Honor Theater located at the museum. We were privileged to be the

first to use this wonderful new facility. Your Staff has been working on the 2020 Reunion almost from the day

we left Washington DC. We have been working on the best place to hold our Reunion and the best Hotel to

hold it at. We believe we have found both in Palm Springs, California. With its area attractions, downtown

shopping, arts, tram ride, restaurants, and museums, we think you will enjoy your experience in Palm

Springs.

Our plans for the 2020 Reunion include a Friday bus trip to the Marine Corps Base 29 Palms.

Al LaPointe, John Goldthorpe, and I visited the base in September. Sgt Maj Pompos, 1/7 Regimental Sgt Maj,

rolled out the red carpet for us. The Marines of today respect and appreciate what the 1/7 Marines did for

the Marine Corps in Vietnam. They have taken our experiences in Vietnam and improved our tactics,

methods, equipment, and weapons. They have walked in our footprints you left in the 20th

Century and now

we will be able to walk with them as they leave their footprints for future 21st

Century 1/7 Marines and

Corpsmen. You can expect special exhibits, along with some friendly competition events between their 1/7

Marines (the New Guard) and our 1/7 Marines (the Old Guard). You need to be at the Reunion for this

one!!!! We will also hold our Memorial Service at the Base from 1:00pm – 3:00pm on Friday. Please,

everyone start making your plans for your 2020 Reunion in Palm Springs, California. We look forward to

seeing all of you there. Make it a family vacation.

Semper Fidelis!

Terry C Aldridge

President

1st

Battalion 7th

Marines

Vietnam Association

3

2020REUNION

INFORMATION

And the 2020 location is

PALM SPRINGS, CA

WHEN: MAY 6-10, 2020

HOTEL INFORMATION

THE WESTIN MISSION HILLSGOLF RESORT & SPA

71333 Dinah Shore DriveRancho Mirage, CA

92270

4

Room Rate: Our Group rate is $119.00 per night plus a reduced resort fee of $10.00per night (not including local taxes and fees). Our group rate will also apply 3 daysprior and 3 days post our reunion dates.

Cut-off date: is April 5, 2020. Reservations made after this date could be at prevailingrates and availability.

Resort Fee: a $35.00 value reduced to $10.00 for our group includes

High Speed Wi-Fi access in guest rooms and public spaces. Two daily one-hour bike rentals Shuttle to Agua Caliente Casino (2 guests) Access to Little Links miniature golf course (up to 4 guests) Access to Pete Dye golf practice facility Golf bag storage at Pete Dye Clubhouse (2) bags) Shuttle to Gary Player Golf Course Access to Villas Paradise Pool Two welcome beverages per stay at Las Brisas Pool

Hotel Information

RESERVATIONS

Call the Hotel Reservation Department.

CODE** 1st Bn 7th Marines Vietnam Reunion

877-253-0041

Online reservations are not available for our group rate at this time.We will publish the WEBLINK when it becomes available.

**Reunion registration and clothing order forms will be inthe next newsletter (Fall 2019).

5

DAY DATE EVENT

Wednesday 6 May 2020 Welcome and Hospitality Room.

Thursday 7 May 2020 Free day to explore the local area and just relax andcatch up with friends in the hospitality room.

Friday 8 May 2020 Day Trip to 29 Palms ….You will be bused to the baseand spend the day interacting with current 1/7Marines. This trip will include a Meet & Greet, Lunch,Memorial Service and more.

Saturday 9 May 2020 All Hands Meeting, Evening Cocktail Hour andBanquet.

Sunday 10 May2020

Farewell Breakfast.

Possible Reunion Schedule

The schedule of events is a work in progress. Were expecting it to looksomething like this:

Lunch options are very limited….help us please!

A. Limited number to Mess Hall (1st come first serve, not to exceed themaximum allowed.

B. MRE's purchased by you, active duty personnel will instruct on mealpreparation.

C. Sandwiches catered by Officers Club.

Please Email your choices in order of preference: (please pick 2).

Terry Kirkland at terrylk@charter.net

Terry Aldridge at terryaldridge1@aol.com

6

Shields’ Date Gardens80225CA-11113.5 miles from hotel

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway1 Tram Way20.1 miles W from Hotel

Palm Springs Celebrity Tours5.4 miles from hotel.

Indian Canyons38500 South Palm Canyon Dr.12.7 miles E from Hotel

Sunnylands37977 Bob Hope Drive2.5 miles W from Hotel

Adventure Hummer Tours9.1 miles from hotel.

Moorten Botanical GardenS Palm Canyon Drive9 miles E from Hotel

Desert Adventures7.1 miles from hotel

Big Wheel Tours7.4 miles from hotel.

Joshua Tree National Park1 hour Drive

Pete Dye Resort Course18 holes, 6706 yards,Par for course: 70Greens fees: 160 USD

Gary Player Signature Course18 holes, 7062 yards,Par for course: 72

Greens fees: 160 USDBalloons Above9.3 miles from hotel

Children’s Discovery Museum ofthe Desert2.3 miles

Escape Games at The River5.2 miles

Some Nearby Local Attractions

7

Members Corner

IN HONOR OFLt. James P Witt

Did You Know?

Tony Johnson enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was 17. He served with 1/7 inVietnam, and is now a retired Florida State Judge. He has just finished writing a 4book series about 1/7 in Vietnam. Each book can be read in about 45 minutes andcontains stories of actual events that took place with 1/7 in Vietnam. Any profits goto charity. You can find them at Amazon.com then enter "Anthony H. Johnson" inthe search bar. They will be titled, "Ambush at the Waterfall", "Battle for Danang","Overrun", and "No Safe Spaces" - The first three books each contain one story.The last book contains a compilation of 13 stories including the first three storiesnamed above. Great Job Tony!

8

Since our last full 1/7 Newsletter we have

been able to determine the passing of thefollowing 162 Marines and Corpsmen.

May they all rest in peace.

ABILLA Toney

ALCOCER Albert

ASHBURN Tony

BADGETT David

BARBEE Robert

BARNETT Jeffrey

BAXENDALE William

BIBLER Howard

BILLINGS Dan

BOGNER Michael

BOROFF David

BOSTOCK David

BOURKE William

BOWYER Robert

BROGREN Fred

CARROLL Richard

CAUDILL Clifford

CHERRY James

CHRISTENSON William

CLARK Champ

COFFMAN Clovis

CULPEPPER Michael

CUSTER Raymond

DAMRON Joseph

DANIELS Thomas

DEARE James

DEDMOND Charles

DEES Stanley

DONALDSON John

DRAKE Chester

DUPRIS Gerald

DURHAM William

DWYER Joseph

ELDER Walter

ESTES Raymond

FERGUSON Jessie

FISHER Ronald

FOLSOM Charles

FRANCIS George

FREEMAN Roy

FRYERY Frank

FURTNEY Carl

GARNER Devodry

GIBBS Melvin

GLENN Lawrence

GOOD Gayland

GRAY Rufus

GREEN Patrick

GRIMM Edward

GUSHEA Allen

HATADIS Robert

HAWKINS James

HEADLEY Ernest

HEBERT Thomas

HENDRICKSON William

HICKS Clarence

HOEFLE Douglas

HOFSTETTER George

HOLLAND Robert

HOUSTON Beauford

ISON James

JACKSON Piercezendo

KATTE Alan

KAUPPINEN Gary

KISER Dennie

KOONCE Walter

KROHN Carl

KRZYZANOWSKI Stanley

LAFERRIERE Rene

LANE Frank

LENNON Virgil

LEPAK Lloyd

LIEN Stanley

LIVELY Richard

LOFTON William

LOGUS, John

LOWE Oscar

LUEKEN Theodore

LYDAY Billy

MARTIN Grady

MCCAVARA Brian

9

Please remember to notify us if a 1/7 member passes.

MCDANIEL Adfer

MCHALE Robert

MCILVAIN Jimmie

MCPHAIL James

MERLETTI Anthony

MILLIGAN Joseph

MINER Wallace

MITCHELL Darrald

MOBLEY Ronald

MOELLER Larry

MOFFETT John

MOSER Earl

MUCCI Vincent

MURDOCK Thomas

MUSQUIZ Manuel

NAPIER David

NELSON Richard

NEWMAN Edward

NORDMEYER Richard

NUNAMAKER Allan

NUNNERY Nolan

OMMEIWSKI Thomas

ONTKO Joseph

ORMENO William

PAGAN Daniel

PALLADINO Michael

PARANZINO John

PARRIMAN Homer

PEREZ Claude

PHARR William

PHARR Albert

PISAPIA Louis

POWROZEK Thomas

PRIVITT Billie

PROGRAIS Donald

PUGH Lester

PURK Donald

PURYEAR James

RASMUSSEN Timothy

REMIERES Richard

REYNOLDS Michael

RICHARDS Thomas

RIECK Leslie

RISA Joseph

ROTAN John

ROUSH Randall

SCHAPIRO Robert

SEELEY Nicholas

SERVANTEZ Jacob

SKELLY Jerry

SKOWRONSKI David

SMITH Ronald

SMITH Alvin

SNELSON Patrick

SODERQUIST Thomas

STOTT Thomas

STURGIS Robert

STURGIS William

SWANSON Thomas

SWATSELL Irby

TALIAFERRO Napoleon

TITTLE George

TOMELLOSO Merced

TOTA Bruce

UNDERWOOD William

USENZA Robert

VEAL Norman

VONDRUSKA James

WALLEY Dennis

WASHINGTON Charles

WEBBER Richard

WEEKS Ricard

WHITE Kinith

WILLEY Robert

WILSON Larry

WING Richard

WINGATE Kerry

WOOD James

YOUNG Gregory

YOUNG Charles

ZACK James

REASON Allen