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INCOMING
1st Bn 7th MarinesVietnam Veterans Association
Newsletter
February 2019
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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
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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
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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).
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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 [email protected]
Terry Aldridge at [email protected]
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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
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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!
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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
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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
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