Newsletters

U.S.M.C.

3D 155s MIKE 4/12

REUNION 2009 Newsletter # 4 September 2009

Dear 3d 155s/ Mike Btry 4/12, Families and Friends,

First and foremost, THANK YOU ALL, for your donations, support and help with the Reunion in San Diego. Special thanks to Paul Christianson, Don Brennan, Jack Marston, Richard and Cindy Rodriguez, George Cleveland, Tom Loch, Rick Grissom (photographer), Ralph Ryerson (photographer) Ed Darmetko (photographer) and Ted Bahry. We had 48 attendees this year. Our senior attendees were Ralph Ryerson and Richard Rogers who were with Mike Battery, Gun #2 at Camp McNair, Japan in 1956. We were also joined by Ron Eden of 3^rd 8-inch Howitzer Battery Vietnam 1967, and Art Sandman of Tango Battery, 155mm Towed Howitzer Battery Vietnam 1968.

The good folks at the 1^st Marine Division Public Affairs Office, the 11^th Marines and the School of Infantry (West) at Camp Pendleton, and the staff at the Command Museum and the escorts and staff of MCRD San Diego, were exceptional hosts.

The 11^th Marines Executive Officer gave us a command brief and we had a chance to meet and talk with over twenty Marines from all sections in the regiment. The 11^th Marines Mess Hall (now known as a dining facility) was a surprise treat, with lots of good food and a large variety of choices. The static display gave us an opportunity to see the new truck-mounted Rocket Launcher, and the new M777 155mm Lightweight Towed Howitzer. The Regimental Commander, Col Larry Holcomb USMC, met with us at the static display. The Marines manning the rocket launcher were surprised to meet members of our group that were in our battery when we still had the 1^st 4.5-inch Rocket Battery and the 1^st Heavy Artillery Rocket Battery attached to 12^th Marines.

The School of Infantry’s command brief and static display gave our members an opportunity to see how the old 2^nd Infantry Training Regiment (2^d ITR) has evolved over the years. We had the opportunity to fire all of the new infantry weapons (9mm pistol through the M2 .50 caliber MG) in the weapons simulator. The best part of the day was meeting and talking with the Marines.

The day at MCRD, September 11, 2009, started with the Commanding General’s Morning Colors Ceremony. We had reserved seating on the front deck of the CG’s Headquarters. The CG, BGen Ron Bailey USMC, welcomed the families of the graduating Marines as well as our group, the Drill Instructors Association, and a reunion group from Force Logistics Command (Vietnam). The MCRD Graduation Parade Reviewing Officer, BGen Charles Hudson USMC, was present. Also in attendance was the current Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj Kent USMC, and a former Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj Puckett USMC (Ret.). Unfortunately, we were not able to meet with the Commanding Officer of the 12^th Marine Corps District, Col Joseph Lance USMC, a former Mike Battery Commanding Officer in 1980s, who was on leave.

The tour of the Command Museum was both pleasant and educational. The displays were well conceived and very comprehensive. We all had ample time to see the displays but found ourselves drawn to exhibits that best described our own time in the Corps. The fact that gear and uniform items which had been issued to us were now part of a museum display was not lost on us.

The Graduation Parade was the highpoint for the day. For many of our group the last time they were at MCRD San Diego was the day they graduated from Boot Camp. There was a moment of silence to remember the events of September 11, 2001. The impact of that silence, of almost a thousand Marines of Company L, 3^rd Recruit Training Battalion, 1^st Recruit Training Regiment, and an additional two thousand members of their families and friends, was profound. The Parade was both magnificent and emotional. There was for each of us a moment that reminded us of our shared beginnings and perhaps for that moment, recaptured our youth.

After the Parade we had lunch at the Bay View Club at MCRD. The food was of sufficient quality and quantity. Actually the food was great and we enjoyed the time relaxing before we went to the Base Exchange to shop.

The next two days were spent enjoying the sights and venues of San Diego. The Harbor Cruise and the Tour of the USS Midway were well received by the group. There was still ample time for individual trips to Old Town and the Gas Lamp District.

The Grand Banquet was a success. Our Guest Speaker was San Diego County Supervisor Bill Horn. 1^st Lieutenant Horn USMC had been a member of our battalion in Vietnam. He commanded Lima Battery 4/12 in 1969. His personal awards include the Bronze Star w/V, the Purple Heart, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with silver and gold stars. BRAVO ZULU to Ted Bahry, Master of Ceremonies, and George Cleveland, Auctioneer Extraordinaire; their personal efforts made the evening a success.

What’s next? Contact Richard Rodriguez at (760) 745-0136 if you’d like to order a copy of the Reunion 2009 Year Book. Please don’t forget to send Rich any pictures you may have taken this year.

For all of you, please send me a picture of you, in uniform, for the Mike Battery History book that we are putting together. Any pictures of Mike Battery would be great. Please include place and date information.

We still have copies of the DVD that Ken Spaman put together from his 8mm movie clips of the battery in Vietnam at Camp Carroll, the Rockpile and Dong Ha. Please let me know if you’d like a copy. They are $15.00 each which includes shipping.

Next year we are gathering in San Antonio, Texas.

The Reunion Coordinator will be Richard Rodriguez. Joe Goddard will be assisting him. There will be more information in the next series of newsletters.
Thank you again for your patience and all of your help this year.

Semper Fidelis,

Allan Cruz

Reunion 2009 Coordinator (925) 939-9371 Home allanfpcruz@aol.com

210 Castle Hill Ranch Road * Walnut Creek, CA 94595