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2nd Battalion 3rd Marines Vietnam Veterans Association

The Rent-A-Battalion blog

March 20, 2025 - Message from Mick

 by Donna Fuller on 03/21/25

INFO D 3/20/2025:  Note 1, the link at the bottom may not work on the "Message Board".  
Note 2, if you didn't get "INFO D" in your email inbox, you're not on my mailing list.  Contact me to get on the 2/3 VVA President's Email List.  For security, not posting email addresses on this Message Board.  Get it from your Company Rep or Battle Buddy. If you have any trouble getting my email address, then send a note with your contact info (Name, Company, Platoon, Dates of 2/3 Vietnam Service, Address, Phone [cell and home], Email address, Next of Kin Name & Phone) to Mick Hughes, P.O. Box 211, Baldwin, NY 11510.

2/3 Marines, Associates, Family and Friends.  Here's some more great news!
Please see below the link for CALTRAP magazine containing the 2025 Third Marine Division Association (T.M.D.A.) Reunion Registration (A.F.R.I.) Form, Schedule of Events and Tour Descriptions.
Two big pieces of advice are: 
1.  Pay your $5 2/3 V.V.A. dues NOW.  It's a change, 2/3 V.V.A. dues are NOT collected via the TMDA Registration Form.
2.  Book your hotel space NOW.

I have not done an in-depth read of all things 2025 Reunion in CALTRAP.   That'll come in the next couple of days.  This is going out to you A.S.A.P.
A skim read showed a place on a form for a Social Security Number if you have no Military Identification.  If you plan on the tour to Davis-Monthan AFB on 9/17/25, provide your SS# if you choose.  My SS# won't go on a form that goes to AFRI before it's transmitted to Military Security.  Feel free to contact me by email, text or phone if you'd like to discuss this issue. 

Tentatively, this is our (Mick & Barbara) personal schedule for Reunion 2025, Tucson.  
9/15/25       Arrive
9/16.            1200 "Bunker" & T.M.D.A. Hospitality Rooms open.
                    1700 Gaslight Theater.  
9/17.           1800 Meet and Greet; Memorial Service
9/18.           0800 Sabino Canyon
9/18.           1600 Ice Cream Social
9/19.           1800 Birthday Celebration
9/20.           0930 TMDA Membership Meeting
                   1000 Ladies Outing at Tubac
                   1400 TMDA Silent Auction Closes
                   1800 Annual Banquet
9/21 or 22   Depart

2/3 VVA Annual Auction, Officers Meeting and Membership Meeting will be scheduled around TMDA functions to the best of our ability.  Watch for schedule soon.
T.M.D.A. tees are available for purchase.  
2/3 VVA 2025 Reunion tees and caps will be available by advance order only.  2/3 VVA tees and caps will be availabe for pick up at the 2025 Reunion.  Watch for details soon.

On the Reunion Registration Form, don't forget to check the box "2/3 Vietnam Veterans Association Attendee" and not "3rd Marine Division Attendee".  

This email is going out "Bcc", including T.M.D.A. and ECHO VETS.

Y'all take good care and God Bless.  See you in Tucson!  Semper Fidelis.  Mick

Comments (0)     

March 16, 2025 - Message from Mick

 by Donna Fuller on 03/16/25

"INFO C".  Emailed to all on our email list.  If you didn't get "INFO C" in you email inbox you're not on our roster.  

To check your dues status go to our Official Website.  The blue link is below.  
At the website click "About Us".  Then click "Business".  Then click "Finances".  Then click "January 2024".
The Deferred Income page is comprehebsive.  If the listing shows you in arrears, check with Art Ferguson (Treasurer) for the latest information about your dues status before sending $.
Dues are $5 per year.  Some Marines pay their dues forward.  Please note that you are free to pay your dues foreward.  However, there is no guarantee that you'll get that paid forward money back.  


If you need to send a check make it out to: "2/3 Vietnam Veterans Assoc." 
Send to Marine Art Ferguson.  Contact Mick for mailing address and phone number.  
If the "link" below doesn't work, enter it manually into your address bar.


Marines, Associates, Family and Friends,  Good news today.  We've been in contact with "Echo Vietnam Vets".  They are having a Plaque Dedication Ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, VA 22172-1938.  Scheduled start time is 1000 on 29 April 2025.  The Open Air Ceremony is open to the public.  Please consider attending.  The 2025 Echo Company Reunion will be having their banquet in the Museum Building following the ceremony.  I have no authority to invite to the banquet.

Marine Bill Smith, Secretary/Treasurer of "Echo Company Vietnam Veterans", U.S.M.C. 2/3 has invited me to make a presentation at their "Echo Company Meeting".  The presentation will explain the mechanics of our partner ship with the Third Marine Division Association regarding our 2025 2/3 V.V.A. Reunion.  Following the presentation will be a Q&A session.  There won't be any "arm twisting".  "Echo Company" is experiencing  what all "last man standing" veteran groups must face head on.  Or perish.  We aren't getting any younger and we must deal with that fact if we want to survive for as long as we reasonably can.  We decided in Savannah to "shrink our perimeter" and "call for assistance" to meet the challenge of moving forwared as 2/3 V.V.A.  Hopefully, we can accomplish this goal as we FLOURISH.  

 

Our  2025 Reunion Registration Forms will be avialable "soon".  Remember, 1 form for Hotel Registration and 1form for Armed Forces Reunions Inc. (A.F.R.I.) Registration (meals, tours, etc.). Bob North, President Third Marine Divisiion Association (T.M.D.A.),  told me in a phone conversation about a week ago that they were going through the "proof reading" process.  They want to send out concise, accutare information.  You'll get both forms in your email inbox the day that I get them.  

I'll remind you of the following when the forms get emailed to you:  The A.F.R.I. form should let you note if you're a dues paying Member of 2/3 V.V.A.  IF IT DOESN'T, I'll ask you to note in bold print at the top of the page: "2/3 V.V.A. Dues Payer".  I've been urging y'all to get current with your dues.  Read between the lines here folks.

 

Here's the latest on travel between the Tucson Airport and the Hotel.  Distance is about 13 miles.  

Outside your terminal, there should be a taxi stand.  There are a number of taxis owned by different taxi companies.  "V.I.P." provided this information.  Their cars are blue and white.  Fares are estimated to be $41-$44 (+ tip) per trip (at this time) for travel to the hotel.  You can load up the taxi with 4 passengers and split the fare.  

OR, you can fetch your bags at the baggage carousel.  Then, call V.I.P. at 520 300-3000 and be guided by their instructions.  

OR, you can use Uber or Lyft for your local commuting needs.

 

If you're attending the 2/3 V.V.A. 2025 Reunion, now might be a good time to reach out to the Tucson Chamber of Commerce, the Tucson and Arizona Tourism Departments, etc. for brochures and information.  

Remember, our 2/3 V.V.A. 2025 Reunion is coordinating with the T.M.D.A. 2025 Reunion.  It is an experiment.  T.M.D.A. wants to  "roll out the red carpet" for us.  They have waived their $35 Membership Fee for us to meet in Tucson.  2/3 VVA is not "under contract" or commited to any Reunion 2026 plan.  

Toward the end of Reunion 2025, our Membership will meet briefly to vote on Reunion 2026, our affiliation with T.M.D.A., etc.  Our Membership has VOICE.  That's the way we roll.


This mass email will go out to all on my mailing list.  If you know a 2/3 Marine RVN, please re-send this email to him.  Better to over notify than for a 2/3 Marine RVN to be "in the dark".

This email will also go out to "ECHO VIETNAM" and the "T.M.D.A."

 God Bless You All.  Especially our Members, Associate Members and Loved Ones who are ill, recovering from surgeries or face scheduled and unscheduled surgeries.  Semper Fidelis.  Mick 

Comments (0)     

March 15, 2025 - Message from Mick

 by Donna Fuller on 03/15/25

"INFO C".  Emailed to all on our email list.  If you didn't get "INFO C" in your email inbox you're not on our roster.  

To check your dues status go to our Official Website.  The blue link is below.  
At the website click "About Us".  Then click "Business".  Then click "Finances".  Then click "January 2024".
The Deferred Income page is comprehensive.  If the listing shows you in arrears, check with Art Ferguson (Treasurer) for the latest information about your dues status before sending $.
Dues are $5 per year.  Some Marines pay their dues forward.  Please note that you are free to pay your dues foreward.  However, there is no guarantee that you'll get that paid forward money back.  
If you need to send a check make it out to: "2/3 Vietnam Veterans Assoc." 
Send to Marine Art Ferguson.  Contact Mick for mailing address and phone number.  
If the "link" below doesn't work, enter it manually into your address bar.


Marines, Associates, Family and Friends,  Good news today.  We've been in contact with "Echo Vietnam Vets".  They are having a Plaque Dedication Ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, VA 22172-1938.  Scheduled start time is 1000 on 29 April 2025.  The Open Air Ceremony is open to the public.  Please consider attending.  The 2025 Echo Company Reunion will be having their banquet in the Museum Building following the ceremony.  I have no authority to invite to the banquet.

Marine Bill Smith, Secretary/Treasurer of "Echo Company Vietnam Veterans", U.S.M.C. 2/3 has invited me to make a presentation at their "Echo Company Meeting".  The presentation will explain the mechanics of our partner ship with the Third Marine Division Association regarding our 2025 2/3 V.V.A. Reunion.  Following the presentation will be a Q&A session.  There won't be any "arm twisting".  "Echo Company" is experiencing  what all "last man standing" veteran groups must face head on.  Or perish.  We aren't getting any younger and we must deal with that fact if we want to survive for as long as we reasonably can.  We decided in Savannah to "shrink our perimeter" and "call for assistance" to meet the challenge of moving forwared as 2/3 V.V.A.  Hopefully, we can accomplish this goal as we FLOURISH.  

 

Our  2025 Reunion Registration Forms will be avialable "soon".  Remember, 1 form for Hotel Registration and 1form for Armed Forces Reunions Inc. (A.F.R.I.) Registration (meals, tours, etc.). Bob North, President Third Marine Divisiion Association (T.M.D.A.),  told me in a phone conversation about a week ago that they were going through the "proof reading" process.  They want to send out concise, accutare information.  You'll get both forms in your email inbox the day that I get them.  

I'll remind you of the following when the forms get emailed to you:  The A.F.R.I. form should let you note if you're a dues paying Member of 2/3 V.V.A.  IF IT DOESN'T, I'll ask you to note in bold print at the top of the page: "2/3 V.V.A. Dues Payer".  I've been urging y'all to get current with your dues.  Read between the lines here folks.

 

Here's the latest on travel between the Tucson Airport and the Hotel.  Distance is about 13 miles.  

Outside your terminal, there should be a taxi stand.  There are a number of taxis owned by different taxi companies.  "V.I.P." provided this information.  Their cars are blue and white.  Fares are estimated to be $41-$44 (+ tip) per trip (at this time) for travel to the hotel.  You can load up the taxi with 4 passengers and split the fare.  

OR, you can fetch your bags at the baggage carousel.  Then, call V.I.P. at 520 300-3000 and be guided by their instructions.  

OR, you can use Uber or Lyft for your local commuting needs.

 

If you're attending the 2/3 V.V.A. 2025 Reunion, now might be a good time to reach out to the Tucson Chamber of Commerce, the Tucson and Arizona Tourism Departments, etc. for brochures and information.  

Remember, our 2/3 V.V.A. 2025 Reunion is coordinating with the T.M.D.A. 2025 Reunion.  It is an experiment.  T.M.D.A. wants to  "roll out the red carpet" for us.  They have waived their $35 Membership Fee for us to meet in Tucson.  2/3 VVA is not "under contract" or commited to any Reunion 2026 plan.  

Toward the end of Reunion 2025, our Membership will meet briefly to vote on Reunion 2026, our affiliation with T.M.D.A., etc.  Our Membership has VOICE.  That's the way we roll.

 

This mass email will go out to all on my mailing list.  If you know a 2/3 Marine RVN, please re-send this email to him.  Better to over notify than for a 2/3 Marine RVN to be "in the dark".

This email will also go out to "ECHO VIETNAM" and the "T.M.D.A."

 God Bless You All.  Especially our Members, Associate Members and Loved Ones who are ill, recovering from surgeries or face scheduled and unscheduled surgeries.  Semper Fidelis.  Mick 

Comments (0)     

March 14, 2005 Message from Mick

 by Donna Fuller on 03/14/25

Greetings Marines,  This message is being emailed (Subject: INFO B; DUES; 3/13/25) to all on my contact list.  It will then be posted to the "Message Board" of our Official 2/3 VVA Website.  Please forward this message to any 2/3 Marine (RVN) that you know.  
A couple of months ago, the Third Marine Division Association (T.M.D.A.) predicted they would have 2025 Reunion Information available in February or March 2025.   
We are all still waiting for the Registration Info for both the Hotel and separately for the Reunion Activities.
This week, I'll be speaking with Treasurer Art Ferguson and President Bob North of the T.M.D.A. by phone.  You'll get an update after those 2 phone calls.  
HERE'S THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM IN THIS EMAIL.  
MAKE SURE YOUR DUES ARE UP TO DATE!!!  MY BEST ADVICE IF YOU'RE NOT PAID IN FULL IS TO GET CURRENT WITH YOUR DUES NOW.  
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU GET YOUR REUNION REGISTRATION FORM FROM "ARMED FORCES REUNIONS, INC".  IF YOU'RE NOT CURRENT WITH YOUR DUES, YOU WON'T GET ANY BENEFITS THAT PAID-UP MARINE MEMBERS MIGHT GET! THIS MAY BE A BIT DIFFERENT FROM HOW YOU'VE PAID YOUR DUES IN THE PAST.  
I CAN'T EMPHASIZE IT ENOUGH.  IT'S $5 PER YEAR.  DON'T BE LEFT OUT.  PLEASE GET YOUR DUES CURRENT!
Hope y'all are staying healthy and don't get bitten by the flu bug that seems to be sweeping the Nation.
Semper Fidelis.  Mick

Comments (0)     

March 13, 2025 - Message from Mick

 by Donna Fuller on 03/13/25

MESSAGE FROM MICK 3/13/2025
POSTED BY DONNA FULLER

PREFACE:
The Officers of your 2/3 Vietnam Vetereans Association took the bull by the horns at our Savannah 2024 Reunion and addressed issues we are beginning to experience with our dwindling numbers.
A day later at the Membership Meeting a lively discussion ensued around the subject.  It was overwhelmingly decided that 2/3 V.V.A. would accept the Third Marine Division Association's invitation to hold our 2025 Reunion within the Third Marine Division Association (T.M.D.A.; 501(c)19, Non Profit) 2025 Annual Reunion in Tucson, AZ.
I got some basic information from Bob North, President T.M.D.A., and presented it at our Membership Meeting 2024.  Since then we've exchanged phone calls and emails to agree to some basics.  It's a huge help to keep "last minute" problems and issues to the irreducible minimum.  There was a good amount of work that went into making agreements so that ALL Marines, Associate Members, Family and Friends will have a 2025 Reunion that'll be a classic for all the right reasons.  Some of the work was not easy but none of the work was extremely difficult.  The T.M.D.A. Manager, G. Roger Bacon, provided some valuable key details of the makings of a successful 2025 Reunion.  
As with previous 2/3 VVA Reunions, you must register with the hotel and separately register with the Reunion.  Those forms, when they're soon to be made public,  will look familiar.  Armed Forces Reunions Inc. organized 2/3 VVA Reunions for years.  They also put together reuions for T.M.D.A. You are asked to contact Hotel Central Reservations only when the official hotel registration form is released.
This email is going out "Bcc" to 2/3 VVA Members, Bob North and Roger Bacon, T.M.D.A. and Echo
 (2/3) Vets.
I ask that  2/3 VVA Marines receiving this email forward it to any 2/3 (RVN) Marine that you know.  If in doubt, send it out.  Better to get an extra Reunion notification than none at all.
ALL INFORMATION IN THIS EMAIL IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.  PLEASE STAY IN THE LOOP TO KEEP CURRENT.  WHEN HOTEL REGISTRATION FORMS ARE MADE PUBLIC, IT'LL BE "FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED".

1.    15-21 September 2025.
2.    Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites.  5151 E. Grant Rd., Tucson 85712.  Breakfast included.
       Currently, no Tucson International Airport (TUS) shuttle. Airport about 14 miles from hotel.
       The issue of transportation to/from Airport is not finalized.  Further discussion is forthcoming.
3.    I CANNOT STRESS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO PAY YOUR DUES TO 2/3 V.V.A.!
       DO NOT PAY DUES TO T.M.D.A. unless you decide you want to be a member of T.M.D.A.
       RIGHT NOW!  IF YOU'RE CURRENT WITH YOUR 2/3 VVA DUES, you're not required to
       pay T.M.D.A. dues to attend REUNION 2025.  YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO MAKE
       SURE YOU ARE PAID UP WITH YOUR 2/3 VVA DUES.  PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR THE 
       REUNION REGISTRATION FORM TO BE PUBLISHED TO PAY YOUR DUES.  PAY 2/3
      VVA DUES IMMEDIATELY.  NO DUES = NO 2/3 VVA BENEFITS!!!    
4.   The T.M.D.A. has been around since 1949.  They have about 1451 Members.
      About 185 people attended their 2024 Reunion in Nashville, TN.  They have geographical 
      "Chapters".  Maybe about 15 years ago, they began to allow "Unit Chapters".  1/3 has been a Unit
       Chapter for a number of years with much success.  
5.    Hospitality Rooms.  There will be a T.M.D.A. Hospitlity Room.  There will also be a Hospitality
       Room run by 1/3.  1/3's Hospitality Room is known as "The Bunker".  Both rooms are funded by
       "passing the hat".  The financial status of each of the 2 Hospitality Rooms will be announced
       daily (?) at the 2025 Reunion. 
       Both rooms supply snacks and beverages.  If either hospitality room doesn't serve what you
       want, you can bring your own.  The T.M.D.A. generally is a bit more low key than "The Bunker"
       and closes around 2200.  "The Bunker" operating hours are usually longer.  Both Hospitality
       Rooms may close during Official 2025 Reunion functions.
6.    Uniform of the Day.  Dress codes are not in force.
       In the past, Marines attending the T.M.D.A. Annual Banquet dressed formally (Tux).  Suits or
       sports coats were allowed.  I will wear at least a sport coat probably with a tie.  
       Let me explain.
       Last year, the U.S.M.C. was asked to supply a Color Guard or at least an Active Duty Speaker for
       our 2/3 2024 Annual Reunion.  It was extremely difficult dealing with U.S.M.C. Administration, 
       even with Parris Island being just a stone's throw from Savannah.  The last time I checked, both
       the First and Second Marine Division Associations were out of business.  1st Mar. Div. Assoc.
       was making an attempt to rise from the ashes.  T.M.D.A. has influence with U.S.M.C.-H.Q.  They
       always seem to get a Color Guard and an Active Duty U.S.M.C. Speaker.  In Nashville, it was 2
       speakers.  Two Generals.  You can bet that any Active Duty Speaker will be reqired to give an
       after action report to their superiors.  If those reports over the years were to
       indicate that it's not worth the trouble for the U.S.M.C. to send a General to the T.M.D.A
       Reunion, it won't happen.  It may never happen again.  So I'll bite the bullet and wear a jacket and
       tie out of respect to Active Duty U.S.M.C. Speakers and to help the T.M.D.A. continue to get an
       Active Duty Marine Speaker in 2026 and beyond.  
       Survey the landscape Marines and do what you think works best in the Big Picture.
7.    COMMUNICATIONS.  Attached, you will find the latest issue of CALTRAP, a quarterly
       publication of the T.M.D.A.  CALTRAP will have 2025 Reunion info in an upcoming, soon to be
       released issue.  That 2025 Reunion info may be a bit "old" by the time all Marines read about it in
       the next quarterly publication of CALTRAP.   
      The T.M.D.A. has a website.  caltrap.org   
      FACEBOOK, "The Third Marine Division Association".  Simple vetting process to become a
      "Facebook member"  of the this page.  Seems that a good number of 3,000+ Facebookers are not
       T.M.D.A. Marines or never were Marines.
       Lastly, get these emails from me.  Within 24 hours of me getting info from CALTRAP, or
       Facebook, or the T.M.D.A. website or, most likely, via email from Bob North, you'll have it in
       your inbox.
8.    MEETINGS : 2/3 VVA OFFICERS: 9/17 AM or PM;  2/3 V.V.A. MEMBERSHIP: 9/18 AM or
       PM;  T.M.D.A. MEMBERSHIP : 9/20 AM;  2/3 VOTE 9/20 PM.
       2/3 V.V.A. Marines may attend T.M.D.A. meetings but can't vote.  As of now, you will have
       "voice" only if you are also a T.M.D.A. Member.  In full disclosure, I'm currently a Lifetime
       Member of T.M.D.A.  I have not been "active" in T.M.D.A. for over 10 years.
       The "VOTE" Meeting on 9/20 is for the purpose of deciding some details about our 2026
       Reunion.  The T.M.D.A. will provide 2/3 VVA with a room, adjacent to the Annual Banquet
       Room, for our Meetings.  Toward the end of the Annual Banquet on 9/20, 2/3 Marines will
       assemble to vote.  Do we have another year with T.M.D.A. (dues, $35, to T.M.D.A. will be
       required in 2026) OR hold our own 2026 Reunion?  Hoping this VOTE Meeting will take 10-15
       minutes.
9.    We'll go forward with our activities.  We'll strive to not conflict 2/3 VVA activities with T.M.D.A.
       activites.  Our Guidons and Banners will be displayed in "our room".
       We'll move forward with our Annual Auction (preferably PM) and 50-50 raffles.  
       2/3 V.V.A. shirts and caps will be offered.
10.  On 9/19/25 PM there will be an Early celebration of the 250th Birthday of the U.S.M.C.

Semper Fidelis.  Mick Hughes, President 2/3 V.V.A., P.O. Box 211, Baldwin, NY 11510-0211

Comments (1)     

Message from Mick Hughes

 by Donna Fuller on 01/15/25

1/15/2025 MESSAGE BOARD POSTING MAY NOT CONTAIN LINKS.  
Contact Mick Hughes if you haven't gotten this message directly to your email INBOX.  2/3 V.V.A. is attempting to reach ALL 2/3 (RVN) Vets with 2025 Annual Reunion details.

PREFACE:
The Officers of your 2/3 Vietnam Vetereans Association took the bull by the horns at our Savannah 2024 Reunion and addressed issues we are beginning to experience with our dwindling numbers.
A day later at the Membership Meeting a lively discussion ensued around the subject.  It was overwhelmingly decided that 2/3 V.V.A. would accept the Third Marine Division Association's invitation to hold our 2025 Reunion within the Third Marine Division Association (T.M.D.A.; 501(c)19, Non Profit) 2025 Annual Reunion in Tucson, AZ.
I got some basic information from Bob North, President T.M.D.A., and presented it at our Membership Meeting 2024.  Since then we've exchanged phone calls and emails to agree to some basics.  It's a huge help to keep "last minute" problems and issues to the irreducible minimum.  There was a good amount of work that went into making agreements so that ALL Marines, Associate Members, Family and Friends will have a 2025 Reunion that'll be a classic for all the right reasons.  Some of the work was not easy but none of the work was extremely difficult.  The T.M.D.A. Manager, G. Roger Bacon, provided some valuable key details of the makings of a successful 2025 Reunion.  
As with previous 2/3 VVA Reunions, you must register with the hotel and separately register with the Reunion.  Those forms, when they're soon to be made public,  will look familiar.  Armed Forces Reunions Inc. organized 2/3 VVA Reunions for years.  They also put together reuions for T.M.D.A. You are asked to contact Hotel Central Reservations only when the official hotel registration form is released.
This email is going out "Bcc" to 2/3 VVA Members, Bob North and Roger Bacon, T.M.D.A. and Echo
 (2/3) Vets.
I ask that  2/3 VVA Marines receiving this email forward it to any 2/3 (RVN) Marine that you know.  If in doubt, send it out.  Better to get an extra Reunion notification than none at all.
ALL INFORMATION IN THIS EMAIL IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.  PLEASE STAY IN THE LOOP TO KEEP CURRENT.  WHEN HOTEL REGISTRATION FORMS ARE MADE PUBLIC, IT'LL BE "FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED".

1.    15-21 September 2025.
2.    Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites.  5151 E. Grant Rd., Tucson 85712.  Breakfast included.
       Currently, no Tucson International Airport (TUS) shuttle. Airport about 14 miles from hotel.
       The issue of transportation to/from Airport is not finalized.  Further discussion is forthcoming.
3.    I CANNOT STRESS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO PAY YOUR DUES TO 2/3 V.V.A.!
       DO NOT PAY DUES TO T.M.D.A. unless you decide you want to be a member of T.M.D.A.
       RIGHT NOW!  IF YOU'RE CURRENT WITH YOUR 2/3 VVA DUES, you're not required to
       pay T.M.D.A. dues to attend REUNION 2025.  YOU ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO MAKE
       SURE YOU ARE PAID UP WITH YOUR 2/3 VVA DUES.  PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR THE 
       REUNION REGISTRATION FORM TO BE PUBLISHED TO PAY YOUR DUES.  PAY 2/3
      VVA DUES IMMEDIATELY.  NO DUES = NO 2/3 VVA BENEFITS!!!    
4.   The T.M.D.A. has been around since 1949.  They have about 1451 Members.
      About 185 people attended their 2024 Reunion in Nashville, TN.  They have geographical 
      "Chapters".  Maybe about 15 years ago, they began to allow "Unit Chapters".  1/3 has been a Unit
       Chapter for a number of years with much success.  
5.    Hospitality Rooms.  There will be a T.M.D.A. Hospitlity Room.  There will also be a Hospitality
       Room run by 1/3.  1/3's Hospitality Room is known as "The Bunker".  Both rooms are funded by
       "passing the hat".  The financial status of each of the 2 Hospitality Rooms will be announced
       daily (?) at the 2025 Reunion. 
       Both rooms supply snacks and beverages.  If either hospitality room doesn't serve what you
       want, you can bring your own.  The T.M.D.A. generally is a bit more low key than "The Bunker"
       and closes around 2200.  "The Bunker" operating hours are usually longer.  Both Hospitality
       Rooms may close during Official 2025 Reunion functions.
6.    Uniform of the Day.  Dress codes are not in force.
       In the past, Marines attending the T.M.D.A. Annual Banquet dressed formally (Tux).  Suits or
       sports coats were allowed.  I will wear at least a sport coat probably with a tie.  
       Let me explain.
       Last year, the U.S.M.C. was asked to supply a Color Guard or at least an Active Duty Speaker for
       our 2/3 2024 Annual Reunion.  It was extremely difficult dealing with U.S.M.C. Administration, 
       even with Parris Island being just a stone's throw from Savannah.  The last time I checked, both
       the First and Second Marine Division Associations were out of business.  1st Mar. Div. Assoc.
       was making an attempt to rise from the ashes.  T.M.D.A. has influence with U.S.M.C.-H.Q.  They
       always seem to get a Color Guard and an Active Duty U.S.M.C. Speaker.  In Nashville, it was 2
       speakers.  Two Generals.  You can bet that any Active Duty Speaker will be reqired to give an
       after action report to their superiors.  If those reports over the years were to
       indicate that it's not worth the trouble for the U.S.M.C. to send a General to the T.M.D.A
       Reunion, it won't happen.  It may never happen again.  So I'll bite the bullet and wear a jacket and
       tie out of respect to Active Duty U.S.M.C. Speakers and to help the T.M.D.A. continue to get an
       Active Duty Marine Speaker in 2026 and beyond.  
       Survey the landscape Marines and do what you think works best in the Big Picture.
7.    COMMUNICATIONS.  Attached, you will find the latest issue of CALTRAP, a quarterly
       publication of the T.M.D.A.  CALTRAP will have 2025 Reunion info in an upcoming, soon to be
       released issue.  That 2025 Reunion info may be a bit "old" by the time all Marines read about it in
       the next quarterly publication of CALTRAP.   
      The T.M.D.A. has a website.  caltrap.org   
      FACEBOOK, "The Third Marine Division Association".  Simple vetting process to become a
      "Facebook member"  of the this page.  Seems that a good number of 3,000+ Facebookers are not
       T.M.D.A. Marines or never were Marines.
       Lastly, get these emails from me.  Within 24 hours of me getting info from CALTRAP, or
       Facebook, or the T.M.D.A. website or, most likely, via email from Bob North, you'll have it in
       your inbox.
8.    MEETINGS : 2/3 VVA OFFICERS: 9/17 AM or PM;  2/3 V.V.A. MEMBERSHIP: 9/18 AM or
       PM;  T.M.D.A. MEMBERSHIP : 9/20 AM;  2/3 VOTE 9/20 PM.
       2/3 V.V.A. Marines may attend T.M.D.A. meetings but can't vote.  As of now, you will have
       "voice" only if you are also a T.M.D.A. Member.  In full disclosure, I'm currently a Lifetime
       Member of T.M.D.A.  I have not been "active" in T.M.D.A. for over 10 years.
       The "VOTE" Meeting on 9/20 is for the purpose of deciding some details about our 2026
       Reunion.  The T.M.D.A. will provide 2/3 VVA with a room, adjacent to the Annual Banquet
       Room, for our Meetings.  Toward the end of the Annual Banquet on 9/20, 2/3 Marines will
       assemble to vote.  Do we have another year with T.M.D.A. (dues, $35, to T.M.D.A. will be
       required in 2026) OR hold our own 2026 Reunion?  Hoping this VOTE Meeting will take 10-15
       minutes.
9.    We'll go forward with our activities.  We'll strive to not conflict 2/3 VVA activities with T.M.D.A.
       activites.  Our Guidons and Banners will be displayed in "our room".
       We'll move forward with our Annual Auction (preferably PM) and 50-50 raffles.  
       2/3 V.V.A. shirts and caps will be offered.
10.  On 9/19/25 PM there will be an Early celebration of the 250th Birthday of the U.S.M.C.

Semper Fidelis.  Mick Hughes, President 2/3 V.V.A., P.O. Box 211, Baldwin, NY 11510-0211

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Merry Christmas from Mick

 by Donna Fuller on 12/25/24

On this day, 25 December 2024, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPPY 2025 to all 2/3 (RVN) MARINES, their FAMILIES and LOVED ONES.  Semper Fidelis.

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Jim Dillon passed away today

 by Donna Fuller on 11/21/24

It is with great sadness that we learned that Jim Dillon passed away today. Our prayers go out to his wife Diana. 

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Jim Dillon

 by Donna Fuller on 11/20/24

Marines, 
On 11/19/21, Jim Dillon suffered a severe health issue.  Because this website is in the public domain, specific details are not included in this message.  Contact your Company Representative for more info.  "H" Company (no Rep) Marines contact Mick.  "Bravo Battery" contact Bud.
Email blast is going out to all on list.
Most importantly, keep Jim and his family in your prayers.  
Semper Fidelis
Mick

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HAPPY 249th BIRTHDAY MARINES!

 by Donna Fuller on 11/10/24

HAPPY 249th BIRTHDAY MARINES!  ENJOY YOUR VETERANS DAY TOMORROW!  Semper Fidelis.  Mick

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