The Rent-A-Battalion blog
Message from Mick
by Donna Fuller on 11/14/25
The following was sent out by V.P. Mick in a Mass Email to 2/3 VVA Member Marines and Associates on 13 November 2025 with the 2025 Minutes attached. The 2025 Minutes will be posted soon by Donna on the Minutes Page of our Official Website.
Marines and Associates, Attached please find a link to the 2-3 V.V.A. 2025 Membership Meeting Minutes.
Our Treasury is now in an account at "U.S. Bank". The State of Missouri has recognized our Association's "Non Profit" status. We are awaiting Non Profit Status, 501(c) from the I.R.S. Shortly, the President, Secretary/Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer will have debit cards.
A number of motions were Carried at the 2025 Membership Meeting. I'd like to opine that all were passed for good reasons. All were unanimous votes. Should any Member have questions about the Minutes, reach out to me.
To those who attended Reunion 2025 in Tucson, thank you very much for your support. To those Members that did not attend Reunion 2025, all of us hope to see you in N.O.L.A. September 27 to October 4. 2026.
More on "Dues" will be out soon. In a nutshell, our 2-3 V.V.A. Fiscal Year (2026) started 1 October 2025. Make sure your dues are paid in full to remain a "Member in Good Standing" of 2-3 V.V.A. No dues, no benefits.
PAY 2/3 VVA ANNUAL $5 DUES WITH A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER MADE OUT TO 2-3 VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOCIATION AND MAIL TO MARINE EDDIE KRIESER, c/o 2-3 VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOCIATION, POST OFFICE BOX 1776, BRANSON, MO 65615
We are also looking at new 2-3 VVA Membership Cards. To save $, work and processing time on cards, we ask that you consider paying dues for more than one year into the future. At this time, it's just an ask.
The Third Marine Division Association did us a solid this year and did not require 2-3 VVA Members in Good Standing to pay their TMDA annual dues of $35 (or Life Membership) to attend the OUTSTANDING TMDA Annual Reunion in Tucson 2025. That's in our rear view mirrors. Only Members in Good Standing of TMDA can attend NOLA, 2026. TMDA does not consider Fiscal Years for dues purposes. Once you pay dues to TMDA, you are a Member in Good Standing for one year. After you pay dues to TMDA, to make it easy to re-up, you receive a notice 1-2 months before your Annual Membership runs out. Some of us will not pay TMDA dues unless we plan to attend a 2/3 VVA Reunion within a TMDA's reunion. Just like in 2-3 V.V.A., only Members in Good Standing will receive TMDA benefits. If that's something you'd like to do, you'll be able to fill out a form and pay your $35 dues to TMDA at the Reunion Reception Desk (cash, check or charge card) in NOLA '26. To pay dues to TMDA now, go to caltrap.org to download forms and get instructions. WRITE PROMINENTLY ON THE TMDA FORM THAT YOU ARE A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING OF 2/3 VVA. This will be to your BENEFIT!!!
One more reminder about $35 Annual Dues to TMDA. Before labeling $35 as excessive, carefully "crunch the numbers". There are benefits to belonging to TMDA with over one thousand fellow Member Marines. For example, if you pay $35 dues (or become an Annual Member) for 2 years in a row, your child, grandchild and great grandchild are eligible to apply for a TMDA College Scholarship. You'd be able to annually apply for each of 4 years of College. No kids going to college? Your $35 Annual Dues helps keep the TMDA afloat and TMDA administers the Scholarship Fund. By paying TMDA dues, you're helping to put another Marine's kid through college.
God Bless the U.S.A., 2-3 V.V.A., T.M.D.A. and the USMC, especially in this 250th Birthday year!.
Y'all take good care. Semper Fidelis. Vice President Mick Hughes
New President
by Donna Fuller on 11/02/25
Frank Gron, President
9679 Old Johnnycake Ridge Rd.
Concord, OH 44060
440 223-8257
Donna Fuller, Web Director
109 Mullen Dr.
DeQueen, AR 71832
909 856-8201
I have enjoyed working with Donna for 2 years or so. Besides being very adept at her work, she often provided insights to generally improve our 2-3 VVA homestead web-site.
Reunion deadlines!
by Donna Fuller on 08/15/25
Marines and Associates, Today, 15 August 2025, is officially the last day to register with Armed Forces Reunions Inc. (online see caltrap.org; 757 625-6401) for our Annual 2/3 VVA Reunion.
27 August is the cut-off date for the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites (800 325-3535).
It will become more challenging to sign up for the 2025 Reunion after the dates above.
Maj. Gen. Kyle B. Ellison, Third Marine Division Commanding General and Sgt. Major Vandentop, Third Marine Division Sergeant Major are scheduled to attend Reunion 2025. Genera Ellison is scheduled to speak at our Banquet. He will also likely attend the TMDA Membership Meeting. Who knows, perhaps he or the Sgt Major may drop in on our 2/3 VVA Membership Meeting.
There's also the real expectation that a USMC Color Guard will present Colors prior to the Annual Banquet.
Some food for thought. There are no dress codes for any Reunion Events. Out of respect for the USMC sending a Major General AND a Sergeant Major, I will at least wear a sports coat and possibly a tie to the Banquet. By regulation, mini-medals are permitted on a tuxedo. For many years, they have been tolerated on suits and sports coats.
Separately, if past practice continues, the TMDA provides a professional photographer to take portrait shots of anyone who wants them just prior to the Annual Banquet.
For the first time in our history, the 2/3 VVA Reunion 2025 is be held on an experimental basis in conjunction with the Third Marine Division Association Annual Reunion. Since our creation in 1997 we have been adjusting and tweaking our policies and practices where necessary to make our Association better. We are a "last man standing" Association. We are "maturing" with everything that entails. Some of us are growing reluctant to travel. Some are suffering illnesses and injuries. Some have unrealistically high expectations of "perfection" in our Association and in all things Reunion related. There may even be one or two crusty old curmudgeons in the mix. The large majority of us just want to continue enjoying our Annual Reunions for as far into the future as humanly possible. The only way we can do that is to have Marines and Associates who will PARTICIPATE in Reunions. And for Members to voice their ideas for improvement. Ideas are important and can have extra value if Members who propose ideas STEP UP to do some of the work required to implement fresh ideas. Currently, neither "Golf" nor "Hotel" Companies have Company Representatives. If those positions go vacant for much longer, will it even be possible to expect that Members will run for President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer?
At some level we must all stay involved. If for you that means paying your annual dues, then do just that. If you and your Battle Buddies have ideas that you think have merit and are do-able, we want to hear 'em. If our Membership likes them, we'll make 'em happen with your help.
REMINDER: If you're not interested in the 2/3 VVA or the Benefits that are attached to Membership, simply let us know. We'll stop collecting annual dues from you and put you on our "Archive List". For the rest of us, pay your dues or, even better, pre-pay your dues. We've had former Members die since their Vietnam War Service. They missed out on a Funeral Floral Arrangement from the Association because they were not Members in Good Standing. They neglected to stay current with their Annual Dues, currently $5 per Fiscal Year. Our Fiscal Year runs from October 1 through September 30.
Stay involved, stay current, strive for the common good. See y'all in Tucson. And beyond!
"Fortes Fortuna Juvat". Fortune favors the Brave! Semper Fidelis. Mick Hughes, President 2/3 VVA
RIP Rocky
by Donna Fuller on 08/12/25
On 11 August 2025, Mick Hughes got the following edited message from Marine Mike Greer. Those able are encouraged to attend services next month, send flowers, and send sympathy or memorial cards.
R.I.P. Rocky. Semper Fidelis
Hello Mick,
Following is the message I received from Linda Ball.
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I wanted to let you know that Rocky entered Heaven last Monday evening at 8:04. He knew and loved Jesus, lived a life giving to others, and looked forward to rejoicing in the Lord in Heaven as he did here on Earth. He was a fighter to the end and loved his family fiercely and with total devotion, his friends and church-mates with honor and compassion, his fellow Marines with loyalty and brotherhood and his Kairos Brothers and Prison Ministry with a mind and heart toward healing hearts and bringing inmates to Christ and serving others.
His Celebration of Life will be on Friday, September 12th at our church, Tidal Creek Fellowship, 290 Brickyard Point Road South, Beaufort (Ladys Island), SC 29907. We will be meeting at Anderson Funeral Home, 611 Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort, SC 29906 between 10:00 - 10:30 that morning to form a procession going to the Beaufort National Cemetery to do his Military Service at 11:00. We will be escorted by The Patriot Guard. Following the service at the Beaufort National Cemetery we will proceed to Tidal Creek Fellowship for Rocky’s Celebration of Life at 12:30 followed by a Social Hour with light refreshments. We pray you’ll be able to attend and share our Celebration of Life and Service To Others as a way of reflecting his love and honor for the Lord.
There will be a Visitation at Anderson Funeral Home on Thursday the 11th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Linda.
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Please share this information with the other 2/3 members.
Semper Fi,
Mike Greer
Chesty Puller's birthday
by Donna Fuller on 06/26/25
Today is 26 June 2025. Lt. General Lewis B. Puller was born 26 June 1898 and died 11 October 1971.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHESTY! WHEREVER YOU ARE." Semper Fidelis
Memorial Day
by Donna Fuller on 05/25/25
Tomorrow, 26 May 2025, we Americans observe Memorial Day.
It is a National Holiday and the last day of a 3 day weekend. A weekend marked by barbecues, picnics, the beach, the Indy 500, movie debuts, parties, air shows and celebrations.
But it's more than that. The weekend, and Memorial Day in particular, honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives so all of us, the living, can be forever free. We particularly honor the men of 2/3 (RVN) who died at our sides. We honor too, the men and women who have given their last full measure since 1775. Each and every one of them a HERO. Because of that legion of HEROS, we will never be enslaved by any person, group, country or government.
Freedom is most definitely not free. All of us will take time to thank God for the men and women who've paid the price of Freedom with their very lives. God Bless Each and Every One of Them. Semper Fidelis
Chuck Chritton
by Donna Fuller on 05/06/25
Chuck, May you Rest in Peace with Fair Winds and Following Seas Forever. You, Claudia and your Family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Semper Fidelis. Mick Hughes, President, Second Battalion Third Marines Vietnam Veterans Association (4 May '25).
Click the link below to view the Obituary for Charles Paul Chritton
https://www.heathfuneralchapel.com/obituaries/charles-chritton
Reunion Information from Mick
by Donna Fuller on 04/27/25
Marine Members and Associate Members,
Today, 26 April 2025, we're showing the Tees and Caps for Reunion 2025 (link below) and providing another link to a sample order form. Members should have gotten an email directly into their inbox with more specific Order Forms.
Pricing is very competitive.
Because facebook and our Official (homestead) Website aren't secure, there's no address, phone number, or email address on the attached Order Form. You'll need to get that from me or another Marine Member who is on the President's Email List.
We don't sell merchandise to anyone who's not a Marine Member or Associate Member of the Second Battalion Third Marines Vietnam Veterans Association.
TO PAY YOUR 2025 DUES, SEND A CHECK MADE OUT TO "2/3 VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOCIATION" TO TREASURER ART FERGUSON.
If you are not sure of your dues status you can contact him at home by phone.
Dates on the Order Form are firm.
If your check bounces you will be expected to reissue a "fresh" check and pay all service charges, penalties and fees resulting from the bounced check.
Order by mailing the Order Form and your check to Dan Rom. It's the only way to get Tees and Caps.
They will not be available for purchase in Tucson.
Your tee and cap order can be picked up at 2025 Reunion Registration.
If you order merchandise and can't make the Reunion, we can ship you your order providing you pay for shipping.
Your purchases helps fund the 2/3 V.V.A.
By now y'all should have made your Hotel Room Reservations.
SEE Y'ALL IN TUCSON!
Semper Fidelis, Mick
Stan Lukas
by Donna Fuller on 04/02/25
Sadly, Marine Stanley "Stan" Lukas (E/2/3, RVN) passed away on 11 March 2025
Thanks Randy and Spider for getting the word out.
I've mailed a Sympathy/Memorial Card to Stan's wife Nancy.
Those wishing to send condolences via a Sympathy Card, please get Nancy's address from Randy. To honor the Lucas Family privacy, personal information won't be posted here.
May you rest in Eternal Peace Stan. You, Nancy and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Semper Fidelis. Mick
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
