2024 Reunion Recap

Greetings 2/3 Marines, Family and Friends on this 23 September 2024!

It's been 15 days since we parted ways; closing out our Annual 2024 Reunion in Savannah.

Generally, our Reunion was a very good one!  Savannah is a beautiful venue with plenty of things to do.  Some comments on specific areas:

Hospitality Room went well.  Always a good place to relax and spend time with Marine Members, Family and Friends.  We never ran out of water, beer, wine or soda.  For the first time in our history, the City of Savannah required a license to distribute beer and wine in our "Room".  Violation of their "rules" could mean a forfeiture of license and the $150 fee the Association paid.  But worse would have been the immediate and permanent closure of our "Room".  Their "rules" were common sense and easy to understand and simple for most to comply with.  Operation between 0800 and 2400 only; no hard liquor; no minors and other easy restrictions. 

Partner Introductions on Day 1 seems to have worked well.  There won't be any humus or grapes at next year's Reunion!  But plenty of "Moscato" Wine!

Welcome Buffet with Cash Bar got no complaints.  We were able to reintroduce some past practices like singing "Our Hymn" and the 50-50 raffle (A BIG HIT).  To explain some procedures regarding the Cash Bar.  Our contract with "Embassy" contained a "non-compete" clause.  We also were required to keep our credit card on file with "Embassy".  We could have opted to have wine on each table at both the Buffet and Dinner at an exorbitant cost.  Or, we could have supplied our own wine if we paid $35 for each bottle's "corkage".   Also exorbitant.  If we broke the "non-compete" agreement, the Association would have been liable for thousands of dollars in penalties.  In summation, we were NOT permitted to bring outside alcohol into the Dining Room.  Nor were we allowed to keep the Hospitality Room open while there was a Cash Bar available.  

Please note here that numbered tables selected to visit the buffet serving table were chosen BLINDLY and RANDOMLY.  

The 2 free rooms and 1 half-price room raffle was a lot of fun

MANY took to exploring Savannah on their own during the Reunion OR spending extra days at the Hotel.  Our $149 rate was good for 3 days before and after Official Reunion Dates.

The "Trolley Tour of Savannah" seemed to work well.  Especially for Marines who did some research before the reunion so they'd know where to go.  Or, just wandering through Savannah with the option of re-boarding the Public Trolley suited some Marines just fine.  Providing addresses for each of about 14 stops in the Welcome Packages proved invaluable to some Attendees.

The Officers Meeting on 9/6 was lively and VERY productive.

The "Savannah Shuttle" was uncrowded because folks who signed up wanted a break, or did not want to deal with the Shuttles or did not like the weather.  The communication system set up to reduce wait times at the 2 shuttle stops in Savannah worked perfectly.  Without the comm system, folks might have waited for nearly an hour at the stops in Savannah heading back to the Hotel.  With our Comm System, no one needed to wait more than a few minutes at either Savannah stop.

Thanks to me, the Annual Auction got off to a slow start.  Sorry 'bout that.  But after the "auctioneer" got his act a bit more together, our Membership contributed a tidy sum to our Treasury.  NICELY DONE FOLKS!  The decision to forego another "Cash Bar" for the Auction and instead use the Hospitality Room and it's refreshments saved the Association and Attendees some serious cash.

The Annual Membership Meeting was EXTREMELY significant.  More on this below.

The 9/7 Cocktail Reception (Cash Bar, 1800-1900) got skewed when the bartender never showed up for work.  The Cash Bar was to have continued through Dinner, 1900 until 2300.  Fortunately, folks could get their 2 free daily drinks at the hotel lobby bar.  Then, Embassy staffed "our bar" and hosted an "open bar" from 1845 to 1915 at which time they began the "cash bar".

Unfortunately, because of the no show bartender problem and 1 or 2 other SNAFU's, our schedule was thrown out of whack.  Adjustments meant there was no second 50-50 raffle and no singing the United States Marine Corps Hymn.

The Embassy Suites by Hilton (Airport) got a thumbs up from our Group.  Especially when the complimentary breakfast was mentioned.  Neither the indoor pool nor the "restaurant" that was open for "dinner" were a big hit.  Good thing there were so many other places to eat close by or via delivery or via an app like "grub hub" or "door dash".

Thank you to all who helped make our Reunion work!  There were boxes, cases and cargo to move.  The Hospitality Room needed fresh ice and a clean-up daily and sometimes twice a day.  Incoming Marines needed to Register and pick up their Welcome Packets.  Flags and Guidons that needed to be put up and taken down.  Raffle tickets to be sold.  Items to be auctioned off and accountings documented.  Prayers to be led and said.  The POW-MIA Ceremony conducted.  If I've missed any helpers, my hat's off to you.  And to all who pitched in.

Congratulations to the winners of "rooms", the 50-50 winner and to the 5 Marines who were awarded customized plaques for their service to the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and for their service to our 2/3 Vietnam Veterans Association.

The Officers who attended the Officers Meeting truly rose to the occasion.  This "brain trust" collaborated with each other and in an hour came up with some incredible ideas.  TEAMWORK at its FINEST!  Through their efforts, a comprehensive presentation enabled Attendees of the Membership Meeting to have all the facts they needed to raise questions, get answers and make sound decisions for the present and future of 2/3 V.V.A.

I was amazed with our Marines who accomplished so much at the Annual Membership Meeting.  To a man, they were lazer focused to discuss the complicated matters at hand, look at and evaluate solutions and develop a plan to take the Second Battalion Third Marines Vietnam Veterans Association into the future.  A feat that much larger and much more famous Veterans Groups could not accomplish.  Groups like the "Dolittle Raiders" and the "Second Marine Division Association".  

Here are a couple of factoids to demonstrate the good sense of your decision to do SOMETHING about our declining numbers.  We are truly a LAST MAN STANDING ORGANIZATION.

33 Marines Registered for Reunion 2024.  Down a bit from 2023.  There was 1 "no show" making a total of 32 Marines (62 People) present.

Only 23 Marines attended the 2024 Annual Membership Meeting.  It was well-advertised well in advance that this Meeting would have serious consequences.  About 28% of Marines attending the 2024 Reunion did not attend this awesome 2024 Membership Meeting.  This is just one example of why things needed to change and SOON.

If all goes according to plan, 2/3 V.V.A. will hold its 2025 Annual Reunion with the Third Marine Division Association Annual 2025 Reunion in Tucson, AZ , 15-21 September at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites.  You can be sure that more info will be coming down the pike regarding this endeavor. 

Spread the word to ANY 2/3 Marine (RVN) that you know.  Of course, this includes ALL Companies and ALL Supporting Units.  If you're not getting this message in your email "Inbox" it means I don't have your address.  Confirm your contact info with me to stay "in the loop" and up to speed.  I will try to post all my email blasts to the Message Board of the Official 2/3 Website.  I may put out small blurbs on Facebook asking all 2/3 Marines (RVN) to check the Official Message Board.

May God Guide Us.  Semper Fidelis.  Mick