The Rent-A-Battalion blog
Reunion TIPS #1
by Donna Fuller on 07/03/24
INDEX:
T.I.P.S. #1 : Where to Go to Get All Information About Savannah and Pooler, GA
T.I.P.S. #2 : Registering with Embassy Suites and Armed Forces Reunions, Inc.
T.I.P.S. #3 : Things to Do
To Our 2/3 V.V.A. Family,
Everyone having a great Summer 2024? Make it better by participating in your 2/3 VVA SavannahReunion 2024! If you can find the time and you're up to it, here are some things to do during your stay.
1. Moon River Kayak Tours, 912 344-1310.
2. Savannah River Boat Tours, 912 232-6404
3. Possibly the BEST rooftop view of Savannah and the Savannah River. Thompson's (Hyatt Hotel), 201 Port Street, Savannah 31401. Restaurant and bar "Fleeting" on main floor; alcohol and snacks on the enclosed/open air rooftop "Bar Julian". Reservations (interact with A.I.) 912 790-1234
4. "All Ready on the Firing Line"! "Quickshot" indoor rifle and pistol range. Don't need your own, you can rent a variety of hand and long firearms; semi and full auto. Ammo for sale. Patrick (Army) is the Manager. Lawrence (U.S.M.C. 1/6) was the Safety Officer the last day I visited. I would recommend that shooters have some training, at least in a classroom and "snapping in". Patrick says he can handle shooters without experience. Any questions, call before you visit.
5. "The Mighty 8th Air Force" Museum. 175 Bourne Ave., Pooler, GA 31322; 912 748-8888
6. Tanger Outlets. 8/10 (that's .8) mile from Embassy Suites. This Tanger takes up a LOT of land. Larger than any I've seen. If you have no vehicle, you may find yourself doing LOTS of walking.
7. Heli Tours. Near Hilton Head. About an hour drive from Embassy Suites. Least expensive tour is $39 per person. 843 505-7182
8. Bass Pro Shop. For all your hunting, fishing and camping needs. 14045 S.R. 204 West, Savannah 31406; 912 961-4200.
9. Segway Tours. Savannah. 912 401-5015
10. Savannah Bike (& E-Bike) Tours. 912 452-5624
11. Savannah Pedicabs. Tours and taxi service 912 232-7900
12. PARRIS ISLAND!!!
13. Tybee Island.
14. Mickvie Israel. One of the top 15 most beautiful Synagogues in the World. Third oldest Jewish Congregation in the U.S.A. The Museum contains a 15th Century Torah, the oldest in North America. 912 233-1547
15. Solomon's Lodge Free & Accepted Masons (for Masons). Lodge is located in the old Cotton Exchange. Open to the public only on special occasions. 912 238-5470
It's not too late to take advantage of T.I.P.S. # 1. Make some contacts and you'll have more than enough information regarding all things Savannah and Pooler than you can imagine.
Watch for more T.I.P.S. on the subjects of "Animals", "Food" and "Transportation".
The window of opportunity to register for Reunion 2024 is beginning to close. The window will be shut on/about 8/1/24. If you haven't already done so, sign up now so you don't miss out.
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay connected! Semper Fidelis. Mick
Reunion Information
by Donna Fuller on 05/30/24
Greetings Marines, Associate Members, Family and Friends,
Nearly 50% of the hotel rooms that Embassy Suites has blocked for our Savannah 2024 Reunion are booked.
If you plan to attend our Reunion and stay at Embassy Suites, my best advice is to reserve your room NOW. There is a very liberal hotel room cancellation policy.
The hotel will give us more than our "contracted block" of rooms IF they have any rooms available. If you choose to wait to reserve your room, and our "blocked off rooms" are all rented, there is a strong likelihood that Embassy Suites will have no rooms to add to our "contracted block".
Avoid the disappointment of staying at a nearby hotel (much more $) or missing out on our 2024 Reunion.
Reserve your room at Embassy Suites (Airport). Save money, save the trouble of travel between Embassy Suites and your hotel, reap the benefits of complete breakfasts and 2 alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks every day, be close to the Hospitality Room, bask in the Camaraderie, get more sleep, etc.
PLEASE BOOK YOUR ROOM AT THE EMBASSY SUITES (Savannah GA Airport) NOW. Central Booking phone is 1-800-362-2779. To get the best rate, make sure you tell them that you're attending the U.S.M.C. Vietnam Veterans Reunion (Group Code: V I E), Deeply discounted rates are available 9/4-9/8/24. Check out the morning of 9/8. Deeply discounted rates are also available 3 days before and 3 days after the Reunion, depending on availability (first come, first served).
Our Reunions are always great. What makes them GREATER is the participation by our Member Marines, Associate Members, Family and Friends.
See Y'all in Savannah! Semper Fidelis. Mick
Message from Mick
by Donna Fuller on 05/23/24
Marines, We all have friends, Brothers in Arms, who gave their last full measure on the Battle Fields of Vietnam. We'll remember them on Memorial Day and most or us, if not all of us. will remember them every day of our lives. We pray for them, their families and loved ones.
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with meShall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day."*
*From Shakespeare's "Henry V".
SEMPER FIDELS
News from Mick
by Donna Fuller on 05/10/24
Member Marines, Associate Members, Partners and Friends.
Many thanks to Rudy Tovar for getting our 2024 Reunion Information to the following media outlets:
"The Purple Heart Magazine", "Vietnam Veterans of America Magazine" and the "Semper Fidelis Newsletter for Retired Marines".
Publicity is what 2/3 V.V.A. needs to grow our Membership. Feel free to use the template below. It's so easy. Semper Fidelis
U.S.M.C. 2nd Battalion Third Marines (Vietnam War) Annual Reunion
to be held in Savannah, GA, 4 September - 8 September 2024. For additional information contact:
Marine Fergy Hughes
P.O. Box 211
Baldwin, NY 11510-0211
(623) 780-1819
clydesdadfergy@aol.com
Passing of Doc John W Hardin
by Donna Fuller on 03/30/24
We have some sad news to face. Doc John W. Hardin (H/2/3, Vietnam War) passed away on 22 March 2024.
Master Chief Hardin (USN, ret.) had been a staunch supporter of 2/3 V.V.A. Many of us had the distinct privilege of seeing him one last time at the Branson Reunion 2023.
Doc, you and your family are in our prayers. May you be forever blessed with "fair winds and following seas".
Semper Fortis, SEMPER FIDELIS
Message from Mick
by Donna Fuller on 03/28/24
T.I.P.S. # 1 (Tactical Information for a Perfect Stay); Savannah Reunion 2024
Greetings Marines and All,
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS INFO TO ANY 2/3 MARINE (VIETNAM) THAT YOU KNOW.
Free information is available from these 3 Savannah (& Pooler) experts.
1. Contact Visit Savannah at 1 877-SAVANNAH.
OR VisitSavannah.com Ask for a 2024 Insider's Guide and a map of Savannah to be mailed to you.
2. Contact Old Town Trolley at 1 912 339-8191. Tell them you're interested in their Trolley Tours. Ask for a Map Showing Trolley Stops and any info they'd care to mail you. Website: TrolleyTours.com.
3. Contact the Pooler Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau at 912 748-0110. Ask for a map of Pooler. The Reunion 2024 Hotel (Embassy Suites Airport) is right next to the Pooler Area. Website: visitpooler.com
Make some easy preparations OR just wing it! Have Fun at all costs!
Semper Fidelis. Mick
Message from Mick
by Donna Fuller on 03/28/24
Marines, 2/3 VVA Members,
The position of "Message Board Monitor" has been vacant since Ron Poness passed away.
Until we get a permanent "Message Board Monitor", I'll step up on an INTERIM basis. If anyone wants this position, let me know.
If you have info that would be of interest to our Membership, put it in an email and send it to me. Please refrain from politics, foul language and personal attacks. I'll review your email and have it posted by our Web Director, or rejected or sent back to you for editing.
Our website is available to the world. Think twice before posting personal information.
Semper Fidelis
Hotel info for Savannah
by Donna Fuller on 03/25/24
Marines, Associate Members, Spouses and Partners,
The following informational note to A.F.R.I. has been approved by 2/3 V.V.A., Armed Forces Reunions Inc. (A.F.R.I.) and the Embassy Suites Hotel (Airport), Savannah, GA. It provides details regarding registering for rooms at our Reunion 2024 Hotel.
If registering for the hotel by phone, call 800 362-2779 (Embassy Suites Hotel Central Reservations). Do not call Embassy Suites Hotel (Airport) for registrations. Group name is: USMC Vietnam Veterans, Code: V I E.
Our Association Room Block is four nights: check in 9/4, check out the morning of 9/8. Room availability during these four nights is "very good", but not unlimited.
Our group rate is also good for the nights of 9/1, 9/2, 9/3 AND 9/8, 9/9, 9/10. Room availability during these 6 nights (3 before and 3 after Reunion dates) is "good", but again only if AVAILABLE.
If booking rooms outside the time frame of 9/1-9/10, it'll be at standard rates and subject to availability. Think $350 (+/-) per night, taxes and fees included.
Please remember that the Labor Day National Holiday is the Monday before our Reunion.
If you plan on attending Reunion 2024, it's in your best interests to make your hotel reservations NOW.
Be aware of the Cancellation Policies of Embassy Suites Hotel and Armed Forces Reunions Inc.
Information about signing up for Reunion 2024 through A.F.R.I. will be forthcoming. As will "T.I.P.S." via email and brochures via U.S. Mail. To get U.S. Mail from 2/3 V.V.A., please confirm your U.S. Mail address with your Company Representative (no Rep. for "H" Company) and me. It would also help to update your cell phone number(s) with us. If we don't have good comm, we'll be hamstrung. Stay healthy, stay safe, God Bless, and "see you in September". Semper Fidelis. Mick
To A.F.R.I.Please forward this reservation/booking link to everyone and let everyone know to reserve their rooms by the block release date of 8/14/24 in order to receive the special group rate of $149.00 plus tax per room, per night for the dates of September 4-8, 2024. Rate does not include 15% state and local taxes, plus $5.00 Georgia Transportation Fee, per room, per night. Rates apply to single and double occupancy.If any would like to arrive or depart on different days, they just need to change the arrival and/or departure dates on the link to their individual dates (They must click "Update" button to confirm the dates change). If anyone requires an accessible room, they will need to click the "Accessible" button on the link for those rooms to show available. Please let everyone know, we are limited on accessible rooms, so please only reserve if absolutely necessary.Please instruct individuals to use the link. If they prefer to reserve by phone, they will call 1-800-EMBASSY to make their reservation. They should not call the hotel directly. It is best to use the link.Complimentary Airport Shuttle: Please call front desk switchboard (912-330-8222) to request shuttle from the airport. The front desk will send the shuttle asap. We are only 4 miles from the airport. For shuttle to the airport, please let the front desk know your flight time and time you would like to leave the hotel. They keep a log of departing flights.Your Attendee Reservation URL (long version) is immediately below. Please use this link specifically as copying it from one browser to another browser will remove the connections required.Thank you!Embassy Suites Hotel (Airport), Savannah GA
Message from Mick
by Donna Fuller on 03/25/24
Member Marines, Associate Members, Partners and Friends,
H&S Company Representative Dan Rom has notified the Pacific North West Chapter of the Third Marine Division Association of our 2024 Reunion. A notice will appear in their Newsletter.
Do you know of an organization that will publish our "Reunion Notice" in their Newsletter? It's EASY. See the "template" below. We need the publicity to increase our membership AND to have "All Hands on Deck" in Savannah 2024.
U.S.M.C. 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines (Vietnam War) Annual Reunion
to be held in Savannah, GA, 4 September - 8 September 2024. For additional information contact:
Marine Fergy Hughes
P.O. Box 211
Baldwin, NY 11510-0211
(623) 780-1819
clydesdadfergy@aol.com
Our Reunion planning is nearly complete. A schedule of events and tour descriptions appear on this Website. Memento Pint Glasses will be offered to all for $14 each. When we nail down details of the 2024 caps and polos, hopefully by 4/1, an email will go out to y'all and lots more info will be posted to the "2024, Savannah, Georgia" button on our official website (homestead).
I'm very much looking forward to meeting with each and every Attendee at our Savannah 2024 Reunion. Let's have a great turnout! Stay healthy, stay safe and Semper Fidelis! Mick
Message from Mick
by Donna Fuller on 03/15/24
Member Marines, Associate Marines, Partners and Friends, I have notified the "American Legion Magazine" about our upcoming Reunion 2024.
Thanks to Art for resurrecting this past practice.
If any of you want to notify other Print Media (Leatherneck, Marine Corps Gazette, Naval Proceedings, VFW, local newspapers, etc.) please feel free to use the template below. Yes, the "Marine" name is a creation. Please notify Mick of any notification you make to cut down on duplicate notices and to track info for future Reunions. Let's make good on our Branson 2023 Reunion resolution to grow our Membership.
Please forward this email to all the 2/3 Marines (Vietnam War) that you know. Thank you.
Semper Fidelis. Fergy and Mick
U.S.M.C. 2nd Battalion Third Marines (Vietnam War) Annual Reunion
to be held in Savannah, GA, 4 September - 8 September 2024. For additional information contact:
Marine Fergy Hughes
P.O. Box 211
Baldwin, NY 11510-0211
(623) 780-1819
clydesdadfergy@aol.com
