The Rent-A-Battalion blog
RIP Art Ward
by Ron Poness on 07/08/22
From Mick
The Wake for Marine Arthur J. Ward was held at O'Brien Funeral home on 7/5/22. At 1830, the viewing line was out the door. Once inside, the line snaked through a couple of large rooms. At the casket, the American Legion and the local Police each provided one Uniform to stand at attention at each end of the casket. Patricia was as gracious as ever, and greeted each mourner with kindness, respect and warmth. Her three children with their spouses were next to her. Then came the grandchildren. Patricia, her children, their spouses and grandchildren must have stood in that receiving line for hours and hours. Yet each stood proud and happy to exchange pleasantries about Art and gracious as each mourner offered condolences.
The Funeral Mass at St. Gregory's on 7/6/22 at 1115 nearly filled the huge parking lot to capacity. The weather was kind to all of us. The church was large enough to handle the multitudes of mourners.
One photo below shows an Honor Guard consisting of local police, dignitaries and representatives of various Veterans Organizations near the conclusion of Mass on the Church steps.
The other photo shows Art's grandchildren, pall bearers, just after Art's Flag Draped coffin was placed into the hearse for Art's trip to the cemetery.
David Quick of American Legion Post 20 provided Legion Riders for a motorcycle escort for the hearse from the Funeral Home to the Church than onto the cemetery. The local Police turned out in force to provide escorting motorcycles and cars. The also controlled each intersection so that the Motorized Funeral Procession could safely proceed.
Thanks for your life of service Art. Including your term as President, USMC 2/3 V.V.A. You are missed by many. Rest in Peace, Marine. Semper Fidelis
SF Poness
Kevin Henry
by Ron Poness on 06/14/22
From Mick
Corporal Kevin Henry was an exemplary United States Marine. He was born in Jersey City, NJ on 12 December 1946. He attended Teaneck High School, NJ and upon graduation headed west to the University of Colorado Boulder. He left college before graduating to enlist in the Armed Forces. He felt that he'd likely go to war and the U.S.M.C. would be the place to be.
He signed papers for a two year enlistment, raised his right hand, and swore the oath. His stint with the Marines started on 20 September 1967 and he got an early active duty discharge in April 1969 after returning home from the Vietnam War. He earned two Purple Hearts, one in May 1968 on Foxtrot Ridge and one in September 1968 on Mutter's Ridge. His last operation was Dewey Canyon in the A Shau Valley in February-March 1969.
He earned the Presidential Unit Citation and the Combat Action Ribbon among other awards, ribbons, medals and badges.
He was in the field with Fox Company, Second Battalion Third Marines for his entire 13 month tour and, except for hospital strays due to wounds, was an M-60 Machine Gunner 0331 the entire time. The argument can be validly made that Corporal Kevin Henry saw more ground combat in the Republic of Vietnam than many others who made an entire career of the U.S. Armed Forces. He was a credit to the Corps and will be missed greatly by those who served beside him and those who knew him.
Kevin had lots of interests as a civilian and seemed to excel at anything he took a shine to. He knew Porsche Autos inside and out and became an excellent salesman. After he retired he joined the well known Griggstown Farm Market making puff pastry for their famous Chicken Pot Pies.
He was as bright as they come. And well read. A great conversationalist was he. With a keen wit and dry sense of humor. Could he tell some great stories? You bet!
He loved the New York Yankees, jazz, photography, the Marine Corps and Vanessa. Up until December 2021, Kevin had been taking care of himself, including visits to the gym. Sadly, Kevin passed away five months after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He had been treated at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in East Orange, NJ. He was very pleased with the staff there and with his treatment; he couldn't say enough good things about them. Kevin was cremated and interment will take place at the family plot in George Washington Cemetery, Paramus NJ. He is predeceased by his brother Bruce and is survived by his brother Leland.
Sympathy and Memorial Cards may be sent to Vanessa Van Keuren. Please contact Vanessa directly or Mick Hughes for her address.
Corporal Kevin John Henry, United States Marine Corps, has reported to his last duty station. Where he'll be able to watch over all of us. Rest in Peace Marine. Semper Fidelis.
SF Poness
Kevin Henry
by Ron Poness on 06/14/22
From Mick
Corporal Kevin Henry was an exemplary United States Marine. He was born in Jersey City, NJ on 12 December 1946. He attended Teaneck High School, NJ and upon graduation headed west to the University of Colorado Boulder. He left college before graduating to enlist in the Armed Forces. He felt that he'd likely go to war and the U.S.M.C. would be the place to be.
He signed papers for a two year enlistment, raised his right hand, and swore the oath. His stint with the Marines started on 20 September 1967 and he got an early active duty discharge in April 1969 after returning home from the Vietnam War. He earned two Purple Hearts, one in May 1968 on Foxtrot Ridge and one in September 1968 on Mutter's Ridge. His last operation was Dewey Canyon in the A Shau Valley in February-March 1969.
He earned the Presidential Unit Citation and the Combat Action Ribbon among other awards, ribbons, medals and badges.
He was in the field with Fox Company, Second Battalion Third Marines for his entire 13 month tour and, except for hospital strays due to wounds, was an M-60 Machine Gunner 0331 the entire time. The argument can be validly made that Corporal Kevin Henry saw more ground combat in the Republic of Vietnam than many others who made an entire career of the U.S. Armed Forces. He was a credit to the Corps and will be missed greatly by those who served beside him and those who knew him.
Kevin had lots of interests as a civilian and seemed to excel at anything he took a shine to. He knew Porsche Autos inside and out and became an excellent salesman. After he retired he joined the well known Griggstown Farm Market making puff pastry for their famous Chicken Pot Pies.
He was as bright as they come. And well read. A great conversationalist was he. With a keen wit and dry sense of humor. Could he tell some great stories? You bet!
He loved the New York Yankees, jazz, photography, the Marine Corps and Vanessa. Up until December 2021, Kevin had been taking care of himself, including visits to the gym. Sadly, Kevin passed away five months after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He had been treated at the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center in East Orange, NJ. He was very pleased with the staff there and with his treatment; he couldn't say enough good things about them. Kevin was cremated and interment will take place at the family plot in George Washington Cemetery, Paramus NJ. He is predeceased by his brother Bruce and is survived by his brother Leland.
Sympathy and Memorial Cards may be sent to Vanessa Van Keuren. Please contact Vanessa directly or Mick Hughes for her address.
Corporal Kevin John Henry, United States Marine Corps, has reported to his last duty station. Where he'll be able to watch over all of us. Rest in Peace Marine. Semper Fidelis.
SF Poness
Remember or brothers
by Ron Poness on 05/29/22
To all my brothers:
Have a wonderful peaceful happy Memorial Day. Remember the reason for todays holiday. Take a moment for brothers no longer present.
Semper Fi
Poness
Our website -From Mick
by Ron Poness on 05/16/22
Hello Ron! Memorial Day is nearly upon us. Yes, we'll remember and say a prayer for our comrades that are no longer with us and for all service members who gave their lives in battle for the USA.
At this time, you are the only one getting this message. I think you posted the following on face-book around 5/13/20. 'I've been trying for several years to get an open website'. Now, I am not a computer geek but I have some insights that I'd like to share with you.
1. Our current website 233vietnamereaassociation.homestead.com is somewhat unwieldy. It was established long ago. Probably some of the codes necessary for a web director to run the site are gone forever. The address of the website is old, misleading and confusing because it contains the numbers "233"" which we subsequently as an Association voted never to use AND it contains the word "era" which we subsequently voted never to use.
2. There is some difficulty establishing an open message board on "our" website because of the aforementioned loss of "codes". Efforts to make certain changes to the website have gotten nowhere.
3. There is a face-book page out there called "2/3/3 Viet Nam vets". This face-book page is NOT an extension of the 2/3 Vietnam Veterans Association. I believe it was established by James Robinson. So, it is his face-book page that is members-only.
What to do with the preceding info? Again Ron, I am NOT the computer geek so get advice from someone who is before taking any action. Here are my recommendations.
1. Establish a "2/3 Vietnam Veterans Association" face-book page. Members only (dues paying members of 2/3 VVA). On a personal note, please realize that I have no problem with the current Message Board on the Association's web site. I remember all the problems we had with our "open", without censorship, message board and never want to go back there again. It was a shit-show hijacked by some authenticated jackasses. You've been a fine censor or intermediary.
2. After you get possession of a face-book page, tell Robinson, or whoever owns the face-book page mentioned previously, that you'd rather not work in competition with him. And logically, "our" face-book page should be operated by the Association If he's got any expertise, perhaps he's be willing to share it with the Association.
3. It is important that you get the face-book page before talking to anyone, especially Robinson. If you talk first, planning to get the face-book page later, you may find that the page name "has been taken and unavailable" to the 2/3 Vietnam Veterans Association.
There is no reason on God's green earth, that I can see, for you to spend years trying to do something that is unattainable. So, don't go over the hurdle, go under or around it, or through it. Seems like the "ram wants to keep rammin' the dam".
For the third time, I'm not the geek so maybe I've got it all wrong. You tell me. Semper Fidelis and respectfully, Mick
SF. Poness
I'am alive!
by Ron Poness on 04/07/22Made it through surgery. Things look OK. Happy to still be alive. Will be back to message board soon.
SF
Poness
I believe from Mick:
by Ron Poness on 02/23/22?
Good morning John and Donna,
The attached USMC 2/3 Vietnam Veterans logo with a small encircled "c" and, if you like, the year 2021 should prominently appear on the Association's Website.
A version of "2/3's" logo appears on our official website even though NONE of us is active "2/3". As a Veteran of 2/3, I'd like to see some respect for a logo that represents US, the 2/3 VIETNAM VETERANS.
Other than making a suggestion here and there, I have not pushed this matter up until now. A LOT of trouble went into the creation of this logo, which was adopted at an annual meeting. Perhaps Tybee around 2008?. A certain unnamed Association administration forced us proponents of the logo to navigate all kinds of obstacles to give Member Marines a say as to the logo they wanted. . .
Please note that this logo has appeared on all the reunion banners that I've supplied over the years; banners that have been very well received by Member Marines, their families and friends.. I've kept one banner. Towards the end of our reunions, banners were either auctioned off (with proceeds going to the Association) or presented to a deserving Marine, as voted by Marine attendees.
Along with the rest of us, I'm getting old. Let's not put this off any longer.
Kindly display the logo prominently on "our website". Semper Fidelis. Mick
P.S. If any Member Marine wants to submit their logo for adoption by our Association, it can be done in Reno, 2022.
P.P.S. Annual dues of $5 for the "new fiscal year" became due on 10/1/21. If you are not timely and paid-up, you and your family will receive no benefits from the Association.
Will any of you recipients of this email kindly forward it to Dennis Shields? I don't have his address. Thanks.
From Mick?
SF Poness
RIP from Art Ward
by Ron Poness on 02/12/22
From Art Ward:
Marines, I have some sad news to share with you. Sgt Bibliano former Echo Company, 3rd Platoon Commander
lost his son today. He was only 36, went to bed and never woke up. The family is devastated. If you desire
further information, you can contact Dennis Fields, a member of Echo Company.
SF
Poness
2023 Reunion H company
by Ron Poness on 01/31/22
"H" Company 2003 reunion!!!
We are looking for locations for the 2023 reunion. If you have a preference please E-mail me at:
rponess@rochester.rr.com or call
772-770-9169
Suggestions so far are Branson, San Antonia (maybe New Orleans). We are waiting for your ideas.
SF
Poness
H company rep
From Mick
by Ron Poness on 01/17/22
From Mick:
Sgt. Major Carcirieri USMC, Served in F/2/3, 1967-68. May He Rest in Peace.
A floral wreath from "USMC 2/3 Vietnam Vets Association" will be delivered by The Flower Shoppe (Jacksonville, NC) to Infant of Prague Church on Thursday (1-20-22) morning. Semper Fidelis.
SF RIP
Poness
Sgt. Major (Ret) Marion "Cass" Carcirieri, 96, of Jacksonville, NC, passed away on January 10, 2022 in Greensboro, NC. Services will be held on Thursday, January 20. Visitation will be from 12pm ...
Another Brother RIP
by Ron Poness on 01/17/22
From Mick Hughes
Sgt. Major Carcirieri USMC, Served in F/2/3, 1967-68. Me he Rest in Peace. Semper Fidelis.
Sgt. Major (Ret) Marion "Cass" Carcirieri, 96, of Jacksonville, NC, passed away on January 10, 2022 in Greensboro, NC. Services will be held on Thursday, January 20. Visitation will be from 12pm ...
SF
Poness
From Alvin
by Ron Poness on 01/06/22
From Alvin Simson:
Fellow Marines: it is my sad duty to report to you that our brother Kevin Henry has been diagnosed with lymphoma. He started chemo last week in the East Orange NJ VA Hospital and will continue to do so on an outpatient basis. He would welcome your texts at 609-558-8996 (no phone calls right now, please). He can also be reached by email at khgrnt0331k6@aol.com or snail mail at:
Kevin Henry
c/o Vanessa Van Keuren
323 Gill Lane #10-G
Iselin, NJ 08830
Semper Fidelis
SF Poness
Reunion H company READ
by Ron Poness on 01/05/22Att: H Company
Please let me know your choice for nexts years reunion!!
Please e-mail me at: rponess@rochester.rr.com
Reunion H company READ
by Ron Poness on 01/05/22Att: H Company
Please let me know your choice for nexts years reunion!!
Please e-mail me at: rponess@rochester.rr.com
Merry Christmas to all!!
by Ron Poness on 12/21/21Merry Christmas to all! And a happy New Year all year long!
SF
Poness
PS I will be gone so nothing will be posted ti;; new year.
Thank You From Mick Huges
by Ron Poness on 12/17/21
From Mick Hughes:
Greetings 2/3 V.V.A. Marines,
As of today, $8,190,542 has been donated to the Semper Fi and America's Fund (the Fund) during this year's Double-Down Matching Funds Drive which will run through 31 December 2021.
That amount will be doubled by Bob and Renee Parsons up to a maximum of $10 million.
The Fund was founded in 2003 and incorporated as a 501(c)3 Non Profit in 2004.
In 2012, Bob and Renee Parsons began their matching fund tradition with a donation of $1million.
In 2018, the "Welcome Home Fund" was started by the Parsons to assist catastrophically injured Veterans of the Vietnam War. Procedures were created so a donor could give to the Fund and earmark that donation to be used to help Veterans of the Vietnam War.
The following U.S.M.C. Vietnam Veterans generously donated to this year's Matching Funds Holiday Program.
John Davilla. $100
Mick $100 (match)
Tom Givvin $2000
Mick $1900 (match)
Vince Matthews, B/1/4 $25
That's a total of $4,125 which will be doubled by the Parsons to $8,250.
Thank you Brothers for your generosity to a worthy cause. By now, you should have gotten a letter of appreciation from the Fund.
God Bless 2/3 Vietnam Veterans and all U.S. Armed Forces Veterans. God Bless the U.S.M.C. and God Bless America!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! Semper Fidelis
SF Poness
From Mick Hughes
by Ron Poness on 12/01/21
Thank you 2/3 Vietnam Veterans for your generosity in contributing to the "Semper Fi and America's Fund" (the Fund). We USMC 2/3 Vietnam Veterans have met our goal for the 2021 "Double-double Down" campaign. Any donations that I get after today will be accompanied by a donation form and will be sent directly to the Fund.
You can still participate in the "Double Down Program" that the Fund is running until 31 December 2021. For details, please go to TheFund.org. Just click on the "Donate Now" button at the top right of the opening page.
God Bless You All. God Bless the U.S. Marine Corps. And God Bless America. Semper Fidelis. Mick
Poness
Happy Turkey Day
by Ron Poness on 11/25/21
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. If you are reading the you have much to be thankful for.
SF
Poness??
Happy Birthday Marines!!
by Ron Poness on 11/09/21Happy 246th Birthday to all Marines.. Stay proud.
Semper Fidelis!!
Poness
