The Rent-A-Battalion blog

Good evening Colonel,

From Mick:

Not surprised to see (back in the day "Lieutenant") John Kopka making a big difference for the better in the Jacksonville and Onslow County  Communities.

Also not surprised to see that Assistant Secretary of State Kevin Moley (retired) had also been in the news recently.  Secretary of State Pompeo had recently fired Department of State Inspector General Linick.  It's been reported that the I.G. had weaponized his office to attack State Department Employees who were doing their jobs and upsetting the "this is the way we always did things" mentality.  Definitely, NOT the job of the I.G.  Kevin, who was on the I.G.'s radar, was a leader of change and efficiency and "getting the people's business" done to protect the global interests of the USA 

Lt. Kopka was awarded the Silver Star in October 1966 while serving with 2/3.  Kevin was an F.O. from B-1-12 and assigned to E-2-3 during the "Hill Fights-The First Battle for Khe Sanh".  Kevin was subsequently awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".  Kevin was also a stone's throw from Lt. Colonel Ohanesian and Sgt. Major Hayes when both Marines were killed in an NVA attack on 2/3's Command Group on 28 February 1967.  2/3, like other USMC maneuver battalions in 1966-67,  frequently found itself in extremely hostile territory, mostly in "I Corps".  Thankfully, the Marines that were part of those  Infantry Battalions in RVN were exceptional in repeatedly overcoming all enemy resistance. 

These two Marines, John and Kevin, valiantly did our Nation's bidding in the Vietnam War.  And returned home to continue serving  the U.S.A., their fellow citizens and their communities.  It's unfortunate that for over 50 years Hollywood and the Main Stream Media have not spotlighted men like John Kopka and Kevin Moley because the media's narrative has always been to paint Vietnam Veterans as "eccentrics".  That's just not true, as shown by the overwhelming number of Veterans who've returned from the War in Vietnam to make communities all across America better places to live.  God Bless the U.S.A.  Semper Fidelis.  Mick

 

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Ronald Poness is feeling alone.

Just now

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                                               Second Battalion, Third Marines 

                                                Vietnam Veterans Association                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                         18 April 2020

Marines,

With the Coronavirus pandemic reaching every corner of our country and the uncertainty of how to contain this threat, we as representatives for the association decided it was in the best interest of all members if we were to hold a telephone conference to decide the fate of our 2/3 V. V. A. Annual Reunion St. Louis 2020.

Telephone conference was held on April 17 with all elected officers and company representatives. All were present except for Bravo 1/12. 

On April 8 Treasurer Art Ferguson initiated an email polling of members to determine if the Membership wanted to push ahead at this time with planning for St. Louis 2020 or if the Reunion should be cancelled. Members voted 50-4 to cancel St. Louis for 2020. All participants of the telephone conference unanimously agreed to cancel St. Louis 2020. 

St. Louis 2020 was chosen to be our Reunion venue, as per the By-Laws of the Association. Circumstances dictate that St. Louis 2020 be cancelled. In keeping with the spirit of the By-Laws, our 2021 Reunion should be in St. Louis. The work to have a St. Louis Reunion has been done by your 2/3 V. V. A. Association, your elected officers, and Armed Forces Reunions. 

I have asked Art Ferguson to conduct a poll as to where in the middle of the USA the 2021 Reunion should be held. This way, we can get a fresh look at St. Louis 2021 as the vote took place in 2018. 

I know many members, spouses and friends will be disappointed by our decision to cancel this year’s reunion, but it was done primarily out of concern for the welfare of our members. We can not charge ahead like we did in our youth under different circumstances. We, as responsible representatives, are entrusted to make safe and sound decisions for the membership, and I feel we did that professionally and compassionately.

John Fuller                                                                                                                                        President, 2/3 Vietnam Veterans Association

Semper Fi

SF  Poness

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                                               Second Battalion, Third Marines 

                                                Vietnam Veterans Association                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                         18 April 2020

Marines,

With the Coronavirus pandemic reaching every corner of our country and the uncertainty of how to contain this threat, we as representatives for the association decided it was in the best interest of all members if we were to hold a telephone conference to decide the fate of our 2/3 V. V. A. Annual Reunion St. Louis 2020.

Telephone conference was held on April 17 with all elected officers and company representatives. All were present except for Bravo 1/12. 

On April 8 Treasurer Art Ferguson initiated an email polling of members to determine if the Membership wanted to push ahead at this time with planning for St. Louis 2020 or if the Reunion should be cancelled. Members voted 50-4 to cancel St. Louis for 2020. All participants of the telephone conference unanimously agreed to cancel St. Louis 2020. 

St. Louis 2020 was chosen to be our Reunion venue, as per the By-Laws of the Association. Circumstances dictate that St. Louis 2020 be cancelled. In keeping with the spirit of the By-Laws, our 2021 Reunion should be in St. Louis. The work to have a St. Louis Reunion has been done by your 2/3 V. V. A. Association, your elected officers, and Armed Forces Reunions. 

I have asked Art Ferguson to conduct a poll as to where in the middle of the USA the 2021 Reunion should be held. This way, we can get a fresh look at St. Louis 2021 as the vote took place in 2018. 

I know many members, spouses and friends will be disappointed by our decision to cancel this year’s reunion, but it was done primarily out of concern for the welfare of our members. We can not charge ahead like we did in our youth under different circumstances. We, as responsible representatives, are entrusted to make safe and sound decisions for the membership, and I feel we did that professionally and compassionately.

John Fuller                                                                                                                                        President, 2/3 Vietnam Veterans Association

Semper Fi

SF  Poness

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If you have not heard the reunion has been cancelled for this year.  More info to follow.

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