The Rent-A-Battalion blog

From Mick

by Donna Fuller on 01/22/23

Marines, Lt. Col. (then Major) Robert Sheridan passed away in South Carolina at the age of 91 on 10/4/22. He will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on 2/13/23, 1500. Major Sheridan was the 2/3 Battalion Operations Officer when he was wounded on 2/28/67 during a brutal engagement with the NVA. He held 3 Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star among other awards, medals and badges. His obituary can be seen at the Funeral Home website: mcalister-smith.com. Rest in Peace Sir. Semper Fidelis. Mick SF Poness

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Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

by Donna Fuller on 12/25/22

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Hope you all had a great Christmas. Remember friends not present.

SF

Poness

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Update from Mick

by Donna Fuller on 12/05/22

Update from Mick:

Good Morning (at least it is on the East Coast of the U.S.A.)!

Donations to the Semper Fi Fund Double Down Fundraising Drive are approaching $7 million.

Our " 2/3 Double-Double Down Program" donations stand at $1,050. They have been matched by another $1,050 and sent to the Semper Fi Fund where they'll be matched again with $2,100 by L/Cpl. Bob Parsons.

My $2,000 match date will be extended to 20 December 2022.

If you'd like to donate to a VERY worthy cause, now would be a good time to get a lot of bang for your buck!

"Peace on Earth to Men (and Women) of Goodwill."

SF

Poness

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New from Mick: 12-5-22

by Donna Fuller on 12/05/22

New from Mick: 12-5-22

Hello Marines, Family and Friends!

If you choose to, now would be a good time to donate to the "Semper Fi Fund" (the Fund)(thefund.org; 760 725-3680; a 501(c)(3) non-profit fund, Tax I.D. # 26-0086305)

1. From now until 15 December 2022, send your check made out to the "Semper Fi Fund" to me and I will match it up to a maximum total donation of $2000 made by me. Your cancelled check will be your receipt.

2. If you can't get your check to me by 15 December, send it to the "Semper Fi Fund" directly and Bob Parsons will match it until 31 December 2022 with his total matching donations maxing out at $10 million. Any checks received by me after 15 December will be forwarded to the "the Fund". Your cancelled check will be your receipt.

Address: Semper Fi Fund

825 College Blvd., Suite 102

PMB 609

Oceanside, CA 92057

3. "The Semper Fi Fund" donation form that will be sent by me with your check will indicate "In Memory Of "USMC 2/3 Vietnam War K.I.A.s.". If you want a different "In Memory Of", just let me know. Or, you may want to indicate "In Honor Of" in the case of person(s) still alive.

4. If you contribute and would like your donation earmarked to help United States Armed Forces Veterans of the Vietnam War, print "WELCOME HOME FUND" on the memo line of your check.

5. Include with your check donation a note with your name, address and, if you desire, your rank. This information is necessary for me to complete a "Semper Fi Fund" donation form. In past years, the "Fund" has sent thank you/receipt letters to each donor.

For my information, should I need to contact you, please include your email and phone number. This information will not go to the "the Fund" unless you direct me otherwise.

6. Here's a sample of how this works. You send me $10. I match it with my $10. I send both amounts ($20) to "the Fund". Bob Parsons matches the $20 with his $20. Result? Your original $10 is now a total donation of $40 to the Semper Fi Fund.

7. Although I won't handle any cash, my books are open. If you wish, contact me anytime after 1 December and I will account for all checks collected and donations sent to "the Fund" up to 1 December. Contact me anytime, should you wish, after 15 December for a final accounting. If possible, a final reckoning will be published on our official "Message Board" of the USMC 2/3 Vietnam Veterans Association website.

8. Last year, over $23 Million was donated to "the Fund".

9. To get maximum "bang for your buck", send your donation A.S.A.P. Note that $.92 of every dollar donated goes to "the cause". Only $.08 from every dollar goes to salaries, postage, rent, advertising, administrative costs, fund raising, etc.

10. In my last phone call to "the Fund" on 11/16/22, I was assured that each contributor would get a personalized thank you/receipt letter.

11. If you are, or know of, a Veteran who needs assistance contact "the Fund" at the phone number or website indicated above.

SUMMARY:

A. Write a check to Semper Fi Fund. Print "Welcome Home Fund" on the memo line, if you wish.

B. Put your name, address (and rank if you choose), phone number and email on a separate note. Your phone number and email address will NOT go to "the Fund", unless you direct me otherwise.

C. Place both check and your note in an envelope and mail to me. Marine Mick Hughes, P.O. Box 211, Baldwin, NY 11510-0211

D. Enjoy!

Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! Semper Fidelis

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Quiet?

by Donna Fuller on 10/04/22

Anything going on of interest? Was a great reunion.

SF

Poness

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RIP Art Ward

by Donna Fuller 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

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Kevin Henry

by Donna Fuller 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.