The Rent-A-Battalion blog
From Mick Hughes
by Donna Fuller on 06/17/23
This is me in 1966 sometime after July at the ripe old age of 18 as a gunner or assistant gunner in the 81mm Mortar Platoon. I hadn't yet been issued jungle utilities, just run of the mill, stateside utilities (work uniforms). There was a delay getting us "jungle boots". The "jungle boots" were great; synthetic uppers, synthetic soles with steel shank and self draining. Leather boots just rotted in the conditions encountered. Usually the stitching between soles and uppers went first. Ironically, some of the larger villages were selling U.S. jungle boots on the black market.
The 81mm mortar fired a projectile about 3 1/4" in diameter with an effective range of about 5,000 yards depending on a number of variables. Many experts qualify a weapon that fires a projectile measuring over 80 millimeters as artillery. The U.S.M.C. didn't get that memo. Our "guns", carried in pieces and put together in action, went with us by foot. Helicopter's. boats and trucks only took Infantry Units to "drop off" points. Motorized anythings were not capable of going where we went.
It wouldn't be too long before I yearned to be "put up" in a tent. From here on out we would spend a lot of time in "fighting holes" constantly on the move hunting down our adversaries as operational tempo picked up significantly.
Looks like a cigarette in left hand. The U.S. Government kindly included small packs in our "C rations". Did about a pack of day from 1964 to 1969; except for Boot Camp in 1965. Quit on my own. That's a story for another day.
No Infantryman was fat. By August 1967 at 6 foot tall, I weighed 135 pounds.
Currently in the military, even thought we're in no wars, enlistments are way down. Even the Service Academies are having trouble putting fannies in classroom seats. The U.S.A. is heading to a place where no one will step up to defend it. VERY dangerous and sad. Not much "leadership" from our elected representatives or bureaucrats. And way too many "Americans" with their heads so far inserted into places where they have no idea if it's day or night. mh
SF. Poness
Happy Memorial Day
by Donna Fuller on 05/26/23Have a happy and safe Memorial Day. Please remember our fallen Brothers. Let us all be thankful for us to be hereto enjoy the day.
Femper Fi
Poness
Transportion
by Donna Fuller on 05/17/23Marines,
Some type of transpiration needs to be set up from Springfield airport to the hotel. Not sure who should do it Our guys or the reunion company.
In any case it needs to be addressed.
SF
Poness
from Mick 1-30-23
by Donna Fuller on 01/30/23
The following U.S.M.C. Vietnam Veterans generously donated to this year's Semper Fi Fund Double-Double Down Program.
Tom Givvin. $1000
Alvin Simpson $100
John Davila $100
Dave Smith $50
Dan Rom $50.
Total Donated: $1300
Matched: $1300
Total sent to "the Fund" by 2/3 VVA: $2600
Matched by L/Cpl. Parsons: $2600
Total donations after "matches": $5200
From Mick
by Donna Fuller on 01/22/23Marines, 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
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
by Donna Fuller on 12/25/22Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Hope you all had a great Christmas. Remember friends not present.
SF
Poness
Update from Mick
by Donna Fuller on 12/05/22Update 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."
Poness
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
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
