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2nd Battalion 3rd Marines Vietnam Veterans Association

The Rent-A-Battalion blog

Message from Mick

by Ron Poness 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 Ron Poness 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 Ron Poness 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 Ron Poness 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 Ron Poness 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

from the president "Mick"

by Ron Poness on 09/07/23

Marines,
We're putting the pieces together for a Reunion in Savannah in 2024.  Would like to nail down the details early so we can begin looking to the West Coast for 2025.
We had some glitches in Branson:
1.  Lack of transportation between Springfield and Branson.
2.  Lack of a hotel shuttle as well as taxis and car service.
3.  Somewhat erratic operating hours at the bar and restaurant.
4.  "College of the Ozarks"  tour should have been done, if possible,  on a day when their famous on-campus restaurant was open for business.
5.  "Train Trip" was a bust.  No stops for scenic views.  No food/beverages in each car.  Encouraging passengers (some 80+ years old) to walk between moving cars to get a bottle of water doesn't seem sensible.  Spotty air conditioning.  
6.  Shirts and hats not made in the U.S.A.  White color and quality of product drew some attention.
7.  The heat in Branson, MO in August can be "intense".

On the plus side:
1.  The two dinners we had didn't suck.
2.  The folks who staffed the hotel were excellent.
3.  Most rooms were OK.
4.  Hospitality room seemed to work well.

Company Representatives please canvas your Marines.  What are their thoughts for the Savannah (2024) reunion?
We are currently looking at a hotel that has shuttle service to/from the airport, shuttle service to nearby attractions, free parking, a hospitality room, and decent prices for rooms, banquets, and Association functions.
Staying downtown in Savannah usually involves higher prices for EVERYTHING and smaller, often older, rooms and facilities.

Please survey your Marines about Savannah and get back to me by noon on 9/18/23.  Negative reports also appreciated.  That means, if none of your Marines have ideas about Savannah in 2024, let me know that.  There is no obligation to contribute to this process..  Only this request.  
Thanks for your assistance.  Semper Fidelis.  Mick

From President Mick

SF Poness




'H" company

by Ron Poness on 08/30/23

H company:

  Please e-mail me your Name and E-Mail address.  I will try to keep you informed on happenings.
H co Rep. Ron Poness
rponess@rochester.rr.com

Reunion covid/china

by Ron Poness on 08/27/23

Greetings Marines,  Company Reps, would you please notify your Marines of the following.
We arrived home safe and sound last night.
This morning I felt lousy.  Not drop-dead lousy but a but out of sorts.  
I tested with a kit that had expired 14 months ago.  It indicated "positive" for the disease.
My doctor's office is closed for the weekend.  We'll confer on Monday.
I've had the 2 shots of Moderna and 1 booster.
I wish you all good health and if you get covid, I hope it's just a bit of a blip on your radar.
Semper Fidelis
Mick

SF Poness

Reunion covid/china

by Ron Poness on 08/27/23

Greetings Marines,  Company Reps, would you please notify your Marines of the following.
We arrived home safe and sound last night.
This morning I felt lousy.  Not drop-dead lousy but a but out of sorts.  
I tested with a kit that had expired 14 months ago.  It indicated "positive" for the disease.
My doctor's office is closed for the weekend.  We'll confer on Monday.
I've had the 2 shots of Moderna and 1 booster.
I wish you all good health and if you get covid, I hope it's just a bit of a blip on your radar.
Semper Fidelis
Mick

SF Poness

Happy 4th

by Ron Poness on 07/03/23

To all my Brothers,


Have a happy and safe 4th.  Be thankful for the freedom we all fought for.  Remember our fallen brothers.
Semper Fidelis

Poness

Happy Birthday Doc

by Ron Poness on 06/17/23

From Mick  with all our thanks

It's been 125 years since the founding of the United States Navy Hospital Corps.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVIL DOCS!  Semper Fidelis


SF Poness

From Mick Hughes

by Ron Poness 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 Ron Poness on 05/26/23

Have 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 Ron Poness on 05/17/23

Marines,

  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 Ron Poness 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 Ron Poness 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

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

by Ron Poness on 12/25/22

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


  SF
  Poness

Update from Mick

by Ron Poness 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

New from Mick: 12-5-22

by Ron Poness 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

Quiet?

by Ron Poness on 10/04/22

Anything going on of interest?  Was a great reunion.

SF
Poness