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Vol. 32, No. 3 Winter 2007 Reunion Rain Sets GREETINGS FROM OKLAHOMA! WE’LL HAVE A Stage for Memorial COUNTRY ‘WINGDING’ WAITING FOR THE SIXTH By Lance Cpl. Margaret Hughes We are busy planning for a great Reunion here in Oklahoma City starting on (For the Marine Corps News) Tuesday, 16 Sep 2008 through the Banquet on Saturday night, 20 Sep 2008. Those of NORFOLK, Va. you who were at Norfolk saw our tentative schedule, so here it is for the rest of you. (Oct. 15, 2007) -- Tuesday, we will have a Meet & Greet to welcome y’all to our city. Wednesday, On April 1, 1945, we’ll do a city tour so you can get an overall view and plan for your free time. That the 6th Marine evening, we’ll enjoy an Oklahoma Country Wingding at the American Legion Division took Post #73. Thursday, we’ll shuttle back and forth to Sgt Grit’s so you can purchase part in the Battle all the Marine Corps items you could possibly desire! He only wants 25-30 of us of Okinawa, the at a time, and his facility is not far from the hotel. That evening, we’re planning a bloodiest land Native American Pow-Wow at the hotel. Friday is the Ladies Luncheon and the battle of the Pacific board meeting. Saturday morning is the Memorial Service followed by the men’s war. The 6th Major - General meeting. Saturday evening, we’ll have a social hour with cash bar followed by the MarDiv suffered Carl Jensen Banquet and Dance. nearly 1,700 casualties (deaths, actually) and more The Reunion hotel is the Biltmore than 7,400 were wounded in action. The Hotel Oklahoma at 401 S. Meridian Sixth Marine Division Association held Ave in OKC. The hotel has 509 their (not quite) final national reunion rooms w/14 handicap accessible with various events Oct. 9-14, here to rooms. Room price is $85.40 commemorate the battle they and their ($75 + tax) and will include two fellow Marines so bravely fought over breakfasts per room. Make your 62 years ago. reservations early! This hotel is very popular with veterans groups. The memorial service and wreath It has three bar lounges and a full laying ceremony by Gen. Carl B. Jensen, service restaurant. John Foley and Bill Pierce on the USS Wisconsin was the first main event of the The Hotel number is 1-800-522- week. 6620 or 405-947-7681 or you can As the skies wept their tears, it reminded check it out at www.biltmoreokc. many veterans of the first gruesome 18- com. Claud Wilkins, U.S. Marine days (actually later) of the assault. Many The city trolley stops in front of - And Man of God. He served with A-1-29 on Okinawa would consider rain to be a hindrance at the hotel. It is air conditioned and and for decades as our association chaplain. “May he rest in peace.” Rev. Frank Mack has more on Page 4. Continued on Page 3 Continued on Page 3 Roll Call 1728 Sixth Division Marines • Present, Nov. 15, 2007 (Or on the Association Rolls. Not all are accounted for.) _____________________________________________________________ Dues and Subscription Fees Are Due Now. $10 Each Off With the Old, On With the New SIXTH MARINE DIVISION I leave the understanding that he believes all officers ASSOCIATION Association in the have behaved with honesty and probity, but 2006-2007 strong, capable hands that streamlining is needed as we pass into BOARD OF DIRECTORS of Judge Edward an uncertain future. H. Marsalek. There I spent almost three years in the Pacific ELECTED OFFICERS were bumps on the as a rifleman, machine gunner and road during my term, artilleryman and take pride in my service. PRESIDENT Marty Essex Edward H. Marsalek but they flew away Nothing, however, has brought me more 1108 W Wellington Ave. like the swallows, and now, all is peace. satisfaction than the opportunity to be Chicago, IL 60657-4338 There have been handshakes all around. president of the Sixth Marine Division (773) 472-0225 Everything is in good shape. Association. You have been my friends for PRESIDENT ELECT President Marsalek has restructured and more than 60 years. As someone said, “We Andrew Sinatra named committees he deems important to have drunk from the same canteen.” 144 Barbuda St. Berkeley, NJ 08757-4635 bring things in line with organizations our Nothing more needs to be said as I close (732) 505-2998 size and similar to us. The purpose is to out my term. I hope to see you all next year SECRETARY make governance more efficient and more in Oklahoma City for what I’m am sure Tom M. Terpinas answerable to the membership. It is my will be a splendid Reunion. Semper Fidelis, 8056 Shorewalk Dr. my friends. Indianapolis, IN 46236-9541 Marty Essex [email protected] The “Striking Sixth” newsletter is an official publication of the TREASURER Joseph McConville Sixth Marine Division Association, 75 Elm Rd. 107 Grand Central Ave., PO Box President Considers Caldwell, NJ 07006 484, Lavalette, NJ 08735 and is Our Past and Future (973) 228-4423 published for members of the [email protected] Association. “This is not a mailing I begin with the past. First of all, I would CHAPLAIN address.” be remiss if I did not thank John Foley Rev. Frank J. Mack Subscription rate is $10.00 for the yeoman efforts that he expended 101 S. 6th St. to accomplish a truly and enjoyable Keithsburg, IL 61442-0567 per calendar year. Membership (309) 374-2274 applications, dues, donations, and successful 37th annual Reunion in [email protected] address or record changes Norfolk. Great job John! I would be even more remiss if I failed to comment on EDITOR should be mailed to Florence the Memorial Service conducted aboard Joe Singleton R. Dornan, Membership 251 S Green Valley Pkwy #4813 the battleship USS Wisconsin, which Henderson, NV 89012 Manager, 704 Cooper Court, was truly inspiring. It gave me and I am (512) 695-4295 Arlington, TX 76011. Make certain—all the other member attendees [email protected] checks payable to Sixth Marine a reason to reflect, and give pause in JUDGE ADVOCATE Division Assn., Inc. remembering and honoring our comrades Sam Petriello Suggestions are welcome. in arms who have departed to their eternal 3016 Hemlock Dr. Submissions should be sent reward. Norristown, PA 19401-1541 When the ceremonial wreath was (610) 279-4979 to the editor, Joe Singleton, 251 S Green Valley Pkwy placed in the water, we achieved the MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN #4813 Henderson, NV 89012, cardinal reason for having and continuing James S. White our annual reunions. As Rev. Mack in his 2209 Holly Ave. phone: (512) 695-4295, email: role of ceremony narrator so apply stated Duncan, OK 73533-2007 [email protected] “the battles we fought will be taught in [email protected] schools, and we will remain in text books, Unit Directors PUBLIC RELATIONS but it is up to our remaining members and William T. Pierce Walter Heuer 4th Marines th their families and friends to carry on our 2020 Arundel Pl. James McWalters 15 Marines James May 22nd Marines Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464-6200 memories. For when the final flag is folded, Henry B. Kemp 29th Marines WWII will only be a distant memory. We (843) 884-5785 Vince Matthews 6th Mtr. Trns. Bn. th must never forget the gallant warriors we SERVICE OFFICER Jack Rice 6 Med. Bn. th Carl Sproatt Leonard Israel 6 Engr. Bn. knew.” th 4989 Birch Grove Dr. Sal Mistretta 6 Tank Bn. To me, that moment and those words Louis Spillone 6th Pioneer Bn. will be indelibly etched in my mind. Groveport, OH 43125-9055 (614) 836-2223 Augie LePore 6th Hq. Bn. [email protected] Fred Westphal 6th Recon. Co. Again, thanks John and Rev. Mack, mere th PAST PRESIDENT Dick Roberts 6 JASCO words are inadequate to portray feelings st Martin Essex GeorgeTremblay 1 Amphibs that this ceremony generated. 2712 Lotus Hill Dr. Directory Committee Now to the present, financially the Las Vegas, NV 89134-7859 Joe Singleton, Chairman Association appears to be in good shape. (702) 243-9603 Tom Terpinas We have a full Board, thanks to the ever [email protected] Membership Manager Florence Dornan continued on page 7 Striking Sixth Reunion Rain Sets Stage for Memorial GREETINGS FROM OKLAHOMA! Continued from page 1 WE’LL HAVE A COUNTRY a memorial, but to some Marines here it was a fitting way to say goodbye to their fellow brothers. ‘WINGDING’ WAITING Rev. Frank J. Mack, the Sixth Marine Division Association’s chaplain and FOR THE SIXTH ceremony narrator, spoke of the importance for Marines and Americans to carry Continued from page 1 on the history of WWII. “The battles we fought will be taught in schools and we will remain in text has a wheel chair lift. Myriad Gardens, books, but it is up to our remaining members and... Bricktown, the Bombing Memorial & Museum are some of its stops. Senior citizen The Lance Corporal’s errors are understandable after 62 years. price is 50 cents. Bricktown is a great area Remember, we didn’t know much about the Corps’ battles in to visit. Lots of shops and places to eat France back when we were wearing the green, and that was like Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant and Toby only 27 years earlier, and we had members who were there... Keith’s “I Love This Bar and Grill.” A boat ride on the canal is fun. Visit the Bass Pro their families and friends to carry on our memories.