ASSOCIATION OFFICERS Special Edition Sea Horse
President: Scott Huesing scott@echogroupconsultin g.com Dear Magnificent Bastard's, Vice President: Daniel Priest I write this during National Military Appreciation month in which we take time to honor the finest men and [email protected] women of our country who raise their hand and take an oath to defend the freedom we all enjoy. We admire Secretary: Manuel not only those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day but also those family members who have Travassos [email protected] been there to support us through all of the fighting and loss.
Treasurer: David Capizzi We as professional warriors don’t need a special day or month on the calendar to remind us of what we have [email protected] lost—every day is a Memorial Day for us. I think all who read this know that we are always aware of what has Board Member: Richard been sacrificed by our fellow Marines and us and all who have worn a uniform. “Bam Bam” Rasmussen
[email protected] I remain humbled by the caliber of people that surround me. I thought that bond would never be any stronger sna.com than when I was on active duty. Enduring the daily grind, the separation, the excitement, the frustration, and mostly the camaraderie of those who shared it equally. But as I have moved on I have also found that our Board Member: Frank Valdez strength isn't just the Marine Corps as an institution, it is the people. People who take time to reach out and [email protected] help, share their stories, their experience, and continual love of each other long after they leave the military. That connection embodies everything we share in this remarkable family. Immediate Past President Brooks Wilson [email protected] Our association is just one part of a greater network committed to helping all of us stay connected. As we om continue to grow, that connection and the spirit of our founders will only be kept strong by including our current
Staff generation of Magnificent Bastards into the fold. Reach out, share your stories and the power of this great Sgt-At-Arms: Patrick Burns association to keep it alive. [email protected] A call to action. Everyone who belongs to the 2d Battalion, 4th Marines Association. Dedicate yourself to Chaplain: Frank Valdez reaching out and getting one new member to join this month. Tell them about the importance of what we stand [email protected] for, what it means to you individually, and why it is vital that we have the support of everyone who has been lucky enough to call themselves a proud Magnificent Bastard.
Battalion Historian: Ret BGen William Weise Semper Fi, [email protected] Scott A. Huesing
Web Sergeant: President | 2d Battalion, 4th Marines Association Brooks Wilson [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Becky Valdez [email protected] 1
Bastard 6 Remarks
Robertson Barracks, Darwin, Australia
April 30, 2018
We are here in Australia because America finds common cause with its ANZAC brothers and sisters—the cause of freedom and liberty.
Accordingly, Dr. Charles Bean wrote an account of an Australian digger arriving at trench on Gallipoli. It says it all.
Jim here? He looked.
Voice in the step answered. “Right here, Bill.”
Do you chaps mind movin’ up a piece? Asked the first voice.
Him and me are mates—we’re goin’ over together.
Together. Mates.
We are together with Australia. And we are together with you, in Quantico.
On this day we recall those 233 Magnificent Bastards who served in the battle of Dai Do and did no return to receive the grateful thanks of a nation. We remember those who still sleep where they were left —amid the rice paddies in the valleys and swamps of Vietnam —on the beaches and terraced hills —
And we remember all 1,109 Bastards who gave their last full measure. Those who lie asleep in ground beneath the shimmering haze of the Shanghai morning and amid the pounding rain at Corregidor, and those gazing over the shimmering Iron Bottom Sound.
We remember those who lie buried in the rank jungle of Guam and Okinawa and in all the distant isles of the Pacific. And we remember those in the palm groves and allies of Ramadi. We remember those in bone chilling, rugged hills of Afghanistan.
We remember those who lie buried amid loving friends in our great Nation’s lovely cemeteries of our great Nation.
We remember those who lie in unknown resting places in almost every land, and those gallant men and women whose grave is unending sea. Especially do we remember those who died as prisoners of war, remote from their homeland and from the comforting presence of kin.
We recall, too, the staunch friends and families who loved and supported their Bastards through it all. And with that, the Magnificent Bastard salute those giants at Dai Do, who forged the soul of 2/4. We are ever grateful. We will not let you down.
Lest we forget.
-LtCol Warren C. Cook Jr.
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Bastard 6 Memorial Day Message
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2nd Bn 4th Marines 2018 Annual Reunion
San Clemente, California
7 Nov – 11 Nov
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express (949) 307-8154
Use Code: 2/4 Association
Room rate $120 plus tax. Includes Full Breakfast Daily
Wed 7 Nov 2018, 1700 Check in
Thurs 8 NOV 2018
BASTARD OPEN HOUSE AT CAMP SAN MATEO: See where the 2018 Bastards live and train. Tour barracks, virtual marksmanship trainer, motor pool, communications shop, static displays, fire weapons and eat tray rations.
Throughout the morning, groups of NCOs, Staff, and officers will be available to chat/discuss. No pressure for the entire contingent to attend each event.
Uniform: Closed toe shoes, hat, sunscreen, pants, water bottle
0730: Welcome Brief / Review the Schedule
0800: Memorial Service in 5th Marines Chapel
0915-1000: Tour Barracks / Static Displays
1030-1200: Firing Weapons on Range 300 / Field Ration Lunch
1230-1330: Panel discussion
1300 Return to hotel
1630- Dinner at Casa Romantica
Fri 9 NOV 2018
1000-1100 Parade to The San Clemente Pier:
1100-1200 Veterans Day Ceremony at Park Semper Fi
1200-1330 Lunch on your own
Sat 10 NOV 2018
0900 Business meeting
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Banquet-2/4 Ball San Diego
Town & Country Hotel (Roundtrip bus transportation from hotel provided)
Cost: TBD
Sun 11 Nov 2018 Check Out
2nd Bn 4th Marines 2018 Annual Reunion
San Clemente, California
7 Nov – 11 Nov
*REGISTRATION FORM*
Please complete this form and mail it with a check payable to Becky Valdez
Frank and Becky Valdez 8221 E. Birch Tree Lane, Anaheim Hills, Ca. 92808-2322. Email: [email protected] or [email protected] (714) 306-2329 or (714)307- 4031
ALL Attendees Full Name’s______
______
For Name Tag info. Magnificent Bastard______Guest______
Address: ______
City: ______State: ______Zip: ______
Telephone: ______Email: ______
Registration fee: $25.00 Number attending______x $25.00 =______
• Children 17 & under free
Nov 8th 4:30 Dinner at Casa Romantica ______X $40.00 =______
243rd Marine Corps Birthday Ball (Note: We have been invited to attend the active duty 2/4 Birthday Ball in San Diego, on Saturday, November 10. The approximate cost is $85.00 per person. If you will be attending the Ball, please indicate the number of attendees. Once the exact cost is set, you will be notified, and payment will be made at that time. The Ball will be in lieu of our usual final banquet.)
Number of Birthday Ball attendees ______
Reunion Microfleece Jacket: Size: Small__ Med__ Lg__ XL______X $25.00 = _____
XXL___ XXXL______X $25.00 = _____
Notice: Jackets must be pre-ordered when you register.
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*NO JACKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE REUNION*
Grand Total Cost: $ ______
Gen. James Livingston awarded Order of Palmetto
Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston (left), Mount Pleasant Town Councilman Joe Bustos, Mrs. Sara Livingston, Gov. Henry McMaster, Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie and Patriots Point Development Authority Board Member Susan Marlowe.
Major General James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.) of Mount Pleasant, recently observed the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War battle which many believe rescued our country from a communist takeover. He fought in the Battle at Dai Do, which is now textbook material for training in the U.S. Marine Corps. For his heroic actions at the pivotal conflict on May 2, 1968, MG Livingston was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; the highest U.S. military decoration, awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life and above and beyond the call of duty.
Fast forward 50 years, Jim and Sara Livingston's lives and contributions to their community, and South Carolina over the years, have been a model for service beyond the call of duty.
On May 15, MG Livingston was awarded the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto. The Order of the Palmetto is the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor. It is awarded to persons who make contributions of statewide significance.
MG Livingston was recommended for the award by his entire legislative delegation, led by Rep. Lin Bennett and Rep. Katie Arrington. Business and civic leaders, charitable and service organizations, military and veteran’s groups, friends and neighbors wrote letters of endorsement for MG Livingston’s nomination for the award.
A faithful supporter of military and community projects, MG Livingston currently supports the effort to construct a suitable National Medal of Honor Museum on the waterfront site at Patriots Point. He believes the project has the potential to enrich the community, state and nation; much as his military service and civic contributions have impacted the thousands of people he has touched in his lifetime. https://www.moultrienews.com/news/livingston-recognized-at-state-house/article_a0757c66-5aae-11e8-9b7d-43b8bb5d664e.html
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Patriots Point
Patriots Point Foundation is an all-volunteer 501c3 on which Jeff Jacobs serves. Gen. Livingston has graciously permitted them to print a special edition of Noble Warrior with a special cover and a few additional pages that include a video greeting from the General. All proceeds for benefit of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum and veterans. Their current project is 6 seat electric shuttle to bring elderly and disabled visitors from the ticket area to the carrier USS Yorktown.
All copies are signed by Gen. Livingston.
If this is for yourself or any Dai-Do family member, the cost is $30. Shipping anywhere in US is $5 for first book and $3 each for two and up. We regularly sell them for $40 plus the shipping.
The direct order page is www.http://Tinyurl.com/OrderNobleWarrior and payments may be made via credit card or check. If you'd like to send a check, please make payable to Patriots Point Foundation and mail to:
Jeff Jacobs 606 Ocean Blvd Isle of Palms, SC 29451
SECNAV Names Newest Destroyer in Honor of U.S. Marine
USS Gallagher
Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer named the next Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer in honor of Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Navy Cross recipient Lance Cpl. Patrick Gallagher.
In 1966, Gallagher, who immigrated from Ballyhaunis, Ireland in 1962, joined the Marine Corps where he served in H-Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division during Operation Hastings in the Republic of Vietnam.
"Lance Corporal Gallagher is an American hero. His exemplary service in defense of our nation and his strength and sacrifice leaves an example for all servicemen and women to emulate," said Spencer. "His legacy will live on in the future USS Gallagher and his heroic actions will continue to inspire future Sailors and Marines."
Gallagher was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on July 18, 1966, when he selflessly threw his body on an incoming grenade, shielding his fellow Marines. He quickly pitched the grenade to a nearby river where it safely exploded out of harm's way, without injury to himself or others. Gallagher was killed in action one year later in DaLoc near De Nang on March 30, 1967. He is one of only 30 known Irish citizens to have died in the Vietnam conflict.
Arleigh-Burke class destroyers conduct a variety of operations from peacetime presence and crisis response to sea control and power projection. The future USS Gallagher (DDG 127) will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously, and will contain a combination of offensive and defensive weapon systems designed to support maritime warfare, including integrated air and missile defense and vertical launch capabilities. http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=104681
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Freedom’s Flying Memorial
In order to view the restoration and history of YN 19 please refer to Our restoration website is at: http://freedomsflyingmemorial.org/index.html
I think you will enjoy watching the restoration & history. You can see video of the first test flights in the media section. Thanks. Enjoy.
Veterans Pins
I hope that your reunion was a great time of remembrance and camaraderie, and that the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins and Materials were well received.
We here at the Commemoration do our best to ensure that we are thanking and honoring all Vietnam Veterans to the best of our ability.
If you did not receive your pin, please contact Becky Valdez at [email protected].
Once again, Thank you for your service! v/r
SSG Ralph Walton
Vietnam War Commemoration
241 18TH S. SUITE 301
ARLINGTON, VA 22060 http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/ https://outlook.live.com/owa/?path=/attachmentlightbox
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The following memory is from Clint Jacobs in honor of the 5oth Anniversary Event
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I am honored and blessed that Gen. Livingston trusted me to help host his 50th Anniversary of Dai Do Celebration. We had a terrific team that worked well together.
I want to share the following letter with everyone from Pete Winer. His thoughtful words expressed here are the reason we need to continue to gather and share our stories.
Becky,
Here it is, almost Memorial Day, and it seems like just yesterday we were attending the 2/4 50th Anniversary of Dai Do!! 10
Please accept my, and my wife Kathie’s, deepest appreciation for all of the skilled planning and outright effort you and your husband invested into producing such a tremendously successful and meaningful event!
As Kathie and I are part of the “field artillery component” that attended the Anniversary, I have full confidence that I can speak for Joe Como, Joe’s son Allen, Rita Nastri, Pete Acly and his wife, plus all of our artillery friends involved in supporting 2/4 at Dai Do many years ago, but who could not attend due to medical conditions or other reasons.
First of all, you can be satisfied that the Anniversary was absolutely OUTSTANDING!!!
And, secondly, you both can take comfort in the fact that YOUR efforts contributed directly to this outstanding anniversary gathering.
Attending this event, 50 years after the battle occurred, has given us an opportunity to grasp “up close and personal” a better understanding and full realization that the artillery’s efforts supporting 2/4 at Dai Do were significant and important.
Accordingly, all of us are uniquely privileged to be able to say, today - 50 years after Dai Do - that during that short period in April/May ‘68, while supporting 2/4 at Dai Do, we really did “make a difference” by the firing of huge quantities of accurate artillery fire helping to reduce potential casualties within 2/4, while clearing a path for 2/4’s decisive defeat of a significantly larger enemy force. We are privileged to have lived our lives since that time with that knowledge.
We look forward to seeing you both again at future 2/4 events.
Semper Fidelis,
Pete and Kathie Winer
Lt Col USMC (ret)
(then Captain and CO, Battery D, 2nd Bn, 12th Marines, positioned at C3 vic Cam Lo, Vietnam) Lupe Moncebaiz
On Saturday May 26th at 1205 PM one of our own was presented with the El Amistad Award by the El Amistad Club of Round Rock, Texas.
https://veteranshonoredatelamistad.shutterfly.com/
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