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. 2 Bastard 6 Memorial Day Message 3 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 4 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. 5 *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.