To ensure receipt of our emails, please add news@usmc-thebasicschool-1966.com to your Address Book.

Marine Member LEATHERNECK VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS REUNION 2009 OTHER ITEMS

Marines, SEASON'S GREETINGS: MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR Your Board of Directors wishes all members of our Class and their families the very best this Holiday Season and may the New Year bring happiness and success to everyone.

Article November 2009 Leatherneck Magazine One of our classmates, Carl Bergman, an H-34 pilot is featured in this article. Col. Dick Camp, USMC (Ret) wrote the article based on personal interviews and input from another of our classmates, Digger Odell. Digger was the Intel Officer for the 3rd Force Recon Company. The article is entitled "Last Full Measure of Devotion". It involves an 8 man recon patrol, call sign 'Box Score', and their actions commencing on 16 Feb 68 and the ensuing firefights they encountered. The fighting was ferocious and they suffered heavy casualties resulting in only three survivors when they were finally extracted. With gunship and other fire support, two H-34's were involved in extracting the recon patrol, one piloted by Dave Underwood and the other by Carl Bergman. For their actions Dave Underwood received the Navy Cross and Carl received the Silver Star. Given his billet in 3rd Force Recon, Digger wrote the recommendations for all awards for this particular action. To read this article go to the Leatherneck Magazine website and page to the November 2009 edition and search to "Last Full Measure of Devotion". There is also a "podcast" where you can listen to Digger's interviews with the participants.

2011 Reunion There is not a lot to report on the Reunion at this point. We have notified Camp Lejeune and MCAS Cherry Point of our decision to hold our 2011 Reunion at their facilities. We have also notified the New Bern Hilton that we have selected their hotel for our lodging for the period 5-9 Oct 2011. We are awaiting the first draft of their proposed contract. Your Reunion Committee will hold our first Conference Call Meeting probably sometime in February 2010.

2010 Voluntary Dues Again, I want to mention our Voluntary Dues Drive for 2010 which many of you have already contributed to. These voluntary contributions help fund the organization and provide the funds for our annual Charities Contributions. The various levels of support remain the same. Nominal - $25 Incentive: Anchor - $50               Globe - $100               Eagle - $150 Again, dues are strictly voluntary and contributions will be recognized on our website. The check should be made out to "38th OCC/BC 3-66 Alumni". Dues payments should be sent to our Treasurer, Chuck Sooter, at: Chuck Sooter 11932 Yearling Street Cerritos, CA 90703

Skip Storey reported that a gold pen, in a black leather case, was found near his table following the banquet at our October Reunion in San Diego. If anyone lost this item please contact Skip at story2@cox.net. ( Based on a discussion with Dave Wall, we have located the rightful owner of the pen and Skip Storey will return it accordingly.) We have mentioned many times before about the importance of registering with the V.A. relative to Agent Orange. The V.A. has recently added three additional illnesses to their ever growing list of conditions that are connected to Agent Orange exposure. Anyone who served in Vietnam should check with the V.A. and complete their screening process. Given the current Health Care debate, those of us who are members of Tricare for Life should be alert to possible changes. There are many varied opinions as to what may or may not impact Tricare for Life. Not that we can do much about it, but we do need to pay attention. Lastly, Dave Wall and I will be leading another tour to Vietnam for Military Historical Tours from 7-20 May 2010. We will be covering all of I Corps from Quang Ngai to the DMZ. Dave and I have done a number of tours over the last four years and one of our last tours included some of our classmates: Fred Frey, Steve Hinds, Dave Mellon, Chuck Sooter and Mitch Vickers. I am sure they can give you an evaluation of our tour. If you are interested please contact Dave at 603-744-9661 or me at 724-625-8100. Semper Fidelis, Sam

You are subscribed to receive information and updates from the 38th OCC & Basic Class 3-66. Please do not reply to this email. We cannot accept electronic replies to this email address. To contact the sender, write to: Dave Mellon. © 2009 38th OCC & Basic Class 3-66. All rights reserved.