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Marine Member

Marines, Here is my report to you on the 2009 Reunion that concluded on October 11th. The Reunion was attended by 64 Classmates and 43 guests for a total attendance of 107 - and a great time was had by all. If you weren't in San Diego, please ensure you hold the dates for the 2011 Reunion, which will take place in New Bern, NC, October 5-9, 2011, and get there with your significant other! First let me report on the Biennial Membership Meeting which was held on Saturday morning, October 10th. Early in the program, Steve Bowen, Jack Sheehan and Al Stefl lead a Remembrance Ceremony for our 32 Classmates, who died in Vietnam. Board members, Dave Wall, our Past-President, Steve Bowen, Mike Janay and Al Stefl, who have all given of their time and exceptional talents and decided not to run for re-election, in order to allow other Classmates to serve on the Board. The Officers and the Committee Chairs, reported the progress made in their areas of responsibility. The members of the 2009 Reunion Planning Committee were introduced and their unique contributions were explained. Enough can't be said about the contributions each to the success of the Reunion:       Bernie Allen       Andy Blenkle      Rick Cleland       Terry Cox          Dave Mellon        Digger O'Dell       Mike St. Clair    Chuck Sooter      Skip Storey       Earl Wentworth The Reunion Committee put together an outstanding program. We were able to observe the Fox Company, 2/7, 1st MARDIV doing small boat raid training at the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group-Pacific, a tour of the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum and the graduation ceremony for India Company at Marine Corps Recruit Depot-San Diego. Next, the Membership elected the Board Members, who will serve terms from 2009 through 2013:       Andy Blenkle      Pete Clay      Larry Edwards       Tom Howe          Terry Lewis    Jack Sheehan       Darrell Wells The Membership, then, elected the Officers to serve through the next Reunion in 2011:       President - Sam McClinchie       Vice President - Mike St. Clair       Clerk - Steve Snyder       Treasurer - Chuck Sooter       Sgt-At-Arms - Tom Howe The Membership then voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of Sam McClinchie and Dave Wall as endorsed by the Board to hold the next Reunion in New Bern, NC. The concluding event of our Reunion was the Banquet. It opened with a Color Guard from Ceremonial Marines, MCRD-San Diego presenting the Colors. After dinner, on behalf of our Class, I presented a $5,000 check to Wendy Lethin, Director of Community Relations for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. In order to put a face on the Marines that IMSFF helps, Wendy introduced Gy/Sgt Nick Popaditch, USMC (Medically Retired). Nick, who has written a book, "Once a Marine" and is running in the June 2010 Primary for the 51st Congressional District in California, gave a truly inspirational speech describing his service, injuries and the assistance he received from IMSFF. It was truly a highlight of the Reunion. In closing, I want to thank you for allowing me to lead our Class for the past two years. It was a great journey and terrific learning experience. I was particularly fortunate to have a great group of guys (2009 Reunion Committee) step forward when I asked if they would be willing to serve. We had a lot of fun preparing for the Reunion and overseeing its execution. It was definitely a team effort, and all should receive the Navy/Marine Commendation Medal. It is now time to pass the guidon, to your new President, Sam McClinchie. Sam was a suitemate at Basic School, so I know him well. He will do an outstanding job of leading our organization. It is worth pointing out that our entire TBS Suite (McClinchie, Miller, Mellon and Merrihew) attended this reunion. We collectively issue a challenge to all those who attended TBS to gather your whole surviving suite together and attend the 2011 Reunion in New Bern, NC October 5-9, 2011. See you there! Semper Fidelis Dave

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