The Marines of

The Basic School, 1-67

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Quantico, Virginia was the destination for 181 Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenants (and 4 1st Lieutenants!) in June 1966, for "The Basic School". Almost all newly graduated and commissioned, we knew it would be an interesting and possibly difficult 21-week experience before our "real" active duty assignments.

Almost all of us became good friends with one another, whether our term of duty was brief, tragically cut short, or for 40 years.

29 years after we started, after much talk and procrastination about finding everyone and possibly having a reunion, a "TBS 1-67 Bulletin" was published and sent to 11 guys. 10 months later, the list of contacts had grown to more than 80 and there was a tentative plan for a reunion.

In June 1996, we had our first reunion, based at the Alexandria, VA Holiday Inn, through the hard work and great organizational skills of Bob Lange. In spite of a brief advance warning, 25 of us gathered with spouses, kids, and friends. On June 13, the "advance group" visited the evening parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial. The next evening, the full crew went to the Marine Barracks Evening Parade at 8th & I. The next day we toured Quantico, the Vietnam Memorial, and got together for a banquet.  The story is below.

Our class has had two more reunions, in 2001 and 2006.  Those stories are also below.

We have found 130 guys from TBS 1-67. 28 of our classmates have passed away. We're still looking for 27 more former Marine officers. If you are reading this and know any former Marines, please check these lists and let us know what you know - Thanks!

TBS 1-67 Classmates Located

TBS 1-67 Classmates Not Yet Located

Deceased TBS 1-67 Classmates

Bulletin No. 40

The annual roster, listing all members of TBS 1-67 with known and current contact information, was published on December 7, 2009 by email to 106 classmates and sent to all other guys with contact info on December 18 - 130 in total.  It's marked as Volume X, No. 3. If you were in this TBS class and did not get a Bulletin, send me an email.  If any information was wrong, send me updates. Yes, this was the 40th Bulletin, first published in 1995.

Bulletin No. 39

This Bulletin, Volume X No. 2, was posted to this website and notices sent by email on November 5, 2009 with the Commandant's Birthday message, other Birthday greetings and news. The Bulletin was mailed to all contacts without email. The total mailing was to 129 guys. If you ddid not get one and think you should, email me. If you were in this class, send updates and news!

Andy Vaart sent a report and photos from Arlington on November 11:

Happy Birthday to all (I'm a bit tardy, sorry). I've attached four scenes from a visit to Arlington today--as I stopped by to visit the resting places of Tom King and Tom Wall, and Jerry Zimmer's memorial stone. Happened to be there at the same time as the President. Somber day--given recent events - and somber weather. Semper fi, Andy

Bulletin No. 38

An issue with the Memorial announcement (below) was published on July 31, 2009 by email to 104 guys.  It's marked as Volume X, No. 1. Mailed copies were sent, starting August 6. If you don't get one and think you should, email me. If you were in this class, send updates and news now!

Jerry Zimmer Memorial, August 20, 2009

Report from Hays Parks (August 22):

"...I assume you saw the e-mail a while back about the memorial service for Jerry Zimmer, and reference to the article by his wife, Elaine, in the June 2009 issue of Leatherneck.

The memorial service was this past Thursday.

Never have the Marines done better. The drive through Arlington was long, in all likelihood because we had to depart the reception center to provide the room to others attending a later service, and we in turn were in a holding pattern to permit another service to conclude and depart our memorial service location.

En route, at each intersection stood a lone Marine, resplendent in dress blues, saluting. It was a typically hot and humid Washington summer day. You could not tell it by looking at these Marines. By this act they -- and our Corps -- was saying 'We honor our lost fellow Marine. We may not know him, and his body may not be here, but that does not matter. He is one of ours who gave all.'. I was glad I was alone in my car. I was in no condition to talk.

Arriving at the memorial service site and emerging from my car, I was moved by the sounds of the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps playing the slow, mournful version of the Marine Corps Hymn. I walked slowly to the pace of the music to stand at attention next to Bill Hatch.

Standing before us was the Drum & Bugle Corps, a platoon of 8th & Eye Marines, a color guard, six Marines holding an outstretched American flag over a patch of ground, a Marine standing nearby with the MIA flag, and a Navy chaplain.

The service followed the program for a funeral at Arlington, including presentation of the smartly- folded flag to Elaine, the volley of shots, followed by Taps. It differed in that there was a headstone in memory to Jerry, to which we all turned.

If you have read Elaine's article, you'll know this was not closure. The search for Jerry's remains is still on-going and, thanks to the persistence of Elaine and others, may be closer to success than previously thought possible. But Thursday's memorial service meant a great deal to those who were able to attend.

Over the years I have attended probably close to a hundred funerals at Arlington National for friends, brothers-in-arms, and relatives. None touched me as deeply as did Thursday's memorial service for Jerry. And never has being a Marine meant so much, witnessing the professionalism the uniformed Marines displayed for a Marine whose remains still lay in the soil of that country in which we served four decades ago.  To the Marines of the color guard, Eighth & Eye, and the D&B, it did not matter. Their actions spoke louder than any words, saying, 'He is with us, and we honor him and his sacrifice'.

Semper Fidelis,

Hays"

We received an email invitation, sent to all TBS 1-67 email addresses, in May:

"You have been invited by Craig Zimmer & Elaine Zimmer Davis to CAPT JERRY A ZIMMER, USMC, MEMORIAL SERVICE.   We hope you will join our family as we pay tribute to Capt Jerry A Zimmer, USMC, on the 40th Anniversary of his death in Vietnam, Aug. 29, 1969.  Please visit the EVENT WEB PAGE (http://event.pingg.com/JerryZimmerTribute) for more details and a URL on the web page linked to Jerry's website.  We hope to see you at the service.

ELAINE & CRAIG

Date: Thursday, August 20th, 2009 - 12:30pm

Location: Arlington National Cemetery & Reception at Fort Myer Officers Club."

Bulletin No. 37

The annual roster, listing all members of TBS 1-67 with known and current contact information, was published on December 17, 2008 by email to 104 guys.  It's marked as Volume IX, No. 4. Send updates now!

Bulletin No. 36

This Bulletin, Volume IX No. 3, was sent by email on November 7, 2008 with the Commandant's Birthday message, other greetings and news. The revised bulletin was posted on November 21 and then mailed to all contacts without email or an unacknowledged email address. The total mailing was to 129 guys. Later messages brought the email contacts to 104 of the 129 - excellent! 

Four TBS "alumni" assembled at the Flying Leathernecks Museum, MCAS Miramar on November 15.  It was great to see Ron Hellbusch, Skip Curtis and Jim Scott.

Bulletin No. 35

This Bulletin, Volume IX No. 1, was sent by email on July 31, 2008. There was a revised bulletin posted on August 15, which was then mailed to all contacts without email or an unacknowledged email address.  The total mailing was to 129 guys.   

Memorial Bricks at the National Museum of the Marine Corps

Mission Accomplished!

From Andy Vaart:

We accomplished the mission today: In formation were: Mike Wholley, Hays Parks, Dave Martin, Al Buescher, John Pope, Hon Lee, Dick Hulslander, and me.

I delivered checks from 38 people to cover the cost of 31 bricks - 27 in tribute to our deceased brothers and four others, one simply identifying B Company and saying Semper Fidelis, one dedicated to the Marines We Led, another to All Fallen Marines, and one to Those Who Made Marines of Us.

Ron Christmas gave a rundown about the next phase of construction, including a chapel, trail system, which our bricks will adorn, children's playground, new entry way, possible office building for Marine associations - there are many - and a hotel, set up in partnership with some commercial organization.

We retired to Tun Tavern in the museum to enjoy a lunch at the bar and generally felt like we were home.

Images below.

Andy

Click on images below for full-size photo

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At Tun Tavern

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"What a distinguished bunch of Marines. "

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"You lookin' at the same gaggle I'm lookin' at ????"

"With one exception.  Some drunk aviator kept stepping in front of me claiming to be the world's best fighter pilot...."

Andy further reported:

Hon and I took John Pope and Dick Hulslander to visit the classroom in TBS with our sand tables. The two officers we encountered while there, one the OOD (a First Lieutenant) and one a third lieutenant, with not the least bit of a hint, emphatically thanked us for the tables and told us about their frequent use. That felt good to hear--and I have to say again, it's hard to imagine we looked as good as they do at that point in our lives. Someone tell me we did!

Background

In October 2007, Hays Parks suggested a new memorial project for our class members by email:

"The Marine Corps Museum is expanding (long planned), and is selling more bricks.  They're 300 dollars each. The bricks line the sides of the sidewalk.

I'd like to see a brick for each of our KIA/MIA classmates, perhaps resting next to one another,  with name and "B Co. TBS 1-67," perhaps also with 'KIA Viet Nam (and date)'."

All members with email have been contacted and early response was very good by the end of November.  Contact Hay Parks or Andy Vaart (see your contact list for email or phone numbers) for more information and current status of this project.

All who want be in this project should send their checks, made out to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, to Andres Vaart. Andy will consolidate the checks and deliver them with Hays to the Foundation so that these bricks can lie in an honored B Company formation when the installation takes place - another year or more. Andy and Hays will also work with the Foundation to get letters to the givers for their tax purposes next year.

Update

In early February, Andy announced:

Gentlemen:

I believe we have reached the collection intermediate objective in this operation. The results are attached.

We are good for 26 bricks, five of them in tribute to or memory of groups: All Fallen Marines, All B Co. Deceased, B Co. Wounded, B Co. Families, and Marines We Led.

Please look over and make sure, if you can—Hays, I know you are on the road--that I have got it right. I’ve completed forms for all the stones, but they are easily changed if you think something ought to be different or if I have missed someone or misspelled something (a major fear on my part).

Many thanks and Semper fi,

Andy

And on February 13, there was a plan!

Gentlemen,

I’ve rolled the Date Dice again to try to get a few more to a presentation of our checks to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for the memorial brick project. Photographer will be present. I hope I haven’t lost anyone from the first go round.

Gen. Christmas will meet with all of us who can make it on 18 March at 1100 in his office in Dumfries (address to follow, though it is on the MCHF Web site). From there, those of us with the time—I hope all—will decamp for the Museum and Tun Tavern for lunch and leisurely first visit or revisit.  Our delegation will be led by the inspiration for this project, Hays Parks, and our senior officer, Mike Wholley.  I will assign seats in Gen. Christmas’ conference room—just kidding, I know you are not that easily managed.

All from out of town are more than welcome: I could accommodate at least two in our home in Reston. Perhaps others can help, as well.

Carpool arrangements highly encouraged.

Please let me know if you are on board. This IS the date and time, unless Gen. Christmas develops a conflict.  

Semper fi,

Andy

Thanks Andy for a great job and to Hays for a great idea!

Bulletin No. 34

This Bulletin, Volume VIII No. 3, was sent by email on December 18, 2007. Revised bulletins were posted daily until a mailing started in late December.  The total mailing went to 129 guys. Happy Holidays to all!  

Bulletin No. 33

This Bulletin, Volume VIII No. 2, was sent by email on July 9, 2007. A revised, final Bulletin edition was published on July 13 and sent as follows: 73 delivered and acknowledged by email, 52 sent by USPS mail. Of these, 23 guys have/had an email address, but not acknowledged, so these will be mailed also. There are 125 B Company members on contact list, but we still don't have contact information on 32 guys.

The TBS 1-67 Memorial Dedication, February 12, 2007

From Andy Vaart:

The dedication took place as scheduled on 12 Feb. The sand tables in oak and ash glory were there, built on solid steel frames with wheels. Eight approximately 10x12 tables were completed, along with one triply large and low-level one. Photos will be on our website soon.

In attendance from B Company were Larry Gerlach, Larry Karch, Mike Wholley, Hays Parks, Dave Martin, Bill Hatch, Ken Burns, Hon Lee, John Astle, and I.

Attending from TBS were the CO, Col. Royal Mortenson, the XO, Lt Col(?) Geracoulis (who hosted us last June),  members of the staff and two platoons from Foxtrot Company, the senior class on deck (though senior is a relative term). The group looked young, and it was, but I was told later that about a third of them had prior enlisted service--and most likely combat duty.

Hon Lee was the duty photographer, and I'll post his photos as soon as I can. In the meantime, the following is the dedication speech I gave. I hope it adequately reflects the feelings of all those who contributed to this effort.

Alert Notice:

Situation: Young Marines learning their craft and culture and past Marines, still learning, will gather on February 12 to dedicate the spirit of the Corps as reflected in the service and sacrifice of the officers of B Company, TBS 1-67.

B Company Mission:

Show the young how we remember our comrades and how we care about our successors.

Execution:

  • Gather at Heywood Hall, by 1115 on 12 February.
  • Assemble in Heywood Hall, Classroom 4 for 1130 Dedication
  • 1200 to 1300 Lunch with 2nd Lts. Location TBS
  • 1300 Free time - for visit to USMC Heritage Center for those with the time. Visit with CIA rep turned out not feasible on this date.

Administration:

  • Uniform of the day: dress appropriate for the moment: business suits or sports jackets (with or without tie).
  • Carpooling is encouraged (I'll be making a couple of calls to help facilitate) although parking spaces will be set aside for enough cars if only two or three of us share rides.
  • Communication: AV cell phone: 703-869-2690.
  • TBS POC is Public Affairs Officer Major Jennifer Goodard 

The Main Table

Build Crew and WO Crew Leader

The Presentation

Background:

At the end of the June reunion, there was unanimous consent of the reunion group to use the $1,200 surplus of operating funds as a start towards a memorial to our class at the Basic School.  Andy Vaart took the lead on this project and after discussions with the basic School leadership, the group and later with the Marine Corps University Foundation, a very short (3 week) fund drive kicked off.  The goal was $6,000 for 6 "sand tables" to aid tactical training.  Very quickly, we had a surplus and Andy reported:

"Seeing nearly unanimous approval for passing the money to the Marine Corps League's Hospital Program, I sent $2,500 to the Marine Corps League and another $250 to the related Heart of a Marine Foundation, which provides orthopedic canes to Marines, soldiers, and sailors in need of them--the standard-issue "candy" cane is inadequate for many who have suffered injuries to their hands as well, and the USG won't provide them for some bureaucratic reason. I've attached PDFs of the letters I sent with the checks. 

Here are the final numbers:

  • 44 B company members gave $10,000 (including our original $1,200 surplus)
  • 6,500 to Marine Corps University Foundation for sand tables. Ceremonial issues being discussed.
  • $2,500 to Maryland Department of the Marine Corps League for its Hospital Program.
  • $250 to the Heart of a Marine Foundation."

Thanks to all!

Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund

John French wrote in mid-December:

"You might be interested to hear that I have become very involved with a group called Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.  It raises money to help families of the seriously wounded Marines visit their sons/husbands etc. in the hospitals.  Healing needs to have the family close by and most enlisted families can't afford housing and food.  The Fund has been so successful that the mission has been expanded to include buying  things like wheelchairs and vans etc for the wounded.  I have really liked connecting with this group especially the wounded Marines themselves."

Thanks John - sounds like a worthy project for other to check out.

Bulletin No. 32 (and 31)

The annual "all hands" list issue, #32, was sent by email on December 2 and will be mailed on December 8, or close to then.  Bulletin #31 was a short update on the TBS Memorial fund drive - if you missed the opportunity to contribute, we're planning to set up an account for on-going projects, so contact Andy Vaart.

Tom Wall - 2006

Just three weeks after we left each other at the Reunion, our cheerleader extraordinaire, Tom Wall, left us all.  He promised us a great ceremony at Arlington and it's scheduled for July 24.  A message from Marybeth and photos of Tom are here.  Andy sent the following on July 11:

All,

For those of you who can find the time to make it to Arlington to participate in Tom Wall's interment, the following is some detail. I intend to be there, and for anyone coming from the western Fairfax County area, I'm happy to sweep up participants on the way in. Just give me a call at 703-869-2690.

"TO: Friends of Tom Wall

FROM: Jacquie Ellis, Irvine Chamber of Commerce

DATE: June 26, 2006

RE: Services at Arlington National Cemetery

The Arlington National Cemetery service for our friend Tom Wall will be held on Monday, July 24, 2006 at 11:00 a.m.  Everyone attending is asked to report to the Administrative Service Building at 10:30 a.m., in your car.  The service will proceed from that point."

Semper fi,

Andy

40th Reunion!

It was a great time for all who came to this Reunion in DC, at the Army-Navy Club, June 2 through 4, 2006.  Everything went like clockwork (from my perspective!) for the usual events, Parade at 8th & I, a bus trip to Quantico and the Vietnam Memorial, dinner, breakfast and farewells!  New events included a Thursday evening reception at the ANC and a tour of the Supreme Court.  Many thank to Andy Vaart, Woody Sadler, Chuck Vogt and Mike Wholley for the great planning and execution, especially for picking this new venue (See the announcement published by Andy).  Updates to the original plan were in Bulletin No. 29, mailed early May. We are still collecting stories and photos! From the early planning and the musically inclined, here's the music to an old Marine Corps tune. And an announcement of a change to Saturday's reception. Woody did a great job on the "rare" Reunion polo shirts and may still have a few to mail at a very good price.

Watch the mailbox for the next Bulletin and here's an advance look at Andy' collages (click for larger image):

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Eighth and I

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Reunion 2001

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Reunion 1996
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1st Platoon - Then and Now

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2nd Platoon - Then and Now

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3rd Platoon - Then and Now

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4th Platoon - Then and Now

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In Memoriam

Bulletin No. 30

This issue is being sent by e-mail on July 14, 2006 and will be followed a few days later by regular mail. Happy Bastille Day!

Bulletin No. 29

This issue had news about the reunion, classmates and the lyrics to "Song of the Marines".  Make sure you know these for the reunion.  The Bulletin sent by e-mail on May 5, 2006, followed a few days later by regular mail.

Also, read the story from the Los Angeles Times about our very own Tom Wall.

Bulletin No. 28

An issue with holiday greetings and general news was sent by e-mail on November 10, 2005, followed a few days later by mailings from our "distribution net".  Thanks guys!  I was off enjoying the roads in New Zealand.

Bulletin No. 27

This is an "all-roster" issue and was completed on June 20.  The roster seems fairly well updated, even as new guys find us - such as Curt Twiddy, through Kathy, in mid-May. We also "re-located" Dan Phipps. The Bulletin was e-mailed on June 20 and copies by US mail were sent June 30-July 2.

Alan McLean

We lost our reunion chaplain and good comrade, Al McLean, on February 11, 2005. A link to news reports is below. Al will always be remembered and we've sent our sympathies to his wife, Betsy.

Al McLean's Passing

Mike White and the Tsunami

One of our classmates, Mike White, had his car rental business severely damaged by the Indian Ocean tsunami.  Here is Mike's email reply to an inquiry about his well-being:

Mike White email, January 4, 2005

Bulletin No. 26

It was finally sent in March, after a first draft in late December, but an attempt to include all recent news conflicted with travel and the delay was considerable. The Bulletin is not even an "annual"! But with only a year before intense planning must begin before the 40th Reunion, we'll expect more in 2005.

Bulletin No. 25

We barely got a single edition done during 2003 - mailed December 30!  This was primarily an updated roster of the entire class, with addresses and contact info for the 125 "still located" class members - sent by regular mail.  As soon as corrections seem to be complete - new email and regular addresses - a revised version will be sent as a "pdf" file to all known guys with email.

Bulletin No. 24

It missed all the forecasts, but Bulletin No. 24 was sent to all the guys just before Christmas.  Oh yeah, December 2002!

But there was sad news to report.  Jim Hadjuk sent a notice from the Purdue alumni news that Terry Bache passed away last Fall.  Further checking found that Terry's wife, a successful author, also mentions his passing on her web site, when writing about the publication of her book:

But the excitement of that good news was canceled out by Terry's sudden, unexpected death of a heart attack while on a hike in the South Carolina mountains. Shortly after that, Ellyn returned to live and work in her family home on the North Carolina coast.

Our condolences to Ellyn and Terry's family.

Bulletin No. 23

Shortly after the latest Bulletin hit the mail, our 35th reunion was recognized in the Marine Corps Gazette, December 2001 issue, in the article "TBS Reunion" by Hays Parks.  A very nice story which provided some tips for other TBS classes.  Thanks to Hays and Jack Glasgow, the Gazette editor!

The "all data, fall special" Bulletin, Volume 6, No. 1, was assembled by editor Bob, duplicated and mailed in mid-November by Tommy Thompson.  Again, much thanks to Tom!  We won't burden the post office until 2002. 

Really tremendous news about Richard Daerr - he was awarded a very much delayed Silver Star for heroism in May, 1967 while a platoon commander in the 3rd Marine Division.  The long delay was caused by records that were destroyed in Vietnam.  The award was made at Texas A&M University on September 14, 2001. Congratulations, Dick!

Bulletin No. 22

Another Bulletin was done by editor Bob, duplicated and mailed on July 24 by Tommy Thompson.  Much thanks to Tom and Mike Wholley for sending more than 100 digital photos from the Reunion, but who are all these people?!

35th Reunion - It was great, or "Whoops, we did it again!"

The 38 of us who made the trek to Alexandria VA in June, 2001 are all back at home, making sense of the activities, stories and memories of "Reunion II".  And there are a few tales on this website already.  Our Reunion polo shirts were great - although we never agreed on the "color of the day" - and we now have a TBS emblem patch which will also be available for future shirt orders.  But on the adage that a "picture is worth a thousand words", take a look at:

Mike's Reunion Photos

and

Andy's Reunion Photos 

Andy Vaart reports:

"You'll hear much more from Bob Schmitt and others about our gathering this weekend. None of us regretted being there, and all of us missed those of you who could not make it. Everyone was grateful for the photos and bio clips many of you sent. I will use them as we pull together the cruise book--and I'm still open to submissions.

The troops who were there have begun thinking about Reunion III (a rumor of Hawaii is floating around) and hope you will, too. The link above will send you to a quick look at the B Company 35th Anniversary Reunion. Many more photos will follow in the days/weeks to come. But for now perhaps you will find those I've posted as rejuvenating as we found the experience. Semper fi!"

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Our 35th Anniversary Reunion - a group photo in the TBS Sand Room!

Click here for the story of Reunion II!

Our planning for Reunion II started on November 1, 2000, when Jack Glasgow announced: "I just had the pleasure of hosting a planning meeting for our 35th reunion. Present were Mike Wholley, Bob Lange, Andy Vaart, and yours truly. I have Hays Parks on the "addee" list,  because if he weren't on a trip today, he would be working with our Reunion Committee."  As of May 30, 2001, 37 deposits for Reunion II had been sent to Bob Lange - it looked like a great event was shaping up!

Bulletin No. 21

The final alert message on the 35th Reunion was sent out in Bulletin No. 21 on May 17, 2001 to 126 guys on the mailing list.  Russ Harrison checked in just in time to get recognized in this issue.

Before the end of May, we got a confirmed address for Terry Bache in South Carolina and Ed Eloe also called in from Colorado.  Welcome aboard!

Bulletin No. 20

Yes, hard to believe, but our Twentieth Issue mailed about the same time as my taxes, April 15.  How's that for multiprocessing?  It had more reunion news and many updates on our "alumni".  Also news that TBS member Number 120 has turned up, Gil Game in South Carolina.

Just a few weeks after this issue was mailed, Chuck Vogt had a friend research our list of the "missing alumni" and we made further contacts to 14 "possibles".  Five of these contacts have firmed up - Tom Drummond, Ron Laughlin, Ken Shumate, Jim Spinks and Phil Zeman.  We're waiting for phone calls or return mail from the other 9.  Thanks Chuck!

Bulletin No. 19

The first batch of this Bulletin was mailed February 26, 2001 and all 118 issues will be in the mail before March 1!  Our "located" count is up to 119 guys with the addition of a current address for Ed Lawrence.

Bulletin No. 18

Our apologies to the Post office, but the latest Bulletin was mailed on December 17 to 117 guys to send seasonal greetings and more news on the Reunion.  There were also a few new and/or changed addresses. And here is the first page - A Proper Marine Corps Christmas.

Just after this issue was put in the mail, I heard from Tom Pierpan with an address for Jim Orr, so his Bulletin is now heading to Kansas!

Bulletin No. 17

It was mailed to 115 guys on November 6-7 to announce that the Reunion will happen!  We heard from Tom Thomson, who sent along an address for Ed Michael and confirmed that Tom Crew, Walt Horsfall and Ed were in NROTC at Northwestern U.  Thanks for the updates, Tom!

A short time later, Bob Lange sent contact data for Dick Esler and he is now among our "located".  Bob, Dick & Russ Harrison are all Southern Cal alumni.

Bulletin No. 16

The "all data, summer special" Bulletin was sent by mail during the first week of August, 2000.  Thanks to some great tips from the guys with email, we added four more guys to the "located" list - and the lists linked below have been updated with miscellaneous bits of info about the guys located and still not found.

Since the initial mailing of No. 16 Bulletin, three more addresses have turned up - for Richard Daerr, Bob Hawks, and Lance Zellers.  Welcome to the "active" list!

Bulletin No. 15

Volume 4, No. 1 was mailed to 108 guys in early July, 2000.  This issue was primarily news about TBS 1-67 members, with only a few email addresses and other updated contact information.  The next issue (see above) was planned to be an updated roster, with addresses, phone and email for all known "B" Company members.

In this issue, the concept of "Reunion 2001" was surfaced.  It's hard to believe that four years have passed by since our 30th reunion.  Because the Reunion depends so much on leader(s)/coordinator(s), the location, date and events will probably be entirely up to the volunteer(s) who step up to this task - we have no organization, formal or otherwise!  However, contributions for the Bulletin and Reunion are welcomed!

Just a few days after this Bulletin was sent, Tom Wall was "re-located"!  The count is up to 109.

Bulletin No. 14

Volume 3, No. 2 was sent to 94 guys during the last days of December, 1999.  This issue was primarily news about TBS 1-67 members, including updated contact information.  There was also a story about Kevin Trainor's acquaintance with Earl Smith's young cousin, Joel Bate, and the family interest in hearing from those of us who remembered Earl.  His roommate in TBS, Cam Smith contributed his thoughts, as did Andy Vaart.   Kevin later wrote that the family appreciated our memories and writings.

Six weeks after the Bulletin was mailed, John Kaheny of "A" Company sent a note.  Through him, Chuck Vogt was located and we have a lead on Ross Reeves.  Thanks, John!

Right after that, we heard from Rich Hodory and were able to add 10 more names to the TBS contact list! The Bulletin was then mailed to check addresses for the following - if they pan out, that's 106 guys contacted, 55 to go!  The new contacts were:

Al Buescher, E.J. Connelly III, John Hickman, Glenn Hill, Dan Phipps, Larry Springer, Joe Thomas, Jim Turse, R. M. Zell and John Gordon Jr.

We later heard from Glenn Hill and Jim Turse.  Glenn is at the Marine Military Academy and reports that Bill Johnson is in Pennsylvania, so we hope to hear from him.  Jim is in New England, after many years in Honolulu.  Although we don't have a current address for Tom Wall, I've heard he's in Orange County (CA) and on the El Toro development committee.

Finally, in June, just as we started Bulletin No. 15, we heard from Mike White, now running a business in Thailand.  I must visit to scout locations for Reunion 2001!

Bulletin No. 13

Volume 3, No. 1 was mailed to 91 guys in July, 1999.  This was an "all addresses" issue that provided contact information for TBS 1-67 members. Since mailing No. 13, we received updates to the data in that Bulletin by e-mail and from the USPS.

Dave Taylor reported in by e-mail with a current Florida address and speculated that Pete Millichap is in Atlanta and Bob DeLuca in Texas.  We confirmed addresses for both.  We also have updated contact info from Larry Karch, Dick Hulslander, Walt Walsh, Ed Hinkle, Rich Hodory and Jim Henderson.  The web tables have been updated. Nice to hear from and about you guys!

Bulletin No. 12

We published a Bulletin in December, 1998. As a result of this issue No. 12, Dan Kuhn was located in Cincinnati and John Wegl in Alexandria.  Tom Nequette has sent some promising leads for a few other guys.

Just after the 11th "B Company Bulletin" (the newsletter) was printed on April 3, 1998 another classmate was added to our roster, Rev. Alan McLean in Pine Bluff, AR. He and Jim McClung attended the 30th Anniversary Siege of Khe Sanh tour, March 10-23.  Soon after, Bob Lange forwarded John Oppenhuizen's current address in Yorktown. Great news!

94 copies of Bulletin No. 12 were sent out and three issues came back with outdated addresses. We don't have a current location for Tom Wall, Ed Lawrence or Richard Daerr.

30th Reunion

Our 30th Anniversary Reunion banquet group photo!  A group photo and a link to other pictures from our 35th reunion is above.

TBS167-ReunionI.jpg (re-scanned, 7-4-2001)

Andy Vaart has copies of the 30th Reunion Cruise Book - contact him or check the next paragraph to download a copy.

This web site will someday tell the story of "Reunion I" and more about our class, but currently we are providing a record of who has been located, who is yet to be found and our classmates who are no longer with us.  The "Cruise Book" for the 30th Reunion can be viewed or downloaded (a pdf file*) in three parts, Volume I , Volume II and (of course) Volume III.

In General

Please send me any news of TBS 1-67. It will be in the next regular issue of the Bulletin, forecast for March, 2010.

Bob Schmitt

Contact me at bsbrbank@pacbell.net or
tbs167@gmail.com

This page was last updated on December 18, 2009

 

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