2021-VMO-6-Reunion

VMO-6 12-15 Oct 2021 Reunion Update # 1

As previously mentioned, our next squadron reunion is scheduled for 12-15 October 2021 (Tuesday afternoon thru Friday morning). It will be held at the Holiday Inn Express, Dumfries, VA three miles north of the Marine Corps National Museum and on the west side of I-95. This is the same hotel we reserved for the 2012 VMO-6 Memorial Dedication and the 2017 Memorial Day event.

The hotel has a large meeting room and has been reserved for our "hootch." Rooms have been blocked at a special daily rate of $89.95 for the reunion and reservations can be made by clicking on Holiday Inn Express VMO-6. The room rates are good for three days prior and three days after the reunion dates. If you are planning or considering attending, please reserve a blocked hotel room. No cost cancellations can be made by 9 October.

Reunion Plans:

- Meet and Greet with beverages and finger food in the hootch first night (Tuesday)

- Tour the National Museum of the Marine Corps (new wing and exhibits were recently opened)

- Wreath laying at the VMO-6 Memorial (in remembrance of the 66 squadron members fallen in combat operations)

- Tour Semper Fidelis Memorial Park (many new memorials since 2012)

- Briefing at HMX-1 and tour of MV-22 Tiltrotor (Osprey) (approved but based on not interfering with mission requirements)

- Trip to and tour of National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA (tentative)

- Two squadrons dinners (Wednesday & Thursday)

A sign up sheet with costs of the planned activities will be sent in a forthcoming reunion update.

Squadron Trivia. Two trivia questions were In the December 2020 email on saving the date for our next reunion. Following is a repeat of the questions with answers.

1. What is the date of VMO-6's first activation? On 1 December 1920, Flight 3d Air Squadron was established at Marine Barracks, Quantico, VA. After a couple of redesignations in the early 1920s, the squadron was renamed Division 1, Observation Squadron 6 on 1 July 1927.

2. How many and what are the names of general officers (GOs) who were members of the squadron during their career?

o LtGen Norman E. Ehlert (flew H-1s in '65-66)

o LtGen Willam R. Maloney (CO, 23 Jul '67 - 26 Mar '67)

o LtGen William J. White (CO, 17 Sep '67 - 24 Mar '68, also VMO-6 pilot as a Captain in Korea)

o MajGen Victor A. Armstrong (XO in Korea, http://www.epnaao.com/BIOS_files/DECEASED/Armstrong-%20Victor%20A.pdf)

o BGen John C. Arick (flew H-1s in '66-'67)

o BGen Coleman D. Kuhn, Jr. (flew H-1s in '69-'70)

o BGen Lloyd W. Smith (AMO, flew H-1 s in '67)

o BGen Jerry E, Ward, USMCR (flew H-1s in '69-'70)

[If a GO is missing from the list, please let me know. Only Generals Airck and Kuhn are still living.]

Additional information on the reunion will be provided in the next update. Please make plans to attend and reserve a hotel room.

Semper Fi,

Ed Kufeldt

ed@kufeldt.com

(703) 250-1514

From: Lance Reinke

Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2021 3:25 PM

To: lsreinke@hotmail.com

Subject: VMO-6 Reunion Update # 1

Attached is a pic of the certificate as it now stands. If you have any suggestions for improvement, email me. BGen John Arick has agreed to sign the certificates. We hope to present them at the VMO-6 reunion in October 2021 in Washington, DC.

Semper Fi , Best wishes, and Merry Christmas, Bobby Thatcher

UPDATED 10 Sept 21

SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATE #6

AND LATEST SIGN-UP FORM.

UPDATE 15 MARCH 2021

On 1 January 1977, VMO-6 was deactivated. The date is 44 years since anyone was assigned to the squadron and the number of living members is rapidly declining. Perhaps this reunion may be the last time that a good number of us will gather together to share stories and enjoy comradery. Since some surviving spouses and relatives of KIA members would like to attend this reunion, I am extending an invitation to them to join us.

As previously mentioned, the reunion is scheduled for 12-15 October 2021 (Tuesday afternoon thru Friday morning). It will be held at the Holiday Inn Express, Dumfries, VA three miles north of the Marine Corps National Museum and on the west side of I-95. The hotel has a large meeting room and will be our designated "hootch." for our gathering place. Rooms have been blocked at a special daily rate of $89.95 for the reunion and reservations can be made by clicking on Holiday Inn Express VMO-6. The room rates are good for three days prior and three days after the reunion dates. No cost cancellations can be made by 9 October.

In addition to the reunion plans as previously outlined and shown below, we plan to recognize the bravery and support of the crew chiefs and door gunners during combat operations. Bobby Thatcher is leading this effort and designed the below draft certificate to be presented to individuals by a general officer at the dinner on Thursday, 14 October. To ensure all are recognized who qualify for the certificate, Bobby is requesting self and fellow member nominations from crew chiefs and gunners. Additionally, anyone can submit a nomination and request a certificate for a member not attending the reunion and for a deceased member. If interested in receiving a certificate, requests should be made to Bobby at bobby@thatchers.org, phone number 559-674-0710.

Reunion Plans

Meet and Greet with beverages and finger food in the hootch first night (Tuesday)

Tour The National Museum of the Marine Corps

Wreath laying at the VMO-6 Memorial in remembrance of the 66 squadron members fallen in combat operations

Tour Semper Fidelis Memorial Park (https://www.marineheritage.org/semperfidelismemorialpark.html)

Briefing at HMX-1 and tour of MV-22 Tiltrotor (Osprey). (Status: approved but based on not interfering with mission requirements)

Trip to and tour of National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA (tentative)

Two squadrons dinners (Wednesday & Thursday)

Your Follow-up Actions

Make plans to attend reunion

Make hotel reservation

Submit request as appropriate to Bobby Thatcher for crew chief/gunner certificate

Celebrate Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29th in accordance with Public Law 115-45 enacted in 2017.

Forthcoming updates will include names of planned reunion attendees, names submitted for certificate, and activities sign-up sheet with costs.

Semper Fi,

Ed Kufeldt

ed@kufeldt.com

(703) 250-1514

VMO-6 Reunion Update #3 (A) May 9, 2021

Squadron Members, Family, & Friends,

We are approaching five months before gathering at the next reunion scheduled for 12-15 October 2021. Based on emails and phone calls, there is excellent interest in attending the event but currently only 16 hotel rooms have been reserved as of May 1st. Although not counting those who said they will be attending, the following made hotel reservations as of May 1st. Most squadron members will be accompanied by a spouse, relative, or friend.

BGen John Arick

Rick Ault

John Boden

Dave Bushlow

Rod Croft

Art Friend

Jerry Garner

Pete Greene

Chip Jones

Ed Kufeldt

Bill Mohilla

Dave Schoenherr

Bobby Thatcher

KD Waters

Steve Wilson

Not listed but with a hotel reservation is Stuart Beeney. He and others from the UK are members of the "Bird 18 Project" and they have been invited and will be attending. Information on the project has been previously disseminated but if you are unfamiliar with it, checkout the website www.MAG36-UK.org. John Boden visited them in 2019 and has high praise for their accomplishments, craftsmanship and actions honoring VMO-6.

Again, the reunion is scheduled for 12-15 October 2021 (Tuesday afternoon thru Friday morning). It will be held at the Holiday Inn Express, Dumfries, VA three miles north of the Marine Corps National Museum and on the west side of I-95. The hotel has a large meeting room and will be our designated "hootch." for our gathering place. Forty rooms have been blocked at a special daily rate of $89.95 for the reunion and reservations can be made by clicking on Holiday Inn Express VMO-6. The room rates are good for three days prior and three days after the reunion dates. No cost cancellations can be made by 9 October. The sooner you make a reservation, the better the plans to accommodate all attendees.

Reunion Updated Plans

- Tuesday

- Arrive hotel, 3901 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, VA 22025, phone # (703) 441-9001

- Meet and Greet in Hootch, beginning 1600 hours for beverages, snacks, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, and other items

- Wednesday

- Meet at Semper Fidelis Memorial Park Chapel, 18900 Jefferson Davis HWY, Triangle, VA 22172 (https://www.marineheritage.org/semperfidelismemorialpark.html)

- Proceed with bagpiper to VMO-6 Memorial

- Lay wreath at the VMO-6 Memorial in remembrance of the 66 squadron members fallen in combat operations

- Guided tour of Semper Fidelis Memorial Park (https://www.marineheritage.org/semperfidelismemorialpark.html)

- Docent tour of The National Museum of the Marine Corps (https://www.usmcmuseum.com/)

- Mid afternoon board chartered bus to HMX-1

- HMX-1 briefing and tour of MV-22 Tiltrotor (Osprey) (https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/hmx-1/About/)

- Board bus return to museum

- Dinner at Italian Restaurant (1 mile from hotel)

- Thursday

- 0900 Board chartered bus to (45 minute ride) and tour of National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA (https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center)

- 1400 Board chartered bus return to hotel

- Dinner & honoring crew chiefs and gunners, location TBD

- Friday -- On your own; depart

As mentioned previously, Bobby Thatcher is leading the effort to recognize the bravery and support of the crew chiefs and door gunners during combat operations. He has accumulated a large listing of qualifying squadron members and in a soon to be released email they will be listed along with additional information. Anyone can submit a nomination and request a certificate whether attending or not attending the reunion and for a deceased member. If interested in supporting the project, requests should be made to Bobby at bobby@thatchers.org, phone number 559-674-0710. For those attending the reunion, they will be honored at the Thursday squadron dinner.

DRAFT

If you received this email, you, your family and friends are invited to attend the reunion. If you haven't committed, please consider coming. Since numbers of squadron members are decreasing, this may be our last large gathering. Also, call your squadron friends and those interested in the squadron and come as a group. We have a good database of squadron members, but yet we don't have all of them and you may be surprised that some of your friends did not receive the notification of the reunion. Please don't hesitate to forward this information to them.

Semper Fi,

Ed Kufeldt

ed@kufeldt.com

(703) 250-1514

UPDATE #4 JUNE 13, 2021

Squadron Members, Family, & Friends,

This is the June update for the upcoming reunion scheduled for 12-15 October 2021. Included in this update are additional details and information for submitting a sign-up form and a check for food and services. First, I am pleased to report that as of June 10th, 35 hotel rooms have been reserved which has doubled since the last update. By my count, over 60 people currently plan to attend and I'm hoping to meet my goal of 75 or more in the next few months.

The following have reserved a room or indicated they will be staying with another person or commuting from their home:

Ed Alexander

BGen John Arick

Rick Ault

Stuart Beeney (from UK and Bird 18 Project)

John Boden

Gary Bright

Dave Bushlow

Rod Croft

Art Friend

Richard Ethier

Jerry Garner

Gerardo Gonzalez (relative of Cpl Rodolfo Gonzalez, KIA 14 Nov 1966)

Pete Greene

Patricia Izzi (friend of Richard Ethier)

Chip Jones

Jim King

Ed Kufeldt

Whitey Meydag

Bill Mohilla

Mike Pearson

Barney Ross

Richard Sasnett

Dave Schoenherr

Lou Sessinger

Ashby Shoop

Steve Sipes

Garrison Southard (Korea VMO-6)

Bobby Thatcher

Red Trivette

Dave Tunmire

Joe Turner

Pamela Unger, LtCol USMC (Pete Greene's daughter)

KD Waters

Steve Wilson

Again, the reunion is scheduled for 12-15 October 2021 (Tuesday afternoon thru Friday morning). It will be held at the Holiday Inn Express, Dumfries, VA three miles north of the Marine Corps National Museum and on the west side of I-95. The hotel has a large meeting room and will be our designated "hootch" for our gathering place. Forty-five rooms have been blocked at a special daily rate of $89.95 for the reunion and reservations can be made by clicking on Holiday Inn Express VMO-6. The room rates are good for three days prior and three days after the reunion dates. No cost cancellations can be made by 9 October. The sooner you make a reservation, the better the plans to accommodate all attendees.

Reunion Plans

TUESDAY:

Arrive Holiday Inn Express, 3901 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, VA 22025, phone # (703) 441-9001

1600 to 2200: Meet and Greet in Hootch (ground floor), and enjoy beverages, snacks, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, and other food items.

WEDNESDAY:

Hotel complimentary breakfast or Cracker Barrel 1/4 mile at own expense.

0830: Travel on your own to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis HWY, Triangle, VA 22172 (https://www.marineheritage.org/semperfidelismemorialpark.html)

0900: Meet in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park Chapel

Proceed with bagpiper to VMO-6 Memorial

Lay wreath at the VMO-6 Memorial in remembrance of the 66 squadron members fallen in combat operations

Taps played by bugler

Marine Corps Hymn played by bagpiper

0930: Tour Semper Fidelis Memorial Park

(https://www.marineheritage.org/semperfidelismemorialpark.html)

1030: Docent tour of The National Museum of the Marine Corps (https://www.usmcmuseum.com/)

Lunch on your own in Tun Tavern or Mess Hall, museum 2nd floor

1530: Board chartered bus in front of museum to HMX-1

1600: HMX-1 briefing and tour of MV-22 Tiltrotor (Osprey) (https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/hmx-1/About/)

1730: Board bus return to museum

1830: Meet at Giorgio's Family (Greek) Restaurant wine & beer wine bar (1 mile from hotel) (https://giorgiosfamilyrestaurant.com/)

1900: Buffet dinner

Hootch open till 2300.

THURSDAY:

Hotel complimentary breakfast or Cracker Barrel 1/4 mile at own expense.

0900: Board chartered bus in front of hotel to (45 minute ride) and tour of National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA (https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center)

1400: Board chartered bus return to hotel

1500-1700: Hootch beverages with reunion attendees

TBD Dinner & honoring crew chiefs and gunners (currently examining three proposals)

FRIDAY:

Hotel complimentary breakfast or Cracker Barrel 1/4 mile at own expense.

Depart on your own.

If you are not familiar with our reunions, they operate under the shared cost concept. We do not have membership dues nor a fund to support these gatherings. The attached sign-up sheet outlines some of the costs and the requirement for each reunion participant to pay their fair share. Not mentioned in the signup form is the cost of obtaining a Virginia State three day liquor license, set-up costs for the food served and beverages in the hootch, and other incidental requirements. The assessed cost includes all gratuities for restaurants and chartered bus driver services. Please complete the sign-up sheet and submit per the instructions.

Bobby Thatcher is working diligently on the certificate project to recognize the bravery and support of the crew chiefs and door gunners during combat operations. His initial listing of recipients was depicted in my email of 28 May. In a couple of weeks, an updated listing will be sent that contains input from squadron members. Anyone can still submit a nomination and request a certificate whether attending or not attending the reunion and for a deceased member. If interested in supporting the project, requests should be made to Bobby at bobby@thatchers.org, phone number 559-674-0710. For those attending the reunion, they will be honored at the Thursday squadron dinner.

If you haven't made plans to attend the reunion, please do so by the 12th of September. During the 30 days prior to the reunion, I have reports and updates to submit such as submission of names of reunion attendees to Marine Corps Base for clearance to travel to HMX-1 and finalization of numbers of people to the bus company. If you have questions or clarification of any information, please don't hesitate to call me or send an email.

Semper Fidelis,

Ed Kufeldt

ed@kufeldt.com

(703) 250-1514

UPDATE #5 JULY 23, 2021

Squadron Members, Family, & Friends,

Update Takeaways:

As of July 20th, 42 hotel rooms have been reserved and 71 people are now planning to attend.

Additional information is needed on each attendee in order for group bus travel on Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico and HMX-1 visit. (details below)

Thursday night dinner will be at Montclair Country Club. (outstanding venue)

All plans are in place except for group tickets at the National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center because they are not available until 60 days prior to the visit.

Completed sign-up form with check must be submitted by 12 SEP 2021.

Confirmed Reunion Attendees. The following have reserved a room or indicated they will be staying with another person or commuting from their home. An asterisk before the name indicates receipt of the sign-up form.

*Ed Alexander

*BGen John & Terry Arick

Rick Ault

Stuart Beeney (from UK and Bird 18 Project)

John Boden

Dick Boston

*Dave Bushlow

KC Carlon

Rod Croft

Art Friend

*Richard Ethier & Cindy Jones

Jerry Garner

*Jug & Tine Gerard

Gerardo Gonzalez (relative of Cpl Rodolfo Gonzalez, KIA 14 Nov 1966)

Pete Greene

Patricia Izzi (friend of Richard Ethier)

*Chip Jones

Jim King

*Ed & Kathy Kufeldt

Whitey Meydag

*Mitch & Betsy Mitchell

*Bill Mohilla

Karen Myslinski (friend of Richard Ethier)

Mike Pearson

Barney Ross

Richard Sasnett

Dave Schoenherr

Felephia Scribner (friend of Richard Ethier)

Lou Sessinger

Ashby Shoop

*Steve & Kathy Sipes

Garrison Southard (AO Korea VMO-6)

Bobby Thatcher

*Red Trivette

Dave Tunmire

Joe Turner

Pamela Unger, LtCol USMC (Pete Greene's daughter)

*KD Waters

Steve Wilson

Hotel Reservations. The reunion is scheduled for 12-15 October 2021 (Tuesday afternoon thru Friday morning). It will be held at the Holiday Inn Express, Dumfries, VA three miles north of the Marine Corps National Museum and on the west side of I-95. The hotel has a large meeting room and will be our designated "hootch" for our gathering place. Forty-five rooms have been blocked at a special daily rate of $89.95 for the reunion and reservations can be made by clicking on Holiday Inn Express VMO-6. The room rates are good for three days prior and three days after the reunion dates. No cost cancellations can be made by 9 October. The sooner you make a reservation, the better the plans to accommodate all attendees.

Reunion Plans

Tuesday

Arrive Holiday Inn Express, 3901 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, VA 22025, phone # (703) 441-9001

1600 to 2200 Meet and Greet in Hootch (ground floor), and enjoy beverages, snacks, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, and other food items

Wednesday

Hotel complimentary breakfast or Cracker Barrel 1/4 mile at own expense

0830 Travel on your own to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis HWY, Triangle, VA 22172 (https://www.marineheritage.org/semperfidelismemorialpark.html)

0900 Meet in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park Chapel

Proceed to VMO-6 Memorial led by bagpiper (J. R. Arthur, LCdr USN (Ret)

Lay wreath at the VMO-6 Memorial in remembrance of the 66 squadron members fallen in combat operations

Taps played by bugler (member of the MCB Quantico Band)

Marine Corps Hymn played by bagpiper

0930 Tour Semper Fidelis Memorial Park (https://www.marineheritage.org/semperfidelismemorialpark.html)

1030 Exhibit tour of The National Museum of the Marine Corps (https://www.usmcmuseum.com/)

Lunch on your own in Tun Tavern or Mess Hall, museum 2nd floor

1530 Board chartered bus in front of museum to HMX-1

1600 HMX-1 briefing and tour of MV-22 Tiltrotor (Osprey) (https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/hmx-1/About/)

1730 Board bus return to museum

1830 Meet at Giorgio's Family (Greek) Restaurant wine & beer wine bar (1 mile from hotel) (https://giorgiosfamilyrestaurant.com/)

1900 Buffet dinner

Hootch open till 2300

Thursday

Hotel complimentary breakfast or Cracker Barrel 1/4 mile at own expense

0900 Board chartered bus in front of hotel to (45 minute ride) and tour of National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA (https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center)

1400 Board chartered bus return to hotel

1500-1700 Hootch beverages with reunion attendees

1730 Meet at Montclair Country Club Clubhouse Bar for cocktails (cash bar) (1.2 miles from hotel) (https://www.montclaircc.com/)

1815 Dinner & honoring crew chiefs and gunners

Friday

Hotel complimentary breakfast or Cracker Barrel 1/4 mile at own expense

Depart on your own

Group Bus Travel on MCB Quantico. In order to get approval, I need to submit by October 1st the first, middle initial, and last name of all reunion attendees including spouses and guests. Additionally, for active, retired, and former military members, I also need the highest rank achieved. The attached sign-up form has provisions for inclusion of this information so please use this form. For those who already submitted the old sign-up form, I will separately obtain the missing information if I don't have it.

Financial. If you are not familiar with our reunions, they operate under the shared cost concept. We do not have membership dues nor a fund to support these gatherings. The attached sign-up sheet outlines some of the costs and the requirement for each reunion participant to pay their fair share. Not mentioned in the signup form is the cost of obtaining a Virginia State three day liquor license, set-up costs for the food served and beverages in the hootch, and other incidental requirements. The assessed cost includes all gratuities for restaurants and chartered bus driver services. Please complete the sign-up sheet and submit per the instructions.

Certificates. Bobby Thatcher is working diligently on the certificate project to recognize the bravery and support of the crew chiefs and door gunners during combat operations. Soon an updated listing will be sent that contains input from all members. Anyone can still submit a nomination and request a certificate whether attending or not attending the reunion and for a deceased member. If interested in supporting the project, requests should be made to Bobby at bobby@thatchers.org, phone number 559-674-0710. For those attending the reunion, they will be honored at the Thursday squadron dinner.

Summary. If you haven't made plans to attend the reunion, please do so by the 12th of September. During the 30 days prior to the reunion, I have reports and updates to submit such as submission of names of reunion attendees to MCB Quantico and HMX-1, and finalization of numbers of people to the bus company and restaurants. If you have questions or clarification of any information, please don't hesitate to call me or send an email.

Semper Fidelis,

Ed Kufeldt

ed@kufeldt.com

(703) 250-1514

REVISED, UPDATED 2021 REGISTRATION FORM. USE THIS FORM TO REGISTER.

VMO-6 2021 Reunion Update #6 with Sign-up Form (A)

Squadron Members, Family, & Friends

Update Takeaways:

As of August 20th, 43 hotel rooms have been reserved and 7 blocked rooms remain.

A ticket will be provided to each attendee to see "We, the Marines" a 26 minute film narrated by Gene Hackman in the museum Medal of Honor Theater, on Wed. Aug. 13th at 1430.

The National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center does not currently provide reservations but does allow bus groups to attend. FYI, on display is a HO5S-1 helicopter flown in Korea with VMO-6 markings.

Completed sign-up form with check must be submitted by 12 SEP 2021. (For current submissions, please use the attached form with requirements for full names and highest rank when separated from military service.)

*Ed Alexander

*BGen John & Terry Arick

Rick Ault

Stuart Beeney (from UK and Bird 18 Project)

*John Boden

Dick Boston

*Dave Bushlow

KC Carlon

*George Castellon

*Art & Carylon Friend

*Richard Ethier & Cindy Jones

Jerry Garner

*Jug & Tine Gerard

Gerardo Gonzalez (relative of Cpl Rodolfo Gonzalez, KIA 14 Nov 1966)

Pete Greene

Patricia Izzi (friend of Richard Ethier)

*Chip Jones

Jim King

*Ed & Kathy Kufeldt

Whitey Meydag

*Mitch & Betsy Mitchell

*Bill Mohilla

*Karen Myslinski (daughter of Richard Ethier)

*Andy Olson

* Mike & Liz Pearson

*Tony Pecoraro

Barney Ross

*Robert & Emma M. Ritorto & son Giovanni Muriente

Richard Sasnett

*Dave & Marge Schoenherr

*Selephia & Ronald Scribner (friends of Richard Ethier)

Lou Sessinger

Ashby Shoop

*Steve & Kathy Sipes

Bobby Thatcher

*Todd Todt

*Red Trivette

*Dave & Betty & son David Tunmire

Joe Turner

Pamela Unger, LtCol USMC (Pete Greene's daughter)

*KD Waters

Steve Wilson

Hotel Reservations. The reunion is scheduled for 12-15 October 2021 (Tuesday afternoon thru Friday morning). It will be held at the Holiday Inn Express, Dumfries, VA three miles north of the Marine Corps National Museum and on the west side of I-95. The hotel has a large meeting room and will be our designated "hootch" for our gathering place. Forty-five rooms have been blocked at a special daily rate of $89.95 for the reunion and reservations can be made by clicking on Holiday Inn Express VMO-6. The room rates are good for three days prior and three days after the reunion dates. No cost cancellations can be made by 9 October. The sooner you make a reservation, the better the plans to accommodate all attendees.

Reunion Plans

Tuesday

Arrive Holiday Inn Express, 3901 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, VA 22025, phone # (703) 441-9001

1600 to 2200 Meet and Greet in Hootch (ground floor), and enjoy beverages, snacks, Chick-fil-A sandwiches, and other food items

Wednesday

Hotel complimentary breakfast or Cracker Barrel 1/4 mile at own expense

0830 Travel on your own to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, 18900 Jefferson Davis HWY, Triangle, VA 22172 (https://www.marineheritage.org/semperfidelismemorialpark.html)

0900 Meet in Semper Fidelis Memorial Park Chapel

Proceed to VMO-6 Memorial led by bagpiper (J. R. Arthur, LCdr USN (Ret)

Lay wreath at the VMO-6 Memorial in remembrance of the 66 squadron members fallen in combat operations

Taps played by bugler (member of the MCB Quantico Band)

Marine Corps Hymn played by bagpiper

0930 Tour Semper Fidelis Memorial Park (https://www.marineheritage.org/semperfidelismemorialpark.html)

1030 Exhibit tour of The National Museum of the Marine Corps (https://www.usmcmuseum.com/)

Lunch on your own in Tun Tavern or Mess Hall, museum 2nd floor

1430 Viewing of We, the Marines in the museum Medal of Honor Theater

1530 Board chartered bus in front of museum to HMX-1

1600 HMX-1 briefing and tour of MV-22 Tiltrotor (Osprey) (https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/hmx-1/About/)

1730 Board bus return to museum

1830 Meet at Giorgio's Family (Greek) Restaurant wine & beer wine bar (1 mile from hotel) (https://giorgiosfamilyrestaurant.com/)

1900 Buffet dinner

Hootch open till 2300

Thursday

Hotel complimentary breakfast or Cracker Barrel 1/4 mile at own expense

0900 Board chartered bus in front of hotel to (45 minute ride) and tour of National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA (https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center)

1400 Board chartered bus return to hotel

1500-1700 Hootch beverages with reunion attendees

1730 Meet at Montclair Country Club Clubhouse Bar for cocktails (cash bar) (1.2 miles from hotel) (https://www.montclaircc.com/)

1815 Dinner & honoring crew chiefs and gunners

Friday

Hotel complimentary breakfast or Cracker Barrel 1/4 mile at own expense

Depart on your own

Certificates. Bobby Thatcher is working on the certificate project to recognize the bravery and support of the crew chiefs and door gunners during combat operations. Soon an updated listing will be sent that contains input from all members. Anyone can still submit a nomination and request a certificate whether attending or not attending the reunion and for a deceased member. If interested in supporting the project, requests should be made to Bobby at bobby@thatchers.org, phone number 559-674-0710. For those attending the reunion, they will be honored at the Thursday squadron dinner.

Semper Fidelis,

Ed Kufeldt

ed@kufeldt.com

(703) 250-1514

UPDATE LAST 2021

9/21/21

This email is sent only to the scheduled reunion participants. Some of this information will not be included in a handout when you arrive and you are requested to make a copy of this email and bring it with you.

Hotel Arrival. The Holiday Inn Express is at 3901 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, VA 22025, phone # 703-441-9001. It is located west of I-95 exit 152B. Per the hotel instructions, check-in begins at 1500.

After hotel check-in and at a small table close-by the counter, Art Friend and his wife Carol will welcome you. They will:

- Indicate your arrival on a reunion attendee roster.

- Obtain your room number (needed in case of emergency).

- Provide a name tag to each person.

- Obtain a signature from each attendee on Notice of Inherently Dangerous Activity (first attachment). A copy of the form will be provided by Art or Carol at check-in.

I realize the form is about live firing aboard Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, however, a signed form is also required to visit HMX-1 on Wednesday, 13 October afternoon. Please read the form before arriving and be prepared to sign one when checking in.

- Provide to each couple or single attendee a handout of the reunion itinerary with ticket(s) to the viewing of We, The Marines on 13 October, and other information.

- Provide instructions on the location of the hootch.

- Obtain your lunch choice for the Thursday visit to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum (see below discussion).

NOTE: Signing the MCB Quantico form is a must because I have pre-certified I have a signed document for each person. If you choose not to sign the form, you will not be allowed to travel to HMX-1 on Wednesday afternoon.

Hootch:

The hotel conference room will be our hootch. It is located on the ground level around the left side when facing the check-in counter and will open at 1600 on Tuesday. A variety of wine, beer, water, sodas, and snacks will be available. Beginning at 1730 and periodically through 2000, Chick-fil-A will deliver chicken sandwiches, chicken wraps, and salads. Other food items will also be available. Donations made on the sign-up form provide the food and drinks served in the hootch.

Restaurants:

In case the food in the hootch is inadequate, across from the hotel and less than a five minute walk you will find a Chick-fil-A (no inside dining) and an IHOP (has inside dining). If you wish to make a five minute drive, there are three in-side dining restaurants including a Cracker Barrel.

Dress/Attire:

Coats, ties,and formal wear are not required. Other dress/attire suggestions are:

- Hootch -- casual.

- Wednesday memorial service, museum tour, HMX-1 visit & tour -- slacks (jeans ok) and collared shirt.

- Wednesday evening Giorgio's Restaurant -- casual with collared shirt.

- Thursday Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Chantilly, VA visit & tour -- casual.

- Thursday Montclair Country Club dinner -- slacks (no jeans) and collared shirt.

Masks.

Wearing a mask whether vaccinated or not because of COVID-19 and variants is required on:

Wednesday -- 0900 gathering in the Semper Fidelis Chapel.

Not required for walking to the memorial and memorial service

Wednesday -- anytime approaching and in the Marine Corps National Museum

Wednesday -- anytime on the bus and visiting/touring HMX-1

Thursday -- anytime on the bus and visiting/touring the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Weather:

October is generally dry in Northern Virginia. During your stay, temperatures are forecasted in the mid 70s during midday and upper 50s at night.

Handicapped:

For the Wednesday memorial service, the Marine Corps Museum can provide a volunteer driven golf cart for those needed to be carried from/to/return to the chapel and VMO-6 Memorial (about a 10 minute walk). However, I need to know how many to order. If you need this service, please let me know by the 4th of October. The commercial buses will accommodate ADA requirements for the visit to HMX-1 on Wednesday and Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum visit on Thursday. At the museum, a large number of no-charge wheelchairs are available upon entering the complex.

Lunch at National Smithsonian Air & Space Museum:

We are scheduled to be at the museum from 10:00 to 1400 on Thursday. Because of COVID, the museum food service is closed. However, popcorn, small snacks, and sodas/water can be purchased but must be eaten outside the complex. As a solution, I'm proposing you make a sandwich of your choice of deli sliced ham, roast beef, or turkey with selected cheeses and condiments on Thursday morning in the hootch prior to departing on the bus. You will be able to wrap your sandwich and store it in a cooler taken on the bus. Sodas and water and bagged snacks from the hootch will be provided. The museum has an excellent picnic area on the southern side of the complex and the bus will pick-up at a designated time, take passengers to the picnic area, and return to the museum after lunch. This process should take about 30 minutes.

List of Attendees:

As shown on the second attachment, 68 people will be attending the reunion. Two additional guests will be at the Thursday night dinner at the Montclair Country Club.

Your Actions:

Send me an email by Oct. 4th if you need golf cart transportation to/from Wednesday's memorial service .

Be ready to sign the Notice of Inherently Dangerous Activity form upon arrival.

Upon arrival be prepared to choose your lunch food for Thursday's visit to the Air and Space Museum.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in three weeks.

Semper Fidelis,

Ed Kufeldt

ed@kufeldt.com

(703) 250-1514

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