January 2008 Newsletter

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Subic Bay Marines is to perpetuate memories of our duty in the Philippines and to foster camaraderie among Subic Bay Marines at an annual reunion. The Subic Bay Marines will serve as a role model for all Marines, past, present and future.

We will honor our commitment to this mission until there is no longer a Subic Bay Marine standing.

TAPS
We regret to announce the death of the following Subic Bay Marines.
Mr. Stephen E. Carr, 1970 to 1971, Cpl, died 2003 - Reported by his wife, Susan

Mr. Ralph M. Montoya, 1970, Cpl, died 11/06/01- Reported by his daughter, Angela Montoya

Mr. Curtis L. Smallman, 1970, LCpl, died in 1996- Reported by his wife, Bonnie

Mr. Charles L. Cork, 1969, Cpl, died in 2000 from cancer - Reported by his wife Sandra.

Mr. Emery Morgan – 1949-1950, Cpl, - Reported by Mrs. Morgan

Mr. David J. Price , 1957-1959, LCpl,  SepGdCo, died 6 Nov. 2007- Reported by Dennis Smith

Mr. Brian D. Quinn, 1978-1980, Cpl, B" Co,died,  12/10/03 from a heart attack- Reported by his brother, Thomas.

Mr. Douglas L. Weatherman, 00-74, LCpl, died 3/6/96 in Woodbridge, VA- Reported by email wxwoman1.

Billy Thompson, 1964-1966,LCpl,  HqCo , died while skin diving in Guam - Reported by Jim Hernandez

SECRETARY NOTES
2007 Subic Bay Marine Donations
Being a non-profit corporation, we have an obligation to disperse some funds to worthy charitable organizations. In 2006 the Subic Bay Marines gave money to a medication program in the Philippines. For 2007 President Battinelli appointed Dave Seiler and Treasurer Tony Amundsen to coordinate and allocate appropriate funds to the Wounded Warrior’s, Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton, as well as a contribution to the Marine Corps League in CT that sends packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and also to support a book program to Wounded Warriors by the Indiana Marine Corps League.

• We received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Lock City, Detachment #910 of the Marine Corps League for our donation.
• We received a letter of acknowledgement from the Camp Pendleton Armed Service YMCA on behalf of the West-Coast Wounded Warrior Battalion.
• We received a letter of acknowledgement from Hope for the Warrior’s project Camp Lejeune on behalf of the East-Coast Wounded Warrior Barracks 

2008 Donations: Please consider nominations for donations for 2008. Include with your nomination justification and all contact information. These recommendations will be put forward at the business meeting during the 16th annual reunion.

ANNUAL DUES
Our dues year runs from January 1 to December 31. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!  The annual dues are $25.00. These dues pay primarily for the web site, the periodic Newsletters and the recruiting effort. If you are philosophically opposed to paying dues and would wish to make a voluntary contribution to defray expenses, the Subic Bay Marines will appreciate it. Please send checks or money orders to: Subic Bay Marines, c/o Tony Amundsen, 4353 Scenic Dr, Pittsburg, CA 94565.

The Marine Barracks, Subic Bay closed in 1992. If the average age of the typical Subic Bay Marine was say 19, the youngest Subic Bay Marine would be 35 today. Many are much older, but the memories are probably the same for those lucky enough to have served in paradise.
Another fine group of veterans are the Pearl Harbor Survivors. Most probably in their 70’ or 80’s. They gather regularly to rehash their shared experiences on December 7, 1941 and many recently returned to Hawaii to be part of the dedication of the SS Oklahoma memorial. A recent news article advised that the Pearl Harbor Survivors are losing 3 members a day.
        It’s time guys, to think about the shared memories of Subic Bay, to see some of the folks you haven’t seen for years and take part in a fine organization. Our group now also includes the Sangley Point Marines. Probably nothing different but the name. Remember, Subic Bay or Sangley Point, if you were one, you are one. The 16th annual reunion of the Subic Bays Marines is a great opportunity to share those memories. Make your reservations early.

Agent Orange. Over the years several Subic Bay Marines have reported serious medical problems as a result of exposure to the highly toxic Agent Orange that was stored at Subic Bay. After decades of denials, a January 9, 2005 article published by Agence France Presse reported that a government minister in the New Zealand government disclosed that products used to make Agent Orange had been shipped from New Plymouth, New Zealand to Subic Bay in the Philippines during the 1960’s. Any Subic Bay Marine suffering from or believe their medical problems could have come from Agent Orange exposure should go to http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0109-09.htm to review the information disclosed and see if it may provide information you may need. Many thanks to Dave Fernandez for bringing this to our attention.

E-Mail. The e-mail address for the Secretary or for regular Subic Bay Marines business is dmsavage1@gmail.com. Please make a note of it. Always glad to hear from Subic Bay Marines!.

Last Man Out. If you left Subic Bay in November 1992, check the Guest Book entry of 8-27-07 from Chad Fehr. He is trying to arrange a Last Man Out reunion in June 2008 in Billings, MT. Contact Chad at vasndar@frii.com.

Commemorative coins. This was in the last Newsletter.  Response has been terrific with coins being sent all over the world. Many new orders were requested at the reunion, so it will be repeated, should you wish to take advantage of the opportunity – Opportunity never comes, it’s here.

Bob White, 76-77, has acquired some 1½” brass commemorative coins that he will be glad to furnish to you. One side has a Marine Corps Emblem with “Subic Bay Marines” and “Brothers Forever” around the emblem and “A” Co/Hq, Mainside, “B” Co/Separate Guard Co, Cubi Point, and “C” Co/Detached Guard Co, San Miguel on the very outside. Colors are mainly red, blue and gold. The reverse of the coin has the American and Philippine Flags and a colorful jeepney with Marine Barracks, Subic Bay Philippines and 1899 – 1992 around the outside. Pretty neat!! Total cost is $6.00 plus postage. Any profit will go to the Subic Bay General Fund. To order coin or coins, call Bob at 815-544-3932 or e-mail him at bobwhiteludy@aol.com.

The Subic Bay Marines Web Site can be found at http://www.subicbaymarines.com. Check it out. Read the Bulletin Board and Newsletters. Sign the Guest Book. Find friends in the Guest Book and read the comments on one of the finest duty stations available to Marines.

The roster of Subic Bay Marines on the web site will be current as of February 1, 2008.