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.
SEMPER FI!
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Kudos to Steve Yagasits and Chuck Vitek. Thanks to Marie and Ofie for their support. Great job –
Great trip to Subic. The hospitality shown us as usual was outstanding. The Filipinos are great people
as we all know. A well deserved thanks to My Wilson and his congenial staff for the enjoyable stay
at the Subic International Hotel, morning brunches and the traditional banquet. Low key but very
enjoyable. Also thanks to Major Norcroff, USMC, the Marine Attaché who represented the
Ambassador. The real highlight of the trip was a reunion of Chaplain Bill and Barbara Boots with the
Aquino family in the local barrio. Bill had lost track of them all of 45 years. There was laughter,
prayers and tears. Bills comment “God is so Good” was just wonderful.
Now, on to Norfolk. Hope to see all of you there. Details below. God Bless and Semper Fi. We’ll
give ‘em hell tomorrow.
George Lunt, 53-55 / 57-60
SPECIAL REUNION TRIP TO SUBIC BAY
In March 2004 has been successfully completed. This trip was similar to the one in 1999, including
the same tour guide. Activities included visiting all portions of Subic Bay and Olongopo, as well
as side trips to Corregidor, the former NavCom Station at San Miguel, cock fight arena, Manila, the
American Embassy and a “boys night out” in Subic City. Reports are that all had a good
time.
Attending were Jim Bunning and daughter Rebecca (born in the Cubi Hospital), Mr & Mrs Ken Alley,
Mr & Mrs Tony Amundsen, Fred Axthelm, Mr & Mrs Bill Boots, Dave Provencher, Bill Huggins,
George Lunt, Mr & Mrs Bill Thompson, Bob Schafer & Gloria Wentzel, Mr & Mrs Bob White,
Mr & Mrs Craig Elston, Mr & Mrs “Yogi” Ibarra, “JR” Castro and lastly,
the planners and coordinators for this trip Mr & Mrs Steve Yagasits and Chuck Vitek. On behalf
of the Subic Bay Marines and the attendees, many thanks to Steve and Chuck for all of their work on
this trip.
THE 12TH ANNUAL REUNION OF SUBIC BAY MARINES
will be held from Wednesday September 29th through October 3rd, 2004
at the Hilton Norfolk Airport Hotel, VA. Rooms have been set aside for $79.00 per night, plus tax,
single or double occupancy. Rates will be honored 2 days before and after the reunion dates. Call
the hotel direct at 1-800-422-7474 to make hotel reservations. Mention you are attending the Subic
Bay Marines reunion.
A courtesy van, running every half hour from 5AM to 12AM, is available to and from the Norfolk International
Airport. There is ample free parking and also room for parking RV’s. All rooms have cable TV,
coffee makers, hair dryers, irons, and ironing boards. Local newspapers are delivered Monday through
Friday.
Bill Brod and Dave Coe are the reunion coordinators The following optional
tours are available:
Tour A – Colonial Williamsburg/Jamestown Island. Thursday,
September 30, 2004 from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. This will be a two part guided
45 mile bus tour with the first portion being a walking tour (4-5 blocks) through the restored area
of this lovely colonial capital city. The second portion will be to the original site of the first
permanent English settlement in America in 1607 on Jamestown Island. Exhibits include ruins of the
17th century settlement, a 15 minute film, archeological finds, including the 400 year old skeletal
remains of one of the first settlers. Both Williamsburg and Jamestown Island have gift shops, etc.
This is possibly a historical tour you won’t want to miss. Cost is $36.00 per person.
Tour B – Spirit of Norfolk Harbor Cruise and MacArthur Memorial.
Saturday, October 2, 2004 from 10:30 AM – 3:30PM. Another two part bus tour
opportunity beginning with a 2 hour luncheon cruise Hampton Roads, views of the waterfront as well
as aircraft carriers and other naval vessels at the Norfolk Naval Base. The MacArthur Memorial offers
a glimpse into our country’s history where you may view artifacts, documents, photographs
and other memorabilia that trace the life and times of five star General Douglas MacArthur. Cost
is $59.00 per person.
Tour C – Riding tour of Norfolk, Norfolk Naval Base Tour, lunch
included at Breezy Point Officer’s Club, Nauticus and Battleship Wisconsin. Sunday, October
3, 2004 from 10:00 – 5:00 PM. Learn about Norfolk’s colorful 320-year-old
history as the guided bus tour proceeds through historic and restored areas. The Norfolk Naval Base,
the largest naval installation in the world, is headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet, homeport of
over 100 ships, 26 aircraft squadrons and over 100,000 military personnel. The tour will go past
the piers and through the Naval Air Station. Next is Norfolk’s premier attraction, Nauticus,
the National Maritime Center which features ingenious interactive exhibits, shows and theaters.
The USS Wisconsin, BB-64, is berthed beside Nauticus and tours of the main and two upper decks are
available to explore. Special Note: When visiting military installations, you must
have a picture ID (drivers license, military ID, Passport) and no bags other than pocketbooks or
camera cases. All persons are subject to search. Please do not bring knives, scissors, etc. Cost
is $42.00 per person.
Tour D – Possible tour of a military facility is pending for
Friday, Oct 1, 2004.
NOTES on optional tours. These tours are all being arranged through a private
tour company. Reservations and payment will be made direct with the tour company. Deadline for reservations
and receipt of funds is September 9, 2004. Last minute participants will be accommodated on a space
available basis only and ticket prices on site will be an additional $3.00 per person. No phone
orders or credit cards will be accepted. Reserve your place for the applicable tour by sending your
reservation form and full payment by September 9, 2004.
Late Note – Our reunion coordinating committee requests each guest in Norfolk
bring something to raffle off or be auctioned at our banquet. Also, the deadline for the Optional
Tours offered by Phillips Tours, Inc, is September 9, 2004. Make your travel and room reservations
early.
SPECIAL NOTE - HELP NEEDED
A 60 year old Subic Bay Marine from Dec 65 thru Jun 67 advises he was exposed to Agent Orange,
improperly stored. He now has cancer, has lost his right kidney, urethra, and part of his bladder.
His claim with the VA has been denied. The VA claims no Agent Orange was stored on or at Subic Bay.
If anyone receiving this notice has information about Agent Orange being stored on or at Subic Bay,
please notify the Secretary as soon as possible and I shall transmit your address, e-mail,
or whatever please notify the Secretary as soon as possible and I shall transmit your address, e-mail,
or whatever to the Marine that desperately wants to be in contact with you. Thanks.
TAPS
We regret to announce the death of the following Subic Bay Marines.
Bobbie S. Buchanan, ’82-’83 “B” Co – KIA Beruit, Lebanon 198? –
Reported by Chuck Vitek/Jim Maroon.
Richard H. Burton, ’65-’66 - Died Oct, 2002 from lung cancer – Reported by Chuck
Vitek & wife Sandy Burton.
Paul W. Dyer, ’66 - Died 3-1-87 – Reported by Chuck Vitek.
Robert P. Halsema, Cpl, ’71- Died January 2004 – Reported by Chick Vitek and wife Mary
Jo Halsema.
Glen Heifner, ’53 - Died Jan 14, 2004 in Arlington, TX – Reported by George Lunt and
Bill Brown.
Carl Kulp, 59-60, PFC HqCo – Died from a heart attack about 1993 – Reported by Ray Snyder.
Richard D. Muller, LCpl ’61’62 – Died March 14, 1995 from a heart attack. Reported
by Chuck Vitek and wife Dianne Muller.
John A. Nicolosi, Jr, Cpl, HqCo ’73 – Ret’d MGySgt Nicolosi died August 2002 –
Reported by Chuck Vitek and wife.
Aimeamata S. Peapealalo, GySgt ’71-’72 SepGd & DetGdCos – Ret’d MGySgt
of Oceanside, CA died 2002/2003 – Reported by Chuck Vitek.
Don G. Phelan, 2dLt, ’45-’46 – Ret’d Maj Phelan of Citrus Heights, CA died
March 12, 2001 – Reported by wife Anne Phelan who also noted that he had found a Japanese Nambu
Machine gun which ended up at the base of the Barracks flagpole.
Arthur L. Roberge – ’48-’49 – Died July 30, 2003 from cancer – Reported
by Chuck Vitek & Paula Ruiz.
Hiram E. Williams, LCpl, ’71 – Died 1977 in truck accident - Reported by Chuck Vitek
& Donna Williams.
Melvin R. Kunkel, Sgt, ’49 - Ret’d SSgt Kunkel died July 9, 2001 – Burial n Arlington
Nat’l Cemetery - Reported by his wife, Winifred Kunkel.
John M. Bowers, PFC, ’65 – KIA 3-21-66 – Reported by Chuck Vitek from names on
Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Larry D. Butler, PFC, ’65 – KIA 9-21-68 – Reported by Chuck Vitek from names on
Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Victor (n) Hale, LCpl, ’65 – KIA 12-8-68 – Reported by Chuck Vitek from names on
Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Thomas Johnson, PFC, ’65 - KIA 3-5-66 – Reported by Chuck Vitek from names on Vietnam
Memorial Wall.
John H. McCarthy, Cpl, ’65 - KIA 2-25-68 – Reported by Chuck Vitek from names on Vietnam
Memorial Wall.
Melvin F. Sink, PFC, ’65 - KIA 10-13-67 – Reported by Chuck Vitek from names on Vietnam
Memorial Wall.
Florentino Tafoya, LCpl, ’65 - KIA 11-4-67 – Reported by Chuck Vitek from names on Vietnam
Memorial Wall.
James A. Wood, LCpl, ’65 – KIA – Reported by Chuck Vitek from names on Vietnam
Memorial Wall.
Editor’s Note: The ¾ size traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall recently
visited Oceanside, CA. Very impressive. People lined up for 3 blocks to get a look. As Marines,
many of our names could have been on that wall. Makes you remember when times were different.
I believe it appropriate for us to also remember that many Marines are in
harm’s way at this time. My daily paper seems to have an obituary for a Camp Pendleton Marine
almost every day. They are probably doing no more or less than many of us have done. Please remember
these fine troops and pray for their safe return. If the following is any example, we don’t
have to worry about leadership.
The First Marine Division recently returned to Iraq as part of the 1st Marine Expedition Force.
The following is a March 20 letter from the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division to those
Marines.
Letter to All Hands,
We are going back in to the brawl. We will be relieving the magnificent Soldiers fighting under the
82nd Airborne Division, whose hard won successes in the Sunni Triangle have opened opportunities for
us to exploit. For the past year, the 82nd Airborne has been operating against the heart of the enemy’s
resistance. It’s appropriate that we relieve them: When it’s time to move a piano, Marines
don’t pick up the piano bench – we move the piano. So this is the right place for Marines
in this fight, where we can carry on the legacy of Chesty Puller in the Banana Wars in the same sort
of complex environment that he knew in his early years. Shoulder to shoulder with our comrades in
the Army, Coalition Forces and maturing Iraqi Security Forces, we are going to destroy the enemy with
precise firepower while diminishing the conditions that create adversarial relationships between us
and the Iraqi people.
This is going to be hard, dangerous work. It is going to require patient, persistent presence. Using
our individual initiative, courage, and moral judgment and battle skills, we will build on the 82nd
Airborne’s victories. Our country is counting on us even as our enemies watch and calculate,
hoping America does not have warriors strong enough to withstand discomfort and danger. You, my fine
young men, are going to prove the enemy wrong – dead wrong. You will demonstrate the same uncompromising
spirit that has always caused the enemy to fear America’s Marines.
The enemy will try to manipulate you into hating all Iraqis. Do not allow the enemy that victory.
With strong discipline, solid faith, unwavering alertness, and undiminished chivalry to the innocent,
we will carry out this mission. Remember, I have added, “First, do no harm” to our passwords
of “No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy.” Keep your honor clean as we gain information about
the enemy from the Iraqi people. Then, armed with that information and working in conjunction with
fledgling Iraqi Security Forces, we will move precisely against the enemy elements and crush them
without harming the innocent.
This is our test-our Guadalcanal, our Chosin Reservoir, our Hue City. Fight with a happy heart and
keep faith in your comrades and your unit. We must be under no illusions about the nature of the enemy
and the dangers that lie ahead. Stay alert, take it all in stride, remain sturdy, and share your courage
with each other and the world. You are going to write history, my fine young Sailors and Marines,
so write it well.
Semper Fidelis,
J. N. Mattis
Major General, U. S. Marines
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * *
IMPORTANT NOTICE
If you have an e-mail address and received this Newsletter by U.S. Mail, the Secretary does not have
a current e-mail address for you.
Your help is needed. Please take a moment and do the following:
If you have not already done so, PLEASE forward your e-mail address to jimsbm@cox.net.
If you use “block sender”, etc, or other devices that will not let you receive e-mail,
PLEASE put jimsbm@cox.net
as a sender you will accept from.
PLEASE include jimsbm@cox.net in your Address Book to advise of address changes, etc.
PLEASE!!! AND THANKS!!!
SECRETARY NOTES
Good News. Chuck Vitek, our “finder” of lost Subic Bay Marines
is back at work. Please check your old PCS orders or rosters from your PI tour and send them to
him at 8184 Ships Curve Ln, Springfield, VA 22153-1833 or my e-mail at chuckvitek@cox.net.
He would also like copies of the 1st or 3rd MarDiv directories.
Newsletter. We are still planning to send as many Newsletters by e-mail
as possible. It is hoped that when we get this up and running, we can provide more info in a more
timely basis. However, to work really well, we need your current e-mail addresses. If you got this
by e-mail, we have it. Please keep us current on changes. If you got this Newsletter by mail, If
you have an e-mail address, will you please forward your e-mail address to jimsbm@cox.net.
Dues. Our dues year runs from January 1 to December 31. For those that
say they don’t know when dues are due or otherwise procrastinate, this is probably the time.
If you are philosophically opposed to paying dues or should you wish to make a voluntary contribution
(to defray expenses for the web site, periodic Newsletters, etc., in lieu of dues), the Subic Bay
Marines will appreciate it. Please send checks or money orders to: Subic Bay Marines, c/o Larry
Mauro, Treasurer 4117 Knollglen Way, San Jose, CA 95118-1834.
THANKS to all who all who have paid dues or made a voluntary contribution
during 2004!
E-Mail The new e-mail address for the Secretary or for regular Subic Bay
Marines business is jimsbm@cox.net. Please make a note of it.
If you are sending an e-mail to the secretary, you could help considerably in trying to get through
the “pile of stuff” by doing the following: PLEASE include (a) your
name in addition to your e-mail address in the From line and use (b) SUBIC BAY MARINES in the subject
line. Otherwise, it could easily just disappear into the trash bin, unread, as I do not open things
anymore that I cannot readily identify.
Subic Bay Marine Shirts and Caps. Dixon Poole, Subic Bay Marine ’55-’56
and owner of the Military Shop in Peoria, AZ has ordered a supply of Marine Barracks, Subic Bay,
P.I. shirts and baseball caps. The red shirts have a collar and pocket and the red adjustable caps
will have an appropriate identifying patch. Shirts will be available in sizes Small, Medium, Large
& X-Large. Should you wish to acquire one or more of these shirts or caps, Dixon will be more
than happy to send them to you. Call 1-800-544-9275. Cost is $23.00 for the shirts and $10.00 for
the caps. Be sure to include $4.00 per order for Shipping & Handling. Credit Cards accepted.
Send checks to The Military Shop, 9635 W. Peoria Ave, Peoria, AZ 85345
Job Opportunity. The
last Newsletter reported that after 8 years on the job, the Secretary of the Subic Bay Marines was
looking forward to finding someone willing and able to take over the Secretary job. The
response has been totally under whelming. The job remains
open and as previously stated, if anyone has any interest what so ever, please, double please, contact
the Secretary for additional info, etc.
SUBIC BAY MARINES WEB SITE
As noted before, our web site is a work in progress. Check it out. You will find a different way
display photos you may like. There are still a lot more photos to load. The Web Site is set up
to basically run itself since Lee Bliss, our Web Master has been recalled to active duty (at least
4 trips to Kuwait) as a member of the Kansas National Guard. He is back at it, but still will have
some duties close to home. While still a work in progress, the Subic Bay Marines Web Site is available
for your review. Check it out. Sign the Guest Book. Keep your eye on our web site.
http://subicbaymarines.com Changes are on the way!
To receive a copy of the "Subic Bay Marines Newsletter" by mail, contact: Mr. Jim Bassett
3417 Las Vegas Drive Oceanside, CA 92054-3830 Phone: (760) 757-3836 Jim Bassett.
If you have copies of the missing Newsletters, please send a copy to: Rick Reynolds, webmaster,
(818) 700-8221 or email: webmaster
