The 16th annual Subic Bays Marines reunion was held on August 21-23 at the Drawbridge Inn, Covington, KY.  We were provided good with weather for the reunion in a nice location with great people! The bus tour and Ohio River lunch cruise were fully booked. Great work done by the coordinator of this year’s reunion, Fred Axthelm.

TAPS
We regret to announce the death of the following Subic Bay Marines.

Mr. Raymond (Ray) J Gresko , 162-62, LCpl, SepGdCo,  died 4-11-08. Reported by his wife, Sharon.

Mr. Vincent R. Olson, 67-71, SSgt, HqCo, died 7-25-08. Reported by his family.

Mr. Stephen J. Janora, 68, PFC, SepGdCo, died 4-21-07.  Reported by his wife, Michelle.

Mr Elmer Fink, 45-47, PFC, HqCo (Brig Section) died 9-30-07.  Reported by Tracy A. Berrones

Mr Jim Scoggins, III MAF Liaison to Subic Bay, LtCol died, 6-7-08. Reported by Les and Glendya Williams

SECRETARY NOTES
Ladies Corner
We had a great reunion! It was so good to see you all, although we did miss our friends who could not be there. We had a very nice breakfast and the hotel was great in every way.  We now have one-hundred sixty-nine dollars in our card fund, Thank you all! Please let T.J. know if anyone needs to get a card. Look forward to seeing all of you next year. A special thinks to Jean Broad for all she has done. God Bless the USA- -Pat

Annual Business Meeting
The meeting had 42 in attendance.

1. 2009 reunion proposal was made for Colorado Spring, CO. Motion was seconded and approved. Bill Brod (53-54) will coordinate this reunion. Other reunion spots were nominated by those present for 2010-2012. Each successive year’s reunion location will be confirmed a year prior during the business meeting. The following motions were made:
1. 2010 - Washington DC/Quantico area. [Bill Brod (53-54), David Savage (89-91) and Rick Budd (58-60) can provide varying degrees of support for this reunion]
2. 2011 - Chicago [Bob White (59-61)]
3. 2012 - Las Vegas or Reno, NV [no names associated with this one yet]
4. Chuck Vitek (67-69) reviewed the information about a Philippine reunion trip- SEE PHILPPINE TOUR SECTION FOR DETAILS OF TRIP. It was noted that the 2009 reunion would still be held in addition to the Philippine Island tour.
2. Jim Bassett (59-61) mentioned that Agent Orange WAS held in the Subic Bay Naval Magazine. The VA is now talking to people who are concerned. SEE AGENT ORANGE SECTION FOR DETAILS.
3. Bob White provided a check for $277 dollars in profit from the sale of the coins.
4. Officer responsibilities- It was mentioned that nothing officially explains the roles and responsibilities of each officer position.  The motion was made that the current officers capture what they currently do and send it to the other officers for review. This motion was seconded and approved by the all officers present. During the 2009 reunion business meeting, the roles will be passed out for comment and endorsement by the members.
5. Motion made for continuation of existing officers in current roles for another year in order to allow time for the roles and responsibilities to be drafted. Seconded and approved.
6. Chuck Vitek was commended by all in attendance for finding the majority or the Subic Bay Marines over the past years.
7. Chuck Viteck noted that he has exhausted his supply of information for Subic Bay Members. He encouraged all members to send in all rosters of names of Marines that served in Subic Bay. I.e. old rifle range rosters, swim qualification rosters. All Subic rosters would be welcome.
8. Treasury report was made- Synopsys: Beginning balance 9/8/07-$16, 823.45, Total deposits and credits-$16,993.25, Total expenses- $13,949.19, Ending balance 8-11-08- $19,867.51
9. Charitable contributions review-  2007 contributions were reviewed
1. During the 2007 reunion President Battinelli appointed Treasurer Tony Amundsen Dave Seiler and to head the committee to determine which charitable organizations would receive contributions. Committee members were confirmed by vote again during the 2008 reunion.
2. A motion was put on the table to cap charitable contributions this year to 4- $500 contributions.  This motion was seconded, voted on and approved until dues/member contributions increase to support more.
3. This charitable donation committee will be a standing committee with members selected and voted on at the annual reunion.
4. This year’s contributions are 1).  Wounded Warriors foundations on both coasts will receive $500.00 apiece. 2). People to People program will receive $500.00.

Charitable Donations
Over the past several years our organization has donated to worthwhile charities because it is required of our organization as a non-profit and because the members request that we give back to the community. However, the process we have been following to nominate worthy organizations for a donation has become less formal than what is required. The process is outlined as follows:

1. The By-laws state the board should approve the donation.
1. Members nominating a charity shall provide all the necessary information about the organization at the time of submission; including a point of contact, complete address, justification, and a personal verification that the agency is indeed worthwhile.
2. This information will be sent to Tony Amundsen [intuit@att.net] and Dave Seiler [dfsandgvs@cox.net] well before the annual meeting at the reunion.
3. The request will be reviewed and presented at the business meeting.

There are many worthwhile charities and the Subic Bay Marines have been generous in the past, but there must be some organization in the process. Late or incomplete requests may not get funded.

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.

Lifetime Membership
This question has been posed a couple of times. According to the by-laws, Article V, Dues; “A lifetime membership may be purchased for $200.00.”  We are currently working to create membership cards for those who are lifetime members.

2009 Philippine Tour
The tour Chuck Viteck was preparing has been postponed due to an increase in the overall cost per person. Chuck will continue to look for an opportunity to put something together once costs come down to a reasonable level.

However, Ray Elliott  (Sangley Point, 59-60) is going back to the P.I. with Military Historical Tours (http://www.miltours.com): 12 - 23 January - World War II Philippines which will include: Manila - Bataan - Corregidor - Clark Field - Subic Bay – Olongapo -Lingayen Gulf and Cabanatuan Prison Camp.  Walk the Bataan Death March. According to Ray, “Col. Wiedhahn has promised a side trip from Manila to Cavite City and Sangley Point where at least two of us in the group were stationed.” Contact Ray for more information at talespress@comcast.net, or rayelliott23@comcast.net.

Agent Orange Was Held in Subic Bay Magazine
Over the past several years we have heard from the Subic Bay Marines that they may have been exposed to Agent Orange while in Subic Bay. Recently, the New Zealand Government indicated that their country shipped Agent Orange to the Cubi Point Magazine for storage and future deployment. The information below provides details on how to determine if you are eligible for benefits

Vietnam Veterans Benefit From Agent Orange Rules
Vietnam veterans may be eligible for compensation and health care for certain diseases associated with Agent Orange, the defoliant sprayed to unmask enemy hiding places in the jungles throughout Vietnam.

Special health care and compensation benefits are available to the 2.6 million men and women who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, only 3,300 of whom remain in uniform today. Those discharged during that period are the largest group of veterans receiving VA health care and monthly compensation. A small percentage of their disability claims are for illnesses that scientists have listed as being associated with Agent Orange. VA presumes that all military personnel who served in Vietnam were exposed to Agent Orange, and federal law presumes that certain illnesses are a result of that exposure. This “presumptive policy” simplifies the process of receiving compensation for these diseases since VA foregoes the normal requirements of proving that an illness began or was worsened during military service. Based on clinical research, the following diseases are on VA’s Agent Orange list of presumptive disabilities:

- acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy    -porphyria cutanea tarda
-chloracne                                                         -prostate cancer
-chronic lymphocytic leukemia                          -respiratory cancers
-Hodgkin’s disease                                           -(lung, bronchus, larynx and trachea)
-multiple myeloma                                            -soft-tissue sarcoma, acute
-non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma                               -Type II diabetes mellitus

In addition, monetary benefits, health care and vocational rehabilitation services are provided to Vietnam veterans’ offspring with spina bifida, a congenital birth defect of the spine. Children of female veterans who served in Vietnam are authorized health care and monetary benefits for certain additional birth defects.

Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war also are eligible for a complete physical examination. If a VA physician suspects a disease might be related to Agent Orange, VA will provide free medical care. Those who participate in the examination program become part of an Agent Orange Registry and receive periodic mailings from VA about the latest Agent Orange studies and new diseases being covered under VA policies.

Vietnam veterans and their families can contact VA for more information about these benefits. For the Agent Orange Registry physical examination, call a local VA hospital or clinic listed in the government pages of your phone book. To file a compensation claim for a current disability related to Agent Orange, veterans can call 1-800-827-1000 for an application form or visit VA’s Web site at: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov.

Camp Lejeune Water Study
The United States Marine Corps encourages all those who resided at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1957–1987 to register now to receive updated information and notifications regarding the ongoing Water Study.  The Department of the Navy is funding health studies to determine when the drinking water was first impacted, who may have consumed it, and whether or not there may be an association between exposure to the water and certain health conditions. If you know of any family members or friends who were at Camp Lejeune during this period, please encourage them to register.
More information can be found at https://clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/clsurvey/ or by calling 1(877) 261-9782. Please ensure the widest dissemination of this information to the entire Marine Corps Family!

Note from Chuck Vitek
Chuck has exhausted his supply of information and needs your help to find other Subic Bay Marines. Please search your PCS orders, address books, rifle or swim qualification roster from your PI Tours and forward that information to Chuck at chuckvitek@cox.net.

Bataan Death March tour, Jan 2009
In January, 2009 Military Historic Tours organization tours will be hosting a tour of the Bataan Death March route. Contact David Seiler (59-61) for more information at dfsandgvs@cox.net or 904-944-1153.

2008 Summer Olympics
Chuck and Zennie Bohn (55-56, 59-63) traveled to Beijing to watch their granddaughter, Natalie Coughlin, win one gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals in swimming. Yes, THAT Natalie Coughlin. This was her second Olympics. Natalie now has a total of eleven medals.

17th Annual Subic Bay Marines Reunion- Colorado Springs
The 2009 Reunion will be hosted in Colorado Spring. The coordinator for this reunion is Bill Brod (53-54). If you live in the Colorado Springs area and are interested in working with Bill on this reunion please contact him at hemlog@optonline.net

Colorado Springs has a long and rich military history. Home to the United States Air Force Academy, Fort Carson, Schriever Air Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, Space Command and NORAD, this scenic and patriotic community located at the base of Pikes Peak, is the perfect location for a military reunion.

Colorado Springs has an excellent airport that is serviced by nine major airlines and located 11 minutes from downtown, Colorado Springs is just 70 miles south of Denver on Interstate 25, so driving there is also very convenient. The hotels and motel options provide groups of any size with a wide variety of choices to maximize convenience and comfort.

One of the best things about this region is the wide variety of activities for everyone to enjoy; quite walks in Garden of Gods park, guided tours though Cave of the Winds, exploration of Ancestral Puebloan Ruins or a cog railway trip to the summit of Pikes Peak- American Mountain.

When the entire group gets together, there are many wonderful places to meet and tour such as the air Force Academy Visitor Center and Cadet Chapel, the Olympic training center, the Peterson Air and Space Museum and Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Look forward to seeing you all there!
 
Call it ‘Camp Luh-jern’
There is a push to correctly pronounce the name of the Lt. Gen. John Archer Lejeune, one of the Corps’ all-time. Apparently, the pronunciation has changed over the years from the family pronunciation to the more commonly used speech.
A 30 foot wide billboard was placed at the entrance of Camp LeJeune for some time, but has been removed. It stated, “Welcome home ... to the most disciplined and aggressive fighting force the world has ever known! And Marines ... say and speak my name correctly: Luh-JERN. Semper Fi!” see more at the following link.
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/09/marine_lejeunename_092908w/

Commemorative Coins
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 “Point, and “C” Co/ Subic Bay Marines” and “Brothers Forever” around the emblem and “A” Co/Hq, Mainside, “B” Co/Separate Guard Co, Cubi 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.
Total cost is $7.00 plus postage. Any profit will go to the Subic Bay General Fund. To order a coin or coins, call Bob at 815-544-3932 or e-mail him at bobwhiteludy@aol.com. [Bob White provided a check for $277 dollars in profit from the sale of the coins at the most recent reunioni! Thanks to all for your continued support!]

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. Please keep us posted if you find anything amiss on the site, such as unwanted postings, or apparent spam.

Officers	Name	Telephone	E-mail address
President	Pat Battinelli	203-348-6392	gbatt410@aol.com
Vice President	Bob White	815-554-3932	bobwhiteludy@aol.com
Sec'y /N/L Editor	Dave Savage	913-908-3808	dmsavage1@gmail.com
Treasurer	Tony Amundsen	925-439-3819	intuit@att.net
Director at Large	Bill Huggins	904-282-7625
Chaplain	Bill Boots	563-326-4538	w_boots@hotmail.com
Historian	chuckvitek@cox.net	352-394-1953	chuckvitek@cox.net
Reunion Coordinator	Vacant		gyusmc@tkh.att.nw.jp