Group Overview
We are a 501 (C) (19) Non-Profit reunion Group. We gather every 2 years in a different location for a 4 day event.
General Information
We gather to renew old friendships, or make new ones. We gather in an effort to offer healing and comfort to those in need, and we gather to pay tribute to those who did not make it home through a Memorial Service, and reading of the names.
Mission
We continue to search out any and all 1/7 Marines and Corpsman who served in Vietnam. We also welcome the family members of those who did not make it home or are no longer with us.
Description
The 1st Battalion 7th Marines Vietnam Association has over 2000 members currently on our roster, and are actively trying to find all 1/7 Marines and Corpsman who served with us, via our company search groups, the internet, word of mouth, and any other means possible, including this website. If you are not a member yet, please use the contact form to let us know you are out there. We do not have any requirements other than that you were part of 1/7 or are a family member of someone who was part of 1/7 (65-70). We do not have any fees or dues associated with our membership and our Newsletters are also free.
Our Organization
Our organization has grown from one Marine looking for members of his squad to a non-profit corporation with more than 2,000 members. The corporate organization, dictated by our charter, includes an executive board, elected officers and officers appointed by our executive committee. The Reunion Committee, which is headed by the elected President, is constituted as he sees fit to meet all the special needs of planning and executing a reunion. The reunion committee serves for the term of the president with many members serving for successive reunions. Our current members are listed below.
Executive Board Members:
Terry Kirkland
Bill U'Ren
Al LaPointe
Chuck Rishell
Elected Officers:
President: Ernest Salgado
Treasurer: Chuck Rishell
Offices/Titles as appointed by the Executive Committee:
• Sergeant-at-arms: Al Lyon
• Chaplain: Chuck Rishell
• Historian Vic Vilionis
• Membership Director: Staff
• Website Editor: Lorna LaPointe
• Quartermaster: Al LaPointe
•Social Media/ Newsletter: Lorna LaPointe
2024 Reunion Committee:
Al and Lorna LaPointe
Diane and Jennifer Gillis-Maxwell
Terry Kirkland
Paul Quattlebaum
Chuck Rishell
Tony Johnson
Alex Waigandt
Bill and Marie U'Ren
Jim Wendling
John Goldthorpe
Ernesto Salgado