A moving and very well written story by Sgt. Sel Wong who escorted SgtMajor Robert Sebastian Ynacay to his final resting place at Arlington.
The Final Escort
By Sel Wong
On November 13, 2014 by request of the Ynacay family, I had the honor of escorting the remains of SgtMajor Robert Sebastian Ynacay from San Bernardino, CA to Arlington National Cemetery, VA.
I have never done this before, and from seeing the movie “Taking Chance” I knew I would be asked about the SgtMajor. I decided to make a print out so I wouldn’t have to verbally repeat it every time someone asked. Instead of the basic obituary information, I made copies of his Silver Star Citation.
The itinerary was to fly out of Ontario Airport in Los Angeles on Southwest Airline with a stop at Oakland, CA, then fly to Chicago/Midway with a 1 hr. and 15 minute layover, then fly the final leg to Washington/Reagan National, DC. The trip would take about 9 hours.
I arrived at Ontario Airport at 7:00 A.M. and went to check in. The attendant welcomed me cheerfully and said they had been expecting me. She directed me upstairs to the TSA screening where there was a long line of passengers waiting. A TSA officer saw me and pulled me out of the line and led me to the scanner. I told him regulations would not allow me to remove my blouse. He said that would not be a problem and asked me to step through the scanner. He would hand wand me if necessary.
I proceeded to the boarding gate. The boarding attendant greeted me and expressed her condolences. She explained that the plane we would be leaving on would be landing shortly, and that someone from the cargo department would be down to escort me to the tarmac to supervise the loading of the SgtMajor. When the plane arrived, the Captain asked me about the deceased. I handed him the printout. The Captain and the Cargo Supervisor escorted me to the tarmac. I verified the sticker on the container and signaled the cargo crew to place the SgtMajor’s casket on the loading ramp. The Captain, the Cargo Supervisor and I stood on one side of the ramp while the cargo crew and the baggage handlers stood on the other. I rendered the slow salute. The others removed their hats and placed their hands over their hearts. I thanked the crew for their respect.
The Captain and I headed up to board the plane. The flight attendants expressed their condolences and welcomed me aboard. She explained that they would have upgraded me to first class, however this was a Boeing 737, and it did not have a first class. They did the next best thing. They gave me the first three seats up front for comfort and privacy. As the passengers boarded this flight, I was the first person they saw. Some would thank me for my service and others would give a polite nod of their heads. Before we took off, the Captain announced that we had an escort on board that was escorting a Marine SgtMajor to Arlington National Cemetery and asked for a moment of silence. The flight to Oakland was short, maybe 45 minutes. Most of the passengers offloaded here to catch their connecting flights. As they departed, many stopped and thanked me for my service and extended their condolences to the family of the SgtMajor.
I was introduced to the new flight crew and again I handed out the printout. More passengers were loaded, and again before takeoff the Captain made an announcement of why I was there and asked for a moment of silence to honor the SgtMajor. This was the longest stretch of the flight and would be about 5 hours. During this time, many of the passengers came to me and thanked me. Some asked me to let the family of the SgtMajor know that they too felt their loss. Others mentioned what branch and the dates that they served. We finally landed in Chicago at 3:55 P.M.
There was a one hour and fifteen minute layover in Chicago. Some of the passengers got off to make new connections, others got off to stretch their legs or get something to eat. I decided to get something to eat. As I entered the terminal, I was met by a lady named Rozanne. She asked if I was the escort, Sgt. Wong.
I said I was. She was from the USO and was there to take me to the USO facility for a meal. She had made some soup and sandwiches. It was cold that day and the soup really hit the spot. I asked her how she knew about me and she said that the people at Southwest Airline cargo department had emailed her.
This leg of the flight from Chicago to Arlington would only be about an hour and a half. More passengers boarded and the plane was full. About 30 minutes before landing the Captain got on the intercom and asked for everyone to remain seated after we land to allow me to get off first and take care of the SgtMajor. This was the first time these new passengers heard of this. Cathy, one of the flight attendants informed everyone that, “the SgtMajor was not just a regular Marine, in itself a great honor, he is also a Silver Star recipient for his valor and had saved many Marines. Sgt Wong served in Vietnam about the same time and has been on out flight all day, all the way from California escorting his brother in arms to his final resting place in Arlington. “ Then she said, “We at Southwest Airlines dedicate this song to the SgtMajor and all who have served and are serving our country.” She played the song “God Bless The U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood. I must admit, I tried hard to stay stoic. When the song finished there was dead silence, you could hear a pin drop. Then the whole plane exploded in applause.
We landed in Arlington at 8:00 p.m. As requested by the Captain everyone remained in his or her seat. I got up to leave and the passengers applauded. I turned to face them and said, “on behalf of the SgtMajor’s family, on this Thanksgiving, we will be thankful that we live in a country with so many decent people that I’ve met along the way today.” With that the Captain and I went down to the tarmac. It started to rain as we made our way to the loading ramp. The Captain and I stood on one side of the ramp waiting for the SgtMajor to be lowered. All of the ground crew and baggage handlers stopped what they were doing and joined us on the other side of the ramp. I rendered the slow salute, while the others removed their headgear and placed their hand on their hearts. After verifying the casket, the SgtMajor was placed on a cart and the driver informed me that the mortuary personnel were waiting at the cargo area and they would take care of the rest. I thanked everyone and went back up onto the plane with the Captain to thank the flight crew for a job well done.
I headed to the baggage claim area to get my suitcase. As I got near, I noticed that all the other passengers were still waiting for their luggage. I remembered that while we were unloading the SgtMajor, all the baggage handlers had stopped to pay respect and that was why the luggage was delayed. Some of the passengers that didn’t have the chance to talk to me on the plane came up to me to thank me and ask me to give the message of sympathy to the SgtMajor’s family. A pretty college girl almost in tears asked if she could give me a hug. She had a discussion in one of her classes on how poorly the Vietnam veterans were treated when they came home from the war.
A woman with her sixteen-year-old daughter wanted a picture with me. The daughter had a show and tell assignment coming up and because of this experience she wanted to do it about our veterans. She said she had never met a hero before. I told her I was no hero, but the Marine I had escorted was a true hero. She said, “No Sgt, I’m an Air Force brat. I don’t know what all the ribbons you wear stand for, but I know that you didn’t get that purple one for sitting on your hands.”
Another woman said, “I don’t know if you know that when you went down to unload your friend, some of us stayed in the terminal and watched you. I never felt so proud to be an American as when I watched you, the Captain and ground crew give honor to your friend in the pouring rain. I thought, if you do this for the fallen, there was nothing you would not do for each other when you were all alive. I now understand the meaning of your motto, Semper Fidelis.”
After we retrieved our luggage, we all headed out of the terminal to catch rides to our destinations. I was drained at this point and stayed back to reflect on our journey. It was late and the airport was nearly empty. I found a bench and sat down. Tears of emotion released memories that were dormant in my mind from 45 years ago. When the SgtMajor and I returned from Vietnam in 1969, our ungrateful nation wouldn’t give us the time of day. Like most Vietnam veterans we didn’t expect or want a parade. We just wanted acknowledgement for our valiant effort to make a difference. Instead, we were blamed for a war we did not start, atrocities we didn’t commit, nor did we have any say on how the war was managed, most of us weren’t even old enough to vote in the people who controlled our destiny. We just merely did the dying.
This trip almost made up for that injustice. The SgtMajor and I finally came home to the American welcome we deserved so many years ago. This was the America we went off to fight for and unfortunately some of us had died for.
Semper Fidelis,
Sel Wong.
Letters from Active Duty Marines
We Marines who served in 1/7 in Vietnam recognize that the Marine Corps, is a continuing linage of warriors who take the Corps from the prior generation of Marines and uphold its honor until they pass it along to the next generation who have earned the title United States Marine.
We are pleased to have the opportunity to meet and get to know those Marines who now uphold the honor and traditions that we passed along to them.
During our 2016 reunion we were pleased to have had the company of active duty Marines. We now share the letters they wrote us after the renunion.
We are pleased to have the opportunity to meet and get to know those Marines who now uphold the honor and traditions that we passed along to them.
During our 2016 reunion we were pleased to have had the company of active duty Marines. We now share the letters they wrote us after the renunion.
SSgt Shaun T. Doyle
The second our party stepped out of the vehicle at the 2016 1st Battalion, 7th Marines Vietnam Veterans Association Reunion, in Orlando, Florida, we were greeted by a large group of slightly aged and highly motivated Marines and Sailors. These men were the survivors of a war that happened years or decades before we were even born.
It was an instant bond, although we had never served together, or fought on the same battlefield, we were brothers in arms. When everyone sat down together to share stories of their experiences it was like these men were 18 years old again. I was amazed by how after all the years that had passed; the Marines that came before me were able to recall exactly what happened and exactly who was to the left and right of them when it happened.
Each night the Marines and I grew closer and closer to the Veterans we spoke with, and as the relationships grew the stories got more detailed and sometimes even comical. We spoke of how things have changed and during the trip to the Corporal Larry E. Smedley (MOH) National Vietnam War Museum, we were able to show everyone how to cook the current food rations: Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). They told us when they were in the “Bush” they used small chunks of C-4 to heat up their chow. While at the museum, we had a chance to view all the memorabilia, and read the warrants of heroism from multiple Medal of Honors, Navy Cross, and numerous Silver and Bronze Star recipients awarded to these men in Vietnam.
The morning of the memorial service we had the honor of participating, in the construction the Battle Cross for the service. Although I’d never met any of the 566 fallen heroes, their memory lived on through the surviving members of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and every Marine that has served to this day. Later that evening we also participated in the placement of the Killed in Action (KIA) memorial table.
I’ve served in many units thorough my career, and have many close friends whom have served in 1st Battalion 7th Marines and now after having attended this reunion feel I have so many more. If given the opportunity to attend the next reunion I am certain any Marine or Sailor would jump at the chance to meet all of the great men and their families, I would. Thank you to the board members for extending the invitation and hosting myself, Sergeants Brouwer, Cairns, Godfrey, and Stimmel.
SEMPER FI
S. T. DOYLE
It was an instant bond, although we had never served together, or fought on the same battlefield, we were brothers in arms. When everyone sat down together to share stories of their experiences it was like these men were 18 years old again. I was amazed by how after all the years that had passed; the Marines that came before me were able to recall exactly what happened and exactly who was to the left and right of them when it happened.
Each night the Marines and I grew closer and closer to the Veterans we spoke with, and as the relationships grew the stories got more detailed and sometimes even comical. We spoke of how things have changed and during the trip to the Corporal Larry E. Smedley (MOH) National Vietnam War Museum, we were able to show everyone how to cook the current food rations: Meal Ready to Eat (MRE). They told us when they were in the “Bush” they used small chunks of C-4 to heat up their chow. While at the museum, we had a chance to view all the memorabilia, and read the warrants of heroism from multiple Medal of Honors, Navy Cross, and numerous Silver and Bronze Star recipients awarded to these men in Vietnam.
The morning of the memorial service we had the honor of participating, in the construction the Battle Cross for the service. Although I’d never met any of the 566 fallen heroes, their memory lived on through the surviving members of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and every Marine that has served to this day. Later that evening we also participated in the placement of the Killed in Action (KIA) memorial table.
I’ve served in many units thorough my career, and have many close friends whom have served in 1st Battalion 7th Marines and now after having attended this reunion feel I have so many more. If given the opportunity to attend the next reunion I am certain any Marine or Sailor would jump at the chance to meet all of the great men and their families, I would. Thank you to the board members for extending the invitation and hosting myself, Sergeants Brouwer, Cairns, Godfrey, and Stimmel.
SEMPER FI
S. T. DOYLE
Sgt Matthew N. Godfrey
I can never fully explain how humbling of an experience this was. Getting to
know the marines that laid the foundation for how we fought the war on
terror was one of the most humbling events of my life.
I attended the reunion in 2012 so this was my second time around and I have to say, this time was different. Last time I was fresh off a combat deployment to
Afghanistan and the Marine Corps was still fully engaged in the war on
terror. I listened to the stories of the older breed of war fighters and how
they were treated when they came home and I was filled with disgust and
anger at that generation of American citizens.
I could not fathom how men who are living legends in my eyes came home to an ungrateful country, and I suspect that is why the brotherhood is so strong because their war did not stop when they left Vietnam. This time around though I somewhat understood their pain. I have never been treated as they were but the Marine Corps has changed a lot in the past 4 years. Many good men have left the Corps. We never want to lower our standards and want uphold the hard charging legacy of our Corps.
We watch the news every day and see the cities and provinces that we
fought to liberate being taken back over by the Taliban and Al Queda. It is
a punch to the gut remembering the bothers that lost their lives and limbs
fighting the Taliban and gaining ground that was lost as soon as we pulled
out. As the saying goes, "we stand on the backs of giants", and never has it
been so prevalent in my mind as it was while interacting with these Vietnam
veterans. In boot camp we heard stories of Khe Sanh and Suicide Charlie and
the Delta Death Dealers. In infantry school we learned about the tactics
that were used by infantrymen in the bush of Vietnam that directly influence
the way we conduct operations today.
It is hard to explain to some of these old devil dogs how much the corps has changed and simply put, how soft it has become compared to when they were in. Spending time with these heroes made me realize just how easy we have it today in the Marine Corps and in combat zones. 566 men lost over the course of 5 years from 1 battalion. That is insane. In the global war on terror if a battalion lost more than 10 guys on an 8 month deployment it was considered a rough one. We will never know. It is quite an emotional experience seeing this group of men together, half a century later and they can still conjure up 250 of their brothers and spend
a weekend picking up right where they left off.
One thing that sticks out the most is how much the individual marine has not changed. Sitting at a table drinking beer with 8 guys that were in the same platoon together in Vietnam and listening to them bust each other's balls and reminisce is like sitting at a table with 8 of my platoon mates. Some things never change and that alone gives me hope for our beloved Marine Corps. I am honored to have been a part of the 1/7 Vietnam associations sacred reunion of warriors andthey will always be heroes in my eyes. I am proud to call every single one of them brothers.
Semper Fidelis, Sgt. Matthew N. Godfrey
know the marines that laid the foundation for how we fought the war on
terror was one of the most humbling events of my life.
I attended the reunion in 2012 so this was my second time around and I have to say, this time was different. Last time I was fresh off a combat deployment to
Afghanistan and the Marine Corps was still fully engaged in the war on
terror. I listened to the stories of the older breed of war fighters and how
they were treated when they came home and I was filled with disgust and
anger at that generation of American citizens.
I could not fathom how men who are living legends in my eyes came home to an ungrateful country, and I suspect that is why the brotherhood is so strong because their war did not stop when they left Vietnam. This time around though I somewhat understood their pain. I have never been treated as they were but the Marine Corps has changed a lot in the past 4 years. Many good men have left the Corps. We never want to lower our standards and want uphold the hard charging legacy of our Corps.
We watch the news every day and see the cities and provinces that we
fought to liberate being taken back over by the Taliban and Al Queda. It is
a punch to the gut remembering the bothers that lost their lives and limbs
fighting the Taliban and gaining ground that was lost as soon as we pulled
out. As the saying goes, "we stand on the backs of giants", and never has it
been so prevalent in my mind as it was while interacting with these Vietnam
veterans. In boot camp we heard stories of Khe Sanh and Suicide Charlie and
the Delta Death Dealers. In infantry school we learned about the tactics
that were used by infantrymen in the bush of Vietnam that directly influence
the way we conduct operations today.
It is hard to explain to some of these old devil dogs how much the corps has changed and simply put, how soft it has become compared to when they were in. Spending time with these heroes made me realize just how easy we have it today in the Marine Corps and in combat zones. 566 men lost over the course of 5 years from 1 battalion. That is insane. In the global war on terror if a battalion lost more than 10 guys on an 8 month deployment it was considered a rough one. We will never know. It is quite an emotional experience seeing this group of men together, half a century later and they can still conjure up 250 of their brothers and spend
a weekend picking up right where they left off.
One thing that sticks out the most is how much the individual marine has not changed. Sitting at a table drinking beer with 8 guys that were in the same platoon together in Vietnam and listening to them bust each other's balls and reminisce is like sitting at a table with 8 of my platoon mates. Some things never change and that alone gives me hope for our beloved Marine Corps. I am honored to have been a part of the 1/7 Vietnam associations sacred reunion of warriors andthey will always be heroes in my eyes. I am proud to call every single one of them brothers.
Semper Fidelis, Sgt. Matthew N. Godfrey
Sgt. Bradley S. Brouwer
To start off, this was one of the best experiences of my life. I felt as if I were sitting among giants. I learned a lot from talking to all the marines and sailors about their experiences in Vietnam. It is always interesting to hear how the Marine Corps used to be and how much it has changed, mostly for the worst unfortunately. It was definitely a humbling experience. What they all went through, not only in Vietnam, but also on the home front was way worse than anything anyone of us has been through. At the same time we can relate in many ways. We both fought a very political war. You all had the support on the battlefield, but not at home. It was the other way around for us. We had all the support on the home front but were given no support on the ground, and for that Marines got hurt and killed.
The Memorial ceremony was very emotional, obviously for the Vietnam Vets but also for us as well. I thought it was presented very professionally and respectfully. Hearing the 566 names called was hard to hear because those brave men were not only Marines, but fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, and friends of someone. Losing friends in combat is hard. I respect every single marine and sailor that sat in that room and to include their families. It was an honor to be a part of the memorial service.
It is great to see everyone being able to come together like that even after all this time. I honestly can’t see that happening today. Maybe just a few of us staying in contact but nothing like what you all have done. Even with all the social media, it just doesn’t seem the same. I wish I had more time with everyone. There is so much to talk about and just not enough time. It is great to see that no matter how young or old, you still act like a Marine, an 03 Marine and I have that to look forward too as I get older.
As is said before this was a great experience and I would go every time to that reunion if I could just to talk to those Marines and Sailors. It was such an honor to be there. Seriously the best experience I have ever had especially on the Marine Corps side. I cannot thank everyone enough for inviting us. Seeing the bond between the Marines still as strong as it was back during the Vietnam war is incredible. Definitely gave me a lot of pride back and I have the Marines at the reunion to thank. It was an honor and pleasure to be part of the 1/7 reunion.
Sgt. Bradley S. Brouwer
The Memorial ceremony was very emotional, obviously for the Vietnam Vets but also for us as well. I thought it was presented very professionally and respectfully. Hearing the 566 names called was hard to hear because those brave men were not only Marines, but fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, and friends of someone. Losing friends in combat is hard. I respect every single marine and sailor that sat in that room and to include their families. It was an honor to be a part of the memorial service.
It is great to see everyone being able to come together like that even after all this time. I honestly can’t see that happening today. Maybe just a few of us staying in contact but nothing like what you all have done. Even with all the social media, it just doesn’t seem the same. I wish I had more time with everyone. There is so much to talk about and just not enough time. It is great to see that no matter how young or old, you still act like a Marine, an 03 Marine and I have that to look forward too as I get older.
As is said before this was a great experience and I would go every time to that reunion if I could just to talk to those Marines and Sailors. It was such an honor to be there. Seriously the best experience I have ever had especially on the Marine Corps side. I cannot thank everyone enough for inviting us. Seeing the bond between the Marines still as strong as it was back during the Vietnam war is incredible. Definitely gave me a lot of pride back and I have the Marines at the reunion to thank. It was an honor and pleasure to be part of the 1/7 reunion.
Sgt. Bradley S. Brouwer
Sgt. Douglas Cairns
When I first found out that I was invited to the 1/7 Vietnam memorial I didn’t know what to expect. It was something very different that I have never done before and it turned out to be one of the best things I have ever experienced during my 6 years in the Marine Corps. As soon as we arrived at the hotel we were greeted and treated like brothers right off the bat. I thought it was awesome how we could get along with older marine vets and trade stories and laugh with them even though we were all from different generations. I loved how we could all joke and give each other a hard time as If we had all been friends for a long time. It is crazy how the bond of just being a marine has on each and every one of us. All of us are exactly the same just some a few years older. I really enjoyed the museum on Friday. Teaching everyone about MRE’s and how to eat them was a really good time. I think everyone enjoyed it to, except for the taste. The memorial ceremony was very emotional for us as well as all of you. I was honored to be a part of the ceremony; it was very humbling to see what you guys experienced. I couldn’t imagine losing 566 men, in Afghanistan if you lost 10 men on a deployment it was a bad deployment. When we returned we were welcomed home like heroes, when you guys came home you were treated like criminals and it makes me sick. The bond that you all have with one another is awesome even after all these years, you guys get together and pick up right where you left off. To have that brotherhood with one another is great to see and I can only hope that I have that one day with my brothers. Being able to spend time with everyone and to hear stories and throw back a few cold ones with the older guys was a great time. I actually became good friends with some of these older marines. One of them even told me that we were the best group of marines that he has ever been around at a reunion, and that we made him feel young again. That was the best feeling knowing that we were there making a difference and showing everyone a good time like they deserve. I personally enjoyed every single part of the weekend, from the museum, memorial ceremony, and banquet everything was amazing. I felt honored to be at this reunion with all of the great men that came before me from a Medal of Honor recipient, Navy Cross recipients, Silver and Bronze star recipients. It was a great time being able to spend time with all of these heroes. I can’t thank the 1/7 staff and association enough for the amazing experience and hospitality that was given to us. This trip was honestly the best and most humbling experience I have ever done in my Marine Corps career and I wanted to thank each and every one of you for the great experience.
Semper Fi,
Sgt Doug Cairns
1st BN 2nd marines
0317 Scout Sniper
When I first found out that I was invited to the 1/7 Vietnam memorial I didn’t know what to expect. It was something very different that I have never done before and it turned out to be one of the best things I have ever experienced during my 6 years in the Marine Corps. As soon as we arrived at the hotel we were greeted and treated like brothers right off the bat. I thought it was awesome how we could get along with older marine vets and trade stories and laugh with them even though we were all from different generations. I loved how we could all joke and give each other a hard time as If we had all been friends for a long time. It is crazy how the bond of just being a marine has on each and every one of us. All of us are exactly the same just some a few years older. I really enjoyed the museum on Friday. Teaching everyone about MRE’s and how to eat them was a really good time. I think everyone enjoyed it to, except for the taste. The memorial ceremony was very emotional for us as well as all of you. I was honored to be a part of the ceremony; it was very humbling to see what you guys experienced. I couldn’t imagine losing 566 men, in Afghanistan if you lost 10 men on a deployment it was a bad deployment. When we returned we were welcomed home like heroes, when you guys came home you were treated like criminals and it makes me sick. The bond that you all have with one another is awesome even after all these years, you guys get together and pick up right where you left off. To have that brotherhood with one another is great to see and I can only hope that I have that one day with my brothers. Being able to spend time with everyone and to hear stories and throw back a few cold ones with the older guys was a great time. I actually became good friends with some of these older marines. One of them even told me that we were the best group of marines that he has ever been around at a reunion, and that we made him feel young again. That was the best feeling knowing that we were there making a difference and showing everyone a good time like they deserve. I personally enjoyed every single part of the weekend, from the museum, memorial ceremony, and banquet everything was amazing. I felt honored to be at this reunion with all of the great men that came before me from a Medal of Honor recipient, Navy Cross recipients, Silver and Bronze star recipients. It was a great time being able to spend time with all of these heroes. I can’t thank the 1/7 staff and association enough for the amazing experience and hospitality that was given to us. This trip was honestly the best and most humbling experience I have ever done in my Marine Corps career and I wanted to thank each and every one of you for the great experience.
Semper Fi,
Sgt Doug Cairns
1st BN 2nd marines
0317 Scout Sniper
Sgt Shawn M. Stimmel
I would like to start off by saying that I am very thankful and honored to be invited to such a awesome event that you guys put on. Meeting all of the Marines and Sailors and hearing all of their war stories from Vietnam was a really neat experience. I couldn't imagine taking more casualties in a single firefight than my whole battalion did in our 7 month deployment to Afghanistan. Realizing the stress and hurt they had to have felt in there time there, then coming home to a country that treated them badly and did not receive the support and care they deserved.
I'm glad that America has changed and is supportive of the military like we are now. Its sad to think that guys go to a combat zone for over a year only to return and be criticized and disrespected like the Vietnam Veterans were. Today, people will cross a road just to shake the hand and say thanks to a service member in uniform. I think that change is great and i hope Americans keep that mindset and realize the sacrifices we make every day in support of our country. I wish you all could have experienced that coming home from Vietnam.
One of the things I thought was really heartwarming was meeting some of the wives that were married to the guys back then and hearing how they helped out with their husbands issues and even picked shrapnel out of their bodies once they returned. I think it is great that they have such a strong relationship to deal with all of their issues once returning from a stressful situation like they were. They definitely deserve to be noticed for that. Now guys cant even go on a deployment without having to worry about their wives or girlfriends cheating or taking everything they have including their kids and leaving them before they return.
It is awesome that there was such a large attendance for this reunion with how old everyone is and how far some of them had to go to get there. Seeing how excited everyone was to regroup with their friends and talk about the past, present and future. It seems like the guys I have served with don't even stay in touch as much, and the guys that do are only small groups. Not the whole battalion. I hope in the future guys I have served with stay in contact as well as you guys do.
I would like to say thank you again for the honor of attending the 1/7 Vietnam reunion and I wish you all the best!
Semper Fi,
Sgt Shawn M. Stimmel