FMDA Annual Reunion

UPDATE:

Richlands man found guilty of wearing Marine uniform, medals

It took a jury less than an hour to find a Richlands man guilty of making false statements to the department of Veterans Affairs, pocketing more than $30,000 in unmerited disability payments for service-connected combat stress, and wearing the uniform and medals of a highly decorated Marine colonel without authorization.

Military officials and investigators testified that Hamilton had been apprehended aboard Marine Corps installations including Miramar's air station, Parris Island Recruiting Depot and Camp Lejeune wearing the insignia of a colonel, brigadier general and lieutenant general before appearing as a Marine colonel in the April 2010 incident that led to his indictment.

FULL STORY

VETERANS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION??

VETERAN SCAM VIDEO - PLEASE WATCH

Park Dedication

< CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE >

Chapter member Lawson Wooton recently represented all VN Vets of Echo 2/7 at a dedication of a park, to be named in honor of Sgt. Matthew Mendoza, a member of the current Echo 2/7, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the current war against terrorism. His parents, Liz and Raul Mendoza, whom we met in San Antonio, and who stood for photos with Chapter members in San Antonio, had extended an invitation to this dedication to all of us, but only Lawson was able to accept and, in doing so, represented all Echo 2/7 Marines. 

Stonehill Productions continues to provide Echo 2/7 Vietnam Veterans with our reunion shirts and cammy covers, via their website at:

Echo 2/7 Chapter Pride Apparel

They have just announced that we can purchase ANY apparel item on their E-store with our distinctive embroidery, at no extra charge. Stonehill has pledged to continue to make contributions in the amount of 10% of all sales from Echo 2/7 Vietnam Veterans, to our Chapter. You can make a secure purchase on-line, or download a printable order form which you can mail in. Just remember to identify yourself as an Echo 2/7 Vietnam Veteran.  Now is the time to order our chapter's custom logo shirts and jackets for the reunion in June.

usmarine-onceandalways.com 

Semper Fidelis!

For The Grunt On The Go

A little girl's poem

Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow. 
Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home 
Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.  
But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say. 
What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone. 
And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home. 

But the little girl went to school eager to tell them all. 
About a dad she never sees, a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats.

One by one the teacher called a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.
At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching, for a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?" She heard a boy call out.

"She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout.
And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."
The words did not offend her, as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak. 
And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique. 
"My Daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away. 
But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day. 
And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know. 
All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.
He loved to tell me stories and taught me to ride my bike. 
He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite. 
We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone. 
And though you cannot see him, I'm not standing here alone. 
"Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart. 
I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart."

And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears. Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years. 
For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life. 
Doing what was best for her, doing what was a right.

She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud. 
"I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star. 
And if he could, he'd be here, but heaven's just too far. 

You see he is a Marine who had died just this past year. 

When a roadside bomb hit his convoy and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away." 

And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day. 
And to her mother's amazement, she witnessed with surprise. 
A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes. 
Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside. Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side.
"I know you're with me Daddy," to the silence she called out. 
And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed. But there on the desk beside her, was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star. And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far. 

Submitted by Verl "Doc" Matthews  

A TRIBUTE TO THE VIETNAM WAR VETERAN

Sent to Messenger by readers of the Tooter

> How are things? I wonder if you can help me. Some months ago I read on the tooter a letter or memo or some sort of addition about a Marine who graduated from college and was a teacher and volunteered to be a  scout sniper and was killed. I believe that this was about Dennis 
Casey, a good friend of mine, who was killed in about June of 67 by a 
mortar which hit the CP on an operation. Can you help me find this 
and do you know if it was Dennis?
There is a high school boy in Texas whose school has to research 
Vietnam era KIA from the Wall. He picked Dennis' name and found Terry Walter and got some information. I would like to send this letter to 
him if i can find it and if it is about Dennis. I dont remember that 
it mentioned the name of the Marine. I am in contact with Dennis' 
family and would also like to send it  to them. Thanks for your help.
Richard Stevenson

 ki6baq@me.com
God Bless America
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever.
United States Marines 

> Here is a note that was posted on http://thewall-usa.com/ regarding Cpl. Dennis L. Casey, KIA June 18, 1967. Wendell  Dendurent pandagranny@hotmail.com 

I Was With You, Until the End - On Op., Arizona, our S-2, ITT/Scout Section, was together in a hootch, when an enemy mortar round, hit the roof. Casey was killed by the shrapnel, several others, wounded and we couldn't hear, for several days. Casey wanted, to go on the op. and I remember, he was a short-timer, but he wanted pics., for a U.S. history class. I'll always remember, you and Semper Fi, Marine!  

> The Vietnam War, a time this Country would prefer to forget, but no one that was there would ever sell out or disrespect those that fought, bled, and died for Our Country.

Watch this video, you will get lost in the photos.

Doc Levine  http://oldbluejacket.com/vietnam.htm 

> Hey guys, You have to check out this website that Gene Ogozelek sent www.recordsofwar.com/vietnam/usmc/USMC_Rvn.htm This site gives the chronology for everyday you were in country and where and what we were doing, the number of KIA/WIA, everything. I have been reading for days and find things that rattle my memory. Check it out!! Frank Sullivan

> Submit Your Message Here 

Echo 2/7 Bronze Star Recipient

Frank Long, another Marine from Alabama who also served with E/2/7, finally received the Bronze Star Medal w/Combat "V". Here below is a copy of his citation.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in awarding the Bronze Star Medal to:
Lance Corporal Willie Frank Long

United States Marine Corps

for service set forth in the following :

CITATION

For service in connection Operation Pickens Forest, Republic of Vietnam while a member of Echo Company, Second Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, Fleet Marine Forces, Pacific. On the evening of 26 July 1970 in the Thach Bich area of western Quang Nam Province Lance Corporal Long was a member of an eight-man squad ambush. About 10 p.m. the squad sighted and engaged a heavily armed superior enemy force of 30 soldiers. The squad used rifle and machine gun fire and grenades. A fierce fire-fight ensued at close range lasting about 30 minutes resulting in five enemy killed and six Marines wounded including Lance Corporal Long. Friendly artillery fire kept the enemy at bay while an emergency medical evacuation helicopter was sent to ambush site. Lance Corporal Long refused evacuation and provided covering fire so that five of the more seriously wounded Marines could be rescued. During the night Lance Corporal Long assisted in directing additional artillery fire until he and the other remaining Marines were relieved by Echo Company. A search of the area netted three enemy weapons and 24 hostile packs. Also, several blood trails leading away from the site were noted indication many more enemy were wounded in this encounter. Lance Corporal Long's actions throughout the night exhibited great personal courage above and beyond call of duty. His steadfast devotion to duty helped save the lives of his fellow Marines and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Lance Corporal Long is authorized to wear the combat "V".  

SEMPER FIDELIS 

Battle after Starlite 

Operation Piranha was the code name for a joint U.S Marine and ARVN amphibious-heliborne assult on Vietcong positions on the Batangan Peninsula in September of 1965. It was an attempt to repeat the success of Operation Starlite and was marked by the destruction of a major Vietcong stronghold.

Operation Piranha - A History 

Operation Piranha - The Battle

Vietnam War Expression  

"Wasted"  

Many people, especially combat Marines, came to see the U.S. effort and the resulting loss of life in Vietnam as a waste. "Wasted" which referred to killing people, evolved from this sentiment. A Marine who killed an enemy soldier in combat might describe the incident in colorful, profane language by saying he "wasted the -----" *(expletive deleted) with his M-14 / M16 or M79. "Wasted" might also be used to describe the mercy killing of a wounded soldier, either enemy or allied, who was mortally wounded, or the summary execution of a prisoner of war. The term is most frequently associated, however, with what is considered to be an unnecessary killing - the accidental or intentional killing of civilian noncombatants or the killing of another soldier.

FMDA Elections

THE E/2/7 CHAPTER IS HONORED TO HAVE TWO MEMBERS ON THE BALLOT

Check the last page of the Old Breed News for your ballot and the names of all the other candidates. Cast the vote per your conscience. Note that as a Chapter we are precluded from endorsing any candidate. Just vote.

Check the last page of the Old Breed News for your Voter Official Ballot, or, click & print here for a Ballot and labeled envelope addressed to the 1st Marine Division Association.