Secretary’s Message

The San Diego reunion has come and gone and we have to thank the reunion committee, Chet Thomason, Sharon Chapin and William (Bill) Becker, for a job well done.  The weather was mild and pleasant and the view from the hospitality room on the 16^th floor of the water front and Little Italy were fantastic.  The attendance at the reunion was a little lower than in past years, but it did not dampen the spirit and camaraderie of those who attended.  The reunion featured a trolley tour of the city of San Diego, a presentation by Dr. Natuzzi on visits to Guadalcanal, a tour of the carrier USS Midway and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot graduation, which brought back memories to several of our members who received their basic training in San Diego. As usual old friendships were renewed and new friends were made.

Over the winter months, Dawn and I worked on the GCV data base and tried to establish contact with some members that we have not heard from in a while.  We sent out 157 letters to members that we have not heard from since 2009. We were able to find some, some had moved, some were deceased, but we still have approximately 70 members that are MIA (missing in action).

I would like to thank all the members who have sent in donations and their dues for the new year. If you are unsure if your dues are expired, check the date above your name and address on the ECHOES. If the date is 08/07/2011 or before then your dues for the new year are due.

Looking forward to see all of you in Washington DC in 2012 for the 70^th anniversary!

Dawn and Jerry Mohn