We all had a great time meeting other Marines at Tun Tavern. We ate, we drank, we ate more, we drank more, we played games. The music and the Marine videos were fantastic. We also had fun meeting and greeting new people we had never met before. I’m sure it was the same, back in the day in 1775 when those first Marines and their families greeted one another at Tun Tavern.
It was a great evening of fun, laughter, and relaxing to great music from the 60’s. It was also fun seeing ourselves from our Vietnam days being displayed on 14 of the TV displays throughout the tavern. Col John Bates is playing a “serious game of Checkers/Chess” with Seattle resident Pat Peterson with John’s wife, Stephanie, looking on.
For everyone who participated in the games, we each received a Maine Corps Challenge Coin. The men received the Tun Tavern coin while the Spouses all received the USMC Spouse coin. We were reminded of what it takes to earn the USMC EGA. The EGA coins were a good reminder to us of who we are. Consequently, our theme, “We Are Marines!”
Our hosts, Larry and Rita Tyler welcomed everyone, presented our Guidon Flag with the new Seattle 2024 Reunion streamer with our reunion chaplain, Fred Tittle’s Invocation, and Pledge of Allegiance to officially open our reunion meetings for the day on Thursday.
Joe Sonderman and Jay Peterson presented the honored H 2/5 Challenge Coin to each USMC Veteran newcomer to our reunion.
Presentations throughout the day included “Our EGA” and “Name Calling” by host Larry Tyler.
Co-host, Rita Tyler presented an eloquent speech she wrote called “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave”.
We were introduced to Scott Davis, “The Vietnam Experience on You-Tube Channel” who photographed our reunion and provided video interviews of our Vietnam Combat Veterans
throughout the days of the reunion.
We were also introduced to Bart Cole, “Warrior Reunion Foundation” whose foundation had provided us with hats, shirts, medal
drinking cups, and Vietnam maps. Additionally, his foundation provided funds for our Saturday Seattle harbor tour, Saturday bus transportation, and worked with Gary Sinise Foundation to sponsor our beautiful banquet dinner on Saturday evening.
Many award certificates were passed out to our Vietnam Veterans on Thursday morning. The “Chaplain Service Certification” was presented to Chaplain Fred Tittle, and to Chaplain Frank Armenta. The “Republic of Vietnam Service Medal Certification” was presented to 18 Marines who were not present at the 2023 reunion to receive this award. Seventeen Marines received the “Purple Heart Pin” award and were recognized for their service and sacrifice to our nation. Dennis Casey, John McKay, Tom Keene, and Tony Marengo were awarded the “US Marine Corps War Memorial Statue Trophy” for outstanding service with Hotel 2/5.
Our three Corpsmen, Dale Allin, Dennis Noah, and Joe Sonderman were recognized and roasted by our host teasing them about their duties and responsibilities while serving us in Vietnam. They were presented with The Navy Lapel Pin, The U.S. Navy Corpman Patch, and the DOC Navy Corpsman Challenge Coin. We love our Corpsmen!
Two Chaplain Certificates with Chaplain Pins were issued to Fred Tittle and Frank Armenta. These two men have the qualifications as chaplains and pastors to council our reunion members on spiritual issues.
During our afternoon session on Thursday afternoon, Barry Broman, John McKay, and Larry Tyler provided book presentations. Barry highlighted his two new books “The Spy from Place Saint-Sulpice” and “Indochina Hand Tales of a CIA Case Officer”. See the topic “Larry’s Ten Book Recommendations” placed on our website where he highlighted these books at this reunion. These books have printed information about H 2/5 in combat in Vietnam. Barry Broman had a successful book signing and book sale.
After dinner, Thursday evening, Larry played a video called “Vietnam Radio Operators”. We learned in this video that the life expectancy of a Vietnam Radio Operator is 5 seconds! After the video, Larry called up nine of our Marines, plus himself,
to the front of the room to have a chat and Q & A with them about their experiences being radio operators in Vietnam. They were Mike Burton, Dennis Casey, Anthony Cordisco, Randy Neff, Dale Pappas, Jay Peterson, David Schodde, Dan Smith, Larry Tyler, and Gary Woodruff. Larry then proceeded to use a PowerPoint presentation to show each of the guys with their PRC-25 radios back in the Vietnam days. He also teased each of the guys by asking them lots of questions about their radios. Such questions were “Do you remember your call sign?” How much did your radio and extra battery weigh? Larry had them recite the military phonetic alphabet.
It was lots of fun having the guys all share their experiences with their radios. Larry showed in his presentation what modern day Marines are now using for radios in a combat zone. They are very small and weigh less than half a pound vs our old PRC-25’s that weigh 25 to 28 pounds. Each of our radio operators received a
nice Field Radio Operator Service Certification and a red USMC Veteran Flag as a thank you gift for participating.
Friday morning was a very special and incredible day for us Marines attending this reunion. Our group boarded our large passenger bus and were dropped of at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. It was cloudy and a bit cool day but no rain. Chaplain Fred Tittle and Larry Tyler presided over the memorial event. We were greeted with a sign on the front wall under the nose of the large B-52 bomber aircraft, “Welcome Home H 2/5 Vietnam Veterans!” We all participated in the reading and honoring of our H 2/5, 196 Killed In Action (KIA) Marines, from Vietnam and also remembering those who have attended past reunions but have since passed away into eternity.
It was a touching and very emotional, moving event as the USAF McChord Honor Guard and the USMC McChord Honor Guard with a total of twenty persons performed military honors with the handing of our Colors (Flag Ceremony), the laying of a memorial wreath, three volley gun salute, and the playing of TAPS as our American Flag was lowered to half-mast. A bagpiper played the “Marine Corps Hymn”, “God Bless America”, and then “Amazing Grace” to close the ceremony. The laying of the military memorial wreath at this ceremony symbolized honor, respect, and gratitude for their service and sacrifice. With a moment of silence as the wreath was being laid it represented eternity, continuity, and a fond memory of them with victory, bravery, and peace. It was a moment in a sacred space at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park, set aside to honor our beloved brothers.
Our very own Chaplain Fred Tittle spoke about the bravery of those who had paid the price for their part in America’s freedom. Together we served, together forever in our thoughts, together we honor you, together we salute you. We stop to remember your sacrifice and are respectfully grateful. May their spirts live forever through their loved ones and through us fellow Marines. Semper Fidelis. We were all grateful we spent this time together honoring and paying our respects to these fellow Marine brothers.
As the bugle was playing TAPS, and a Marine in uniform was lowering the American Flag to half-mast, printed in our program handout was this quote; “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” – Author Unknown.
Immediately after our KIA Memorial Service, we walked across the parking lot to have lunch at the Wings Café at the Museum of Flight. We fueled up on an array of quick snacks, cold sandwiches and salads, hot entrees, and refreshing beverages. We enjoyed the outside patio with the up-close view of the Boeing Field air traffic. Afterwards, we split into three groups and had a Docent
for each group lead the way to tell us about the aircraft we were seeing on display and them sharing their personal experiences of them flying some of these great aircraft. It was a wonderful experience visiting this museum.
Friday evening was left open for everyone to enjoy exploring Seattle on their own. Some stayed at our hotel and rested while others grouped together and went exploring. Many enjoyed having a meal at a restaurant of their choice.
There were fifty-eight of us that enjoyed the large passenger bus ride from our hotel traveling north through the streets of downtown Seattle to Pier 55 on the Seattle waterfront. We stopped to have a group picture taken before boarding the Argosy Cruise Ship named “Salish Explorer” for our Seattle Harbor Cruise. It was a gorgeous warm sunshiny day making the Seattle skyline even more beautiful. It was 10:30 AM, no fog and no rain, just a beautiful warm sunny day with very few white puffy clouds.
The cruise was wonderful. The Seattle skyline was glorious. The water was very smooth. For over an hour, our ship captain and narrator explained everything that we were looking at. Adding lots of history and points of interest as we cruised in a huge loop in the bay. Special thanks goes to Bart Cole (WRF) who picked up our snacks and drinks tab for all of us while we were on the hour-long cruise.
After the cruise, we enjoyed an hour’s time shopping at all the gift shops located there along the pier.
A few of us stayed downtown for the rest of the afternoon.
Most of us went back to the Radisson Hotel to relax and get ready for our highlight of our reunion which is our annual reunion banquet.
For many of us reunion attendees that attend from year to year, the Saturday Night Banquet is the highlight of the Reunion week. Everyone of us come dressed up to enjoy each other, the program and the wonderful meal served. The tables were beautifully decorated with red, white, and blue linens. Rita Tyler created the masterful center pieces and the patriotic wrapped chocolate candy for everyone to enjoy. Special thanks to Chaplain Fred Tittle who provided both our Invocation and our Benediction.
After everyone got their cocktails and mixed drinks poured from our open cash bar, our host opened the evening with his opening speech. “Good evening, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen! It is a great honor and pleasure to welcome you here tonight. This evening has been prepared in honor of all of you, as a thank you for all of your highly valued attendance, contributions, encouragements to one another, and partaking of a dinner together as a family to create a continued vision that will guide us in our future reunions together. We’re gathered tonight, just as we have gathered before, to remember those who served and returned home, those who fought, those still missing, and those who gave their last full measure of devotion to our great country. America is grateful to all you Vietnam Veterans for your service and sacrifices to this country.” He then went on to quote President Ronald Regan about the importance of remembering our Vietnam Veterans and remembering them as Heroes!
A video called “Welcome Home” was then played depicting pictures of us Marines back in Vietnam days as we sat there at our tables seeing pictures of ourselves being displayed on three wall screens as the music from the video played.
Next, our host introduced our distinguished guests. Mr. Bart Cole, Warrior Reunion Foundation, Miss Chrissy Tingley, Sales Manager at Radisson Hotel, and Miss Vanessa Munson, Miss Washington 2023. Picture at right is Sally and Dale Pappas with Bart Cole (center).
Before the salad plate was served, our host, Larry Tyler, gave a detailed explanation for the meaning of every item that was displayed on the Missing Man’s Table.
After the salad was served and the tables were cleared, Bart Cole introduced his foundation with a brief video from his CEO and founder, James Ferguson. Mr. Cole then surprised us with two additional videos, a personal greeting from Gary Sinise at the Gary Sinise Foundation, sending his best to us folks at this reunion. The second video was a personal video greeting from Col. Eric Dougherty, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines G3 explaining the 2/5 legacy and history of our bloodline in Vietnam and showing us the Vietnam Memorial located at Camp Pendleton.
The choice of dinner along with our Classic Caesar Salad was Beef Medallions with Creamy Gorgonzola-Rosemary Sauce served with cauliflower rice and wine sauce, and seasonal vegetables, or Roasted Airline Chicken Marsala served with Parmesan & Rosemary cauliflower rice, and Seasonal Vegetables, or Salmon with Lemon Herb Sauce served with cauliflower rice and wine sauce, Seasonal Vegetables. Later served, was our fruit dessert with Fresh Mixed Berries with Whip Cream over Pound Cake. During the mealtime, there was violin, cello, piano, and guitar music being played softly in the background. The food was very delicious.
After the champagne bottles were uncorked and our glasses filled, six toasts were presented at our banquet by our host Larry Tyler. They included:
- Toast to Our KIA
- Toast to Our Combat Marines & to All Marines
- Toast to God, Liberty & Freedom
- Toast to the Corps
- Toast to Our Reunion Volunteers
- Toast to Our Wives and Families
Our host used a PowerPoint Slide presentation to introduce our guest speaker, Miss Vanessa Munson. She is a visionary leader and trailblazer; has left an indelible mark on the world through her extraordinary young life and early accomplishments. Vanessa is a 24-year-old graduate of the American Military University (AMU) where she obtained a bachelor’s in business management. Sargent Vanessa became a veteran of the United States Army in March of 2024 after serving 4 years Active Duty on Joint Base Lewis-McChord where she worked as a Human Resources Specialist for the 508th MP BN (D). She is pursuing officer candidate school.
Miss Munson became Miss Washington 2023 and was in the Miss America Contest in January 2024. As the first Miss Washington to be in the military and be both active duty and a veteran during her year of service, she has aimed to bridge the gap on women being able to wear more than one hat at the same time. OK, a military beret and a full crown at the same time.
Vanessa is also hearing impaired and wears a cochlear device called the Osia. After struggling for years with her hearing loss she works toward ensuring that all people find confidence from the inside out as she states that our worth is not defined by our exterior nor the circumstances we may face.
Miss Munson spoke to us about her personal experiences, challenges, and life struggles to encourage all of us to fight on and stay the course. She was an inspiration to all of us.
Late Saturday night, after the banquet, Miss Stephanie Casey presented the results of our Silent Auction. We raised the most from any previous year’s reunions.
We especially had a great time being together at our events and activities, sitting around together, talking out our experiences, and expressing our thoughts about the Vietnam War. It was great getting reacquainted with some folks who hadn’t been at one of our reunions in a long while. It was most enjoyable welcoming our new 2/5 Marines attending their first H 2/5 reunion by providing them with our H 2/5 challenge coin.
Semper FI,
Your Seattle 2024 Hosts,
Larry & Rita Tyler