Our reunions allow us men to reconnect and share our experiences while we were in Vietnam. We veterans share similar experiences as well as the bonds of Marine Corps combat service and the oath to protect and serve. Each of us vets have walked along the path of the warrior and our shared experiences make each of us stronger and closer as brothers. We always invite our spouses, significant others, family, and friends to attend our reunions. They too get a deeper understanding of our experiences, commitments, and service. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
“As the years go by, we continue to lose our brothers and our numbers will continue to dwindle. Please consider coming to our reunion to renew those bonds which will bind us together for all time. We share a remembrance of all our comrades at each reunion.”
Semper Fi.
Joe Sonderman
“The first one was back in 2008 in Ohio at Al Gautschi’s backyard. I still remember my feelings as I headed to Ohio on the plane. Palms sweating, second thoughts, and a sense of dread and fear. Very similar to the plane ride to Vietnam. So glad I didn’t get back on the plane after I landed in Ohio. I have benefited so much by attending and thank all of you for the camaraderie that we share at these events.”
“This past reunion in San Diego, I was able to put faces to names I had heard so much about and take pictures with people I had only seen in photos. I relished all of the time spent with everyone: the stories and the experiences at Pendleton and MCRD. I feel so honored to share with this distinguished group.”
Semper Fi
Jay Peterson
“When Jay Peterson contacted me by email and told me about the Hotel 2/5 reunions, he sent me a picture of himself standing with another radio operator in Nam that he didn’t recognize or know. That other radio guy in the picture standing next to Jay was me! My wife and I attended our first reunion in New Orleans in 2012 mainly out of curiosity. I had trepidations about going to that reunion, but it proved to be much more powerful, meaningful, and important than I could have imagined. I then began attending every reunion after that, as they were with the men I knew best, those with whom I had the most connections and shared the same experiences of the Vietnam War. I got clarification on some of my memories. For me, the past blur of Vietnam came back into detailed focus when spending time talking with the guys while finding closure to the things and events I experienced in the war. The reunions helped me deal with my PTSD.”
“Many of us are slowed down by the various realities of aging, but when we get together, it is always with the camaraderie that we formed back in our youthful Vietnam days. That camaraderie is as deep and abiding as that of real brothers. One of the realities we face now is our own nearness to life’s ultimate reality, death. I will continue to enjoy the conversations and the laughs over a lifetime of stories with my dear brothers.”
Semper Fi
Larry Tyler