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TBS Class Golf 7-68 |
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2005 Reunion Highlights |
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2005 TBS San
Diego Reunion Highlights On Thursday, 10/20/05 we all met at the Dana Hotel at Mission Point. The Dana was our congregation point for the weekend and most of us stayed there as well. We began the reunion with a welcoming cocktail party. Don Oliphant hired a Mariachi Band as background music to give us all a taste of Southern California culture. We had 65 attendees, 38 men and 27 women. About 50% returned from the 1st reunion and 50% were new attendees. We had 9 more women attend this time. We missed Art Tifford (who had the name tags made again) because he had to cancel his trip due to the imminent arrival of Hurricane Rita in Miami. The reunions mean a lot to Art, since he was one of the driving forces along with Paul DiBlasio that got us to our first reunion in Quantico. As a sad addendum to our reunion, Art lost his beloved wife, Barbara, to cancer on January 2, 2006. We got up early the next morning to board the bus for MCRD at 7:30AM to attend Morning Colors and the subsequent graduation of Kilo Company. Jim Groark worked with Paul Gerencser, Joe Reich’s San Diego counterpart, to make all the arrangements for us. Paul arranged for the official USMC Band Coach Bus to transport our TBS class and even purchased 100 new chairs for our comfort during Morning Colors. Paul also arranged to have Captain Reddinger, the MCRD Protocol Officer, as our tour guide. Between Colors and the graduation we toured the Marine Corps Museum. The Graduation clearly reminded us that the Marine Corps is in great hands! We sat in a special section set up for us. There was also a DI reunion group that sat next to us. After the graduation we walked to the mess hall and walked through the chow line to have lunch. The wives got a kick out of eating off mess trays. After eating, General Paxton, MCRD Base Commander, took time out of his busy day to chat with us about the importance of continuing the Marine Corps traditions by staying in contact with the Corps and supporting family and friends who are currently in the Marines or who plan to join the Marines. Everyone commented on the warm reception that we received and the heart warming and memorable experience of the whole morning. Friday afternoon we were on our own. Some of us went to Old Town, others to La Jolla. In the evening we went on a dinner cruise on the High Spirits arranged by Sandy Purdon. We cruised the harbor and had a delicious buffet dinner. On Saturday morning we all got on a bus to visit the Midway, a WWII aircraft carrier. Many of the aircraft from our Vietnam era were on display: A-6 and F-4 jet fighters, and CH-46 and Huey helicopters. We also took a guided tour of the control tower of the carrier. We had the afternoon to ourselves. Most of us toured the downtown area, Balboa Park or went to the historic Hotel Del Coronado. Saturday evening was the dinner at the San Diego Yacht Club arranged by Sandy Purdon. Sandy had a conflict with a “Fleet Week” dinner but took the time to give us a very insightful 15 minute talk on the recent history of the America’s Cup. Sandy was the Executive Director of the winning Stars & Stripes America’s Cup Challenge at Perth, Australia from 1983-1987 skippered by Dennis Conner. He pointed out the increasing sophistication and cost of the boats. Most recently, Oracle CEO, Larry Ellison, is said to be spending upwards of $200 million on his next challenge boat! After dinner we walked the hallowed halls of the club to view pictures and boat models that marked the history of the America’s Cup. Afterwards, many of us reconvened at the Fireflies bar back at the Dana for some additional stories and catching up. The next morning Linton Whittles gave a short reprise of the memorial service that he gave in Quantico. He also mentioned the recent passing of Buzz Walsh and George Barnes and Dan Carradice’s battle with cancer (which eventually took him on January 18, 2006). This was followed by a sumptuous Brunch at the Dana followed by some final conversations before we hit the road for the journey home. We all look forward to the next bi-annual reunion which will most likely be in the Washington, DC area, however, we are open to other suggestions! Paul Wilburger |
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