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1961 to 1998 MarDet Marines, USS Enterprise |
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The Big E in the Phillippines 1966 (Vietnam War)
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| Service: |
Marine Corps |
| Unit Name: |
Marine Detachment (MARDET) USS Enterprise CVN-65 |
| Date: |
Jul 21, 2005 - Jul 24, 2005 |
| Place: |
Point Plaza Suites and Conference Hotel |
| City: |
Newport News, |
| State: |
VA |
| Person to Contact: |
MSgt. James E. Conover, USMC (Ret) |
| Email Contact Person: |
Send Email
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| Web Page: |
www.pointplazasuites.com
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| Phone: |
202-441-3085 |
| Comments: |
Hello "Big E" Marines,
The reunion was a great success and I would like to thank all of those who attended and wanted to attend but could not at this time. Our group visited the now closed USMC Sea School in Porthsmouth, VA. After taking pictures, touring the grounds and telling sea stories, we drove to Newport News, VA., where we took a tour of the entire shipyard. We saw the carrier USS George W. Bush being build, along with other carriers and subs still in pieces. That in it self was a historical event. The highlight of this reunion came when all of us went back aboard the USS Enterprise after 38 years! We went to the old Marine Detachment compartment, the flight deck, the captains area, the aft mess deck and the hanger bay. After all of these years, we knew our way around the ship!! We took a group photo on the flight deck (we will post that here later). I have so many people to thank for helping me to make this dream come true. I was honored with the privilage of escourting the last Marine Detachment off the Big E in 1998 and as I drove away from the ship that day; I thought that one day I would return with members of my detachment (1965-67), and we did just that!! We took many pictures together, laughed until we cried, drank and eat together, look at old scrap books, cruise books, watched old 8mm movies of visits to Hong Kong and the Phillippines (thanks John), Pictures with sound on a CD (thanks Jerry), a Detachment photo (thanks Roger), photo albums (thanks Andy), finding out that some of our buddies, like me, went back to Vietnam for ground action was very moving (I am so happy that you made it back David, Roger and John). Yes, we lost one to KIA in 'Nam ( We missed you Berry), we thought of you too Baronni (died in an auto accident). To the ladies who tolerated us for four days, THANK YOU!! Overall, it was a great experience and we want you to join us the next time!! Yes, we are having on-going discussions about doing it again in 2007!! If you are interested in reuniting all of the USS Enterprise Marine Detachment members (1961-1998) email me.
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For driving directions to the Point Plaza Hotel, contact www.Mapquest.com and type in 950 J. Clyde Morris Blvd. Newport News, Va 23601 or contact www.pointplazasuites.com.
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| Posted by: |
James Conover |
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