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Vietnam Veterans of the 2d Battalion 1st Marines, Inc.
Notes from the Vice Presidents
October 17, 2024
Milwaukee Recap - I received many positive comments about our Milwaukee reunion. Members and spouses enjoyed our excursions and liked the buffet banquet dinner format. The buffet seems to be a winner for us and we will continue with it for future reunions.
Also, our ladies enjoyed the Ladies Luncheon. It has been a big hit each year and we will have a Ladies Luncheon at each reunion. Complements to Mickey Kilroy and her daughters for the luncheon favors for each attendee. They put much effort into making the favor bags and they were very appreciated by the luncheon attendees.
Reunion Expenses - The Trustees of VV 2/1 plan extensively to make each reunion a success. We are careful with our expenditures and seek to get the best rate for our hotels, transportation, and stocking the hospitality suite. We are charged for many of the expenses far in advance of the reunion date and therefore rely on member commitments to attend the reunion because failure to meet our room numbers penalizes us monetarily. Unfulfilled bus seats, excursion attendance and luncheon commitments also hurt us in the pocketbook. Consequently, if you are unable to keep your commitment after paying, do not expect a refund as VV 2/1 does not get refunded by the bus company, hotel, or excursion site. The donations we receive are welcome, but they do not offset our reunion expenses.
Quilts of Valor - The awarding of the Quilts of Valor to our members is a profound gesture of gratitude for your service to our Corps and Country. For those members who would like to receive a Quilt of Valor at future reunions, please notify me, Tony, Mario, or Vinnie and we will begin that process. For our members who received a quilt in Milwaukee - thank you for your service and use the quilt regularly. They are amazingly comfortable.
Banquet Table Seating - We will continue organizing the banquet table seating, giving our members the opportunity to sit with those they choose to dine with instead of a chaotic seating arrangement. With the exception of a few late arrivals, the Milwaukee banquet seating seemed to work very well.
Banquet Attire - The majority of attendees dressed very nicely, and our ladies always look resplendent. However, there were some guests who needed to shine up their banquet attire. If our Color Guard is providing services in their dress blue uniforms, we at the banquet should at least look dressier than t-shirts and jeans.
It has been my pleasure to help make our annual reunions as enjoyable as possible. It is an opportunity for us to meet former battalion members and see our old shipmates in a comfortable setting. I look forward to our future gatherings. Please send me comments and ideas to help make future reunions as good as they can be.
Semper Fidelis, Tim Dunn, VP
