"Once a Marine - Always a Marine" Honor * Courage * Commitment Editors: Don Patterson ~ Pete Gallo

Transcription

1 MCL National Dept NJ MCL Marines Care Foundation Slattery Detachment 206 NJ 206 OFFICERS Keith Butler * Commandant Welcome To Your OnLine Newsletter - Jun 2014 Volume #2 Issue #6 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery Marine Corps League, Detachment #206 Marines Care Foundation, Inc., Whippany, New Jersey P.O. Box 566, West Caldwell, NJ This newsletter is interactive while online, all links will work & sometimes open a new screen. To print in full color, set your printer for "Print Backgrounds". To print in B & W, just print page. You can print each page separately, the page number is at top right of page. Officers & members wishing to post in the newsletter, please send info to Pete Gallo. Note: Eddie Neas Hospital Report is located on & Bob Beck * Senior Vice Commandant Jimmy Heien * Junior Vice Commandant Bob Stalzer * Judge Advocate Steve Bliss Adjutant/Paymaster Jim Loizides Assistant Adjutant/Paymaster Dan Danzi Chaplain Anthony Oszmianski Sergeant at Arms Artie Williams Quartermaster Charlene Bowie Recording Officer Pete Gallo Past Commandant * = Detachment Trustees Don Patterson Pete Gallo Newsletter Editors The Marine Rose [ See Page (2) & (6) ~ CHEERLEADERS VOLUNTEER TO COLLECT DONATIONS ] ~ * ~ Feel free to forward the newsletter & web site address's to those on your contact list "Once a Marine - Always a Marine" Honor * Courage * Commitment Editors: Don Patterson ~ Pete Gallo

2 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun #1 Jun 4th - Meeting starts 1930 Post 155 Legion home 2014 Schedule Jun 14th - Flag retirement ceremony (at dusk) American Legion Post home Whippany Jun 16th - At dusk -Flag Retirement Ceremony join us as we fall in with the American Legion Post 155 members for the Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony,Take this time to show your children, grand children, friends how the Flag is properly Retired with Respect & Honor, refreshments follow the ceremony. Jun 19th - Lunch Bunch meets at Billy's Red Room Whippany Jul 2nd - Meeting starts 1930 Post 155 Legion home Whippany Nomination det. officers Jul 24th - 8th Annual L/CPL Chris Cosgrove Golf Outing at Picatinny Golf Course sponsored by Marines Care Foundation - More info & registration forms to follow will be posted on both sites & in the newsletter. Aug 6th - Meeting starts 1900 Summer social details to follow Sep 3rd - Meeting starts Election of officers Oct 1st - Meeting starts Installation of officers. Nov 5th - Meeting starts 1930 Post 155 Legion home Whippany Nov 10th - 239th Birthday Marine Corps. Nov 11th - Veterans Day ceremony meet 1030 Post 155 Legion home Dec 3rd - Meeting starts 1930 Post 155 Legion home Whippany THIRD ANNUAL BENEFIT COCKTAIL RECEPTION Thursday May 1, 2014 The Law Offices of Geoffrey D. Muller hosted the 3rd annual Cocktail party,at Zana - D Restaurant Tenafly NJ. Donations thankfully accepted to benefit "The Marines Care Foundation" a total $1,757. was raised. The Board of Director's Marines Care Foundation Inc. wish to thank Geoffrey D Muller for sponsoring the cocktail Party and to all the generous donors. Operation Chillout Homeless Veterans Out Reach Program (L-R) Ray Chimileski, Applebee representative, Gunny Mario Monaco (Ret), Tony DeStefano Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast to Support Operation Chillouts Homeless Veterans Out Reach Program

3 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun #2 American Legion Flag Retirement Ceremony June 16, 2014 at dusk:: An invitation to be present as the Slattery Detachment members join the American Legion Post!55 members in the Retirement Ceremony at the Legion Home, Legion Place, Whippany NJ. For those of you that may never have been at a flag retirement ceremony or are unaware how the flag is properly retired, this is a great opportunity to join with your family, grandchildren, friends & neighbors to witness this ceremony. Meet at the Legion 1/2 hour before dusk. If you have a MCL cover fine, if not your participation is greatly appreciated. There is also a year round outside drop-off location to deposit any old, worn or torn flags you may have for retirement. Refreshments served following the ceremony. CHEERLEADERS VOLUNTEER TO COLLECT DONATIONS Cheerleaders Kylie, Sierra and Olivia of the Cheer Pride Junior team, part of the Cheer program in Whippany while shopping at Walmart with their moms Debbie & Dana were impressed with the Marine Rose program and wanted to be part of supporting Our Wounded Warriors & Veterans. They asked if it was okay for them to help collect donations and immediately took a collection container and roses and joined in with the Marines collecting donations. They are truly very special unselfish young ladies.their parents, the Whippany Cheer program and Community can be very proud of them. The Slattery Detachment thanks them for being good citizens & supporting Veterans. We wish them success in their Cheerleading Competitions. Joe Donahue, Marine Rose Chairman... See Page (6) for More Info Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony April 27, 2014 : American Legion Post #155 Home, Mario(Gunny) Monaco presents Certificates and awards to Eagle Scouts of Troop 155 Whippany Peter Abbondanzo, Matt Gallo, Julian Colicchio as many of their proud family members, friends fellow scouts scouting officials and Mayor Ron Franciolli were in attendance.

4 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun #3 The Large White House by PFC Thomas Miller, Tactical Air Control Party Radio Operator, 2nd BN/7th Marines This is an excerpt of my story from my 60-page Operation Harvest Moon book. I put the collection of firsthand stories from Marines/Corpsmen from 2/7, 2/9, 3/3 and 2/1. Some say it s the most complete story of the operation. The operation took place during the monsoon season of Dec , This part happened on 18dec65 in and around Ky Phu, a small market hamlet west of Tam Ky. The ambush began as 2/7 was halfway through Ky Phu. As the ambush escalated, the attached rear-guard (G/2/9) was being attacked from three sides. The VC 80th Battalion, a hardcore VC/NVA battalion of about 650 plus reinforcements (probably more), were trying drive a wedge in and split us into two parts and then surround us. Fox 2/7 s deployment to the front had left a gap in the column which the VC were trying to exploit, intending to cut the column into smaller sections. This gap, most of Ky Phu (over 150 yards wide), was where Jack (my radio partner) and I had finally ended up (this was not the ideal place to be but then, there really wasn t any great place that day). At that time we needed to make a decision on where to go. We could stay with the corpsman and Marine and shoot down the path at the VC or get to a better vantage point. We choose the later as the corpsman said he was alright. I had the.45 and Jack had his M-14 but only two 20-round magazines. We picked up an ammunition box of machine gun rounds the dying Marine had. Then, two other Marines joined us (Fox s XO, 1st Lt. Charlie Abbott and Fox s 3rd Platoon leader, 1st Lt. Steve Kesselring) and we went to find a vantage point to hold-off the advancing VC/NVA. We crossed an open market place area and found a large 2-story white house* and set up in the rear rear kitchen. There we had a great commanding view to the south where the majority of the VC were coming out of on a hidden river bed path moving north on. The mobile VC machine-gun section we stalked before was also located there. As Jack fired, picking off the enemy troops, I was busy stripping the metal jacket clips off the machine-gun rounds and placing them into empty 20- round magazines so that Jack would always have fire power. Stripping the rounds out of the jackets was one hard job as the jackets were sharp and soon cut the hell out of my knuckles and fingers. I didn t think about the pain at the time as nobody thought of anything but the enemy. 2/7 had it s hands full on all sides and they were closing in trying to cut us in two sections. We slowed down the advancement of the troops that were going towards mainly H&S and others in the west both also Golf in the eastern paddies. This action took place for about 40 or so minutes I lost track of time. Our firing position was almost a perfect place to be for what we were doing, only it was not unnoticed. The VC moved up a.57 cal recoilless rifle (an anti- aircraft gun). The perfect, but exposed place, now was the target. The enemy gunner (I would say an NVA) was one good shot as the first round that was fired came directly through the open rear entrance (the door was off the hinges) and hit the wall 12"- 14" behind me. It exploded and the four of us felt the brunt of the powerful explosion. Lt. Abbott was just coming back into the room from exploring the rest of the house and was blown backward. Lt. Kesselring was momentarily knock unconscious and lay on the floor next to Jack. Jack too was out cold and a piece of shrapnel had ripped his throat open and severed his jugular vein. I was the closest to the explosion, but it didn t knock me out just down on my knees. I remember the explosion; Continued on Page (4)

5 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun #4 The Large White House first hearing it; then immediately feeling sharp pains in my legs, butt and face; finally going down and seeing my right eye slowly turn to a blur as it faded down to a red spot. Eventually, there wasn t any sight or sense of color in the eye. I made a vow to God, Let me live and I ll be forever faithful (I ve missed maybe a handful of Sunday services since then). I shook my head and looked to see dust all around and everyone on the floor. The first to come to was Abbott, next came Steve Kesselring. Jack didn t move and when I got to him I could see his wounds were severe. I yelled for a medic but no one could do anything for him at this point. He bled to death. Just prior to this Lt Grosz had reached Col. Utter and informed him 2/7 was engaged with a major enemy force. Col. Utter ordered Foxtrot to about face and return west to Ky Phu and attack the main V.C. positions near H&S. The fighting in the village and west was still intense. The V.C. guerrillas were firing from well-concealed bunkers and the open paddies. At times the two sides faced each other in the western paddies at no more than 10 yards. Foxtrot s forward two platoons now turned about and jumped over the firing rifles of Golf. The Foxtrot 1st and 2nd platoons raced back west through Ky Phu lead by Captain Jim Nolan and Captain Nick Grosz. As they fought the advancing V.C. who were trying to split the column, they eliminated the V.C. now setting-up the mobile.50 cal machine gun that we had held up for some time. Fox then set-up a firing line and reversed the advancing V.C. troops in the western paddies. The V.C. in the paddies had no opportunity to pull back and were forced to fight to the death or killed fleeing. The 2nd platoon eliminated the machine-gun bunker which had caused company deaths with the use of flame-throwers attached to the battalion. An interpreter did attempt to talk to them, but the V.C. in the bunker still wouldn t surrender, so the 7-8 V.C.s were burned out. After having been taken by the surprise ambush and at first outmanoeuvred and outplayed, the exhausted Marines regrouped & turned the tables on the VC. The Marines won the day as horrible as it was. I believe that our actions in the house had forced the advancing V.C. to delay entering the center of town up the southwestern trail. The time Jack saved also had stopped the mobile machine-gun crew. This was to be a Godsent for those of H&S and the Battalion Executive Command Group that were trapped in the western paddies with malfunctioning rifles. The battle raged for more than two hours, and when it was finally over, 105 V.C. bodies lay before the Marines, and the battalion estimated it killed and wounded another 150. Years later, some Marines on a return trip to this village in Vietnam were told that Ky Phu villagers had buried 456 in the days fol- lowing the battle. I personally saw the graves in 2008 on a trip back to VN. The V.C. would never forget those Marines. The deadly combination of Marines on the ground, supported by others in the air, reaped a rich harvest during the operation. Ky Phu was not an easy victory. Over 70 Marines were wounded; some 13 killed. All who participated paid a high price in physical and mental toil under the most adverse weather conditions that 2/7 had faced there. It was a real crappo day, to say the least. *The large white house was owned by the local hamlet doctor. He was beheaded by the VC several days later for working with our doctors and aiding our wounded after the battle. I don t believe he worked on me. Backroom Big White House 18dec65 L/Cpl Jack Swender's actions in Ky Phu T.Miller, watercolor on board Continued on Page (5)

6 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun #5 [ Continued from Page (4) ~ The Large White House ]

7 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun #6 [ Continued from Page (2) ~ CHEERLEADERS VOLUNTEER TO COLLECT DONATIONS ]

8 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun #7 THE NEW JERSEY FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS MEMORIAL Over 100 Red Oak Trees have been planted in memory of each Fallen Service Member of NJ in the War on Terror. At the base of each tree is a granite stone inscribed with the service members name, there is a tree planted in Memory of L/CPL Chris Cosgrove III Chris was a member of the Slattery Detachment when he was KIA October 6, 2006 Iraq Chris had been elected Junior Vice Commandant.The detachment did donate $3,000 to help with the cost of the new granite stone name plates. We have been told they will soon be planting more trees covering the names of all the fallen to date. If you are ever on the grounds of Picatinny I recommend that you take time to walk among the trees and read the names of the fallen from all over NJ the site is divided by years. Each year as the trees mature the site becomes more impressive. Don/Pete Golf Company Library HMC Espinosa gets ready to check out a book from the Golf Company Library I&I 1stSgt Ybarra expresses his GRATITUDE & THANKS to all of you for donating books that have provided Golf Company Marines with an extensive library. Again you have answered the call from the Commandant Marine Corps. Semper Fi (L-R) Keith Butler, Ken Rohlff, HMC Espinosa

9 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun #8

10 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun #9 OnLine Links: Golf Sponsors Letter ~ * ~ Golf Flyer ~ * ~ 8th Annual Golf Outing OnLine Order Form

11 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun SLATTERY DETACHMENT VISITS PICATINNY ARSENAL 1stSgt YBarra pointing out statistics to detachment. On Friday, April 11th, members of the L/Cpl Robert J. Slattery Detachment toured Picatinny Arsenal thanks to the help of Lee Moreau and 1st Sgt. Gerrado Ybarra who arranged the tours. At 0930 hours approximately 18 Detachment Members and Guests met at the Visitors Center at Picatinny Arsenal and carpooled up to the L/Cpl. Chris Cosgrove Marine Corps Reserve Center; the home of Golf Company Marines. Our Detachment was invited by 1st Sgt. Gerrado Ybarra to tour their Simulated Firing Range. We were also treated to a presentation by 1st Sgt. Ybarra on the state of Golf Company and participated a demonstration of a Marine Corps Humvee by Sgt. Joe Morgan. John "Bud" Newman Artillery Integration. After breaking for lunch our host, Charlene Cosgrove-Bowie led us onto a bus that brought us over to the John 'Bud' Neumann Artillery Integration Facility. This is where we met Joint Program Manager (Marine Corps & Army), Towed Artillery Systems, Keith Gooding who gave us a tour of the facility and their capabilities including GPS capabilities. Mr. Gooding was accompanied by Business Manager of Towed Artillery Systems, Martin Kane and USMC Chief Warrant Officer (4), Steven Townsley. All gentlemen talked and answered questions about the M777A2 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer (LW155) and other Artillery Weapons at their facility. Following the tour, attending Detachment Members and Guests walked over and visited the Tree Memorial (mentioned in another article. View Picatinny Tour Photos here Group Photo. We thank Lee Moreau and 1st Sgt. Ybarra for arranging the arranging the tours and for Mr. Gooding, Mr. Kane and Chief Warrant Officer Townsley for their informative presentation. Thanks to SVC Bob Beck for getting the list together and coordinating with Lee. We also thank Charlene for being such a gracious host! Ooh Rah!!! Keith Butler, Commandant

12 L/CPL Robert J. Slattery, Marine Corps League Det #206, NEWSLETTER, Jun MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, Department of New Jersey MARINE CORPS LEAGUE LICENSE PLATES The following are the instructions that are required to be completed when applying for special Marine Corps League License Plates. 1. You must be a REGULAR or LIFE member of a Marine Corps League Detachment in New Jersey. MEMBERS AT LARGE AND ASSOCIATE members do not qualify. 2. All vehicles must be registered in the Marine Corps League member s name. You can apply for more than one set of plates, as long as the vehicle is registered in the member s name. You must have regular plates before you can obtain MCL plates. 3. You must continue to renew your membership in the Marine Corps League Detachment each year on your anniversary date as per National bylaws Section 615 GOOD STANDING - to retain your plates. 4. You can obtain replacement plates at a cost of $ Make check payable to MCL Dept of NJ. Contact the License Plate Chairman for the proper form. You can retain your current plate number as long as you did not return your current Marine Corps League license plates to the Motor Vehicle Commission. LEASE VEHICLES. To obtain MCL plates for a Leased vehicle the lease must be in the member s name. You must obtain a letter from the lease company allowing you to put MCL plates on the vehicle. When the lease is completed, a letter from the lease company relinquishing the plates to the owner is required. 5. There are no MCL plates for motorcycle or commercial vehicles. 6. Fill out the organization special plate application front and back. Do not fill out the Certification by Organizational Special Plate Liaison section. Enclose a photocopy of your Vehicle Registration and your National MCL Membership I.D. Card (not Life Membership card. We need your MCL number) along with your check and application. Paperwork cannot be submitted to MVC if it is not complete as per instructions. 7. Make $35.00 checks payable to MCL-DEPT OF NJ (MARINE CORPS LEAGUE- DEPARTMENT OF NJ) each set of plates cost $ Keep this in mind if ordering more than one set. 8. Mail to: Tony Modzelewski 45 Stagecoach Road Millstone Twp, NJ If you have any questions please feel free to call me at between the hours of 0900 to Please be considerate about the calling times. I do have an answering machine on at all times if I am not home. NOTE: If you have been convicted of DWI or RECKLESS DRIVING in the last 10 years, your application will be DENIED by the NJ MVC. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE CHECKED BY THE MVC. PERSONALIZE YOUR MCL PLATES. With up to 5 spaces (letters or numbers). Once you have MCL plates in your possession, you can apply for personalized MCL plates at a cost of $ Make check payable to MCL-Department of NJ. You must contact the License Plate Chairman with your choices. He will then check with MV to see if they are available. You will then submit a MCL plate application to the chairman. Please be aware that your MCL Plates may take up to two months to get to the member. Motor Vehicle Commission has total control over the shipment of all plates. Please provide all the necessary paperwork so the process will move quickly. TRANSFERS. If you wish to transfer your plates to a newly purchased vehicle you must contact the License plate chairman. The cost is $ Operation Jersey Cares Volunteers move to NC Operation Jersey Cares Volunteers move to NC continue their support of our Veterans!! Bob & Terry Yuzuik formerly of NJ in cooperation with the John Paul II Assembly 3012 Knights of Columbus & Holly Cross Columbietts Aux collected (837) new & used clothing along with a $385 check to support a roof replacement donated for the "Veterans Restoration Quarters Asheville NC".