SITREP \ VOLUME 20 ISSUE 2 JULY 2009 LINK FOREVER THOSE WHO SERVED TOGETHER In This Issue: RECON 2009 Quantico Letter from your Executive Director Letter from your President. Report from your Treasurer NEWSLETTER OF THE RECON 2009 QUANTICO! 2008 Membership Criteria ARTICLES OF INTEREST! MARSOC: Gets some sky Recon 2008 Pictures Taps & Remembrance. NOTAMs (Notice To All Members) Annual Dues: $40 Dues Deadline: 1 January New FRA Challenge Coin: See photos in the online hooch Help Keep the FRA Roster up to date. Let us know if you move, change phone number and/or email. FRA Roster Hard Copy: Order through the Hooch. FRA Roster -.PDF File Send email request to commchief@forcerecon.com Recon 2009 is shaping up to be a very exciting reunion. Please see the enclosed letters from our FRA President, Major Andy Christian, and our FRA Executive Director, James Mac McKee, for more details. The Reunion Registration Form and the Reunion Itinerary are also included in this SitRep. On July 8 th, we lost 3 Recon Marines who were all killed in action in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Master Sergeant John Hayes and Lance Corporal Roger Hager, both 2 nd Reconnaissance Battalion Marines, were killed instantly by an IED attack in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. They were traveling as part of a four vehicle movement returning to FB Fiddlers Green. Sergeant Michael Roy, 3 rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, was fatally wounded by small arms fire while conducting operations in Nimroz Province, Afghanistan. The Force Recon Association has started memorial funds for all three Marines. 100 percent of the donated funds will be disbursed to the immediate families, either directly or through a representative from their respective units. FRA Scholarships have also been created in the names of all three Marines. The FRA is passing the hat and asking that all members help by passing the word and directing everyone to the FRA web site to make donations. Please pass the hat to everyone you can. On June 28 th we lost Dottie. In spite of all of our prayers and superlative medical care, Mrs. Dorothy Capers, wife of Major Jim Capers, lost her battle with cancer. She was buried, along with her son, Gary, at Arlington National Cemetery at 1300 hours, 23 July 2009. She will be sorely missed. The FRA wishes to express condolences to Major Capers and his family.
PAGE 2 OF 10 Letter from your EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR As September comes closer our reunion plans have been made, it s time to let all of the membership know what we have planned. This year, most of our activities will be focused on the Marine Corps Museum in QUANTICO, VA. We secured rooms on MCB QUANTICO, at THE CROSSROADS INN. Those rooms were reserved by many of our members almost as soon as we posted that information on our web-site. We have information on many other hotels within a very short distance from the base, which can be viewed on our web-site as well as within the mailed SITREP. The RECEPTION/REGISTRATION CENTER for the reunion will be in THE CROSSROADS INN and our HOSPITATILITY ROOM, will be within a very short walking distance from there, in THE CLUBS. Our auction, luncheons and General membership meeting will take place within THE CLUBS. The auction will be there on Friday evening on 11 September, both of the luncheons and General membership meetings will be held there also, on Saturday 12 September. Our formal reception will take place within the confines of the Marine Corps Museum, on Saturday evening 12 September. We have planned for a trip to the FBI facility, TBS [The BASIC SCHOOL], HMX1 [The PRESIDENT s Helicopter Unit] and the RAIDS&RECON facility. All of the times and dates for all of the planned events, will be contained within the REGISTRATION packages and also posted at the REGISTRATION desk in The CROSSROADS INN and the HOSPITALITY ROOM in The CLUBS HOSPITALITY ROOM. We have planned to have our auction on Friday evening this year. It will take place within THE CLUBS, in the evening. Our President MAJOR Andy Christian, and some of our BOARD Members, worked relentlessly on securing many sponsors for our scholarship auction. Some of the sponsors, who have contributed to the auction, are: SUREFIRE, LARUE TACTICAL, REMINGTON, GLOCK, STRIDER KNIVES, Sgt. GRIT, LEWIS MACHINCE AND TOOL, WILCOX INDUSTRIES, MAGPUL, TRIJICON, LEUPOLD, AIMPOINT and many more. I should be a very interesting auction. For all of our weapons enthusiasts, I would suggest you bring lots of money. Some of these are high end items. Remember, all of these items are used to support many of our MARINES and their families. Unfortunately, I have to report that our President, Major Andy Christian, will not be in attendance at our reunion this September. He and his unit will be deployed to Afghanistan at the time of the reunion. I am sure that he and his MARINES will be missed by all of us. I know that I personally will miss the leadership that Andy has displayed to our Association during his tenure as the Association President. Andy and his men will be in our thoughts and prayers during this upcoming deployment of his unit. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to all of you for the tardiness of this SITREP. During the past few months, I have been a little more than busy working with the team we have on the ground at QUANTICO. Again, our active duty MARINES, have worked tirelessly, to bring all of the reunion plans together. Maj. Andy Christian, Steve Luebbert and I are in daily contact regarding all of the items that have to be worked on to keep this ship afloat. It is a daunting task at times, but I can assure everyone, that there are people within the Association s BOARD of Directors, who are working for everyone s benefit, all day, every day! I also want to personally THANK everybody for all of the suggestions expressed regarding the Association. Remember, the Association belongs to you, the members. Your participation is what keeps the Association together. Take care and be safe. See you all in QUANTICO, this coming September. Jim McKee
THE SITREP PAGE 3 OF 10 Letter from your PRESIDENT From: Andy Christian, President 2007-2009, Force Recon Association To: Our FRA Members Subj: Presidents SITREP on the FRA 2009 Quantico Reunion 1. The 2009 Force Recon Convention is just around the corner. The FRA elected leaders have worked diligently to ensure that the Quantico convention will be an amazing event. The Marine Corps refers to Quantico as the Cross Roads of the Marine Corps and I am confident that the venue will bring together members from all over the country. This year promises to be action packed. The FRA Executive Director Jim Mac Mckee has made several trips to Quantico and the support we have received has been outstanding. A special thanks to SgtMaj Dick Aston and Joe Kowalski for working behind the scenes and taking time out of their busy schedule to assist with scheduling key events. 2. I received an early deployment order to Afghanistan so regrettably I won t be attending the 2009 convention in Quantico. I will be commanding a Special Operations Company comprised of Marines and Army Special Forces. Please keep the Marines and Soldiers in your thoughts and prayers for the duration of our deployment. The 2009 FRA convention guest speaker will be Major General Mastin Robesen. Major General Robesen is the Commanding General of the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. We expect to see a large contingent of active duty Force Recon and MARSOC Marines attending the 2009 convention. We will recognize the team leaders from several Recon/MARSOC units during our formal dinner. 3. The scholarship fund continues to do well thanks to the generous American sponsors that have donated products and cash to support our Marines and family members. This year I would like to thank Glock, Remington, Horus Vision, Lewis Machine and Tool, Oakley, Surefire, Leupold, Magpul, Blackwater, Wilcox, LaRue Tactical, Aimpoint, Trijicon, Specialized Bicycles, Strider Knives and Smith & Wesson for their generous contributions to the Force Recon Association. The products we have received are first rate and the scholarship auction will rival the Shot Show in Las Vegas. Make sure to bring your wallet Friday night and support the FRA Scholarship auction. 4. In closing I would like to thank all the FRA members that have assisted me during my tour as the FRA President. I would be remiss if I didn t thank your FRA Executive Director Jim Mckee. Mac Thank you for all your hard work during my tour as the FRA President. I couldn t have done it with out your assistance! I will look back on my tour as the FRA President with fond memories. I know your new FRA President Alan Bierlien will take the FRA in the right direction. I look forward to hearing all the 2009 FRA convention stories and I will see all of you at the 2010 convention in San Diego. Semper Fidelis TÇwç V{Ü áà tç Andy Christian FRA President 2007-2009
ITINERARY Recon 2009 Quantico, Virginia September 9 13 PAGE 4 OF 10 Keep This Page For Reference Wednesday Sept 9, 2009 Check-in/Free Day (Check In after 1500) 1230-1700 Combined FRA Executive/Board Meeting at the Crossroads Inn Meeting Room. Thursday Sept 10, 2009 0830-1500 FBI Academy Tour and Live Fire at range. $25.00 per person ****Tour leaves from Crossroads Inn parking lot. A box lunch will be provided. Everyone attending tour must provide DOB and last four digits of SSN. NO EXEPTIONS!**** Friday Sept 11, 2009 0900-1230 TBS \ HMX1 Static Displays ****Tour leaves from Crossroads Inn parking lot. 0930 TBS Command Briefing 1040 MCMAP Brief & Demo 1130 HMX1 Brief & Static Display 1245 1530 BBQ \ Raids-Recon $25.00 per person $25.00 per person 1730 - Open FRA Scholarship Auction at The Clu bs Saturday Sept 12, 2009 0600-0900 Run-Walk-Crawl - T-shirt included Meet in front of Crossroads Inn 1130 to 1400 Ladies / Men s Luncheon at The Clubs General Meeting & Elections $15.00 per person $22.00 per person 1530 ****Transition Meeting of all new board memb ers. **** 1400 to 1730 Transportation to and visitation of the Marine Corps Museum Pickup from the Crossroads Inn parking lot. 1900 to 2330 Recon 2009 Formal Reception At the Marine Corps Museum $55.00 per person DINNER: Will consist of a mixed meal, ½ PRIME RIB, and ½ CHICKEN KIEV. Sunday Sept 13, 2009 Breakfast & Farewells. Load-out of gear for transportation ALL BOARD MEMBERS
PAGE 5 OF 10 RECON 2009 - September 9-13 2009 Quantico, Virginia - REGISTRATION FORM Page 1 of 2 PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to Liability issues ALL GUESTS must be registered. No exceptions!! NAME FRA MEMBER # REGISTRATION FEE..**** (NON REFUNDABLE)**** COST $60.00 The registration fee applies to the FRA member only. You may register an unlimited number of guests and your Registration fee is only $60. OPTIONAL RECON 2009 ACTIVITIES Day Time Activity Cost per Person X # of Persons for Each Event Only Wednesday Sept 9, 2009 Check-in/Free Day (Check In after 1500) 1230-1700 Combined FRA Executive/Board Meeting at the Crossroads Inn Meeting Room. Thursday Sept 10, 2009 0830-1500 FBI Academy Tour and Live Fire at range. $25.00 X # $ ****Tour leaves from Crossroads Inn parking lot. A box lunch will be provided. Everyone attending tour must provide DOB and last four digits of SSN. NO EXEPTIONS!**** Friday Sept 11, 2009 0900-1230 TBS \ HMX1 Static Displays ****Tour leaves from Crossroads Inn parking lot. 0930 TBS Command Briefing 1040 MCMAP Brief & Demo 1130 HMX1 Brief & Static Display $25.00 X # $ 1245 1530 BBQ \ Raids-Recon $25.00 X # $ 1730 - Open FRA Scholarship Auction at The Clubs Saturday Sept 12, 2009 0600-0900 Run-Walk-Crawl - T-shirt included - Size Meet in front of Crossroads Inn $15.00 X# $ 1130 to 1400 Ladies / Men s Luncheon at The Clubs General Meeting & Elections $22.00 X# $ 1530 ****Transition Meeting of all new board members.**** 1400 to 1730 Transportation to and visitation of the Marine Corps Museum Pickup from the Crossroads Inn parking lot. 1900 to 2330 Recon 2009 Formal Reception At the Marine Corps Museum $55.00 X# $ DINNER: Will consist of a mixed meal, ½ PRIME RIB, and ½ CHICKEN KIEV.
PAGE 6 OF 10 Sunday Sept 13, 2009 Breakfast & Farewells. REGISTRATION FORM Page 2 of 2 Load-out of gear for transportation ALL BOARD MEMBERS RAFFLE TICKETS $1.00 X # of Tickets $ (There will be various and numerous Raffle Prizes!! ) TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED (ADD PAGE ONE & TWO.) $ PLEASE COMPLETE BOTH PAGES OF THIS REGISTRATION FORM & MAIL WITH YOUR CHECK TO: FRA PO BOX 425 Rowe, MA 01367 CHECK ALL RECON UNITS IN WHICH YOU SERVED WWII Amphib Recon 1 st Amphib Recon Co 2 nd Amphib Recon Co 3 rd Amphib Recon Co Korea Div Recon Co USMC Test Unit #1 1 st Force Recon Co 2 nd Force Recon Co 3 rd Force Recon Co 4 th Force Recon Co 5 th Force Recon Co MC SOCOM DET 1 6 th Force Recon Co 13 th Force Recon Co MARSOC 1 st Recon Bn 2 nd Recon Bn 3 rd Recon Bn 4 th Recon Bn 5 th Recon Bn UDT/SEAL DRP OTHER NAME TAG INFORMATION IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to Liability issues ALL GUESTS must be registered. No exceptions!! MEMBER Guest #2 MEMBER # NICKNAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE INITIAL FIRST NAME MIDDLE INITIAL LAST NAME HOMETOWN LAST NAME HOMETOWN & STATE Guest #1 Guest #3 FIRST NAME MIDDLE INITIAL LAST NAME HOMETOWN FIRST NAME MIDDLE INITIAL LAST NAME HOMETOWN ADDITIONAL GUEST, PLEASE FURNISH INFORMATION ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER
The Supply Hooch - Order Form (page 1 of 2) PAGE 7 OF 10 Name/Member# STOCK # Description Color Size Cost Quantity $ Total JACKETS All Special Order Allow 4-6 wks for Circle delivery J-002-TJ Team Jacket Wool jacket/leather sleeves, Black $ large FRA logo on back. 1 line of text Only $225.00 X = J-002-TJP Same as J-002-TJ w/ 2 nd line of text $231.00 X = $ J-002-TJFR Same as J-002-TJ w/out Association $225.00 X = $ J-002-TJFRP Same as J-002-TJFR w/ 2 nd line of text $231.00 X = $ J-003-BJ Baseball Jacket Nylon. FRA Logo on front. Black Only $60.00 X = $ J-003-BJP Same as J-002-BJ w/ 2 lines of text $66.00 X = $ J001-WB Windbreaker Black Only- FRA logo Black $35.00 X = $ J004-F Fleece/Nylon, Mid-Weather FRA logo Black $65.00 X = $ SHIRTS S-001 Men s Polo Shirt: 100% Ctn FRA Logo Rd, Wht, Blk, Olv $28.00 X = $ S-002 Men s Polo Shirt: 100% Ctn SCUBA/Jump Rd, Wht, Blk $28.00 X = $ S-003 Sports Tank Top: Screened FRA Logo Gray $25.00 X = $ S-004 Men s T-Shirt: Embroidered FRA Logo Black Lt Olive $15.00 X = $ S-008 Men s Sweat Shirt: Non-Hooded FRA Logo Black $28.00 X = $ S-009 Sweat Pants: FRA Logo Black Only Black $25.00 X = $ S-010 Sweat Shirt & Sweat Pants: FRA Logo Black $48.00 X = $ S-011 Hooded Sweat Shirt: FRA Logo Black Only Black $30.00 X = $ S-013 Men s T-Shirt: Emb Mini Scuba/Jump Wings Black $15.00 X = $ S-014 Men s Polo Shirt: Full FRA Logo Wht, Blk, Gry $39.50 X = $ S-015 Men s Polo Shirt: Emb Scuba/Jump 60/40 Wht, Blk $38.00 X = $ HATS H-001M Baseball Hat: FRA Logo, Flex Fit, Mesh Back Blk, Red $15.00 X = $ H-002P Baseball Hat: FRA Logo, Poplin Back Red, Blk, Grn, Tan $15.00 X = $ H-004-FR Baseball Hat: FRA Logo, low-profile, hi qual Kh,Blk,Olv,Crm,Rd $20.00 X = $ H-004 Baseball Hat: w/o Association Kh,Blk,Olv,Crm,Rd $20.00 X = $ H-004-SB Baseball Hat: Olive Drab Green OD $20.00 $ Subdued FRA Logo. Choose tan or OD text. Only X = H-001FL Baseball Hat: FRA Logo, Solid Flex Fit Blk, Red, Khk $20.00 X = $ MISC. O-ST Swim Trucks Olive Drab Green - FRA Logo OD Only $25.00 X = $ M-103 Blazer Badge 3 ½ : Military Clutches w/logo N/A N/A $12.50 X = $ M-106 Bumper Sticker: FRA Logo N/A N/A $ 2.50 X = $ M-1081 Decal: FRA Logo, Inside Window Red N/A $ 5.00 X = $ M-1082 Decal: FRA Logo, Outside Window Black N/A $ 5.00 X = $ M-109 Lapel Pin: Cloisonné FRA Logo N/A N/A $ 7.00 X = $ M-113M Scuba Badge: Lapel Miniature Size N/A N/A $ 7.00 X = $ M-113R Scuba Badge: Full Regulation Size N/A N/A $ 9.00 X = $ M-114M Jump Wings Gold: Miniature Size N/A N/A $ 9.00 X = $ M-114R Jump Wings Gold: Regulation Size N/A N/A $ 11.00 X = $ M-115M Combat Divers Badge: Miniature Size N/A N/A $ 9.00 X = $ M-115R Combat Divers Badge: Regulation Size N/A N/A $ 11.00 X = $ M-138 FRA Belt Buckle 2 ⅝ x 3 ½ inches N/A N/A $ 48.00 X = $ M-139-SB Stadium Blanket Black w/yellow liner. Black N/A $ 45.00 X = $ FRA emb. logo Special Order Allow 4-6 weeks M-140 Membership Card N/A N/A $ 6.00 X = $ M-141 Membership Roster ordered by last name N/A N/A $ 25.00 X = $
PAGE 8 OF 10 The Supply Hooch - Order Form (page 2 of 2) TOTAL: $ Add $3.00 for each 2XL or larger sizes ordered: + $ Total Ordered: = $ Please Complete the Following: Add shipping & Handling Fees as follows: If Total Ordered is: Between $1.00 - $15.00 Add $5.95 Between $15.01 - $25.00 Add $9.70 Between $25.01 - $40.00 Add $10.95 Between $40.01 - $75.00 Add $12.95 Between $75.01 - $100.00 Add $15.80 Between $100.01 - $125.00 Add $17.50 * Over $125.00 Add $19.25 * Additional weight charges may apply Postage: $ Total Payment enclosed: $ Name/Member# Make Check or Money order Payable to Force Recon Association and mail to: FRA Hooch, C/O Jim McKee, P.O. Box 425, Rowe, MA 01367 This order to be shipped to: Member # Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: E-Mail address: Special Instructions or remarks:
2009 Membership Criteria Annual Dues - $40 PAGE 9 OF 10 Regular Members: All officers and enlisted members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America or her Allies who are now serving, or who have served, with any Force Reconnaissance Company, Regular or Reserve. Deep Recon Platoons of Marine Division Reconnaissance Battalion; or personnel who served in Amphibious Reconnaissance units between 1943 and 1958; and those reconnaissance-trained Marines and Corpsmen having served in Marine SOCOM Detachment 1, or those reconnaissance-trained Marines and Corpsmen serving from the establishment of MARSOC in 2005, that carry the MOS 0321 or have completed the MARSOC selection & assessment and subsequently assigned to a Marine Special Operations Battalion. Only Regular Members may serve as officers or on the Board of Directors of the Association. Associate Members: Civilians and veterans of U.S. Armed Forces and Allies who did not serve with a Force Reconnaissance Company, but who did make a significant development in or advancement to operational procedures or techniques inherent in Force Reconnaissance operations or who made a valuable and unique contribution to either operational Force Reconnaissance units or to the Association. Associate membership may include Recon Battalion, ANGLICO Marines, Non-reconnaissance trained personnel of Marine SOCOM Detachment 1 or MARSOC and Corpsmen of these units. Associate Members may not serve as officers or on the Board of Directors of the Association. TAPs and Remembrance William R. Bill Welch # 245 - Died 11 February 2009 Kenneth R. Pony Monell. # 190 - Died 13 February 2009 Charles J. Chuck Ascher # 186 - Died 5 June 2009 Mrs. Dorothy Dottie Capers - Died 28 June 2009 You Will Be Missed and Never Forgotten.
PAGE 10 OF 10 Back Page Info About Our Organization Force Recon Association P.O. Box 425 Rowe, MA 01367 The Force Recon Association Inc (FRA) was formally established on 21 September 1989, as a non-profit fraternal veterans association, in accordance with provisions of Section 501(c)19 of the United States Internal Revenue Code. The FRA maintains a Scholarship Fund to provide educational assistance for its members and or members of their families. We welcome corporate sponsors and their donations to our scholarship fund. If you re a corporation and desire to make a donation to our organization, please contact our Executive Director via the Communications Chief at commchief@forcerecon.com. The FRA strives to maintain and foster fellowship, comradeship and perpetuate the ideals and professionalism between and among its members and the members of our reconnaissance units, whether Force or Battalion Recon, Regular of Reserve. President POCs: (760) 908-4140 In extraordinary cases, we provide benevolent assistance to its members. Our Motto reconparafrog2@yahoo.com remains Link Forever Those Who Served Together. Executive Director s (413) 339-4346 Send Hooch Orders to: MAC - Supply Chief PO Box 425 Rowe, MA 01367 Hooch Order Forms at: www.forcerecon.com Info to the CommChief Stephen Luebbert send to: Commchief@Forcerecon.com Founders: Patrick Pat J Ryan; Thomas Tom L. Gibson; and Ernie Gunny DeFazio (Deceased). We re on the Web! See us at: www.forcerecon.com CUSTOMER NAME STREET ADDRESS CITY, STATE, 00000 LABEL HERE