Message from the Chairman of the Board of Directors:

The last time that some of us may go back to our beginnings as young Marine recruits at MCRD will be during the 2019 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Vietnam Reunion, scheduled for October 23rd – 26th in San Diego. The Reunion will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel-Mission Valley. When you call, please mention that you are with the 1/1 Reunion for special a rate of $119.00 plus 12.5% tax. These rates are available three (3) days prior, and after the Reunion and based on availability for those planning to arrive early or stay a few days after Reunion.

Hotel Reservations/Rates

$119 Per Night + 12.5% California Tax

Crowne Plaza Hotel,

Mission Valley

2270 Hotel Circle North

San Diego, California 92108

(619-297-1101)

In addition to the Company and Women’s Luncheons scheduled for Thursday, arrangements have been made for Friday, October 25th for the Reunion attendees to spend a day at MCRD beginning with a Recruit Graduation Ceremony and Parade. A special section at MCRD for the ceremony has been designated for the group. Lunch will be served at the Bay View Restaurant located at MCRD.

The Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Brigadier General Ryan P. Heritage has been invited to the October 26th Battalion Banquet to help welcome the 1/1 Vietnam Veterans, their families and invited guest, and to speak about the history and significance of MCRD as a military depot. 

Gunnery Sergeant John L. Canley, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient will be honored during the Battalion Banquet for his heroic actions in Hue City during the Vietnam War. The keynote address will be delivered by General Charles E. Wilhelm who is a retired United States Marine Corps General, and who served two combat tours of duty in Vietnam. He later served as Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division; as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense; and as the Commander, U.S. Southern Command (1997–2000). General Wilhelm retired from the Marine Corps in 2000, after 37 years of service.

As Board Chairman, along with the Reunion Committee Board of Directors, we invite you to register and join in this extraordinary and historic moment for the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Vietnam Veterans. We would also ask that you contact other 1/1-Marines and encourage them to register and attend the Reunion. Meanwhile, be advised that updates will be posted in this web site on a quarterly basis: (April, July, and before the Reunion in October) including financial statements.

Finally, please review additional Reunion information on the web site and fill out and return the registration form ASAP. 

Sincerely, 

Samuel O. Verdeja, Chairman 

1stBn1stMarinesVietnamReunion.com 

Delta Company ‘69/’70