Message from the Board president and Reunion Chairman 

Samuel O. Verdeja and William “Bill” Kendle

Greetings everyone! Finally it is time to begin registrations for the 2021 reunion, October 6th – 10th, at the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The Menger Hotel, in the heart of downtown San Antonio, is within walking distance of the Alamo, Riverwalk, Tower of the Americas, Mexican Market Place (El Mercado), restaurants, double-decker tour buses, as well as cultural, entertainment and plenty of shopping venues. Refer to the registration form for hotel room costs.

MENGER HOTEL

204 Alamo Plaza

San Antonio, Texas 78205

(210-223-4361)

Due to Board members’ hard work negotiating with providers, we are pleased to announce an overall cost reduction compared to previous years.

Dolia Gonzalez, mother of Hue City battle Medal of Honor recipient, Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez, will be present throughout the Reunion. Her attendance is sponsored by a partnership between the Newport Beach 1st Marines Foundation and the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Vietnam Reunion organization. According to Mr. Paul Garcia, Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Gonzalez is thrilled to see “her 1/1 boys” again. We will also be honored by Sgt. Major John Canley, – 1/1 Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient; General Juan Ayala, – Government and Military Affairs for City of San Antonio; and the Battalion Banquet keynote speaker, General Ray Smith.

Please refer to the 1/1 Reunion registration web link for the registration form and details. For your convenience in making hotel reservations we have provided a link to the Menger Hotel. The room rate of $129 (king or two double beds) is good through 9/14/21. After 9/14/21, the rate increases to the general-public daily rate ranging from $159.00 to $200.00 per day. 

At the battalion business meeting in San Antonio, the members present will vote on the location of the 2023 reunion. In order to present the membership with realistic proposals, we need to do some homework, and we need some lead time to accomplish that. If you have a suggestion for our next venue, please let us know as soon as possible. Proposals for our next reunion date and location must be received in writing by September 6, 2021. Send them to Bill Kendle, 1st BN, 1st Marines, P.O. Box 131947, 2000 County Road B2 West, Saint Paul, MN 55113-998. Proposals should include the city, primary contact at the hotel, and any other relevant information. No commitments should be made by personally submitting proposals to hotels or vendors. The Board of Director’s Executive Committee and the individual submitting the proposal will follow up together on any necessary commitments.

According to the United States national Covid-19 vaccines projections by Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden, 85% of Americans will receive vaccinations by the end of summer. Ideally, in preparation for the reunion, 100% of 1/1 veterans and guests should be vaccinated. We are taking every precaution to assure a safe reunion and program activities. However, we strongly urge you to get your COVID-19 vaccine shots a minimum of two weeks prior to the reunion, and to bring masks. For your convenience, masks will also be available at the hospitality room throughout the reunion. For those Marines and guest flying, be aware that the CDC has announced that it is safe to travel on airlines without having to quarantine if you have received both shots at least two weeks in advance.

The 1/1 Reunion Board of Directors and the invited distinguished guests look forward to joining you during this historical and memorable gathering in San Antonio.

• Sam, Board President
• Bill, Reunion Chairman
• 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Vietnam Reunion, Inc.