First Composite Radio Company

         Fleet Marine Force Pacific

                               2009 REUNION - Charleston, South Carolina     

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Summary Report on our 2009 Charleston Reunion

It is worth saying again to our hostess; Karen, you did an outstanding job in arranging for this year’s reunion. From the accommodations to the celebrated 1st Radio cake you left nothing to chance. I believe the only bad thing said during the entire three days was not to or about Karen’s arrangements but to the friendly female GPS voice that left some arrivals to the Mt. Pleasant Holiday Inn perplexed as to why she wanted us to make a “legal U-turn” that took us back across the bridge.

We welcomed two new Marines to our reunion weekend along with three lovely family additions to our small band of returning brothers. First time Marines attending were Ted Dudley and Ray Theriault. Welcome aboard brothers. The family members joining us in Charleston, SC. were Khristine Brewington (Bob and Joyce’s daughter), Janet Dudley, and Nickie Campbell, (Dennis Fouts’ cousin). They, along with returning veterans: Bob and Joyce Brewington, Dennis Fouts, Gary Bryson and Marianne Bicker, Gordon and Anita Hagan, Darrell and Judy Haines, Tom and Brenda Muollo, Jack and Sandy Williams, and of course Steve and Karen Stocks, and yours truly, Harvey and my bride Peggy hit the ground running.

Following the meet and greet, some snacks and consumption of various types of libation we all had chow call. Several of us went to “Sticky Fingers” for a great serving of ribs and other types of southern barbeque delights, while others went there own way for sustenance. It was an early bed call for most because of early reveille for 10 of us who were heading to Parris Island. Others took the opportunity to hang in the meeting room to enjoy going over old stories and a diminishing Crown.

Day one for almost half of us was an early trip to the chow hall for a complimentary breakfast and mustering to travel to MCRD Parris Island. Bob Brewington with his keen maneuvering and path finding skills managed to have us cover the terrain and led us to our rendezvous point at precisely the time ordered. So we would feel at home, back in the Corps, those who offered the invitation also arranged the ubiquitous hurry up and wait scenario. Once we managed to overcome an apparent lack of communications and adapted to the new situation, we were greeted by Cpl Truckenmiller.

At first the Corporal seemed apprehensive and was slow to start. Not only did he have a group of Marines and friends and family put upon him, the Corporal also had to contend with the weather. He adapted quickly and became quite comfortable in his newly assigned tour guide duties. Although the hot and humid weather disrupted the recruit’s training schedule, it didn’t deter Cpl Truckenmiller from completing his mission and his responsibility to his guests. We actually viewed much more than anticipated. This included having one of the training platoons pass in review while stepping through some drill maneuvers. We also were allowed to get us up close and personal to some rifle qualification at the rifle range. The day ended with a nice lunch in the mess hall and a PX run.

The final day was a full day. Most of us mustered following chow and took a short drive to Charleston’s Marina Museum for our tour of Fort Sumter--where the Civil war began. We boarded a ferry at the visitor’s center along with a hundred or so other visitors. The ferry ride to the fort was both pleasant and historically informative. We then disembarked at the fort and had a short time to learn more details of the actual attack and subsequent surrender, walk the fort’s ramparts, and visit a very thorough museum complete with the actual flag that flew above Fort Sumter during the Confederate attack and siege. Following our return to the visitor’s center, some visited the USS Yorktown that is a big part of the marina museum. One could spend a day going through this floating WWII museum reading about her many campaigns in the Pacific theater and the many heroes that served aboard her. The Yorktown’s last official tour before decommissioning was the recovery of the Apollo 8 capsule.
That evening, everyone put on their Marine Corps’ best and returned to the marina for an evening’s sail and dinner. Without going into the culinary details, which met with mixed reviews, it was a time for all to enjoy one another in peaceful surroundings, with some nice music to accompany the sounds one finds along a coastal waterway.

Following the docking, disembarking and return to the hotel, we all mustard in the meeting room to cut the cake and discuss some unfinished business. The cake was a sheet cake with the blue 1st Radio Patch pictured on it with the year of the reunion on a deliciously sweet white background. Bob Brewington and Dennis Fouts, the eldest and youngest Marines respectively, did the honors of cutting and serving the cake.

Next on the agenda was 2010 reunion; its location and who would host our next gathering. Several places were mentioned, including: Las Vegas, Ashville, NC, a river or sea cruise. Bob Brewington spoke up and offered to take the helm of next year’s reunion if we decide to hold it in Ashville. This was quickly followed by the selection of Ashville, North Caroline as our next reunion site, hosted by Bob Brewington. While Bob had the floor; then again, he has it any time he chooses, Bob also raised the suggestion to have our future reunions cover four days instead of the current three. This motion too was carried without dissent.

Semper Fi and see you next year.

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