First Composite Radio Company

                                                     Fleet Marine Force Pacific

2014 REUNION

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Photos                                                            

On 24 April 2014 a light company of 1st Radio Marines and wives descended on Wilmington, North Carolina for the 2014 version of our unit's reunion.  Our Hosts this year were Steve and Karen Stocks, and great host hosts they were.  We also welcomed a new couple, Gunny Bruce Gilbert and his lovely wife Jeannette.

Our home away from home was the Hampton Inn, Wilmington N.C.  A most gracious and accommodating management and staff.  The rooms were well appointed and our conference room was a short walk across the hall from the lobby and the normal excellent morning breakfast buffet.

It should come as no surprise, Poncho arrived before most guests.  Of course with most of his travels from Michigan to the many 1st Radio Venues, there is always a story.  Poncho actually arrived twelve hours before check-in (at 0200) and spent time and gas looking for another place to lay his weary head.  Peggy and I found him sitting in the reception area when we walked in almost 12 hours after Poncho's arrival.  Has anyone ever beat Poncho to one of our venues?  If memory serves me, Poncho was sitting on the couch in the Holiday Inn waiting when Darrell, Judy and I arrived in Memphis for our inaugural reunion?  Oh, Poncho, you're still the best!  We'll look forward to your arrival story next year in Hilton Head, South Carolina. 

A little about our venue selected by our hosts Steve and Karen.  As one of the oldest cities (1740) and once the largest city in North Carolina, Wilmington has had a role in our nation's history.  From the Revolutionary War, through the Civil War, WWll, the civil rights era and more, Wilmington has been involved in the growth of America.  Southeast North Carolina is a living history museum that the professional and amateur historians enjoy to talk and write about .  Most of that history is very well captured and displayed in a very fine museum upon which several of us descended and learned so much more about the host city.  For example, Wilmington had one of the early rebellions against British rule.  During the war Lord Cornwallis used the city as his headquarters before leaving in April 1781 for his fateful march to surrender in Yorktown. Wilmington played a critical role in the Civil War as the last port open for the Confederacy.  it kept the rebel forces supplied as the speedy Blockade Runners would slip past the Union blockade.  Once this lifeline ended the Confederacy fell a short 45 days later.  We got the story at Fort Fisher at Kure Beach and at the Cape Fear Museum near downtown Wilmington.  Impressive was our walk around and through where emplacements batteries were located allowing one to envision the battle.  Going to and from the museum also was impressive seeing the many summer/year-round homes that line the beach. 

Most impressive was the USS North Carolina.  Those who went on board had the opportunity to take the many ladders down into the deepest reaches of the old war horse, past messes, infirmaries, offices, living quarters and into the real guts of the old lady-powder magazines and the large shells used to rain death and destruction on her foes.  To my surprise, there were also a series of old Royal typewriters with headphones closely located in a room just off the officer's quarters giving me to pause to think there may have been direct CT support available to the old lady.  Everyone went on board but not everyone took the ladders all the way down and through the ship and back topside.  Peggy and I were two and Karen the other.   Bruce and Jeannette managed quite a few levels.  You must understand, this is one big battleship with lots of ladders leading down and up and heading into many rooms.   At each hatch and or special area of the ship there were the detailed explanations of each room.   When Peggy and I returned topside, Steve was concerned about Karen's absence.  Steve explained that Karen likes reading all of the details when touring.  Karen finally returned topside to cheers and Steve's concern for his missing wife rolled away like water off of a duck's back.

I also wish to add the care and attention given the group by Steve and Karen for seeing to it that none of their charges got lost.  Steve led the way to all venues, dinner, museums and the marvelous aquarium and even to Wally World.  Yep, wouldn't be a complete trip without stopping at Wall Mart.    There were a few issues raised and will require addressing at the next reunion when we gather at Hilton Head, South Carolina to be hosted by Rosy and Peggy.

Semper Fi

Harvey Rosenfeld

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