Det 4, Headquarters 4th Marine Division

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Reconnaissance Report

Navy Air Museum - Zimmer and Homan flew this one

Reconnaissance Report

John Wilkes

At approximately 0830 hours on September 23rd, I easily slipped aboard the Pensacola Navy Air Station disguised as an over weight and aging retired Marine Reserve Officer. Wait a minute. That was no disguise! Point being, just flashing my ID card got me waved through the gate.

I first went to Building 600 on Moffet Road, which is what is generally referred to as the “Q.” It reminds one of an elegant, well maintained, but old hotel. I stayed in this building several times before I retired and also after. The convention center is right behind it.

I believe Building 600 is mainly for senior officers and is where I would hope they would accommodate our group. There are also several Holiday Inn type buildings surrounding the Convention Center for housing students. The suites I have had in Bldg. 600 were always enormous with tennis court size living rooms.

The people working behind the desk sounded like they would love to have us stay there. The only problem is the 10 day reservation rule. I did not push them on it because I know none of the folks working there have the authority to wave the rule. It all has to do with the Training Commands schedule. We will try to get the rule waived. Craig is going to talk to Spider Nyland and enlist his 4 star help in gittin’ it done. I believe he expects to see him today. The folks at the desk also told me about the super flag/general officers quarters where we would presumably house General ‘Drew and congregate for hospitality times. Sounded like quite a place. It’s a big house several blocks away from the “Q.”

I then raided the famous old Mustin Beach Officers’ Club, which is not far from Bldg. 600. It could be easily walked. I was glad to find that the Club has also been well kept. The bar looks just like it always did. It appears to be a great place for everyone to rendezvous on Friday night. They have free hors d’oeuvres for folks in uniform or folks who pay a modest charge. One can also order bar food such as pizzas and burgers. I would probably plan to spend the evening there enjoying the reuniting of old friends and not bother with going to dinner since I have long since lost the ability to simultaneously consume both alcohol and large amounts of food and still remain vertical.

The Club is also a potential site for a Saturday night dinner. The advantage would be the proximity to lodging and avoidance of alcohol and driving problems, but the dining room rental fee is $500 and probably a deal breaker. Craig and I have discussed the possibility of going to McGuire’s Irish Pub, which is one of the real fun restaurants in Pensacola, and they have a great room just the right size for us. I don’t think there is any extra charge for it if we book it and fill it up. My Pensacola Sale and Power Squadron used it last year for their Change of Watch and it was great – good atmosphere. The only caveat is that our snow bound yankees may be looking for seafood and McGuire’s is more of a steak place.

I then went to the Naval Air Museum. The place just keeps on growing. There are more than enough attractions there to keep us busy all day – IMAX theatre, guided tours, many simulators, huge gift shop, Cubi Bar café, art gallery, countless exhibits including a Viet Nam POW exhibit. They can set up a lunch for us there also. The Cubi Bar Café is authentic reproduction of the “club” Subic Bay and I believe a lot of the memorabilia is the actual stuff from the original club. The woman who arranges things for groups sounded very anxious to see us there.

I then went to the Golf Clubhouse. BTW the facilities and golf course looked as good as any country club I have visited. The manager said he would love to accommodate us. He asked how many we would be. I guessed 12. He suggested just reserving three consecutive foursome tee times. They have electric carts, pull carts, and clubs for rent. Prices are cheap compared to civilian courses.

I then had to leave to maintain my schedule for a trip back north which included lunch in Indianapolis with the legendary Doug Barney. What a treat!

I grabbed a fair amount of literature from the places mentioned above, so if anyone has questions about more specifics, just ask. I may have the answers. Good luck to Craig on his efforts with Nyland. My suggestion is that we invite him to be our guest of honor and dinner speaker along with asking for his help.

Semper fi,

JOHN WILKES

Friday, September 18, 2009

Sitrep on Drill Schedule - Weekend Jan 29 -31, 2010

SITREP From Craig Wood and John Wilkes

Drill Weekend Jan 29 -31, 2010

Pensacola, Florida

WRT the schedule of events:

Friday morning - Suggest Friday for golf. I'll see if I can reserve a block of Tee Times at the NAS golf course. I would not think that will be a problem for a weekday in late January.

Friday evening - Meeting at the O' Club Friday night sounds good; I'll check to see if they even serve dinner there. They used to put out free finger foods during Friday happy hour. Will check the status.

Saturday morning - We tour the Air Museum. I'll see if I can arrange a "private tour" like we had last year at the MC Museum.

Saturday evening - Will make reservations Saturday eve for dinner either at McGuires Irish Pub (fun place that has a private banquet room that I would try to reserve) or a seafood restaurant (if I can find one that we can have at least a semi-private area reserved).

Sunday morning - Craig Wood will host the group at our0 house on Pensacola Beach for bloody marys and mimosas.

Sunday afternooon - PFT / PRT / Gas Mask Training

WRT to lodging:

I will see if I can get an exception to policy on reservations at the "old" BOQ (whatever it is now called) at NAS Pensacola. If necessary, I will approach Spider Nyland for assistance (hopefully I will see him at next Friday's monthly USMC luncheon)

If we can't reservations on base will line up a beach hotel.

Any thoughts/comments/suggestions?

SF,

Craig Wood phyllis_wood@hotmail.com

John Wilkes jbw60@charter.net

Monday, August 10, 2009

Drill Weekend Jan 29 -31, 2010

Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida

See the Navy Air Museum, etc.

Friday 29 Jan 1800 meet at the O'club drinks & dinner

Wilkes and Wood working on the program

____________________________________

Planning on Attending as of 15 August 2009

Larry Anderson

Jim Bailey

Doug Barney - Definite maybe

George Braun

Joe Brooks

Drew Davis

James P Dunn

Clarence Harper - Definite maybe

Will Holohan

Jim Homan

Robert Hudon

Frank Johnson

Byron Hill

Craig Hullinger

Al Jennings

Alice Marie Joralemon

Larry Magilligan

Greg McLaughlin

Ken Morey - Definite maybe

Bob Raclaw

Lynn Wardlow

John Warneke

John Wilkes

Craig Wood

Larry Woods

Ronald Wozniak

Ivan Zimmer - Definite maybe

_____________

Have not Heard from yet - UA

Erik Bennett

Ed Sandrick

Terry Sebold

________________________

Probably will not make it

Steve Eddington

John Hill

Cindy Waters

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Det 4 Reunion Planning Notes August 4 2009

John Wilkes wrote:

All, Pursuant to directions from the Adjutant, I have made some preliminary inquiries regarding our proposed reunion at NAS Pensacola 29-31 January, 2009. The following is just an early report for y’all to be thinking about.

There are two possibilities for lodging on the base. The first is the lodging belonging to the Training Command. It is like a huge Holiday Inn surrounding The Conference Center. The room rates are $45. They have some DV suites collocated in older more classic buildings that are very large and go for $54. I am familiar with these and they would make a great hospitality/gathering area.

I told them we had a couple of 08s in our group and they have some kind of super DV quarters that probably resemble a French palace at $82. I haven’t been in any of these rooms for several years, but I understand they periodically remodel them. I asked the reservation clerk if they have been kept up and she proudly answered that “we are five star” (but I have no idea whose stars she’s talking about).

I will perform a recon and see for myself as soon as I can. I wondered about the possibility of the group wanting a conference room in case we had any kind of a program like a briefing from the CO of the MAD or maybe a room with a podium where everyone could take his turn bringing the rest of the group up to speed on what is going on in their life (which would cut way down on the 20 or so times 20 “what have you been up to?” conversations.

A room for the day of the right size for us at the Conference Center with all the equipment (and I believe a coffee mess) would cost $130 or less than $7 a piece if we had 20 attendees. If we did have a program of sorts, one of the DV suites would probably suffice for this.

Also, if it were the desire of the Det to hear from the CO of the MAD, we could probably go to the conference room at his place. Also, if we have a golf tournament and go to the museum, there wouldn’t be much time for a program.

Anyway, I am just trying to provoke thought and comments. The problem with this lodging is that, even though they would love to have us, they have a rule that reservations for folks not under orders cannot be made farther out than 10 days (recently reduced from 30). If the Det likes this lodging alternative, we could pursue getting the rule waived for such an august group.

The second possibility is the Navy Lodge. Y’all can go on line and check it out. It is a pretty nice place. I think George Braun has stayed there recently and can give us his assessment. They do not have any suites. A room with a queen (bed that is) is $62 – with two queens and a kitchenette it’s $75. They have no limit on how far out you can make reservations, but the reservation clerk said they cannot make reservations for 2010 until they receive the 2010 rates, which she doesn’t expect until December.

I am presently in the house up in Michigan. I will be back on the Gulf Coast next month. NAS Pensacola is about 90 miles from the Mississippi house and I will be in Pensacola several times this fall, so I can pursue, arrange, or tweak whatever the will of Det 4 maybe.

I just spoke with my intelligence operative over a secure line. He is a retired Navy 06 doctor who lives near the base. He tells me that the last time he ate at the "Club," he was very disappointed. But it still is in operation and is a bit of history itself. Since folks will rolling in at different times, and if we do stay on the base, I would suggest that we continue to plan to meet there and maybe eat bar food for Friday night.

We could go to nice restaurant Saturday night. There is a contemporary of ours who owns a Riverboat type upscale restaurant in the harbor. I have forgotten his name, but I think Larry knows him well. Anyway, my Navy Doc friend says that he has a friend who is a retired Marine 4 star zoomie (I think ACMC) who has recently settled in Pensacola. His call sign and nickname is "Spider." My friend says he saved the General's flying career doing something to his nose. He is going to tell the General about us and see if he can grease the skids for us.

That's all I have for now. More later.

John Wilkes
___________________

You do good work. It is all good as far as I am concerned. Either way OK.

Sioebold and Hudon emails are bouncing, so if someone else has a good email for them, send it.

And the rest of you who have not responded should do so so that we know we have a live body at the other end, and so that we do not have to send the search party out.

And now would be a good time to track down any Det Marine that we have lost, and bring him or her back into the fold.

Semper Fi

Craig Hullinger

Friday, July 31, 2009

Consensus for the Florida Reunion in 2009-2010 is for Pensacola - See the Navy Air Museum, etc.

Now we have to set the date.

Some would like to do it early, some late. So I will throw a date out.

How does Jan 29 -31, 2010 look to everyone? Arrive Friday, meet at the O'club drinks & dinner?

Please review the recall roster on the blog at:

And send some more photos - I will keep posting them

John (Never Volunteer) Wilkes wrote:

"Either place is fine with me, but I would prefer Pensacola. In addition to the Naval Air Museum, Pensacola has a great officer's club. The conference center, which is only about three blocks from the club might be a good place to book rooms. The O-6quarters are big enough to play tennis in. No telling what kind of suite they would give Drew for a hospitality suite. If that turns out to be the will of the Det., I would be glad to make the arrangements. I have dealt with the conference center many times in the past. BTW Craig, I don't think the address you have for Lynn works. If anyone has a better one, I would love to have it. Semper fi,WILKES

John, Craig Wood who lives nearby will be glad to help.

____________________

Aug 4, 2009 at 4:49 PM, Harper, Clarence CAR

<Clarence.Harper@carrier.utc.com> wrote: Ladies and gentlemen, As an old retired E9 enlisted I have been watching the traffic keeping the head low for flying flack…you know “officer-stuff”…just kidding! Not sure that I can make it in January and certainly don’t want that to disrupt the operation. I learned over the years that this group knows better than any other how to plot out the operation plan…

Anyway, I’m keeping a careful watch on what is happening. I already have trips scheduled out into January and am just waiting for confirmation on those plans. Someone suggested an update from everyone and perhaps that is in order. We all know we lost Scott Swaim not too long ago and most of you remember old Gunny Roger Muelling who was laid to rest early this year.

Since I retired in 2000 I have completed my undergrad degree in business, completed an MBA and am currently enrolled in a doctoral program…this all sort of took up the “spare” time I had been using for weekend drills etc. I still work full time for Taylor Freezer – now a subsidiary of Carrier – a United Technology company. I also teach marketing at the undergrad level at Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois.

I haven’t run 3 miles since I retired but suspect I can still pass the PFT. I am on Facebook as Jim Homan can tell you in case anyone hasn’t seen my ugly mug for awhile. What’s up with all of you?

Clarence Harper Master Gunnery Sergeant of Marines - Retired
______________________

Good to hear from you, Clarence. I see that you are a high tech guy, and you and I and Homan are now Facebook buddies. If any of you old grunts want to sign on facebook, you can become high tech cutting edge people like we are.

Impressive that you are Professor almost a PHD Master Gunnery Sergeant. And I am pretty sure I could not run a PFT.

You better come to the Florida reunion, or you will be UA.

We can put lots of info and photos on the blog - it is free and easy enough that even an officer can do it. Anyone who wants to post their story or photos ask me, and I will get you signed up. Or you can send me your story and photos, and I will post. You can see what we have been doing with one of my old Vietnam units at:

http://mass-3.blogspot.com/

Our stuff at:

http://det4.blogspot.com/

Semper Fi Craig Hullinger

Recall Roster - 10 August 2009

Larry Anderson
Jim Bailey
Doug Barney
Erik Bennett
George Braun
Joe Brooks
Drew Davis
James P Dunn
Steve Eddington
Clarence Harper
Byron Hill
John Hill
Will Holohan
Jim Homan
Robert Hudon
Craig Hullinger
Al Jennings
Frank Johnson
Alice Marie Joralemon
Larry Magilligan
Greg McLaughlin
Ken Morey
Bob Raclaw
Ed Sandrick
Terry Sebold
John Sevold
Lynn Wardlow
John Warneke
Cindy Waters
John Wilkes
Craig Wood
Larry Woods
Ronald Wozniak
Ivan Zimmer

Send updates to chullinger@gmail.com

"Larry Anderson" <colloanderson@yahoo.com>,

"Doug Barney" <dougb@jdbyrider.com>,

"Jim Bailey" <pkamb2369@yahoo.com>,

"Eric Bennett" <ebennett401@yahoo.com>

"George Braun" <George-Braun@comcast.net>,

"Brooks, Joe" <E9grunt@wi.rr.com>,

"Drew Davis" <aDavis@americanpressinstitute.org>,

"Dunn James P" <tipdunn@aol.com>,

"Steve A. Eddington" <edding@mchsi.com>,

"Clarence Harper" <Clarence.Harper@carrier.utc.com>,

"Byron Hill" <hillb@abclabs.com>,

"John Hill" <hillj@indiana.edu>,

"William Holahan" <WHolahan@roa.org>,

"Jim Homan" <JHoman06@aol.com>,

"Robert Hudon" <rhudon@fmausa.com>,

"Craig Hullinger" <chullinger@gmail.com>,

"Frank Johnson" <gangster6@aol.com>,

"Al Jennings" <awjennings@sbcglobal.net>,

"Alice Marie Joralemon" <amjsjms@comcast.net>,

"Larry Magilligan" <larry.magilligan@gmail.com>,

"Greg McLaughlin" <gregory.m.mclaughlin@secureskies.net>,

"Greg McLaughlin" <gregory.m.mclaughlin@dhs.gov>,

"Ken Morey" <morey24@earthlink.net>,

"Bob Raclaw" <bob.raclaw@morgancorp.com>,

"Ed Sandrick" <esandrick@aol.com>,

"Terry Sebold" <tsebold39@comcast.net>,

"John Sevold" <john.sevold@gmail.com>,

"Lynn Wardlow" <wardlowl@hotmail.com>,

"john warneke" <sgtmajjohn@yahoo.com>,

"Cindy Waters" <cfwaters39@yahoo.com>,

"John Wilkes" <jbw60@charter.net>,

"Craig Wood" <wood.craig9@gmail.com>,

"Larry Woods" <laurencew@ameritech.net>,

"Wood Phyllis" <phyllis_wood@hotmail.com>,

"Larry Woods" <laurencew@ameritech.net>,

"Ronald Wozniak" <nauticaleffect@msn.com>,

"Ivan Zimmer" <colonel86@hughes.net>

http://det4.blogspot.com/

Rest in Peace

Scott Swaim

Mitch Waters

Monday, February 23, 2009

Scott Swaim

We have lost a fine Marine and Det-4 Member

Kankakee County Circuit Judge J. Scott Swaim, 62, died suddenly from a massive heart attack Sunday morning.

Swaim, a life-long Kankakee County resident, has served as a judge, attorney, community leader and a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps during his lifetime. His family, friends and colleagues remember him as a hard worker who valued service to his community. But above all else, he is remembered as a friend.

"It is going to be really hard to walk into the courthouse Monday," said Chris Bohlen, Kankakee city attorney and one of Swaim's friends.

Life of law

Swaim was first appointed associate judge in 2003.

As a judge, he covered general traffic and juvenile courts, and most recently the aggravated traffic call, including jury DUI cases.

Kankakee County Circuit Chief Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliot said Swaim was an exceptional judge who thoughtfully listened to cases. "He worked tirelessly, and he was the first judge we'd turn to when we needed coverage and help," she said. "He never turned us down."

The appointment to the bench, which he sought for nearly a decade, followed a long legal career as a court-appointed children's advocate, attorney for the Kankakee County Building Commission, and as a private practitioner for many years as a partner in his father's law firm.

"Both as a judge and as an attorney, he had high expectations for himself and others," Bohlen said. "He had a great sense of humor and a tough exterior, but a lot of compassion."

His military experience was also apparent on the bench.

As a Marine Corps leader, Swaim commanded 10 officers and about 250 men in the Marine Corps reserves, where he served for more than two decades after being on active duty in the service.

"That Marine background showed up in his demeanor in the court room," Bohlen said. "He was no nonsense when he was on the bench."

Local boy

Swaim's life of leadership began when he was young.

Growing up, Swaim was a youth member and leader of the Kankakee Area YMCA. Later, he served on the YMCA's board of directors for 23 years as president, and as a trustee, a position he had to relinquish when taking the bench.

"He gained a lot of confidence and leadership in the Y, and that was supported later on when he was elected to serve in different capacities," said Wes Walker, retired YMCA executive director.

Swaim graduated from Kankakee High School in 1964 with an obvious range of talents, but always opted to remain local, serving the community until the end of his life.

Bohlen said Swaim always took pride in the area and sought frequently to return some of what he'd gotten from it. "He was proud of this community and pleased with the chance to give back," Bohlen said.

Saying good-bye

Both Walker and Bohlen said Swaim meant many different things to people because he was involved in such a variety of roles in the community. But to them, most of all, he was a great friend. "When Scott was your friend, that was the end of it -- he was your friend," Walker said.

Swaim's wake will be held at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home, at 295 Main St. NW, in Bourbonnais, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at College Church of the Nazarene at Olivet Nazarne University, 200 University Ave., in Bourbonnais, with a one-hour visitation prior.