2002 Reunion Summary

Scrapbook

The 26th reunion of the First Armored Amphibian Battalion was held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Dallas/Ft.Worth Airport, Texas October 23rd to October 27th. The host was H&S Company, officially Smilie Watkins and his wife, Anne. Linda and Al Vogel assisted with Shirley Wilson on the reception desk. Many others helped with the hospitality room.

Marine families attending: Ray Smith of D Company set the record with nine members attending. Chick Cutright recovering from an extended illness traveled with his wife Ruthie from Maui and was met by his daughter,Janet Duenes and son-in-law, Manuel Duenes, sister, Helen Elliot and niece, Joan Phillips. Susan Taylor was present as a caregiver to J.R.Wallace.Tim Curtis and his son Clark were here with Tim's father Milton Curtis. Mary Bartles, wife of deceased Bill Bartles again visited. Yvonne Struthers, daughter of deceased Mel Struthers was present. We had Nancy Hardy and her husband visit us. Nancy is the daughter of deceased Captain Lillie, whose tribute is featured on our web site.

First Armored tours

Thursday, October 24th Our tour was to Lockheed-Martin where we were met my professional personnel and given a tour of the building where the F-16 fighter jet was being assembled. Plus, we were given information of the new F-35 fighter jet and allowed to inspect a model of that plane. After departing Lockheed-Martin we departed for a shopping and lunch tour of the famous downtown Gt. Worth stockyard area.
Friday, October 25th We toured the Kennedy assassination area in Dallas with a tour of the Dealey plaza and the 6th floor museum. Lunch and shopping was at the famous West End historical district of Dallas. On the way back to the hotel we toured Pioneer Plaza.

Memorial Service October 26th

Usually held on Sunday the format was changed and held at 10 AM on Saturday. We had a color guard from the local Marines and for the first time two of the color guard were females. Tom Coleman led us in prayer. We had a reading of our deceased comrades by company representatives, which was followed by taps.The playing of taps has become the duty of our own Roger Behling. The attendance of the service was well attended, which may have been helped by having the service on Saturday,

Business Meeting

Dale Barker gave a summary of book sales and it was voted not to have a second printing. Max Johnson gave a short financial report in absence of our Sec/Treasurer, Donald Ferchau. Grady Coker gave an update of our web site. We had as our guest, Richard Bevier of the First Armored Amphibian Battalion of the Korean War. Max Johnson gave a report on the proposed site of next years reunion. We will return to the Holiday Inn, Fairlane-Dearborn, Detroit, Michigan for our 27th reunion over Columbus Day week-end October, 2003.

Banquet

We had our annual banquet with 127 Marines and guest attending on Saturday night, October 26th. Our banquets follow a routine of pledge of allegiance, the Marine Corps hymn, and prayer. Prayer was by Thomas Coleman. After dinner we had Ed Dooley as guest speaker.