Posted on Facebook 8/15/2024 by:

Ronald Overton

Reunion 2024 San Antonio

Information, emails & postings on Facebook by members.

Reunion 2024 San Antonio

Charlie wants to get a head count of who is planning to attend both the reunion and the activities. Please let me know about yourself and anyone else you might know of. There are a lot of brothers that are not on Facebook.
Here is our schedule of events as of now:
Recon events include:
Thursday 22 August. 1:00 - 4:00 pm visit the Alamo.
Friday, 23 August 2-4 pm visit 4th Recon; Texas BBQ dinner and live auction
Saturday, 24 August. 10 - 11 am General Membership Meeting
6:00- 10:00 pm Farewell Banquet (men - formal attire with miniatures, dress blues with ribbons and badges, coat and tie. Ladies: cocktail dresses)
Sunday Check out & departure.
Beginning of the list. Hope to see lots of names.

Charles Kershaw and wife. Alamo, BBQ and meeting

Ronald Overton and wife. Alamo, BBQ, meeting and banquet

Dave Doc Snider and wife, BBQ, meeting, Banquet

Mike Collins and wife, BBQ and meeting

Floyd and Linda Ruggles, BBQ and meeting

Hermon Jonse, BBQ and Meeting

Curtis Gruetzmacher (20-24) BBQ & meeting
Paul & Jennifer Scotten: ((20-24) BBQ
Jonathon & Emily Scotten: (23-24) BBQ
Possibly Jessica Wise for BBQ

John J Devine

Tom Hyder

Semper Fi,
ron

Thanks Ron

I'll copy and send an email out to the membership today.

Emails: send out 8/16/24 included Ron Overton's message for a headcount on the up-and-coming reunion in San Antonio, Texas plus my request.

My request to the membership.

On a sad note, the last time I sent out a large amount of emails was about a month ago. What you don't know, unless you keep up with the website newsletters/message boards, is that out of the 1500+ emails sent to our members we had 52 emails kickback to me. This is 3 1/2,% of the total emails sent. Out of the 52 kickbacks on a quick search I found 12 deceased members which is 23% of that total. This is shocking news to our organization.

Which brings me to this point. The 12 deceased brothers, whose deaths ranged from 2015 to the present, tells me that the method that I'm using to track the membership totals, is not working at all given the average age of our membership.

Looking at this method and the 23% that I received in the last kickbacks is telling me that we possibly have about 345 or more members that might be deceased. That's a Company and a half of brothers.

Let me just be upfront with you. This is not a paid position that I hold unlike 1st Force or the 1st division associations webmasters. I'm not asking for compensation for my time. I'm here to serve you and the membership of the 1st Recon Battalion Association to the best of my ability. The end of my assignment is at the 2026 reunion. I thank you all, for the opportunity to work as your Membership Director/Webmaster which will end in 2026. (For more on that see the website.)

So I'm going to need a little help and assistance with the membership directory. I'm requesting all members from the president on down going forward that with this email and any email you received from me, You need to hit your reply button and let me know that the email was received. This may sound extreme but this is the only way I can keep an up-to-date directory.  I will flag that your email information is possibly not correct in the directory if I don't hear from you in a reasonable amount of time.  

Looking at it from the numbers standpoint the average name/member search takes me 15 minutes to conduct. That tells me it will take me 375 hours to do a full search of our members directory. That doesn't even include the 60 to 90 minutes it takes me to do a memorial tribute webpage when I find or hear of a fallen brother. Thanks for your help in keeping the directory current. It will really help me out.

Hope to see you all at our up-and-coming reunion in San Antonio or maybe next year in Arlington (see website for details). Please respond to Ron's Facebook request from Charlie. Let him know if you will be at the reunion and which events you will be attending. He particularly needs a head count for the BBQ.

Check out our website from time to time for new updates. at: https://1streconbn.org/

Over the years our members have brought their ‘treasures’ and auctioned them off with the funds going to the general fund. However, Members and Associate Members are encouraged to make donations annually to help defray the Association's operating expenses. An annual donation of $10.00 is suggested. Donations can be sent to the Association Treasurer: Creg Howland, 43761 Churchill Glen Drive, Chantilly, VA 20152. Make donations payable to the 1st Recon Association.

Please keep your contact INFORMATION Up-To-Date. This allows the Association to contact you. Our membership directory is at: https://1streconbn.org/members.html  Please let me know if your Information is not correct. You can also reach me by phone. My cell number is (612) 810-4196. Call me from 10am-5pm.

Semper Fi,

Floyd Ruggles

Membership Director & Webmaster

Thank Ron,

I'll check my email for the last time at 10pm. We leave early tomorrow morning for San Antonio. I will be disconnected from the internet and all electronics.
For emergencies you can call me on my cell phone at (612) 810-4196

You can add Jim Riordan to the list.
Plus I believe JAMES WILKER, is coming to the reunion.

I'm running late tonight... I'll send all emails copy to Ron in the morning it will be early. I plan to be on the road by 7am. I'M SHUTTING DOWN FOR THE NIGHT.
See you all in San Antonio on Wednesday

S/F
Floyd

This a copy of Jim Riordan email:
jim riordan <jdr1951@sbcglobal.net> 8:48 PM Re: Alpha Company, 1st Recon 2024 reunion, San Antonio, Texas Update To floyd

We didn't see the email until today. We are in the process of moving. We want to go to the Alamo & the BBQ dinner & auction. James D. Riordan & Felicia. We will be arriving tomorrow (Monday the 19th) please add us to the list. Thank you!


I wrote back to him:
Jim,

Nice to hear from you. You are now added to the list. I'll see you in a few days.
Have a glorious day.
Semper Fi,
Floyd

1st Reconnaissance Battalion Association
2024 Reunion – San Antonio
Charlie Kershaw +1 – Alamo, BBQ, meeting
Ron Overton +1 – Alamo, BBQ, meeting and banquet
Dave Snider +1 – Alamo, BBQ, meeting, banquet
Mike Collins +1 – Alamo, BBQ and meeting
John Devine – Alamo, BBQ and meeting
Tom Hyder – Alamo, BBQ and meeting
Ralph Witkin +1 – Alamo, BBQ, meeting and banquet
Dan Turpin – BBQ and meeting
Dane Kucera +1 – Alamo, BBQ, meeting and banquet
Curtis Gruetzmacher +5 – BBQ and meeting
Creg Howland +1 – Alamo, BBQ, meeting
Dave Lott – Alamo, BBQ, meeting
Robert Castaneda +1 – Alamo, BBQ, meeting
Dave Backer – Alamo, BBQ, meeting
Floyd Ruggles +1 – Alamo, BBQ, meeting
Mike Adams – Alamo, BBQ, meeting
Herman Jonse – Alamo, BBQ, meeting
Subtotals – Alamo 24, BBQ 31, meeting 17, banquet 9

Ronald Overton <overtonrv@gmail.com> 8/18/2024 8:09 PM Reunion 2024 San Antonio

Hi guys,

Here is my latest list of attendees and what they've signed up for at this point.

Note that most of these people are from the FB page and there will be others attending that we don't know about.

We're leaving first thing tomorrow and will arrive Tuesday evening.

Semper fi,

rono

Reunion 2024 San Antonio

Email: Creg Howland <creghowland@gmail.com> 8/18/2024 11:10 PM Re: Alpha Company

Floyd,
Good to hear from you. Got your email. My golly, that's hard to believe about the deceased members. That should be a topic of discussion in the membership meeting this week. Members need to stress to their wives, and/or family members that we need to know when our Recon Brothers ore sick, injured, or hospitalized or deceased so we can get in touch with them or pay them the respect they deserve for their service to our country; and primarily if there is any assistance we can provide from a nearby member.

I guess that BBQ is something at least I'll be attending. Maggie has paid for the trip to the WWII Nimitz Naval Museum in Fredericksburg. We went there a couple years ago while attending a wedding there in Fredericksburg. We were their together, but didn't have to time to do it justice. So, Maggie has paid the fee to go back and finish it up properly. I didn't understand the logistics involved in the Bn. and 4th Recon visit. Of course, I will be attending that.

I am going to our lake house tomorrow to receive a new dishwasher that was ruined in a flood we had a year and a half ago. We can't believe the extent of the consternation we have gone through in getting the home liveable once again.
'
Take care my friend,
I'll see you later this week

Email: Edward Deats <edeats@comcast.net> 8/17/2024 7:29 PM RE: Bravo Company,

Hi Brother: I got to the Battalion on 9/7/68 I think and left Vietnam 9/3/69. I'll have to think about a story or two!!

Semper Fi

Doc

Thanks Doc,
I'll make the corrections when I got back from San Antonio. I'm leaving in the morning.

S/F
Floyd
On 08/18/2024 8:26 PM EDT Bruce Mosley <brucemosley5@gmail.com> wrote:


hey floyd, doc mosley here. what a great tribute to louie! the only thing that is wrong are the dates he wasin A CO 3rd Plt.I got there Apr 15 1967 and he was already there.My last patrol was just before Texas Pete was almost overrun and Rauch, Collier and Gunny Alewine were KIA.Louie was on R&R@ that time. I think he told me he left Nam Jan or Feb 68.I left Nov 10 67.Thanks for all the great work youre doing! Doc

On Sun, Aug 18, 2024 at 12:31 PM floyd <floyd@weststpaulantiques.com> wrote:
Doc,

Nice to have talked to you yesterday.
I hope to see you at a up-in-coming reunion soon.

Thanks again for update on Lou Giordano passing.
https://1streconbn.org/lou-giordano.html
This is a link to his memorial tribute. I'll work on it when I get back from
San Antonio in a couple of weeks.

I will assume your information is correct and I will noted it in the record.

Have a glorious day my brother.

Semper Fi,
Floyd

floyd <floyd@weststpaulantiques.com> 8/18/2024 9:30 PM Re: Alpha Company, 1st Recon 2024 reunion, San Antonio, Texas Update

Jim,

Nice to hear from you. You are now added to the list. I'll see you in a few days.
Have a glorious day.
Semper Fi,
Floyd
On 08/18/2024 8:48 PM EDT jim riordan <jdr1951@sbcglobal.net> wrote:



We didn't see the email until today. We are in the process of moving. We want to go to the Alamo & the BBQ dinner & auction. James D. Riordan & Felicia. We will be arriving tomorrow (Monday the 19th) please add us to the list. Thank you!

Den,

Nice to hear from you. I appreciate the offer, but I'm fine. There is something you can do for me. You do know that I'm working on a project for the Battalion.
Stories behind all the patrol reports. I'm up to June of '68 going into July of 1968 soon.

I'm wondering if you have any stories you'd like to share with me? I do not have any that I can remember right now from Charlie Deuce or with the team call sign Dublin City.

If you're interested in seeing some of the work online I'll include the link on this email: https://1streconbn.org/sgt-jim-southall-story.html

July '68 through December of '69 will explode what stories. I can always go back and add one to the mix of stories.

I just have to find the time to get back to work on that project. You don't have to worry about having the Patrol report, I have all of them and I'll match the story or stories with the proper patrol report.

I hope to see you at a up-in-coming reunion soon.

Thanks again for the quick response to my email. I will assume your information is correct and I will noted in the record.

Have a glorious weekend my brother.

Semper Fi,
Floyd

On 08/16/2024 10:04 PM EDT Den <slack8919@gmail.com> wrote:


I received this email.
Thanks Floyd. All of your time and effort is greatly appreciated. Unfortunately we are all too human and get to wound up in our own lives forgetting about our friends that make that extra effort to keep our organization running. If you need any financial support for all you do regarding supplies etc. please let me know and I’ll help wherever I can.
Semper Fi
Dennis Slack

Thanks for the quick response. I will assume your information is correct and I will noted it in the record. Have a glorious weekend Vern.

On a personal note I am so qlad to hear from you anytime.
I'll post your email on our website & up-and-coming newsletter.

Please email me anytime you'd like.

Semper Fi,
Floyd
On 08/16/2024 8:23 PM EDT Vern Hughes <koreanrecon31@gmail.com> wrote:


Hi Floyd, just confirming your file on E Mail reception. Sgt. Vern Hughes, Korean
Amphibious Recon., now 93 years old and
Not able to attend the ceremony’s anymore! Many thanks to you and your group for your hard work and dedication.
You might like looking up the book they wrote about “ Elite Recon Company of the Korean War “ referring to page 200-201.
My CO. Major Kerby Smith and I are illustrated in photos. It appears that the same situation is occurring with your current group as happened in ours. Many
Heroes pass on and old age takes us by the throat and won’t let go. Membership dwindles and recovery is not feasible.
Again, many thanks for your time and
Dedication to our membership.
OOHHRRAA to the few an see ya on the
Final Layout!!!! 👍🙏👏💘 B.A.R’s Forever. PAPPY HUGHES.

Doc,
It's nice to hear from you.Thanks for replying to my email. Glad to hear that you're alive and kicking.

Sorry we will miss you in San Antonio this year. Maybe next year in Arlington outside of DC. I'll say hi to Herman for you. I'm meeting him in San Antonio on Wednesday. You do know that I'm working on a project for the Battalion stories behind patrol reports. I'm up to June of '68 going into July of 1968 soon. I'm wondering if you have any stories you'd like to share with us before I get to September and beyond from your experiences with LYNCH LAW, Cayenne, Albrook or GRIM REAPER September '68 to September of '69. If you're interested in seeing some of the work online I'll include the link on this email: https://1streconbn.org/sgt-jim-southall-story.html July '68 through December of '69 will explode what stories. I just have to find the time to get back to work on that project. You don't have to worry about having the Patrol report, I have all of them and I'll match the story or stories with the proper patrol report. I hope to see you at a up-in-coming reunion soon.

S/F
Floyd


On 08/16/2024 6:39 PM EDT Edward Deats <edeats@comcast.net> wrote:


Brothers: My email is still good and I am alive and kicking. Sorry I will not be able to make this year's reunion. Have a medical issue that needs taken care.

Semper Fi

Doc Deats

floyd <floyd@weststpaulantiques.com> 8/18/2024 9:20 PM Re: TEAM SERVICEMAN II

Ed,
Nice to hear from you.
Thanks for sending it to me. You blew me away with this first hand account of what happened on that patrol. I appreciate all the hard work you went through.
I'll feature it in September when I get back from San Antonio.
Thanks again for sending it to me.
Have a glorious day.
Semper Fi,
Floyd
On 08/18/2024 8:31 PM EDT Ed Rowland <edrowl98@gmail.com> wrote:


Floyd,
I am submitting this write up to you as webmaster for consideration of adding it to the 1st Recon BN website. You are in the best position to determine whether or not it is feasible.
Hope the reunion goes well this week!

Semper Fi!
Ed

Thanks Mike...
On 08/16/2024 7:01 PM EDT MIKE FALLON <mfallon4@cox.net> wrote:



Ron,
Per your request via Floyd. I will be at all recon events to include the BBQ.
Count of 1 for Mike Fallon.
Hope this email gets to you, as i don't do Facebook per Floyds request.
Will see you in San Antonio.!
Floyd, thank you for the forward and all you do to keep the web site going and membership hopping.
See All in San Antonio
Semper Fi
Mike
Bravo, Delta, H&S Companies
1970

Thanks for replying Ken,
Nice to hear from you.
Have a great weekend.
S/F
Floyd
On 08/16/2024 6:56 PM EDT AT&T Mail <kennyhavelka@att.net> wrote:


Ken Havelka here.
I was with B 1 Recon.
Feb 59 to Aug 59.
Thanks for all you do for the Battalion
Semper Fi

Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android

I'll check my email for the last time at 10pm. We leave early tomorrow morning for San Antonio.

I will be disconnected from the internet and all electronics.


For emergencies you can call me on my cell phone at (612) 810-4196

You can add Jim Riordan to the list.
Plus I believe JAMES WILKER, is coming to the reunion.

I'm running late tonight... I'll send all emails copies to Ron in the morning it will be early. I plan to be on the road by 7am. I'M SHUTTING DOWN FOR THE NIGHT.

See you all in San Antonio on Wednesday

S/F
Floyd

August 18th, 2024