January 14, 2025

Happy 2025. Everyone,

I wish everyone the very best for 2025.  A major event this year is the 250th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  We will celebrate that Birthday in Tucson this coming September at our 70th Annual Family Reunion, 15-21 Sept 2025.  We will have a reception, free of charge, on Friday evening 19 Sept 2025 for our reunion attendees.  Our Guest of Honor will be there, and we will have a cake cutting ceremony.

I have great news.  2/3 VVA (Vietnam Veterans Association) will be joining us in Tucson.  2/3 VVA President, Mick Hughes, and I have been talking about this since late summer, 2024.  He took this idea to his membership, and they have approved joining us in Tucson.  He is working with his membership to keep them informed on everything.  I will be letting him know everything from our end as soon as I know it.  They are welcome to attend our Tucson reunion and participate in all activities.  They have a dedicated meeting room in the Tucson hotel for the whole week for any use they see fit.  Mick is also a Life Member of the 3rd Marine Division Association.  There are several members of their Association who are members of our Association.  One of their (2/3 VVA) members who is also in 3rdMarDiv Association, is on our Board of Directors, Dan Rom.  Mick and I have believe this will be an easy fit.  We hope to have many of their members join the 3rd Marine Division Association at/after the reunion.  After all, 2/3 is 3rd Marine Division.  We are all the same and I anticipate that our Association will be great hosts in welcoming 2/3 VVA.  Looking forward to seeing Mick and his great Marines and families.  An amazing Tucson Reunion awaits!

The Tucson reunion will have lots of fun activities.  DO NOT MISS the Gaslight Theater on Tuesday evening, 16 Sept.  This is one of the most amazing stories in Tucson.  Gaslight Theater, where they have melodrama / spoof performances.  That's where you boo the villain and cheer the hero, etc.  When the reunion committee went there last fall to check it out, we laughed the whole evening.  They know what they are doing.  They have 9/10 performances a week.  They typically sell out almost all of their performances.  We confirmed that with many different sources.  Amazing!  When we are there in September, the performance will be "The Phantom of the Opera".  WOW!  How lucky are we!  We will be working with them on purchasing a large block of tickets.

We have a very nice hotel.  What you need to know about the hotel:  We have a great price.  However, our allotment includes just over half rooms and just under half suites.  The price:

     Room - $119++/night

     Suite - $134++/night

First come, first served!

The rooms may get booked first with only suits left so you have to take a suite.  OR, the suites sell out first and you can only book a room.  Book early to get your choice.

Please remember your fellow Marines and families.  We need to check up on each other.  We have reached that point where doctors appointments are plentiful and meaningful.  I remember when I was going through daily radiation as well as surgeries, etc.  It seemed like Jerry Huck (oh how I miss him) was always calling me at the right time.  Roger Bacon called at just the right time many times too.  Jerry, of course, had lots of issues of his own so I called him often too.  Many of you did as well.  A call; an email; a visit, if possible; a card.  Life is precious!

I can hardly wait to see you all in Tucson!

The very best to all of you.

Semper Fidelis,
Robert North, President
3rd Marine Division Association, Inc.