Nov. 10, 2010 at The Wall

[Crazy Joe]

I know it's mid-week this year, but the POPASMOKE crew will be setting up the "hootch" (tent) as usual at 20th and Constitution. Set up is scheduled for 1900 hrs. on the 9th. Any help you can give for the set up would really be appreciated.

Hours of operation will be 0800 hrs. on the 10th to about 1500 hrs. when we have to leave for the rush hour lanes to open. Memorial ceremony at The Wall is at 1230 hrs. followed by Marine Corps Birthday cake back at the hootch.

Hours of operation on the 11th (Veterans Day) will be 0800 hrs. to about 1430hrs. when we break down.

I encourage all who can help with this important POPASMOKE event to "COME ON DOWN" and lend a hand manning the tent. You won't regret meeting and greeting all the Vietnam vets, their families, friends and the many others who come to pay tribute.

Please let Larry Zok or Joe Scholle know if you can help with this important POPASMOKE event.

"Crazy Joe" Scholle

[Dale A Riley]

Joe, I just sent you an email from your profile page. Post if you don't get it and I'll try again. I just made res. for the nights of the 9th & 10th. Anyone out there that wants to make a swoop from around Pittsburgh? I have room.

[John Ace Hunt]

Dale, Joe, it would be nice to make it, but many of we members are a long way from the DC area, and just not enough time to make the trip. If only they could have put the Wall in the center of the Country. I was able in '98, I believe to make a reunion there. Constant driving seems like it was several days. Well worth it though. Now, conditions prohibit driving. Have a very Good visit to all who get to go. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[Jerome HALL]

[FONT="Book Antiqua"][SIZE="3"]I will see what I can manage for this year. Its elections this year too,so that will be just before this. Still going to see what I can do about it ,just would like to make it 1 time before its to late. God Bless you ALL that do Make it. S/F[/SIZE][/FONT]

[John Ace Hunt]

JJ, your right, it would be good to get there before we don't have a chance again. I was there before 2000, and would like to go again, but there is the problem of getting someone to care for the animals and all. I'm sure it has changed a bit since then. Read an article about how clean the airlines were the other day. Not good at all. From bugs in the water, to just over all dirty planes. They have to start cleaning them better in late '11. Have good ones. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[Jerome HALL]

[FONT="Century Gothic"][SIZE="3"]Check up on the flights and OH NO looking at around 1200 for around trip. Have to check some other ways,and then there would be Hotel cost. Will check out some others anyway.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Dale A Riley]

Hey JJ, Give me a buzz. Can you make it to Pittsburgh by noon on the 9th? I'll be back to my place the night of the 11th

[John Ace Hunt]

JJ, hope you can get a carpool with Dale. It certainly would save a bunch of money. Dale thats Great you can offer to help JJ. Good visits up, during the activities, and a good tired one back. That is a killer for a lot of Vets., going to reunions and all, the costs. It takes over a year, close to two to save enough to make it. Several of us still have Wives working, and in my situation, she would be the one driving if we went that way. Each reunion is close or well over 2 thousand bucks, or more. Its great if you are in a high paying job, or Family is rich, but its just very costly for a lot of us. I don't believe it would pay to start robbing banks at my age. Don't believe I'd live until the trial. lol. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[timothy]

Take some pixs down there guys.

[John Ace Hunt]

Tim, I do hope the ones that get to go can, and will take several pics and post them for us. It would be nice if they would. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[rowo]

I will not be able to help out this time.
I just got call my Sister in Law passed away last night, so we are trying to get on the road to Arkansas for a couple weeks.
Reames O. Wooten

[John Ace Hunt]

Rowo, you and your Family are in our Prayers. Please travel safe. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[Jerome HALL]

JJ, hope you can get a carpool with Dale. It certainly would save a bunch of money. Dale thats Great you can offer to help JJ. Good visits up, during the activities, and a good tired one back. That is a killer for a lot of Vets., going to reunions and all, the costs. It takes over a year, close to two to save enough to make it. Several of us still have Wives working, and in my situation, she would be the one driving if we went that way. Each reunion is close or well over 2 thousand bucks, or more. Its great if you are in a high paying job, or Family is rich, but its just very costly for a lot of us. I don't believe it would pay to start robbing banks at my age. Don't believe I'd live until the trial. lol. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

For Heaven Sakes Ace don't go to that length . I know it cost yet we all aren't rich as some may think. What funds come the same funds GO OUT the other end. For me it was a FEW bucks that came my way from MOM and Dad pasting away that has allow me to fund some of the trips. Guess you might say God gave me a Blessing from Mom And Dad . I have try to use those few Bucks for very special things ,and I know Mom and Dad away's knew How much I enjoyed the reunions by my sharing moments with them after I was back. Keep the Chin up and it will happen. JJ

[John Ace Hunt]

I understand JJ. It'll do you good to get to go. Hope you can team up with Dale, like he, and I had mentioned. That would save a bunch, and you'd be in the beast of company. A mini reunion going to the Birthday Ball. Not much better than that. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[Crazy Joe]

Another Birthday and Veterans Day has come and gone. The weather was OUTSTANDING thank God.

Special thanks to Lindsay Bloom (Dean Martin Show, Dingalings and Golddiggers) and Ron Masak (Sheriff Metzger on Murder She Wrote) for coming down and helping with our Memorial Ceremony. Ron and Lindsay were on the wreath presentation detail, Ron read the Commandants Birthday Message, and both made the first cut of the Birthday Cake. These two are really class acts !!

Thanks also to Slick, Tom and Tom, Jim, Dale and Larry for their untiring work.

Semper Fi guys.

"Crazy Joe"

[John Ace Hunt]

Crazy Joe, glad everything went well. I always thought at a Marine Birthday Ball the top ranking and lowest ranking MARINES had the honor, of something anyway. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[Dale A Riley]

I'll let a good looking, friendly, service oriented, Ding-a-ling (Ms. Lindsay Bloom) cut my cake any time Let the oldest and youngest have the first pieces. She served her time at DaNang and in-country for us back in the day and Ron Masak was a real gentleman and did a fine job for Popasmoke

[John Ace Hunt]

Knew the oldest, and youngest had something to do with the cake. That would leave me out. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[Larry Zok]

Dale

Could you please forward that photo to me so I can give it to Lindsay?

Lindsay never made it to Nam, her singing partner Michelle Della Fave made 2 tours with Bob Hope.

Ron Masak was a perfect Gentleman and was very happy to read the Commandant's Birthday message.

Lindsay, as always, loves being around Vets and thoroughly enjoyed herself.

LZ

[John Ace Hunt]

Lary, Dale, Gentlemen, I was refreshed about the procedures for our Ball. Its Great Ms. Bloom was able to cut the Cake, and Mr. Masak was the Guest of Honor. Ms. Bloom will love the Picture. It was Great Mr. Masak was able to read our Commandants Birthday message. So glad they have taken good care of themselves. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.