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Reunion 2008 Report
2008 San Pedro 31st Infantry Regiment Association Reunion Recap
Our deepest thanks are extended to Charlie Co., Louis and Suzanne Dominguez for a job well done and a great reunion. Many do not realize the effort it takes to put an event like this together… the two of you did a most excellent job and everyone in attendance was grateful to you for your efforts.
Where to begin…
Day One - Wednesday - Pre-Reunion
Early arrivals; first man in was Robert Hill, (Delta). Although he arrived first we didn't see much of him after the fact, he and buddies John Davidson (Echo) and Dan Kunkel (HHC) had their own agenda taking in the sights of San Pedro and Los Angeles County.
Ron and Vira Corson (Alpha), Chuck McCammon (Alpha), Herman Spoto (Delta), and Dale Mills (Charlie) all arrived early as well. Bill McMullen (Charlie) arrived on the scene along with our coordinators, Louis and Suzanne. The fun of putting the reunion together started. Before long Jack and Alice Considine (Korea), Duane and Suzie Friedrich (Echo), George Newcomb (Echo) all arrived. The group ventured out to the Whale and Ale, an English style pub for our first meal of the reunion. We were accompanied by Chuck's daughter, Mary and her boyfriend, Bob who ventured down from another part of Los Angeles to see Chuck.
Found around the lobby of the hotel were Jack and Debbie Stone, (Delta) first time reunion attendees. Unfortunately we didn't find them in time to join us for dinner. At the restaurant, Paul Kerchum (Bataan) and his family were enjoying a meal.
The Reunion had started, a day early at that!
Day Two - Thursday - Registration
The registration desk ran smoothly thanks to the work of Louis and Suzanne.
The Quartermaster shop was manned by Chuck McCammon.
The battle for the 6-31 high attendance trophy was on and it was close race between Charlie and Delta.
Hospitality suite opened up with refreshments and memorabilia.
Delta Company t-shirts were unveiled and available for purchase. Thanks to the Vargas brothers, Al and Alex, for accomplishing this long awaited task.
Thursday evening optional event was the Harbor Dinner Cruise! All attending reported it was a great time.
Day Three- Friday - Tour Day
Continental breakfast was served.
Two buses departed the hotel for the tours. Many others stayed around the hotel either to visit with those remaining or to venture off and explore San Pedro on their own. A Farmer's Market was being held up the street which provided some good food and a pleasant diversion to the day for those not taking the tours.
Our Color Guard from the 4-31, 10th Mountain Division arrived with the Shanghai Bowl.
Friday evening all were treated to a pool side party with music provided by Big Al Vargas (family and friends) band. We all knew Al was talented, we just didn't realize how talented. The guys kept the troops entertained well into the evening. It was quite the sight to see the pool area filled with almost every reunion attendee to listen to the music and enjoy a refreshment or two.
Day Four - Saturday
The local newspaper, The Daily Breeze, featured a front page article on the reunion. You can read it by clicking here.
Continental breakfast was served.
Jim Tierney was our Quartermaster of the day.
As is with every reunion, this day starts with our Memorial Service to remember those who we have lost in the previous year, and to reflect and remember our fallen and all those who proceed us. This year was no exception as the Chaplain assigned to Fort MacArthur led the Memorial Service.
Joe Anzack, the father of one of our 4-31st 10th Mountain Division fallen soldiers, PFC Joseph J Anzack, attended the Memorial Service. Joe's participation was heartfelt by all in attendance, and his son's ultimate sacrifice was remembered by all.
Following a brief intermission the General Business Meeting was underway. The attendance at this year's meeting was exceptional. Our Association Commander, Ron Corson, was down to business and the meeting was brief to the point and productive. Reunion schedule for future years, reviewed and approved. 31st Infantry Regiment Memorial project reviewed and approved. Treasurer's report reviewed and approved. Old business, new business… meeting adjourned.
The remainder of Saturday afternoon was time spent with good friends and comrades.
Saturday evening Banquet time…
There were a few additional guests at the banquet this year due to the article that appeared in the local newspaper the Daily Breeze. Lawrence Dunigan, Bravo Co had been debating about attending the reunion, after reading the article he knew he had to be there... I think Larry found that reunions are a good thing, he's emailed me about how happy he was that he made the phone call and attended the banquet. Our other banquet addition related to the newspaper article was Jack Boyt. Jack read about the Shanghai Bowl ceremony and realized he had photos of his Dad during the ceremony from 1938. Jack and his wife and the photos joined us at the reunion.
This year special seating was reserved for our WWII, Bataan, and Korean attendees. In past years they were scrambling to find seats.. this year they had reserved seating. Again this year, the 4-31 color guard was seated throughout the room given all an opportunity to spend a bit of time with the men.
The Shanghai Bowl ceremony was memorable, with many participating in the creation of the punch. A new twist this year was before each bottle was poured, a sampling was taken by the designated pourer. Thanks to Jack Considine for starting this new twist to the ceremony.
Raffle time - Joe Anzack assisted our Commander with the drawing of the winning raffle tickets. He did a great job, thanks Joe!
It was official, Jim MacMaster took to the podium, and presented the high-attendance trophy to Delta 2nd Platoon, Charlie Tapp. Despite the best efforts of Charlie Co to unseat Delta (they even tried to count the 4-31 active duty Charlie Co men) Delta once again took home the prize. It was a close race with Delta only winning by a few men. Realizing of course that what is truly important is act of encouraging the brothers to attend the reunions. The trophy is symbolic of our dedication to finding all the brothers and presenting opportunity to them to reunite.
Dancing commenced and it was no surprise as the Alpha Co guys (joined by Delta Co Nick Zagar) took to the floor for yet another astounding performance of “We've Got to Get Out of this Place”.
And then… Sunday, Goodbyes
Before we knew it… the official 31st Infantry Regiment Association was over. Goodbyes are always difficult and this year was no different. As each left it was with hugs and thanks for a weekend of healing and closure, from one brother to another. With promises to see you next year!
FORT DRUM…
get ready, the old Polar Bears will see you in August 2009.
The reunion activities did not end on Sunday morning, a few of the group then were whisked away to the docks and spent a few days cruising the Pacific coast. San Diego, Catalina Island, Ensenada, Mexico and Los Angeles were ports of call. A perfect ending to a perfect reunion.
Special thanks to all who assisted in the mechanics of the reunion - these events just don't happen, the willingness of the members to step forward and help is critical to a successful reunion for all.
Thanks to each and everyone of you that chose to join with us this year. It is that decision to attend that makes the reunion what it is every year. Each new face, remembered from long ago, brings so much. Your wives, girlfriends, family members add to the reunion in so many ways… and it is our greatest gift to have the opportunity to spend time with you.
Together we are stronger…
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REUNION 2008 - ATTENDANCE
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Registrations
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Guests
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California
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Alpha
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12
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8
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5
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Bravo
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8
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4
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6
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Charlie
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19
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5
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5
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Delta
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24
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12
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6
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Echo
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8
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5
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2
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HHC
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6
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4
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0
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77
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39
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24
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COMPANY
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ATTENDING
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GUEST
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Alpha
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David
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Blackburn
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Diana
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CA
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Alpha
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James (TOP)
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Coppeler
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Alpha
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Ron
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Corson
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Vera
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Alpha
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Mary
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Doyon
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Alpha
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Clay
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Hall
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Sandy
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CA
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Alpha
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John
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Higbie
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CA
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Alpha
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Mike
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Kirby
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CA
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Alpha
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George
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Lavezzi
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Bonnie
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Alpha
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Mike
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Manderscheid
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Marion
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Alpha
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Chuck
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McCammon
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Alpha
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William
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Premo
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CA
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Alpha
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Jim
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Tierney
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Joann
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Alpha
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Ralph
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Valdez
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Dolores
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CA
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Bravo
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Tom
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Barry
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Dia
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CA
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Bravo
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Richard
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Cecil
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CA
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Bravo
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Lawrence
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Dunigan
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CA
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Bravo
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James
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Jaggers
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CA
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Bravo
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Steven
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Menzer
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Ann
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CA
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Bravo
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Dale
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Porsborg
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Bravo
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John
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Ricker
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Pat
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Bravo
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Dan
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Ziegler
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Jackie
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CA
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Charlie
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Donald
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Bellinger
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Charlie
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Ronald
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Belloli
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Charlie
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Freddy
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Gresham
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Charlie
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Phil
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Harris
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Charlie
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Glenn
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Harvey
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Charlie
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George
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Mauldin
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Charlie
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Bill
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Singleton
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Margery
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CA
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Charlie
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Richard
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Stephenson
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Charlie
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Lyle
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Taresh
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Charlie
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David
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Wilson
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Charlie
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Joe
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DeAngelis
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Annette
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Charlie
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Louis
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Dominguez
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Suzanne
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CA
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Charlie
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Richard
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Garza
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Linda
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CA
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Charlie
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Bill
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McMullen
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Charlie
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Dale
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Mills
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Charlie/Delta
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Dan
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Kelley
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CA
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Charlie/Echo
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Noah
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Halfacre
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Charlie/HHC
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Ezbon
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Jen
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CA
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Charlie/HHC
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Gwyn
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Wathen
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Cheryl
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Delta
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Charles
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Barr
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June
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Delta
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Darwin
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Betzer
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Connie
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Delta
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Raul
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Felix
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Linda
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CA
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Delta
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Douglas
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Green
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Delta
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Jim
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Hannaman
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CA
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Delta
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Miki
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Hibi
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Delta
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Robert
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Hill
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Delta
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John
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Howdeshelt
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Debbie
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Delta
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Jim
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MacMaster
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Delta
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John
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McNichols
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Barbara
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Delta
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Rick
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Mickels
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Sharry
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CA
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Delta
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Tim
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Miller
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Delta
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Johnny
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Pilkinton
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Delta
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Jim
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Pumphrey
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Carolyn
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Delta
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Walter
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Rutherford
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CA
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Delta
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Tim
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Schneider
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Donell
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CA
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Delta
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Rodney
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Sherfick
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Jan
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Delta
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Richard
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Spekczynski
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Delta
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Herman
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Spoto
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Delta
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Gary
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Stafford
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Delta
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Jack
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Stone
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Debbie
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CA
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Delta
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Charlie
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Tapp
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Carolyn
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Delta
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Al
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Vargas
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Delta
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Nick
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Zagar
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June
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Echo
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Al
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Bergeson
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Echo
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David
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Bledsoe
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Pat
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Echo
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John
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Davidson
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CA
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Echo
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Dan
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Ezso
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Kathy
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CA
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Echo
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Duane
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Friedrich
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Suzie
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Echo
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Mike
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Medina
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Ula
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Echo
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George
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Newcomb
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Echo
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Ken
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Williamson
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Candy
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HHC
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Tom
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Clayburg
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Ginny
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HHC
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Bill
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Burns
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Florence
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HHC
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Col Jerry
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Carlson
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Pat
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HHC
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Dan
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Kunkel
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HHC
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Jerry
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Reynolds
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HHC
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Thomas
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Rodriguez
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Angie
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In an attempt to clarify the reunion location for 2009. The By-Laws of the Association state that a reunion will not be held in the same region, more than once in 3 consecutive years. The return to Ft Drum does satisfy that requirement of the By-Laws. Although Washington DC was a consideration there were two important factors in the decision to return to Fort Drum. The first being the active duty 4-31 troops would be at Fort Drum and between deployments - the Association is committed to fostering a relationship with the active duty battalion, the second point is that although there was interest in DC - there was no commitment received from the membership to act as a Reunion Coordinator. Without a local person to coordinate the event, the feasibility of a reunion in DC was unrealistic. Washington DC and a trip to the wall would be a fantastic location and reunion without a doubt - and hopefully for some future reunion that would be a consideration, the sad fact of the matter is without participation it will not happen. However in the same light, returning to Fort Drum isn't such a bad deal... while one may hope for a more appealing location, one should also remember the reason why we all choose to attend reunions, for the sake of reuniting with the brothers.
Looking forward to seeing you all in New York next year for Reunion 2009 - Fort Drum!
