West Saint Paul Antiques

Words from Randy Kendall Delta 64/67 Chu Lai 66

   To see the door swing open this weekend, and three members of 1st Recon Bn walk in after 40 yrs was a very special moment in time.We continue to find more of the old Bn each month.
    Time has a way of standing still or even moving in reverse for a time to allow so many memories of a group of 18-23 year olds to come to life again.
    Doc Gee came in and wondered if anyone would recall his time in the Bn? he found out that his name his been on all the lists of men to find for the last 40 yrs. The word always listed Doc Gee as more Marine than Corpsman..memories by the handful flowed for two days.
    Doc Nielson followed and again his past history of one of the very few Corpsman to be airborne and scuba certified years ahead of the New pipeline method for Recon Corpsman. More memories and stories rolled out for all to hear and recall.
    The last to find us at the hotel was Raul D Amescua "Mess Kit" pictures in hand and so many stories and thoughts of the past the words never stopped. Found only two weeks ago by Duane Massey he said " I will be there" and true to his word he arrived and was surprised we gathered together each yr to recall the "Best Years of Our Lives" one more time.
    Take the time to look for another you recall the reward of seeing these men again after 40 yrs is beyond words.........We have added another to the list of new men found this month by Pete Centani finding Jerry Tomlinson and he only lived 30 min. away from Pete for the last 30 plus years. Tomlinson will join us next year for sure as time did not fit this yrs time frame for him.
    We had the good fortune to have two of 1st Recon Bn members of Today join us at the hotel this yr also. Telling us about the new methods and equipment they now use compared to some of the stuff we reused from WW 2 before the M-16, jungle utilities, and Prc -25s joined the Bn gear.Replacing Prc -10's anger 9's old style utilities and all leather boots & M-1's.
    We thank them for taking time to come and visit with and hear the stories of the past methods of the Bn--- they now spear head into the future.
    Many similar thoughts run together even after the passing of 40 yrs, the basic reason for the Bn has not changed much..but the how and why's of today still sets the Bn apart and always will make it a Very Special unit to serve with . Having Chief Markham and Chief Bailey, made this gathering very special to each of us,
    When I started looking for the men of Recon in the mid 90's by this new prc-25 called a computer the comments by present day men of Recon
    "Just one of the Old Ones " looking for their men way back..........and I took that comment and looked at it as a compliment because....WE are now the "OLD ONES" but they still walk in our foot steps to this day.
    To the wonderful women in our lives that put up with us and guide us in their own way......we say Thank you for being with us again this year.
    Each of us hope this new contact with today's Recon Marines and Corpsmen remains strong and they return to visit with us again as the yrs move along.
    Their stories on the war in Iraq trigger so many thoughts of then and now and how the Bn continues to change and move forward as it always has.
    The door remains open to to the men of 1st Recon Bn of today
    If you missed this gathering....YOU missed One of the Best reuions to date