OUR REUNIONS

2011 Reunion

Pete Hale will be the reunion coordinator for our 2011 reunion, which will be held in Seattle Washington.

Shortly after Boot Camp and Infantry training Pete was assigned to the 8th replacement draft, which arrived in Korea early in May of 1951. He along with several others joined Charlie Co. shortly after the Chinese spring offensive that had taken place in April. In September he received his second wound, which resulted in four and a half months hospitalization. He was eventually assigned to the Marine Barracks at Bremerton WA. He was released from active duty in April of 1952. Pete then attended the University of Washington and received his degree in Mechanical Engineering. Pete worked for Boeing aircraft for 41 years retiring as engineering manager.

While it is still early in the planning it is expected the reunion will be held during the latter part of September 2011. A number of hotels have been looked at while we have not finalized our selection the Airport Holiday Inn is high on the list. It is expected the hotel will probably run about $110.00 plus local taxes. The rates will be effective three days prior to and three days following the reunion. The hotel has a 24-hour fitness center, an Olympic sized pool plus other amenities. The hotel runs a complimentary transportation to the Westfield Shopping town Center mall. There is also Shuttle service available to down town for a nominal charge. There is also light rail service to the Westlake Mall in Seattle and access to the monorail to the Science Center and the space needle.

For those who have not previously visited Seattle it is a beautiful area. The city and area is nestled between the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound on the West and the Cascade Mountain Ridge, which include Mount Rainer, and Mount Baker on the east.

There are many areas of interest particularly the Pike Place market located on Seattle's famous waterfront overlooking Elliot Bay, sight-seeing tours of the bay, Lake Union and Lake Washington plus other areas including tours provided by the Boeing Corporation are available.

Seattle also is the home a very active Korean Community. It is planned to include the Korean ambience in our theme and during our evening dinner.

 

2009 Reunion

Jim Hannon will be the reunion coordinator.  Jim served with Baker company of the battalion  from January 1951 to January 1952, during this time he was wounded twice. He was released from active duty in May of 1952. Jim served 33 years in the Buffalo Fire department. He has been involved with the First Marines Division Association and served as a Director of the 7th Marines and as President of the  New York West Chapter of the  First Marine Division.  Jim will be assisted by Military Reunion Services  Inc.

The 2009 reunion will be held September 22 to September 25 2009 in Buffalo NY.   With the cooperation of Mother nature is is very possible  the area  will be ablaze with all of the beauty of fall colors. For those who may consider a brief trip over into Canada it would be wise to ensure you have a current passport. Reentry into the US requires positive proof of citizenship.

The hotel will be the recently renovated Millenium, The hotel offers easy access to all western New York attractions. It is located directly of I- 90 and is three miles from the airport.  Downtown Buffalo is a 15 minute ride while the grandeur of Niagara Falls is a 25 minute ride away. The Walden Galleria Mega Mall, with it's 200 plus stores,  is within walking distance. The hotel features 300 guest rooms, the elegant Walden Restaurant, the Twiggs lounge and the all season pool and fitness center along with ample meeting rooms . The room rate will be 101.00 per night (single, double, triple) plus local taxes.

The tentative schedule calls for a Wednesday evening, no host, welcome aboard reception.  On Thursday there will be an optional tour of Niagara Falls with the evening free. On Friday, our business meeting will be held. There will also be an optional tour of the Basilica Botanical garden.  On Saturday our memorial service will be held at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military park. Our traditional banquet, auction and 50/50 drawing will be held that evening. Additional tours and other sightseeing opportunities are being explored.

Details as to hotel registration etc, will be posted on our Bulletin Board, when available, and will be included in out "Early Warning " letter plus in the registration form.

 

2007 Reunion

The 2007 reunion will be held in Oklahoma City OK Harold (Muley) Mulhausen will be the coordinator. "Muley" is well known locally as a speaker, lecturer and author of the book "Korea-Memories of a US Marine". He is presently serving as President of the Oklahoma City Korean War Veterans Association. Muley served with Able Co during the later part of 1950 and 1951. "Muley" has organized a number of large gathering and reunions and will do a great job for One Seven in 2007. Oklahoma City provides a wide range of sights and tours including the Crystal Botanical Gardens, Old brick Town, The Oklahoma National Memorial and Museum, The Oklahoma Arts Museum, The Western Heritage & Cowboy Hall of fame and the Civic Music hall. There will be some thing for everyone so come see the sights and sounds of this great Midwest metropolis.

The reunion will be held October  2 - 6 departing on Sunday the 7th. The Clarion Meridian Hotel and Convention center has been selected as reunion headquarters. The hotel is located off Meridian and I 40. It is just minutes away from the airport, fairgrounds and other attractions.  The hotel provide complimentary shuttle service to the will Rogers World Airport. The "Trolley Stop" located in front of the hotel provides service to Bricktown and other local attractions.

The hotel has 312 guest rooms ranging from the traditional standard room to luxurious kings and mini suites. All rooms are equipped with coffee makers, irons, hair dryers and Cable TV (53 Channels). Some rooms and suites also have refrigerators, speaker phones, computer data ports and high-speed wireless Internet access.

 The hotel offers an indoor pool, complete exercise room, guest laundry and valet services.  A complimentary deluxe continental breakfast  is included in the very attractive nightly rate. In addition a complimentary managers reception (Monday -Thursday) is served in the lobby area featuring cocktails along with hot and cold hors d' oeuvres.

Ample complimentary parking is included with RV parking provided in one corner of the lot.

The rates for the hotel is $65.00 per night plus local taxes. Reserve your room  by calling (405) 942-8511 or 1-800-252-7466  Fax (405)946-8357. The first 50 people who reserve a room may have a suite at the same price which is good for two days before and after the reunion itself. Each member must make their own reservation remember a reservation costs you nothing until your arrival date. At the time you make your reservation be sure to mention you are with the1st Bn. 7th Marines reunion.

Oklahoma City has in excess of 30 major museums and attractions.  Among those being considered for the 2007 reunion include:

The 45th Infantry Division Museum. This museum depicts the military history of Oklahoma and is the largest National Guard Museum in the nation. It includes  fascinating  displays of memorabilia collected from Hitler's apartment when the division captured it. Over 200 original "Willie and Joe" Bill Mauldin cartoons are displayed. Included is a large display of military equipment and vehicles.

The Hefner Mansion: One of the cities most beautiful homes featuring collections of art, fine china, bells and canes.

The Myriad Botanical Gardens: The garden is a 17-acre oasis in the heart of the city with beautiful landscaped roiling hills surrounding a sunken lake. The center piece of the garden is the seven story Crystal bridge which features a collection of Palm trees, flowers and exotic plants from around the world.

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum: The museum preserves the rugged individualism and romantic spirit of the frontier. It features a superlative collection of classic and contemporary western art. Several individual galleries provide a view of aspects of the western heritage.

Additional information of the sights and sounds of Oklahoma City may be obtained from Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau 189 W. Sheridan, Oklahoma City OK 73102 or by visiting their web site www.visitokc.com

 

2005 Reunion

 

 Bob & Renett Frank were Coordinators along with JW Martin for our 2005 reunion in Wichita Falls TX. Stan Stanovsky did a great job in preparing many of the graphics. The reunion was well organized with an outstanding hospitality room. Ample space and time was available to sit and enjoy the camaraderie.  One of the highlights was the tour of Sheppard Air Force base and a visit to the stations elementary school, grades 2-6.  The children welcomed us outside with cheering, clapping and formed an arch of flags which we walked under as we entered the building. The children then welcomed us with poems and songs. They then  presented us with cards they had made for us.  The Bar-B-Q was outstanding as was the International dinner which consisted of four serving lines with Italian, British, and German foods. The final serving line was French consisting of snacks and deserts. While attendance was somewhat below what we normally have it was undoubtedly one of our better reunions.

2003 Reunion

                                                

The Battalions 2003 reunion, chaired by Ed Orford was held at Hilton Head Island in SC. April 22 through April 26 of 2003. Our motel was the Holiday Inn Beachfront.  The motel was great and the staff superb. The high point was to be a trip to Parris Island were the group were to be guests at a recruit graduation parade, unfortunately rain cancelled the parade. We were however, able to attend the graduation in the local theater. The group also made a visit to  the MCAS facility in Beaufort. Our memorial service conducted by Dr. Glen Galtere (B C0.) was  moving and uplifting.

 

2001 Reunion

The 2001 reunion, organized by Ray Leffler (deceased), was held in Branson, MO. The OZARK Reunion. There were over 177 members registered with 333 in total attendance.  It, like all of our reunions, was great. The many attractions of Branson coupled with the evening on the Branson Bell was great.  Some first class “dummies” assisted in the entertainment. The Saturday banquet, coupled with the memorial service on Sunday, was a fitting end to a great reunion.. This reunion also contributed to a number of organizations including the Marine Military Academy, the Korean War Project, The Korean War Educational Site and the States “Toys for Tots” effort. Money was also provided the 1st Bn 7th Marines to help defray the cost of the enlisted ball.

 

1999 (29 in 99) Reunion

The 1999 reunion (29 in 99), organized by Bob Licker, brought together Marines and Corpsman who had served with the Battalion at any time during the Korean War. There were many highlights in this four-day reunion. Without a doubt, the best was the day spent with the present 1st Bn. 7th Marines. Thus, we had two generations of Marines who had served in the same Battalion but some 50 years apart. All those attended came away with the feeling that our Corps was in good hands. The Band concert hosted by the city of Palm Springs and presented by the Marine Corps Band of 29 Palms was a great event.  A stone monument dedicated to all who served in the Battalion and made the supreme sacrifice was dedicated, a very moving experience for all. This reunion contributed funds for the equipping of a recreation room at the Marine Military Academy, additionally presented the City of Palm Springs a very large American Flag for use in the convention center. A new tradition was started in that funds to help defray the cost of the enlisted Marines attending the annual Birthday Ball was presented to the Battalion Commander of the 1st Bn. 7th Marines.

 

1997 Reunion
 

The 1997 reunion was held in Fort Myers, Florida. Joe Owen was chairman assisted by Wally Dugan and "Mac" McKellar. The day trip and luncheon ride to South Seas Plantation provided an opportunity to see how the other half live along with enjoying the sights and sounds of Sanibel Island and it’s mile long causeway. The evening ride and dinner on the Caloosahatchee River was a great ending to a great day. The banquet and memorial service at the Iwo Jima statue in Cape Corals Veterans Park was a fitting end to a fine reunion. This reunion also made significant contributions to the Marine Military Academy and to the Marine Corps league to assist in the completion of the Veterans Park Iwo Jima Monument.

 

1995 Reunion

Our second reunion, in 1995, was in the Holiday Inn at the San Antonio airport. The reunion was organized by Al Padilla and Jake Skvaril (deceased).  This reunion again brought together members of the original Battalion, which formed at Camp Pendleton. Over 100 members plus their spouses and guests attended. .  The River Walk was one of the highlights as was the tour of the Alamo Museum. The memorial service conducted by the Marine Military Academy Chaplain and band held at the Alamo was moving and very emotional. This reunion, like the Toledo reunion, made a significant contribution to the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen Texas. Al Padilla - Co-Chairman 1995 reunion

 

1993 Reunion

Our first reunion, held in 1993, came about following General Davis’s remark that it would be great to get the whole Battalion together. The General was attending a company meeting held in conjunction with a Chosin Few reunion. Taking the General’s remarks literally several commenced an effort to have such a reunion. Bill Cartledge volunteered to organize and host the reunion. Timmy Killeen and Mac McKellar offered to assist by providing administrative support. An all out effort was then commenced to locate as many members of the original battalion as possible. The reunion was held in the Toledo, Ohio Ramada Inn. It was a great affair with many of our former officers being able to join with about 100 members of the Battalion. Being the first time the battalion had assembled since Korea there were many emotional moments as old buddies once again met.   One of the highlights was the Saturday morning concert of martial music provided by a local band. The banquet that evening was a fitting end to a great day.