Veterans Day 2010 Gathering

Washington, D.C.

Veterans Day 2010, Washington, D.C. Wreath Layings at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the U.S. Navy Memorial

The MRFA and 9th Infantry Division will be placing wreaths at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2010. We will be gathering at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at 8:30 A.M. on the 11th, and proceed to The Wall at 9:00 A.M.

We will also have a ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial from 3 pm to 4 pm honoring the MRF and 9th Infantry Division complete with speakers. We will also be with placing wreaths at the Lone Sailor Statue in honor of all our fallen Navy and Army Brothers/Veterans of the MRF and 9th Infantry Division.

A first for the U.S. Navy Memorial is they have granted approval for us to do the Missing Man Table Ceremony same as we do at our reunions. We will furnish our own speakers, Chaplains, Bugler, and wreath layers. There will be more in upcoming issues of River Currents on our speakers and other events at the U.S. Navy Memorial. If you have never been to one of our ceremonies at the U.S. Navy Memorial, it is something you do not want to miss. The U.S. Navy Memorial is located at 7th Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Indiana Avenue in Washington, DC (701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW).

We have blocked 80 rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza in Arlington, Virginia for November 8th – 12th. Room rates are $119.00 (plus tax) per night. For reservations call 1-703-528-4444 and refer to our group reservation code “MRF”. Reservations may also be made on-line @ www.arlingtoncourthouse.gardeninn.com be sure to enter the on-line reservation code “MRF” in the booking box labeled Group/Convention code. Reservations under these group codes must be made before the cut off date of October 29, 2009, so make your reservations soon.

The Hilton Garden Inn Arlington/Courthouse Plaza is located at 1333 North Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201. Come join us as we honor our fallen Brothers on Veterans Day 2010. We look forward to seeing you in D.C.

Speakers:

Master of Ceremonies: Master Chief Chet Stanley (Master Diver), (USN Ret.) – CCB-111-1, River Assault Squadron 11, River Assault Division 111.
Chaplain: Colonel Jim Johnson, (USA Ret.) – 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.|
Speaker: Captain Mike Connolly, (USN Ret.), Commander River Assault Division 132 and Commander River Assault Squadron 13.
Speaker: BG Douglas Smith, (USA Ret.) – Commander 2nd Battalion, 47th (Mech) Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam.
Speaker: RADM William Carlson, (USN Ret.) – CO USS White River LSMR-536 (1965-1968) Vietnam. Served briefly as CO then XO USS Goldsborough (DDG-20) conducting shore bombardment operations in South Vietnam and strike operations in North Vietnam (1971-72).
Speaker: LTG Patrick Hughes, (USA Ret.) Infantry Platoon Leader, Company D, 4th/39th Inf, 9th Infantry, Fire Support Base “Danger.” Gen Hughes also served as a Provincial Phoenix Program Advisor and S-2 Advisor in Advisory Team 49, MACV-CORDS, Long Khanh Province.

Ceremonies:

Missing Man Table Ceremony: David Schoenian – C Company, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Laying the wreath at the Lone Sailor Statue
Singing Amazing Grace: LT Michael Hahn – USS Benewah (APB-35) Vietnam
Playing of Taps: Sgt Robert Nichols – B Company, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division.

For more information you may contact:
Board Member Bob (Doc) Pries
5832 NW Windy Pines Lane
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986-4637
Phone: (513) 659-4974
priesrl@att.net