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    • Island MCB 7 At Large 

    Now Hear This :: Fall Winter 2009

    Richard L Pelissier Sec/Treas. 
     112 Atherton Ave Nashua, NH 03064
    Phone: 603-889-5489
    E-mail: navycb@comcast.net

                                                  
    ***NOW HEAR THIS***

    To: Members and Friends of Island MCB 7 At Large

    From: Dick Pelissier, Secretary/Treasurer

    Subject: Fall/Winter 2009 Newsletter

    Well, it is that time again to reconnoiter with all you "FoxHole" sailors. We have also been referred to as "Dirt Sailors." Yes, it is kind of what we were, along with our various skill rates. For many of us, it seems like such a long time since we served, but we have never forgotten our experiences in the Navy, along side our Marine brethren.

    This year’s MCB 7 reunion was held in Chicago, Illinois. We congratulate and extend a sincere thank you to Alan Nachman and Tammy for doing such a fantastic job organizing and hosting this event. The reunion was a remarkable success, and the accommodations at the Embassy Suites were top notch. We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast every morning, and a fantastic manager’s reception in the evenings. Scheduled events included a Chicago Bus Tour, and an architectural, Chicago River Tour. The most interesting site was the Navy Pier that we visited after the river tour. At the Pier, we spoke with recent Great Lakes Navy Boot Camp graduates, and some of them were wearing the new uniforms. We all enjoyed the reception and banquet on Saturday night, and our acquaintances with friends and fellow veterans were renewed.

    November 10th was the Marine Corps’ 234th Birthday, which officially began in 1775. SEMPER FI and Happy Birthday to our Marine Corps’ brothers.

    News from The Seabee Museum in Davisville, Rhode Island-

     Despite the current economic crisis, the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park have made major progress this year. As you have read in past issues, in July, we dedicated a monument to the fallen Seabees of the Gulf Wars. Built with the assistance of the 7th Naval Construction Regiment, this features a 55-foot flagpole generously donated by Quonset Development Corporation.

    Over the summer, we connected electrical power to the two bunkers on the property. These bunkers are used for the storage of mowers and other equipment. Currently, there is work in progress to rewire the Chapel in the Pines. The insulation of the machine shop was one of the major projects, and a bathroom was installed. Several deteriorating wooden doors were replaced with metal doors salvaged from one of the last of the old base building which was demolished by the National Guard. Several signs were also displayed because of a generous grant from the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities. Finally, we replaced the weathered plywood ends on hut 6 with metal, and in October, this hut was painted camouflage. There are only two huts left to paint.

    Currently, we are losing many of our loyal WW-II volunteers. They were in their 60s and 70s when the museum was founded, but no one can hold back the march of time. Korean and Vietnam era veterans are slowly coming aboard, however, many are delaying retirement and working longer than they anticipated. If you live in the Rhode Island area, please consider calling to volunteer at 401-294-7233.

    Recently, I spoke with MCB 7 Island At Large Life Member, Jim Sorenson of Brooklyn, NY. Many of you may know Jim as a regular attendee at our MCB 7 reunions. He also attended the Veteran’s Day Celebration in Washington, D.C. at the Seabee Memorial. More importantly, he was asked by NSVA National Commander, Bear Holland, to carry the Seabee flag at the Arlington Amphitheater and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As Jim discussed his experience, I could feel how proud he was to perform this duty on Veteran’s Day, especially as a retired Seabee Chief. He said that these moments reminded him of when he marched to Pass In Review at boot camp on graduation day. How many of us remember that? Jim had the distinct pleasure of marching with a WWII Seabee, Icepick, named after his assignment as a frogman. Seabees were some of the first personnel to become UDT frogmen, who are now known as the Seals. Icepick currently resides in Pennsylvania, and he landed on Iwo Jima days ahead of the initial assault by the Navy and Marines.

    Attention Barbados Bees by Bob Cochrane -

     There is a move afoot to hold a NAVFAC Barbados reunion November 2010 to coincide with the Annual Barbados Independence festivities. This reunion invitation is open to all naval personnel involved with the base, which was built by MCB 7 and staffed by ensuing ships’ companies. It was closed in 1979.

    If anyone is interested, you are welcome to contact Mr. Jamal "Kyle" Haynes, #242 Kingsland Gardens, Christ Church, Barbados, West Indies BB17064 or e-mail him at: navfacbarbados@live.com.

    There is also an interesting blog for former sailors and dependents. To check that out, type in: "Let’s talk about Barbados," then scroll down to about the fifteenth entry, "U.S. Naval Facility" and then click on it.

    For those of you who would like to sign up for Life Memberships, the current dues are the following: Age 40 and under - $180.00, Ages 41 to 69 - $155.00, and for age 70 and over - $130.00. Make checks out to "Navy Seabees Veterans of America," forward the checks to my mailing address listed above, and I will ensure national receives your life membership checks.

    As a reminder, if you have not sent your annual membership dues for 2010, the dues are $20.00 dollars to renew. Don’t let your membership expire, and miss out on the ‘CAN DO’ quarterly magazine. For annual memberships, which are from July 1st through June 30th, please write out a check to "NSVA Island MCB7 At Large," and send it to my home address. There is also a new, three-year annual membership for a discounted rate of $50.00 dollars. I would encourage annual members to consider becoming Life Members. Thank you for your continued membership of MCB 7 Island At Large.

    If you have an e-mail address and would like to receive the ‘Now Hear This’ newsletter by e-mail, it would help to reduce the cost of mailings for our MCB 7 Island At Large organization. Those members without Internet access would still receive the newsletter by regular mail. Please advise me of any member’s change of contact information in order to minimize the return of any newsletters. Thank you.

    MCB 7 Island At Large will hold their annual meeting after the MCB 7’s 20th reunion on Sunday, September 23rd-26th 2010 in Charleston, South Carolina.

    Want to review MCB 7’s history? Go to www.mcb7.com. At the website, you will find a world of information regarding our Battalion. The website is updated by Ed Monoscalco, MCB 7 Island At Large’s Commander. Thanks again to Ed for all his efforts.

    Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families!

    "ONCE A SEABEE ALWAYS A SEABEE"

    Sincerely,

    Dick Pelissier