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To:  Members and Friends of Island MCB 7 at Large

From:  John Blaisdell, Secretary/Treasurer, Island MCB 7 at Large

Subject: Summer newsletter 1999

Memorial Day weekend was suddenly upon us and I remembered that I had not sent out one of these newsletters in a long time.  For many of us this is the weekend that we remember absent friends.  Our experiences in the military will never be understood by those who chose to stay close to home.  Actually, some of those experiences will never be understood by those of us who went far from home.  But, they don’t know that!  I know you all can remember names of a couple of old friends who have gone ahead.  Rest in Peace.

Golf tip:  A strong wind can wreak havoc on any kind of shot, including a putt.  Widening your stance will help counteract the wind and will increase your balance over the ball.

I want to get something out in the open here.  I have been accused by some of the MCB 7 Reunion Group that I have been partial to and promote the NSVA Island at their expense.  And that I have used the Reunion Group for my own purposes.  I have also been accused by some in the NSVA Island that I have been partial to and promote the MCB 7 Reunion Group at their expense.  Well, I guess you are correct.  When I contacted Ken Burnette he had nineteen names on the roster.  Between us and with the help of many others out there, we have increased the list to over 800 names.  I helped as much as I could, computerizing and maintaining the list, creating labels for mailing, and assisting in the mailings.  I helped to form an Island for MCB 7 and prompted the NSVA because many out there were in units other than MCB & and the reunion at the National Convention is a good place to meet old friends.  I helped to create a web page so people could find out about MCB 7 more easily.  My point is this:  my purpose in all of this is to help reunite old Seabees with other old Seabees.  You can think what you like.

Another golf tip:  When faced with a difficult shot in a pressure situation, don’t make matters worse by trying to pull off a one-in-a-million stroke.  Weigh the percentages and make the smart play.  Good course management is critical down the stretch.

Ken Burnette has informed me of the dates of this year’s reunion.  We will gather at Oakland, California, on September 30, 1999 and socialize, party, tour, and eat and drink until October 3, 1999.  He has had a really busy spring.  The house in Brooklyn Park was sold after some minor remodeling and updating, like the kitchen.  He has relocated to Walker, Minnesota, on the shores of Leech Lake, where he will take up some serious family gathering and some serious fishing.  Address:  4522 Roosevelt Lane NW, Walker, MN,  56484  phone 218-547-4615.  As soon as he is settled, that is, has water in and water out, so to speak he will get out a newsletter about the upcoming reunion.  I have the labels ready.  All I have to do is deliver them.

If someone wants a penny for your thoughts, and you give them your two cents worth, then what happens to the other penny?

The 53rd National Convention and Reunion of the NSVA will be held August 4 – 8, 1999, at the Albany Omni Hotel in Albany, New York.  Again this year Island MCB 7 will have seven votes so we would like to have seven volunteers to be delegates.  (Really, it isn’t all that much work.)  I wasn’t paying attention to dates and missed the day to put our “hi buddy” ad in the program booklet.  My fault.  I’ll try to have an ad next year for the National Convention and Reunion which will be held in Buffalo, New York.

Golf again:  You would never berate a teammate during a match, so why get down on yourself after a bad shot?  Stay in a positive frame of mind at all times and encourage yourself along the way.  It will save you strokes.

Some of you will find an application form in your mail.  That is a request for you to renew your membership as you are classified as an annual dues paying member.  Please make the check out to Island MCB 7 at Large and I will try to get your paperwork processed as quickly as I can.  A reminder:  Life membership in the NSVA is still a bargain.

If you give a man a fish, he will eat today.  If you teach a man to fish, he will sit in a boat all day and drink beer.

Merle Zimmerman and I have had some discussions on the origin of “Taps”.  Through his efforts you will find attached the information we have gathered from the internet.  I think it makes a pretty good story and I hope you enjoy knowing the story.

Yours in the Can-Do Spirit,

John Blaisdell