View Full Version : Birthday lunch with the Commandant, 7 living MOH recipients, 2,000 or so Marines, and
thewookie
11-09-09, 03:49 PM
Tito Francona was there today, too.
I went to my fifth, and the 27th annual Boston Semper Fidelis Society birthday luncheon, today in South Boston. They said close to 2,000 Marines showed up, with a few others sprinkled in. I met and got pictures with General Conway, the Commandant of the Marine Corps. There was SEVEN, living Medal of Honor recipients there -- I shook every hand and thanked each and every one of them for their service,, my knees were shaking a bit, I'll be honest with ya. Tito Francona, the manager of the Red Sox was there, and sat at the head table next to the Commandant. Tito's son is a Marine Lieutenant deployed overseas. It was amazing. I got some pictures to share, and some video. The best thing about the video will really be the audio because I used my camera for the video feed. But the Commandant told a few good jokes that you might enjoy if you care to listen. Plus I have the singing of the Marine Corps Hymn, which I'll be blaring and drinking to all night..........
Semper Fi, my Brothers and Sisters -- I hope you enjoy. I did!
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae359/thewookie_photos/100_1038.jpg
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae359/thewookie_photos/100_1033.jpg
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae359/thewookie_photos/100_1063.jpg
thewookie
11-09-09, 03:54 PM
General Conway with seven, living Medal of Honor Recipients.
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae359/thewookie_photos/MOH.jpg
Tito next to the Commandant.
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae359/thewookie_photos/100_1047.jpg
Some Jarheads with the National Marine Corps League Commandant. (I have to google his name, Semper Fi )
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae359/thewookie_photos/100_1046.jpg
Phantom Blooper
11-09-09, 04:14 PM
Very nice Wookie!
Were one of those MOH recipients a SGTMAJ Kellogg?
Happy Birthday Marine!:beer:
:evilgrin:
thewookie
11-09-09, 04:19 PM
Very nice Wookie!
Were one of those MOH recipients a SGTMAJ Kellogg?
Happy Birthday Marine!:beer:
:evilgrin:
I wish I had a list of who they are, but I'm working on that. I know the gentleman down below, in the wheel chair -- he was hit 21 times by strafing rounds while fighting off Japanese zero's at Pearl Harbor, he is 100 years old -- tell me God didn't have a plan for him. I hear the local paper did an article on him today I'll try to find it. Semper Fi, Marine.
thewookie
11-09-09, 04:24 PM
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view/20091109hub_to_honor_pearl_harbor_hero/srvc=home&position=2
DocGreek
11-09-09, 04:36 PM
:D.....WOOKIE....GREAT pic's!!! Did you have to do some push-ups for the C.M.C???.....SEMPER FI, NUMBNUTS!!!!.....Doc Greek....:flag:
thewookie
11-09-09, 05:15 PM
Still making Marines like they used to...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR2QAGYJDHo
thewookie
11-09-09, 05:16 PM
Email from an Airman to his wife...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKDFWJBup0Y
thewookie
11-09-09, 05:18 PM
General Conway talks about Marine fighter pilot bravado...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLoMxK_KlR4
thewookie
11-09-09, 05:20 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U40BCeekd1E
the guy singing beside me screwed up a few times....;):p:sick:
Zulu 36
11-09-09, 06:11 PM
The old timer in the wheelchair would be John Finn. He was a Chief Aviation Ordnanceman at Pearl Harbor, so he was no spring chicken then either. He's the oldest living Blue Max holder right now.
1stRad2671
11-09-09, 08:36 PM
More like 8 MOH recipients. I see Harvey Barnum sitting at the table.
I believe the gentleman standing next to Gen Conway in the group photo is Colonel Fox. I don't see Sgt Kellog in the picture.
1stRad2671
11-10-09, 02:45 PM
News report says there were a dozen MOH recipients.
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20091110boston_honors_marine_heroes/srvc=home&position=7
thewookie
11-10-09, 02:52 PM
News report says there were a dozen MOH recipients.
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20091110boston_honors_marine_heroes/srvc=home&position=7
Could have been; I met and shook hands with the seven shown in the picture. But, honestly there were many hero's all over that place yesturday.
thewookie
11-10-09, 02:53 PM
More like 8 MOH recipients. I see Harvey Barnum sitting at the table.
What table are you talking about? The MOH recipients were seated all over the place. There was one at the head table next to Francona, (is that Harvey Barnum, I assume that is -- that would make eight) but to my knowledge, the rest were spread around. I knew of seven, maybe eight now that you pointed out Mr. Barnum.
Rocky C
11-10-09, 03:20 PM
Nice Pic's Mike!!!
Glad you had a GREAT Time.
Happy Birthday Brother.
Semper Fi,
Rocky
charm1110
11-11-09, 02:00 AM
Great Post Wookie!
thanks for sharing the pics, etc.
Happy Birthday brother!
Semper Fi...:flag:
Marine84
11-11-09, 08:02 AM
DANG Wookie - you clean up pretty good.
Love the pics! I would be sooooooo "star struck" at something like that!
I wish I had a list of who they are, but I'm working on that. I know the gentleman down below, in the wheel chair -- he was hit 21 times by strafing rounds while fighting off Japanese zero's at Pearl Harbor, he is 100 years old -- tell me God didn't have a plan for him. I hear the local paper did an article on him today I'll try to find it. Semper Fi, Marine.
When I was at wounded warrior he came and visited a couple times, I shook his hand when I met him in physical therapy. The Marines at wounded warrior were all invited to his 100th birthday party, and I know several who attended.
I'm prod to say I have met the oldest livin Medal of Honor recipient.
1stRad2671
11-11-09, 08:23 PM
This is Mr. Barnum
http://www.leatherneck.com/gallery/files/3/5/9/4/6/airmedal_assistsecnavx.jpg
Hotel4341
11-12-09, 08:40 AM
More like 8 MOH recipients. I see Harvey Barnum sitting at the table.
I was just thinking the same thing. When I first saw the picture of the 7 with Gen. Conway, my first thought was "Barney wasn't there?"
You want a perfect example of Semper Fidelis, Col. Harvey "Barney" Barnum attends just about every Marine event you can think of. He still loves the Corps, and gives back on a constant basis.