2012 Reunion Revisited
Naval Investigative Service (NIS) folks, civilian and military who served in country during the Vietnam War, held their 7th Vietnam reunion held in Alexandria, Virginia from 4 to 7 October 2012, at the Crystal City Marriott at Ronald Reagan National Airport. With obvious prejudice, we feel it was a total success. Marriott truly made us feel welcome; our rooms were comfortable and for the most part, situated very close to the Marriott’s Reagan Room, designated as our hospitality suite. As with all of our past reunions, the hospitality suite quickly became the focal point of our reunion experience. Sightseeing, shopping and dining out are certainly all part of the reunion experience but more and more we seem to derive the most enjoyment from, “Just hanging out,” in our hospitality suite; talking, remembering, sipping wine, drinking beer or something stronger and navigating down the snack table. I find it quite interesting and, indeed, inspiring that folks thrown quickly together so many years ago during a totally untoward time, managed to bond so quickly and still remain close to the degree that conversations held at the last reunion are easily picked up and continued during the next one. We also make time to toast and show pride in those present NCIS folks who have and are placing themselves in harm’s way throughout the Middle East and in Africa. As for us, “Tis” true, our war stories seem to get longer and more elaborate with each passing reunion but then, that’s what old men at reunions do. Ironically, not all of those who are considered regulars at our Reunions remained with NIS after the war. A good many went on to work in other fields or serve with other federal or state agencies, private firms or military units yet when notification goes out that we’re having a NIS Vietnam reunion, they seem always to find the time to attend, and that’s what makes these reunions so special.
On Friday morning, 5 October, 49 of our attendees boarded a charted bus in front of the hotel and motored to Marine Corps Base, (MCB) Quantico, VA, and the new location of Naval Criminal Investigative Service Headquarters (NCISHQ). NCISHQ shares dedicated spaces within the recently completed Russell-Knox building with several other military service agencies having similar missions. The size of the Russell-Knox complex and the degree of its security and technological sophistication is quite impressive. Upon arrival, we were met by NCIS Director Mark Clookie, Director of Communications MaryAnn Cummings, Kim Pivirotto and several other members of the Communications Department team. MaryAnn and Kim had arranged our visit, facilitated our quick passage through the security process and shepherded us throughout the tour.
Following the issuance of visitor security badges, a group photo and welcoming remarks by Director Clookie, in the NCISHQ Collaboration Center, our group viewed a video covering the NCIS mission, narrated by David McCallum, better known as, “Ducky”, the colorful pathologist on the CBS-TV show, “NCIS”. Following that, we were given a detailed brief on global operations currently being carried out by NCIS; the current manning structure of the organization and what challenges its leadership feels the future will hold. Following the briefing, NCISHQ’s Technical Services folks provided a demonstration of some of the sophisticated electronic equipment being deployed to aid field agents within CONUS and throughout the world. I can only describe the “stuff” we were shown as “like” totally awesome.
Next on our NCISHQ tour schedule was a visit to their Multiple Threat Alert Center (MTAC) and an unclassified brief as to it mission and capabilities. To say we were impressed would be an understatement. Following MTAC, MaryAnn and Kim vectored our group through some additional operational spaces, one of which held an impressive display of early ONI and NIS memorabilia, a large section of which was dedicated to Vietnam. MaryAnn and Kim invested a great deal of time in ensuring the Vietnam section was completed in time for our visit. Many of the materials on display had been donated by the attendees who were now viewing it. This brought an end to the formal portion of our tour and just in time for lunch at the Russell-Knox food service center and a follow-on visit to the facility’s gift shop and its selection of NCIS memento items and clothing. I think I can speak for all who made the tour that the NCISHQ team went above and beyond to ensure our visit was a complete success. MaryAnn Cummings presented each attendee with a professionally prepared data pack, containing DVD’s and related literature defining NCIS and its mission to support Navy and Marine Corps assets worldwide. This was a Bravo Zulu event.
Once clear of Russell-Knox, our group re-boarded our bus for a 10 minute ride to the National Museum of the Marine Corps (opened in November 2006) where we explored its exhibits for at least two more hours. Of particular interest was the museum’s Vietnam section; it is very well done and no doubt triggered memories in a number of our group. The museum’s Marine Corps oriented gift shop attracted as many of our group as did any of the exhibits. Once we were able to extract the last of our group from the gift shop, we headed back to the Marriott; tired and ready for an evening on our own, or just chilling out in our hospitality suite.
National Museum of the Marine Corps, MCB Quantico, Virginia
On Saturday, 6 October, after an unstructured morning, many of our group boarded our motor coach for a narrated tour to some of the more prominent national monuments in and around Arlington, VA and Washington, DC. The WWII Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, a visit to Mr. Lincoln and the Korean War Memorial, and a drive by of The Iwo Jima Memorial plus, a stop at Arlington National Cemetery were among those sites visited. Our driver, Mr. Wendell Jones, who had also driven us to NCISHQ, proved to be a knowledgeable historian, a skillful driver and a true diplomat. I think our group had fun.
Two Veterans at Their WWII Memorial
World War II Memorial
Korean War Memorial
The Vietnam Memorial
Marshall & Hazel Whidden
Clara Baldwin and Samiko Powers
Neal & Pat van Duyn
Craig and Yance Stallings
Dick & Roma Ryan at “The Wall”
Saturday evening, we held an open house for local area NIS and NCIS folks in our hospitality suite, where we caught up with old friends and made new ones. Vic Palmucci, Bill Ward (a NIS Vietnam alumnus), Mark and Joanne Fallon and John and Chris Cusack were among those who joined us for our open house. The logistics of motoring into this city on a busy weekend kept many away but we were delighted to see and visit with those who were able to make it..
Tom Brooks & John Cusack
Bob Tugwell and Vic Palmucci
The schedule on Sunday, 7 October, during the day, was open. Folks slept in, went on additional sightseeing trips or just hung out in the hospitality suite. At 1900, we began our final evening reunion banquet. Herm Hughes rendered the blessing and after the meal, Doug Hubbard read the names of those folks, civilian and military, who have passed on. Retired S/A Larry “Pops” Coleman, our resident piper, was unable to travel to the reunion and offer his piper’s salute. Coast-guardsman piper Jeff Burton, when informed of this, offered to render honors to our fallen brothers, on behalf of Larry. Jeff, who remained outside the hall until Doug finished reading the names, entered the hall (all 6 + feet of him in full highland dress) played Amazing Grace and, when he was finished, few dry eyes were observed among the gathering.
A Tribute to those who will no longer answer the call to Muster
Following dinner, Director Clookie presented a brief regarding where NCIS stands in the international arena and, where and how it plans to project its forces in the future.
Blair Gluba our NCISA national president provided a briefing on the activities being carried out by the national association and efforts being made to make retired NIS credentials and badges available to to those folks who want them. Blair also gave the group an update on NCISA’s planned national reunion, scheduled for September 2013 in Savannah, GA. Director Clookie and Blair Gluba stayed long after banquet was over, and continued to field questions until the last dish was removed. Moments like this generate the feeling that perhaps we are still relevant and our contributions over the years were of some meaning.
On the Personal Side
This time, we, actually Tom Brooks, made a special effort to locate and re-connect with more of our military folks who served with NIS throughout the Vietnam War period. Heretofore, our focus was projected, perhaps, too specifically toward our civilian Special Agent force. The former Navy folks who responded to our inquiries and agreed to attend this reunion added a number of full and meaningful pages to our Vietnam history. Sam Houston, a former ONI Agent (9592) was one of our first ONI assets in country, arriving c.1964, served in country with his spouse and two children. No one else in the NIS family can ever claim that. Sam, by the way, has volunteered to host our 2014 reunion in San Antonio, TX. Neal van Duyn, who served in Da Nang, and his spouse Pat were first time reunion attendees and are looking forward to San Antonio in 2014. I think they had fun as well. Bill Manthorpe, the first NISO Vietnam CO, was also a first time attendee. Greg and Jill Lawson, Chuck and Bobbie Peterson were first time attendees. Greg, a former US Army CI type and Chuck, a former US Navy officer were not specifically assigned to NIS in country but they both worked closely in Vietnam with our resident legend, Tom Brannon and came as Tom and Bev’s guests. They have promised to see us again in San Antonio in 2014. Steve Argubright, Jim and Martha Law, Clint and Jacquie Schneider, and Norm and Linda Idleberg were also first time attendees and we hope they will join us again in 2014. A full listing of those folks who came to and hopefully enjoyed the reunion is as follows:
Two couples in our group, Frank and Stella Orrantia and George and Ilinka Meglemre had signed up to participate in our reunion but both, because of health issues, were forced cancel at the last moment. John and Mary Morgan were unable to attend because of unbreakable scheduling conflicts. John Dill IV, our resident historian and Larry Ferrell, were also unable to join us. They were all missed.
What follows is a selection of photographs depicting images of those who attended our reunion. Jennifer, our official photographer tried her best to catch those she photographed in happy moments. Should you want a copy of a particular photograph(s) you see in this selection, feel free to contact us. Photo credits go to Jennifer Merritt, Herm Hughes, Clara Baldwin and MC2 Charles Oki, USN, NCISHQ’s duty Photographer.
Semper Fi,
Carl J. Merritt.
2012 Reunion Images
(Click on photo to open photo album to download any photo)