2012 Reunion Revisited

Naval Investigative Service (NIS) folks, civilian and military who served in country during the Vietnam War, held their 7^th 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.

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..

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.

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)