Skinner's Poop Sheet June 1999
A/1/7 (Korea) POOPSHEET Jun99
"29 in 99": Bob and Mickey Licker have been so kind to send me 2 ½ sheets
of Email concerning the 1/7 reunion at 29 Palms in May.Words were difficult
for them to express their feelings. Bob says it was the most memorial and
satisfying experience he has ever had, the best of reunions. Pleased about
that Bobby and tho I wasn't there I feel great pleasure and pride that it
came about. Also proud that we have such as you and Mickey to make it
happen. Will try to do justice in a brief run down:
The "Korean Night" had plenty of chow, Traditional dancers in Korean
dress and a Tae Kwon Do exhibition with ROK Marines escorting the
entertainers. General Davis received a plaque from a Korean colonel signed
by the ROK president.
"The Follies", ages 54 to 86 years young with bodies of 30 year olds,
were exquisite and starred Kay Starr. The Today Show filmed the event and
highlighted General Davis.
The pleasure of going to the MCAGCC was indescribable. The young Marines
were intermingled with the "Old Warriors". A live-fire skirmish line was
conducted, chow with the Marines in the mess hall, saw and experienced the
computerized range where the "Old Warriors" fired the many small arms and
machine-guns. The young Marines had their wares out to show and tell about
them. It was wonderful.
Saturday, "Mini-reunions" were held by Baker, Charlie, Weapons and H&S
but regretfully none by Able. A great concert by proud band members who were
eager to present their concert, The Mayor proclaimed "1/7 Korea Week' in
Palm Springs. He mentioned many campaigns that 1/7 participated in thru
1951-53. Chow was ate outdoors in pleasant 90 degree weather. The BnCmdr,
his staff and all company First Sergeants attended. The write up of Johnny
Fryer's ordeal was presented to 1stSgt Mashburn of Alpha (AKA "Able") who
will file it in the history files.
Sunday's Memorial service was without precedent. 1/7 Korea 1950-1953 now
has a monument, only one of it's kind to single out a Battalion and time
period of conflict per General Davis. He was touched and proud and wants to
photocopy the monument for post card usage at his expense. You would have
cried when the 21 doves flew out as the names of those who did not return
were called out and the men saluted the sky. General Davis even called out
Major Sawyer's name. The firing squad, Bag Piper, Taps echo and Silent Drill
Team for our fallen comrades brought tears to all eyes, including the Mayor
and MCAGCC CG.
Bobby sent a photo of the 1/7 monument electronically and it has been put
on my website at:
http://users.gibralter.net/~jrskin
Had a great telcon with Larry Pawelka. He was doing OK and has a trip
planned to Czechoslovakia and other points of interest in Jun99. Going with
his son, nephew and a couple of other lads. He's looking forward to visiting
sites that his family originated from and includes Vienna. Sounds great! He
infoed me of the differences in the beginnings of a fairy tale and a
sea-story. A fairy tale always starts with "Once upon a time---". The
sea-story starts with "Now this ain't no s__t!!". Joe Vitak, that'll be on
the next promotion test listed under General Knowledge, so study! Larry not
firm on attending Rhode Island.yet. Sure hope you see fit to make it Larry
John Ontiverous and his beautiful lady celebrated their 20th wedding
anniversary on 5Jun99. Best wishes to both. Hey, you people are boots! They
held it in San Antonio to be with Mary Jane's mother. Onti and Mary Jane
expect to visit their daughter in Elizabethtown, NC while enroute to the
reunion.
Made contact with Colonel Nate Smith. Learned he has been suffering with
the knees again. Left knee was operated on and Janet's message was that
after she had a long 6 hour wait outside the operating/recovery room, Able
Six sang the "Marine Hymn" and advised all that the "Marines have landed!"
as he was being rolled to his room. The doctor told Janet that he was the
toughest "80" year old he had seen. Latest report is that he expects to be
back with the "Point" in 3 weeks.
I attended Gunnery Sergeant George Fey's military funeral in Morehead
City, NC on 11Jun99. Surviving him is one son, two daughters, eleven
grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. I thought the Marines did a
fine job. They were all very sharp young Marines in dress blues. (Any Marine
under 73 is a "Young" Marine to me now.) A Gunnery Sergeant was NCOIC. He
had a seven Marine firing squad, plus six Marines as pallbearers/flag
folders and one Marine bugler. I was very proud of them.
Pleased to receive a letter from SgtMaj E. Wehinger, USMC (Ret). Sad to
learn that his wife had passed away on 13May99. Sure I speak for Able
company when I offer our deepest sympathy SgtMaj.He sent me his dues for the
A/1/7 Assn which I sent on to Herb so he is now on the rolls.Recall he
joined us just after we came off the hill to the reserve camp at Inje in
Dec51. A very squared away "Spit-shined" Marine Master Sergeant. He
relieved me as Company Gunny. I have ran across him several times since
Korea. The last time was several years ago and he looked great. Sure pleased
to have you aboard SgtMaj!
Sad to learn from Gene "Lummie" James, Arty FO, that his much loved
"Billie" passed away on 14May99. Our deepest sympathy Gene. She is interred
in the National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC. She put up a gallant fight against
cancer. Gene was Arty FO with companies of the 1st Bn, 7th Marines from
Apr51 thru Sep51. He was with us during battle for 673. When we went back to
the rear after the battle he was WIA by a "Bouncing Betty" while on a sniper
patrol from I/3/11. The wound took him out of the war. After talking to Gene
on the land-land on 22Jun99, I did visit with him for a few minutes the next
day when I passed thru Myrtle Beach, SC as I was enroute to Georgia. The
young fellow looks great.
Shifty visited on 22Jun99 and we had a great visit. He set me up to
another filet mignon. Now I've got to see if he'll do it again at Rhode
Island.
While he was here I called Joe Vitak on the LL for some info. Joe sounded
great and says Marieanne is also. He was able to help us with the info we
wanted. Thank you Joseph.
My Marie has occassional episodes with painful legs. She "Guts" it out
and continues to try to keep me squared away. She's doing a fine job at it
or maybe I'm getting to old to mess up, as much. With her permission and my
daughter, Sharon, looking in on her, I traveled to Cartersville, Georgia, my
oldest son, Jim,Jr, was my "Sitter", to attend the Confederate funeral
service at the unveiling of a Confederate headstone on my great grand father
's grave 118 years after his burial. That was made possible by the wonderful
folks who now own the "Skinner Home", circa 1860, in Cartersville. Still a
lot of wonderful folks in this old world. The re-enactors did a fine job and
hope springs anew that the South will win that war yet! The three volley's
were fired using muzzle-loaders and those lad's had the reloading down to a
gnat's eye.
Now working on the OpOrder for the reunion at Rhode Island. My USAF son,
Frank, has volunteered to be my sitter for this one. Frank was with me at
San Antone. He says he enjoyed meeting and being with you "Old Warriors".
Sharon thinks she'll be able to see to Marie again. So I'm gonna act like it
'll be a go.
Not much poop this time. Going to ask my "Guru" to post this on my
website for the veiwing by them's that are computerized. Will edit it when
summitting poop for the next newsletter.
Jim Palmer, Machine-guns, now deceased, sent me the song below on 9Nov92.
It was sang to the tune of "On top of Old Smokey".
.
"THE BALLAD of HILL 673"
'NOW THIS THE STORY,
OF A KOREAN HILL,
WHICH WE FOUGHT HARD FOR,
IN THE TWILIGHT STILL.
IT WAS THREE IN THE MORNING,
COLD, WET AND RAW,
WHEN "SADDLE UP !" FROM THE DARKNESS,
WE HEARD THE MAN DRAWL.
SO WE SLIPPED FROM OUR FOXHOLES,
RIGHT INTO A FIX,
'CUZ THE GOOKS STARTED SHOOTIN',
WITH THEIR 76'S.
THE FIRST HAD RELIEVED US,
TO GET THE JOB DONE,
SO WE LOOKED TOWARD "OLD BALDY",
AND LOADED OUR GUNS.
HANDS COLD, WET AND CLAMMY,
WE WISHED WE WERE HOME,
WHILE IN THE FAR OFF DISTANCE,
WE HEARD THE CORSAIRS DRONE.
ABLE, BAKER AND CHARLIE,
WERE ASSIGNED TO THIS TASK,
WE KNEW NOT THE REASON,
AND WE DIDN'T ASK.
WE WADED THE RIVER,
WITH NO AID FROM DUK'S,
JUST WET FEET AND BAYONETS,
AND PLENTY OF GUTS.
TANKS RUMBLED UP SLOWLY,
THEIR 90'S RAISED HIGH,
WHEN THEY STARTED FIRING,
GOOKS STARTED TO DIE.
FOR 36 HOURS,
THE BATTLE RAGED ON,
BUT AT LAST BIG "OLD BALDY",
THE MARINES OVERRUN,
THE FIRST THEN RELIEVED US,
THE BATTLE WAS 'OER,
THEY TRUCKED THE TOUGH SEVENTH,
ON BACK TO TENTH CORPS.
NOW THIS ENDS MY STORY,
SO HOLD YOUR HEADS HIGH,
WE BLEW THAT BALD BASTARD,
RIGHT OUT OF THE SKY!
Okay, Stable Able, keep your distance, and hope to see you soon.
Semper Fi!
Semper Fi !! Jim