Koh Tang Mayaguez Vets Organization Guest Book

Well another reunion has stepped into history. It was by far one of the best. Lots of laughter. Lots of tears. Most of all lots of love. Our brothers continue to help me with my own coping skills and it is true healing. As for me, as always, my trip home was long and sad. For the first time in a long time I find myself looking forward to the next one. No matter if you have been to a reunion or not, start planning for the next one now. Thank you brothers and sisters for showing us unconditional love. mayaguezvets@gmail.com God Bless Larry and Sharon

MY BROTHERS OF KTM ON MY FACE BOOK PAGE I HAVE THE HAROLD E, HOLT AT HER FINAL DAYS. SHE WAS TAKEN FROM THE MOTH BALL FLEET IN PEARL HARBOR, TAKEN OUT IN THE OCEAN AND USED AS TARGET PRATICE. NOW SHE IS SERVING IN DAVEY JONES FLEET

What a great time at the 41st Anniversary KohTang Vets reunion. I felt like a brother from the minute I arrived at the Hotel.

I am so looking forward to the next reunion in 2018. I had an experience I will never forget. You Marines and Air Force Brothers made the Navy guys from The Wilson, Holt and Coral Sea feel like we were Heroes.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the experience. Al has been calling me for 7-8 years and Im grateful he did.

God Bless you all ad I'll see you in two years.

Charlie

OK I WAS TOLD , IF I WANT TO, TO LET EVERYONE KNOW HOW IT WAS FOR THE FIRST TIMERS GOING TO KOH TANG REUNION. WELL I COULD FILL THIS FB UP WITH ALL GREAT THINGS THAT HAPPENED, HOW I WAS TREATED. BUT I WILL SAY I WAS TREATED WITH RESPECT, HONOR, AND BROTHERHOOD. THEY MADE ALL OF US FIRST TIMERS LIKE THE TRUE FAMILY WE ALL ARE. THERE WAS NO MARINES TALKING TO MARINES AND SO ON AND SO ON. WE WERE ALL BROTHERS THERE AND THAT WAS THE WAY IT WAS FROM THE 15-19. MY MARINE BROTHERS FEEL THAT IF IT WASN'T FOR THE NAVY AND AIR FORCE THERE THEY WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. WE WERE ALL TREATED WITH RESPECT AND THEY EVEN CALLED US THIER HEROS. SO ANYONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN IN 41 YEARS BECUASE YOU MAY THINK YOUR NOT WELCOME THROW THAT FEELING OUT THE WINDOW. BECUASE THAT FEELING IS WRONG. I WAS NEVER ALONE, THEY WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR US FIRST TIMERS. WE ALL HUGGED CRIED AND TOLD OUR PART DURING THIS BATTLE, THEN WE ALL DID IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. SO THROW THAT FEELING OUT THE WINDOW BECUASE IT IS NOT THAT WAY. I NEVERED FELT SO LOVED, SO HONORED, AND MOST OF ALL SO MUCH A FAMILY THEN I DID DURING THESES DAY THERE. THEY ARE ALL MY BROTHERS AND LOVE THEM ALL MORE THEN I DID BEFORE I WENT. I LOVE YOU GUYS MORE TODAY AND MORE TOMMARROW BECUASE I KNOW NOW THEY ALL FEEL THE SAME WAY. SO DO NOT STAY AWAY. MAKE A REUNION TO SEE FOR YOURSELF YOUR BROTHER FOREVER BILL

I live about ten minutes from where Gary Hall grew up in northern Kentucky. I am not a vet (my dad is a Cold War Army vet from the Brave Rifles) but have an avid passion for American Military history and deep respect for the veterans. After reading The Last Battle I have bought a few other books on the Mayaguez Incident. I am amazed by the story, and pray for those who still walk among us and for those, like Gary Hall, who did not have the chance to live much beyond the adolescent years. God Bless You All!

Sitting around the hooch, I told Al, "You guys are the heroes." He said, "No you are the heroes. If you guys hadn't brought your ships and aircraft into the battle, we wouldn't be alive today." I cried. I'm finally starting to get it. We all matter and we are forever connected by the events of May 15, 1975.

semper fi to all involved maybe I can make it next time around

I hope the reunion was strong. Semper Fi to all my brothers.

Michele, never doubt that Richard will be remembered with respect and brotherly love by all of us, as will our other brothers who no longer can come home.

Remembering the Marines, Airmen, and Sailors of the Mayaguez/Koh Tang operation today and always. It was my privilege to have met some of you before you rotated back to the States.

With Respect.
Semper Fidelis.

Sgt. Lunceford, R.D.
81mm Mortars, H&S 2/9
Camp Schwab, Okinawa 1976