Sixth Marine Division Association Reunions
Fredericksburg, Virginia
September 14-19, 2021
Leatherneck did a story about our 50th reunion!
Thanks to Lisa Benedetti for scanning the article, and
thanks to Leatherneck for giving us permission to post it.
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A WEEK TO REMEMBER
Neal McCallum, Ken Wells, Leonard Turner, Harry McKnight, DC Rigby, Ross Laporte and Watson Crumbie with reps from Stafford County VA at the Stafford County Armed Services Memorial (Lester Penny arrived later in the week.) While we were all sad to see the reunions come to an end, it was wonderful to get together and make lasting memories. We had eight Sixth Marine Division Veterans (ages 94-98) attend, which we thought was remarkable, especially during a pandemic. FUN AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE HOTEL As always, some of the best times were just hanging out at the hotel meeting new people and getting together with old friends. Dolores, Ken & Barb Bertram Nancy Jo & Vincent McCombs Bob McGowan and Joshua Hendriks examine items brought by docents from the Marine Corps Museum Hershel McCorkle and Don McAllister from the National Veteran's Historical Archives Inc. Harry McKnight and Ross Laporte Ken Wells, Ross Hood and Leonard Turner Karen Turner, Sharon Woodhouse, Natalie & Ken Wells and Mary Beth Tierney Carroll McGowan and Helen Simmons SOAKING UP HISTORY We hit the road on Wednesday and Thursday to see some of the historic sights around Fredericksburg. The indisputable highlight was seeing the original Sixth Marine Division colors at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. They arrived from San Diego just a week before we got there. It took years, but we credit the persistance of our historian, Laura Lacey, for finally making it happen. We also thank Watson Crumbie for getting the ball rolling a number of years ago. Sharon Woodhouse and Janet Russell Deputy Director Dave Vickers welcomes our group to the National Museum of the Marine Corps Sixth Marine Division Association Historian Laura Lacey with the Colors Ross Laporte and NMMC docent Joe Hennessey Robert & Belva Aydelotte and Stacy & Greg Duffy accompany World War II and Korean War veteran Watson Crumbie as he views the Jangjin (Chosin Few) Battle Monument for the first time. Watson chaired the project to build the monument. Bob Patterson and Ross Hood D.C. Rigby GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN The Memorial Service provided an opportunity to reflect on those who are no longer with us. They may be gone, but they will live in our hearts forever. May they rest in peace. Bell ringer Neal McCallum Larry & Sally Slomka and Sheila & Larry Eason A member of the Color Guard shakes hands with Ken Wells Brett, Patti & Franklin Margaron. Patti's uncle Bob Bauman played in the Mosquito Bowl and was killed on Okinawa. He is featured in Buzz Bissinger's new book. Connie Houseweart and Gillian Martin Karen & Leonard Turner |
A ROUSING FINISH They say All's Well That Ends Well. And it proved to be true in Fredericksburg where the dinner banquet provided a very special ending to an extraordinary week. We enjoyed a hilarious performance by Tim McKnight as the Nutty Professor. USMC Major Robert Murray gave a humorous and stirring keynote address. Then each of the Sixth Division Marines provided a few words of wisdom before drinking a shot from the Last Man Bottle, which had been missing for more than a decade. What better way to end the reunion that with a toast by the Sixth Division Marines to all the men of the Division from that special bottle. Ken Wells, Neal McCallum, Lester Penny, Harry McKnight, Leonard Turner, D.C. Rigby and Watson Crumbie at the dinner banquet Tim, Karen, Barbara, Liz, Tom & Harry McKnight Major Robert Murray and Laura & Ryan Lacey Bill & Jean Steed and Leonard Turner Sandy & Scott Williams Mary & Parker Brauer and Pfuong Riles Jane & Bob McCalmont Holly Kite, Thomas Woodward and Barbara & Joe Kite Bob McGowan and Jim Monbeck Connie Houseweart, Louise Lutts, David Hilner, Janet Russell and Sharon Woodhouse Mary & Quintin Bennett Lisa Benedetti, Anita Benedetti, Lynne Warren, Mary Walker, Kathy Schadt and Melinda Benedetti Frank & Christine McBride Mary Beth Tierney with Lester Penny and his grandson Stephen & Joyce Burroughs Connie Houseweart and Buzz Bissinger Melanie & Jim Rigby Leonard Turner D.C. Rigby Ken Wells Neal McCallum “It was a privilege and an honor to have served in the Marine Corps during the Pacific war. We did what the American people expected us to do, and I think we did it well. It was a fight for our freedom and liberty that we still value so highly.” — Neal McCallum Harry McKnight Lester Penny Watson Crumbie MC Bob McGowan Last Man Bottle 
Colonel Keith Gibson pours shots from the Last Man Bottle Lester Penny signs the Last Man Bottle case while Leonard Turner looks on |