Oceanside CA— The “eyes and ears” of Marine Amphibious Forces, in Vietnam will reunite to commemorate reconnaissance’s finest hour. Marine Corps reconnaissance personnel and the supporting combat helicopter crews who served in Vietnam in
1965-1971 will be holding a 50^th commemorative reunion in Oceanside and Camp Pendleton, California this month.
“Recon 50” will be a four day event, Tuesday April 21 through Thursday, April 23, organized around visits to reconnaissance and aviation units stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. The Vietnam veterans will observe reconnaissance training, equipment and capability demonstrations at Camp Pendleton. A commemorative dinner, with Lt Gen Bernard E. Trainor, USMC (Ret) as the Guest of Honor, culminates this singular event.
Nearly 200 Marines, corpsmen, and accompanying family members, from across the country plan to attend this reunion,” said Lt. Col Charles Kershaw, USMC (Ret), the event organizer.
SpringHill Suites, 110 Myers Street, Oceanside, CA will be the Recon 50 reunion headquarters. Recon 50 will allow the attendees to see the changes and growth that has occurred in Oceanside and Camp Pendleton in the past 50 years. The veterans will be able to enjoy a walking tour of downtown Oceanside, presented by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce.
Volunteers have been instrumental in making this reunion possible, including Vietnam veteran and former reconnaissance Marine John Baker.
“We have received so much help from the community and Oceanside Conference & Visitors Bureau,” said John Baker. “This idea was a concept and Visit Oceanside helped us make it a reality.”
Several sponsors have assisted in this effort including Wells Fargo, Vons, Qua Viet Foods, Orange CA and Coca-Cola Distribution Center, Orange CA
For further information about Recon 50 or how you can help, please contact: Charles Kershaw at (760) 438-8638 or c2k2@earthlink.net.