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Submissions Your submissions that will be published in this page. |
May 20, 2008
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| March 17, 2008 I appreciate the notification of the forthcoming Rota reunion. However, I deeply regret that I will not be able to attend. I am currently 82, 83 in September. A couple of years ago my physical drive began to diminish, thus resulting in my travels being considerably curtailed. I can't begin to tell you how many times since my retirement I have told someone that the best tour of my duty I had during my career was in Rota, Spain. Not only because of the geographical location but also the caliber of the personnel assigned there I am sure you will have a great reunion. God bless you all. Semper Fi, John Strope |
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| March 15, 2008 My "Quest" Hello Everyone, Now that I've floated back down to earth, I am able to properly and personally thank each and every one of you for all that you have done for me. First and foremost, I would like to extend a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Jack Malone and Mike Foley for taking the time to thank you for me when I could not. When I first started my quest to locate Kelly, I had no idea where to start. I had very little information to go on, yet somehow found myself on Raul Botello's Rota Marine site and Angel Moreno's Lost Buddies site. I thought this was my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. However, I wasn't sure how you Marines were going to react to "some lady" searching for one of their buddies. Much to my surprise, each and everyone of you, without hesitation, gave me everything you knew. Not only did you give me whatever information you had, you continued to help me along the way. One Marine sent me to the next Marine for information, and so the search grew. I ended up finding Ron Scrabis, who, in turn, sent me to Jack Malone. Ron felt Jack knew Kelly better than the Marines I had already been in contact with. He was correct! Jack was able to fill in some missing pieces for me, which ultimately pointed me in the right direction. On Tuesday, March 11, 2008, I finally located Leonard Kelly. Everything seemed to come full circle for me. As you all know, Kelly and I have been in contact with one another, and it has been a wonderful reunion. A missing part of my life is complete now; and I, believe, the same holds true for Kelly. I also believe this opens a new chapter for the two of us. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to Jack Malone, as it was he who engineered my reunion with Kelly. To all of you Rota Marines, I owe you my heart. I have said this before, and I will say it again: You Rota Marines are one remarkable group of men. Throughout my life, I have heard the words Semper Fi spoken a thousand times. Until I met each of you, I never truly knew what those words meant. The meaning of those two words will be indelibly etched in my mind. A mere Thank You just doesn't seem adequate, but it is with the utmost gratitude that I say it. I hope you all know that. It is my understanding that I now have stirred up some old memories, and this has become a twofold journey. I am only too happy to have been a small part of that. It warms my heart to know that you all hope to meet in the near future to reunite. Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. Semper Fi, Connie Tartini |
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| February 29, 2008 Hello Raul Botello, Thank you very much for posting the France and Guadalcanal trip photos on your website. They look marvelous. And the Personnel Roster page is so much better with the new photo thumbnails. Now your viewers can match names with faces. You have done a magnificent job of creating this wonderful web site for us former Rota Marines. Keep up the good work. If I find more "long lost" Marine Barracks photos, I will rush them to you. I hope other former Rota marines from that era (1963-1966) also shall share their Marine Barracks photos. Semper Fidelis. Angel Moreno |
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| January 10, 2008 The Marine Corps is a way of life that has been my entire life. I work for the Marine Corps and my husband just retired from the Marine Corps. I often get asked if I myself was a Marine and have to say no I never stood on the yellow foot prints but...I have the Marine Corps in my heart and soul :0). It was especially neat to see the pictures of Chesty, he's my husband's favorite. We've been to his grave site in Virginia and met his daughter. I just wanted to say thanks for the site, it was nice to see my dad in his younger years as a Marine, he doesn't have many pictures. V/R Lisa Chastain Secretary/Protocol Officer to the Commanding General |
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| January 8, 2008 Hola Raul, I've been in recent telephone conversations with Tom Scanlon over the past week (after 43 years), and he sent me the Rota Marines Barracks File. I'd just like to say thanks for your fine efforts in putting this "Masterpiece" together. MarBks Rota was my first tour out of ITR (Apr62-Apr64), and I left as a LCpl assigned to 2nd MarDiv, Echo Company 2/2, and after a total of 23 years and eight months of active service that included tours in Okinawa, RVN, GTMO, Japan, Cherry Point, and last but not least the inframous Pentagon - I retired from the 0210 Field as an LDO Maj - took a job with the Defense Intelligence Agency for almost another 21 years - retiring end of Dec2005. We lived in Woodbridge, VA for 24 years. My Spanish Bride of 42 years from Cadiz - Rosa and I have relocated just outside of Jacksonville, NC, and have a Beach House and boat to go fishing in the ICW located on Emerald Isle, NC - an hour away. I'm going back to visit the area in Oct 2008, my 31 y.o.) Hijada Sobrina is getting married - finally. Raul, thanks again for you do, it made some memories easier - such as eating at the La Sardona Rest on the Plaza in Cadiz. SF Paul "Pablo" Prevost |
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| November 27, 2007 Hi this is Dave .. long time no talk to .. spent 3 weeks in Thailand with a side trip to Singapore. Mostly, compliments of Thai Airlines thanks to my friend, Steve. I first met him in Paris on embassy duty back in the 50s. Sent him on the way to walk around the world in the 60s; then he drove around the world later. Next saw him in Spain in the 60s. He made arrangements for me to go to Bangkok in Septermber , flight and hotel free. I thought it was to stay and watch a lot of speeches. It turned out that I was a presenter to the awardee - a Monk who has programs all over the world. Interesting, I participated as a bearer of one of the awards for him (get this ... it turned out to be non-alcoholic which (I didn’t know until I was having a drink at the hotel bar ... so much for knowing about Buddhism.) One of the nice things was to be escorted by a Princess and her driver for 3 days. Then, when the festivities were over, I moved to my friend’s house. 12 bedrooms, 9 baths, 4 servants, 1 sweeper ( they sweep the lawn of big leaves instead of raking like USA), and a lot of other people who kind of come and go. Steve. American ex-pat, married to a Pilipino/Thai, is a writer. If you are interested call him up on Harold Stephens. He is now an author of note. I remember putting him on a bus to New Orleans without 10 dollars in his pocket to walk around the world. He is now successful...go figure. Any way, I haven’t sent you a message for a long long time. Hope all is well with you and yours. I do think and remember about you often, especially about our last dinner together, the wine bottle which hangs on my door, and plaque that you made for me in Rota. I tell Steve and many others of my friend in Italy who discovered undersea cities and enjoys life there. Some day I may make it there as I made it to Thailand. Ciao. Dave. |
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 November
25, 2007Hi Raul. I'm sorry that I haven't been in contact lately,but I'm serving in the Training Mission in Haiti with the International Police Force. This photo was in the Town of Jeremie in the west of Haiti. I've been in the Advisor Missions in Bosnia, Kosovo and Baghdad, Iraq in the past several years, but this country in my mind is the worst. I'm on holiday in the Caribe (Yah). I am now assigned to the city of Les Cayes on the south coast of Haiti. I hope you have a good Christmas and New Years in Europe. Sempri Fi, Tom Scanlon. |
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| November 10, 2007 Just read Colonel Dabney’s Navy Cross citation. I am proud to have served with this great United States Marine at the Marine Barracks in Rota, Spain during the years 1963-1965). I remember him as being one squared-away 1st Lieutenant and an officer always ready to listen to his marines. I always had the gut-feeling that he would go on to make a tremendous contribution to the Marine Corps. And this he most certainly did. I hope all former, present and future Marine Barracks, Rota, Spain Leathernecks learn about Colonel Dabney’s Navy Cross citation and his place in the history of the Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis Angel Moreno, Staff Sergeant, United States Marine Corps (Retired). |
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| November 8, 2007 Colonel Dabney's citation letter and Navy Cross award submitted by Mike Foley:  |
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| November 2, 2007 Buenos Dias Amigo, I have lost the link to the Rota web-site also your snail-mail address so I can send my photos of the days in Rota. Just returned from Las Vegas where we attended Vietnam Tankers Convention..It brought tears to your eyes to see some of your past crew members. I am glad to have attended .I really should thank you because I found their website after finding your Rota website. That was my re-enlistment bonus when I re-enlisted at Marine Barracks, Rota,Spain: Change of MOS from 0311 to 1811. That web-site www.usmcvta.org also www.bravoco3rdtkbn Semper fi Su amigo Former S/Sgt Richard Myrick |
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| May 29, 2007 Your Personnel Roster is nearly complete for the '66 era. I would like to thank you and your web-site for bringing these memories back. I'm from Falfurrias, Texas, which is not far from (your hometown) Aransas Pass. At present I am employed by DEVON Oil Company,Oklahoma City,OK. We conduct seismographic surveys looking for oil and gas deposits. I am not the Geologist; I manage the crew collecting the data. It's like the song says "yo no soy Capitan soy marinero." LOL. Su Amigo Semper Fi.... Former S/Sgt Richard Myrick |
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| May 3, 2007 Buenos Dias Raul; After visiting your Rota web-site, I did call Bill and Virginia. They are living in Lexington,Va. We talked about Rota, Hill881S and his days after retiring from the Corp. He sort of followed in Chesty's footsteps: he was Commandant of Cadets at V.M.I.. At 881S he received the Navy Cross, SilverStar, Bronze Star(2) and Purple Heart. He was a warrior and I would follow him into any battle. I'm proud to have served at Rota during 1966-67. The only thing that has changed is 40 yrs.of time. I would like to thank you again for your web-site and the memories that it has brought back. "Saepe Expertus' "Semper Fidelis" "Fratres Aeterri" Adios Former S/Sgt Richard Myrick |
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April 22, 2007 Hello Raul Botello: I want to commend you for creating a magnificent Marine Barracks Rota, Spain web site. Each time your web pages pass in review before my eyes, they bring back many good memories. The Marine Barracks was my favorite assignment. I made a few good lifelong friends in Rota. Some old buddies still communicate with me. A few more have sought me out to see how I am doing even after all these years since we last saw each other in Spain. Their wonderful emails sure make my day each time I receive them. It gladdens me beyond measure to know these good marines never forgot this old salt. It also saddens me to learn that several previous members of the Marine Barracks are no longer with us. My condolences to their loved ones. If it bring some solace to those they left behind, I would like to say this in their memory and honor: “Marines never die. They just transfer to their Final Duty Station in the Sky. They are now forever happily shooting the breeze and sharing a few cool ones with their Marine Corps buddies also formerly of planet earth. And if we engrave this positive image of our friends and loved ones in our hearts and minds, we shall always know that they are doing great, because Sentry Saint Peter waved them through with a smart salute and a resounding, "Thank you for a job well done," as they pass through Heaven’s Gate.” Semper Fidelis Angel Moreno |
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| April 9, 2007 Raul. While I'm taxing my menmory I remember one thing more: SSgt.John J.Winstanley in Rota. He lived near me in New Jersey after Retirement. I used to visit him down the Jersey Shore at his home. He never married and retired from the Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant in 1969, after returning from Vietnam. I had been with him since boot camp until I got discharged from the Corps. He was the one who told me to get out and do something else. He was a close friend and sometimes a hard person to understand, but he helped me a lot while I was in the service. He passed away about 10 years ago and is buried in the Jersey City area where he grew up. Sempri Fi, Tom Scanlon |
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| March 29, 2007 DAVID PRYOR I last saw with his wife Connie and daughter Allie in Richmond, Virginia, in September 2001. We were about to relocate back to Italy and he invited us to a sort of going away lunch at an Italian restaurant in Richmond. Actually, David lives in Glen Allen, which is a suburb of Richmond and I lived in Richmond. We were about 20 minutes apart for a number of years without realizing it. I found his address by accident. David is his ever jolly good natured old self. He has a great collection of books and writings about Spain and I suspect Spain was his greatest adventure. Submission by: Raul Botello |
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March 25, 2007 March 27. 2007 |
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 March 25, 2007TOM SCANLON is a retired police officer who has served in Irag now living in New Jersey. Here we see him reunited with Mike Foley. |
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| March 25, 2007 BEN PALACIOS is believed to have retired as a Sgt Maj. Submitted by: Mike Foley |
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| March 25, 2007 WALTER ALEKSIC died after contracting a jungle disease in RVN. Submitted by: Mike Foley |
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 March 25, 2007WILLIAM H. DABNEY received the Navy Cross in April 2005. http://www.hmm-364.org/navy-cross.html |
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| March 25, 2007 CLINTON GAULT was KIA in RVN. |
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| March 25, 2007 I was looking at the picture in Milestones, the one with GENERAL PULLER sitting on the bench. Well, that's me right beside him and MORENO next to me. Way in the back, there's a tall Corporal named HUBERT NUGENT. He and I went to NCO School together in 1965 at Camp Lejeune. We were both in the 8th Marines. Submission by: Mike Foley |
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 March 25, 2007RAUL BOTELLO eventually retired from the Navy and now lives in Italy. |
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