​PG. 4
The last evening together in the Garden Vista Room
Nick Kosturos in the left picture above is introducing a movie filmed in 1969 in the Phillipines called "Too Late the Hero".  In January 1969 the 3/26 Marines/Kilo were going afloat on the USS Ogden.  They needed a Embarcation Officer to coordinate the loading of all of the equipment and supplies going aboard the ship anchored in Subic Bay, Phillipines.  Pete Foor was chosen and 25 marines served under him to undertake this task.  When Pete reported for duty some Navy Chiefs, who were experienced in loading ships, told Pete they would take care of it and he and his men could just relax.  Pete was in the O - Club and a man walked up to him and mentioned he was making a movie and needed some extras.  Pete volunteered himself and his troops since they weren't doing anything.  This was a war movie that had Henry Fonda, Michael Caine and Cliff Robertson in it so it sounded pretty special.  In the picture above on the right you can see Pete playing the role of an enlisted man on the right looking over his shoulder.  Pete had no speaking part.  Pete said he and his marines were paid fifteen dollars each and all of the beer they could drink.  After filming that day Pete was called into the Major's office and was told that was the end of his movie career.  Pete had told Bruce Cowee, a while back, about being in the movie so Bruce located a copy and bought it.   Nick thought it would be funny to show Pete's part for the movie on screen and let Pete tell the story behind it.   Nick was also able to get some figures on the movie and said that it lost a lot of money and was one of the lowest grossing movies ever made.  I'm sure I didn't get all of this right so you might want to go to the Home page and listen to Nick and 
Pete tell this story in the video.
Roger, Pete, Bruce and his friend Mike Gilligan, Jesse and Chuck.  Mike was a  Marine CH-46 helicopter pilot who was attached to HMM-263 at Marble Mountain. These helos were the lifeline to the marines in the bush.  They transported marines and all of their supplies and ammo needed by them. They also performed MEDEVACS to pick up all of the wounded and KIAs in the bush.  We owe a lot of gratitude to these brave pilots and crews for keeping us going.  Bruce introduced me to Mike.  His story can be found in Bruce's 2nd volume of "Vietnam to Western Airlines".
It was a pleasure meeting Chuck's daughter Hillary and her husband Andy.  They also have a young son named Stockton.
After 50 years Pete is finally picking up his Academy Award presented by Nick Kosturos for the role of "The Best Silent Actor in a Talking Film".  He is taking the time to thank everyone.
Pete is overwhelmed by emotion as he passes Bruce and Mike to sit down.  
Ron Beamon was nice enough to buy everyone a nice cake for the last evening.
Our Guest of Honor, Lt. Gen. Klimp explains the cake cutting in the tradition of the Annual Marine Corps Birthday Celebration, and cuts the cake.  
The Guest of Honor receives the first piece of cake.
The second piece goes to the oldest Marine attending, and he takes a bite.
It is then passed on to the youngest Marine to take a bite.
Just as for years our experienced Marines have nurtured and led young Marines that will fill our ranks and renew our Corps.  Of course in this instance there is no "young Marine" in the picture.
Jim Bligh announces that he is passing out a one of a kind Challenge Coin to the marines, corpsmen, marine pilot and air force pilot attending.  The coin can be seen on the "Home" page.
In these pictures Jim is passing out a Challenge Coin to Ron Beamon and Roger Childs.
Our Guest of Honor, Lt. General Jack Klimp, begins his speech for tonight.
It was a great speech; very down to earth and informative of how today's young marines regard the heritage that has come down from the older marines.  It's been that way ever since the Battle of Belleau Wood in WW I.  We very much appreciate retired Lt. General Klimp attending and speaking at our 50th reunion.  The Lt. General also served in Vietnam at about the same time as our group and knows Tom Hickinbotham and Dick Barba. 
Tom is holding up one of the last two 3/26 Marines Challenge coins that was struck and is presenting one of them to our Guest of Honor.
The last 3/26 Challenge is then put up for bid.  The proceeds will go to The Semper Fi Fund that helps younger veterans and their families dealing with disabilities.
Greg and Shilin were the high bidder for the coin and it is deeply appreciated.
ALL OF THE CEROMONIES ABOVE CAN BE SEEN ON THE 50TH REUNION VIDEO ON THE HOME PAGE.