Combined Action Veterans Association

Letter From the Chairman

Phil Ovelman, 299 Country Club Rd. Coatesville, Pa. 19320

16-May-09

Greetings; I sincerely hope that all of you are fairing as well as possible in the current time of recession and tribulation. But we have all been here before. Not only through the turbulent gas crisis of the early seventies, the recurring wars in the middle east and Israel, the near world war in the mid seventies when hostilities broke out in Angola, Korea, E. Germany and central America simultaneously but in our own life changing tour [s] in Viet Nam, along with the devastating absence of any noticeable support of our fellow countrymen. I am confident that our resilience and determination will see us through these difficult times as well.

Many, like me find solace among friends and fellow veterans. Thus, the healing and comradery of our annual reunions. This past year was spent at the Hacienda Hotel in Old Town, San Diego. A beautiful hotel with a beautiful view in a beautiful section of the city. We toured the Marine Corp Recruit Depot as usual and enjoyed a splendid lunch at the Bay View club. But the highlight of the day and perhaps the whole reunion came with the General meeting held later that evening. Amidst the usual bantering and cut-up antics we all refer to as business a special event took place which I was proud to be a part of. One of our members, Robert “Irish” McClancy was wounded in August 1968. Despite attempts by Robert off and on through the years, the Marine Corps in its infinite wisdom never recognized and thus never awarded Robert the proper citation. Sadly, Robert died on the 15^th of May of 2006 without the acknowledgement he justly deserved. However this was corrected through the tireless efforts of a fellow veteran and Air Force winger, [now hold your comments] by the name of Chuck Kaczmarczyk. Don’t ask me to pronounce that name! Well my friends, the Marine Corp finally did the right thing and on the evening of 07-Nov-08 dispatched one Captain Christopher Blalock to present the order of the Purple Heart to the widow of Robert McClancy, Martha Ann.

On Saturday the 08^th the members of CUVA toured the Aircraft Carrier, Midway. One note, while viewing the F-14s and Hughie’s on the top deck a young man approached me and asked if I was a Viet Nam Vet? When I stated proudly that I was he said thank you sir and shook my hand. Boy, have times changed or what.

Sunday, 09-Nov-08 was our board meeting where we reviewed among other things the location of the 2010 reunion, which will be San Antonio, TX. The reunion for 2009 is Washington D.C. and I hope all will attend that are able. Details are posted below.

Sunday evening ended with a pleasant NCO’s Birthday Ball held at the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel.

We held our own cake cutting ceremony [which has become a tradition now] at our annual banquet held at the Vietnamese restaurant called, Saigon on 5^th. They loved us and of course allowed us to bring our own cake for the ceremony.

There were many responsible for another successful reunion. In addition to the board members I would like to thank Rich Bartole who is always a faithful and competent point man in San Diego. Elle Longaway who went the extra mile to produce a list of activities individualized for each member, Chuck Kacz [Alphabet] for a tireless and professional achievement in procuring the Purple Heart for one of our members and of course, last but not least, Steve D. for the performance of a lifetime at the hotel, We’re talking Emmy material here for reality TV.

The reunion accommodations are as follows; Dates: November 06, 07, 08, 09 and 10

Location: Comfort Inn, Pentagon

2480 Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22206

Phone #: 703-682-5500 Fax #: 703-682-2361

Rates : $119 single or double occupancy

Please make you reservations as early as possible and be sure to mention that you are part of the CAP units Veterans Association.

I hope to see all of you again in D.C. this November. Till then,

Semper Fi, Phil Ovelman, Chairman