Marine 1st Radio Battalion Reunion – 2010

The crew arrived in Phoenix by air and car. Our group converged at this location for the annual assembly of 1st Radio Battalion Marines. Hotel staff at the Fountain Hills Holiday Inn was very welcoming. The bar manager in particular, loved our thirsty group. In just three days, we made his budget for a whole month.

Attending the reunion this year were the following, (listed in no relevant order). RJ and Mickey Zike, Rick and Jan Swan, Charles & Carmen Boll, Don & Jacque Flattem, Steve & Carolyn Lehmann, Ray & Sandee Greene, Lee Ahr and Linda Reinhard, Tim & Jane Lundberg, Ray Martinez, Don Stone, Tom & Maria Kelly.

Thursday night, the Fireside Grill provided a meeting place for supper. The combination of dry desert air, cool bar drinks and delicious food kept us together 'til near midnight, as we all reunited and renewed our bonds of brotherhood in a bar, under the western sky, on the patio at our hotel. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Friday morning PT was a walk around the fountain park, then RJ had a full day planned for us. Starting with a bus ride to Sedona, and traveling through 3 climate plateaus to lunch at Oak Creek Brewing Company, our midday watering hole. Chapel in the Rock, shopping, sightseeing, The Vortex (step on the rock and say oohhmmmm), Cowgirl Bar and the stunning desert scenery finished off the travel highlights. Then supper at The Horny Toad with the best ribs and hamburgers around. We did a little stargazing in the parking lot, with the techies of the group bringing out Iphones and Ipads to identify all the lights in the sky. Celestial navigation was never easier.

Saturday was equally exciting. The group bussed to the Frank Lloyd Wright School and Museum, Taliesin West, where we saw the great architech's living quarters, amazing designs and the coolest bell/water fountain. Two hours was barely enough time to absorb the genius and beauty of this site. After lunch at the amazing Fox Sports Grill, the group split. Some went shopping, some went to Caswell's Range for a little target practice. Oh Yeah, Marines and guns – HooRah!! That night we walked to dinner at Que Bueno in Fountain Hills, featuring Texas Margaritas and great Mexican food. Arriving back at the hotel, we toasted RJ for planning an exceptional reunion, retold stories of past and current reunions, and planned to rejoin next year for a reunion/cruise to the Bahamas.

Then Sunday it was breakfast, goodbyes and homeward bound.

A long time ago, we used to say "Back to the Real World", but that's changed. This group has found the Real World. It is that area of our hearts that swells with pride, beats a little faster and grows stronger when we reunite with our brothers. Marines sharing sea-stories and a drink, discussing their score at the range, calling the Vortex, taking group photos, playing with the latest tech toys, and sharing comraderie for a weekend.

We walk a little slower, laugh a little louder and talk a little softer, but that makes us what we are. Brothers, Marines, forever. Thanks RJ for the best reunion ever. See you next year.

Semper Fideles to All, past-future, absent-present.

Lee Ahr