On April 10th 2006 we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Combat Patrols  in Vietnam

and the men who served on PBRs

We were honored by the presence of:

 Mike Gregoire, the First Gentleman of Washington. He is a Army Vietnam Veteran who served in the Mekong Delta. He served with a unit called the Delta Express a Army convoy that moved Army equipment through out the Delta. He visited areas with names we all know, Chou Doc, Rach Gia, Ha Tien and so many more. He served in 1970 and 71 and it is possible that many of us saw his convoy rumbling by with rockets, weapons and cargo to the Army bases that we worked with in the Delta.

It was great to have a Vietnam Veteran who had experienced many of the areas burnt into our souls by Combat.

 

CDR Steve McLaughlin Executive Officer Naval Station Everett was also a guest of honor. He is the person responsible for providing us with our new home at Jim Creek. He also served with Navy Patrol Boats as a young officer.

And

You the Members of Gamewardens of Vietnam

 L to R Bob Brower, Rich Starks, Larry Bissonnette, Mark Koenig, Maverick McClure, Mike Gregoire, Heinz Hickethier, Tom Restemayer, Jerry Popovice, Doug Cates and dancing on the table is A. Billy Ratt.

Mike was impressed by the sea stories that A Billy Ratt told him. We tried to warn him the the Rat was of questionable character but as usual A. Billy Ratt charmed him.

Mike and Tom  place a wreath on the bow of our Operational PBR to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the start of Combat patrols in Vietnam and the men we lost. Tom served with the first Mark I PBRs to enter country so he had the honor of placing the wreath on the boat with the First Gentleman.

 NWC members  with Mike Gregoire in front of the boat with the wreath and a flag that was flown on Bob Brower's PBR in Vietnam

 To all those who did not make the event ----Wish you were here!!

I gave Mike a tour of our PBR. I think this is the point where he is saying he thinks that A Billy Ratt could give a better tour.

CDR Steve McLaughlin, Mike Gregoire and the Star of the Show A. Billy Ratt

 

We gave Mike Gregoire a few mementos of his visit to our PBR and the 40th anniversary event to honor the PBR Sailors we lost and those of us who came home.

 

Heinz Hickethier presenting a NWC membership to Mike Gregoire                       Larry Bissonnette presenting Mike with a TF 116 Teddy Bear for his wife                                     

Bob Brower and Rich Starks from 458 Transportation  PBR's present Mike with some Army PBR items so he won't forget the Army was on the Rivers too!

 

Finally to round out the day we had time for food, sea stories and convoy stories

      

 

                           Steve McLaughlin, Mike Gregoire and Bob Brower                                                   Tom Restemayer , JO3 Quinton and   Larry Bissonnette  

 

Jerry Popovice, Maverick McClure and Mark Koenig

Our extended Gamewardens brothers include the members from many units the three above represent:  

SBU XI                  Panama PBRs            and IBU I I Everett