After breakfast Friday morning, we formed a short caravan to the Marine Corp Recruit Depot. After a walk around the “Grinder ," we arrived at the grandstands to witness graduation of Marine Corps Second Recruit Training Battalion, Company H. The Marine Corp Recruit Depot Band put on a colorful show. The colors were flying; graduating recruits marched without bouncing; speeches were inspiring; and hearing 335 new Marines sound off in unison made us all sit up and pay attention. After the ceremony, we all did a little souvenir shopping at the Marine Corp Exchange where you can buy anything from clothing to glassware with a Marine Corp logo.

Friday afternoon, we explored the USS Midway. We had lunch on the fantail, with a view of downtown San Diego. Then, starting at the entry deck and proceeding up the stairs to the flight deck, we quickly got an appreciation for just how big this carrier is. In a loose formation, we explored from stern to bow. Vintage warplanes and helicopters line the deck. From the bow, across the harbor, we had a clear view of the USS Ronald Regan. A special trip to the bridge allowed some of our group to sit in the chair occupied by the “Air Boss” and to even get “hands on” in the bridge. Highlights of the tour were the many airplanes, Clean Shirt mess, Dirty Shirt mess, CPO mess, engine room, brig and infirmary.

As most of the group explored the Midway, RJ and Mickey Zike were checking out the wine country around San Diego. They returned to report that the vineyard was great but the temperature inland was much higher than our pleasant oceanside conditions.

Back at the hotel, we met in Rick’s room and were treated to sea-stories by Bill Toth, Don Stone's Godfather. Bill enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1939, was trained as a .50 Caliber Anti-Aircraft gunner and is a survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, being officially credited with shooting down 4 planes that day. His telling of Marine Corp life before, during and after WWII were both enlightening and entertaining. He gave us all a new outlook on Winston Churchill that will last quite a while. That night we dined at Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant. The food was excellent, the queso dip cheesy-spicy, and of course we had a couple of pitchers of margaritas.

Saturday morning after breakfast, everyone went to the San Diego Zoo. It was a clear, bright day. We saw lions, tigers, bears, pandas, flamingos and even some frisky hippos. (Must have been something in the water.) We rode the bus and skytram, then returned to the hotel.

Saturday night we had Gus’s pizza on the balcony, - courtesy of Rick and RJ pizza pickup. We all participated in editing our pictures, told the last of our sea-stories, then it was time to say our goodbyes. Sunday morning, as Linda and I drove to the airport, we reflected on our reunion and the traditions we had upheld. We told all the old sea-stories; learned some new ones; and created a few of our own. We were privileged to visit with Bill Toth and hope he remembers us as kindly as we will remember him. We revisited the past, rejoiced in our present company, and made plans for future endeavors.

Many thanks go out to Rick Swan, both for his hard work in planning this reunion and his continuing maintenance of his web site. Special thanks also to RJ Zike for getting us to his favorite San Diego hotel and providing the booze for the weekend.

Esprit de Corp was high in San Diego, and it remains with and sustains us when we are together, apart and always. See you next year, Marines. Semper Fidelis