Marine Corps Interrogator Transl

The MCITTA E-Bulletin

An Email message for members of the

Marine Corps Interrogator Translator Teams Assn

Board of Officers

Chairman

Harry J. Todd, Jr.

Vince Burdelski

Mike Bianchino

Administrative Chief

MSgt Samuel (Sam) R. Plemmons passed away on November 10, 2009 at Oceanside, CA. Sam was born on June 22, 1928 in Bartlett, TX. He served on active duty in the Marine Corps for 25 years, retiring in 1972. Sam was with the 1st Marine Division in the Korean War and received the Purple Heart Medal at the Chosin Reservoir. He had three tours of duty in Vietnam as an Interrogator and Team Chief of the 9th ITT. He was a graduate of the DLI, Monterey and was fluent in Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean languages.

In his retirement Sam enjoyed clock making and philately; he was a member of Mensa. Sam was friendly, generous, dependable, hardworking and respected by the Marines who served with him. He was remembered by some of his former Marine teammates: This from Mike Zannelli, "...highly intelligent and most supportive of his Marines. "...a no nonsense leader...he could briefly offer outrageous humor then return to proper decorum." And from Howie Kahn, "Sam was my Team Chief while I was with the 9th ITT in Vietnam in the 67-68 time frame. He was a good Marine. Through the years I have stayed in contact with Sam and consider him a true friend."

It should be noted Sam passed away on November 10th, the 234th Anniversary of the Marine Corps. It seems only fitting that good Marines pass on that day. Sam was interred at Oceanside with full Marine honors. He was 81 years old.

Semper Fidelis, Sam.

8th Annual Gathering
Tampa, Florida

Attention All Marine Interrogators!

Our "Men in Tampa" have been hard at work and pulled together a very exciting and fun-filled four days for our 8th Annual Gathering; and, believe me, they have attacked Tampa with the furor of a hurricane and pulled out all the stops to create a great event. Paul Hernandez is the Events Coordinator; Kris Hankinson is handling Transportation; and, Richard Quinones is the Hotel Events Coordinator. This dedicated trio of Marines has created a special website with more detailed information. (You may also link their page from our MCITTA website from the Gathering Page.)

The daily schedule of events is located on the menu bar at the top of the Tampa Gathering website with events to suit everyone's taste: The Jim Riemer Golf Classic Tournament for the faithful; a dinner show for the more sedate; a riverboat cruise and lunch for the light of heart; a day at Busch Gardens for the adventurous; and a special walking tour for the ladies on Wednesday, with bowling for all hands on Friday to round out the Jim Riemer Classic series. (The Jim Riemer Classic winners from San Diego must bring their trophies to defent their titles, or to pass it on to this year's winners.) This is sure to be an experience to foster good memories of Tampa.

Remember, it's the camaraderie that makes our Gatherings successful. This is a great opportunity for all "generations" of 0251s to come together and share our experiences. MCITTA has been criticized as being too "Vietnam-centric" and just for "the old guys." It was never the intention of the founding group to be elitist, but to be an organization that embraces all Marine Interrogators, regardless of era. This Tampa Gathering is being hosted by a group of Marine 0251's who are not of the Vietnam era. It is vital we support their effort to keep MCITTA viable as a complete family of Marine Interrogators regardless of our respective "war experiences" or generation. I look forward to, once again, celebrating with good friends and fellow Marine Interrogators as our Gathering.

Sign on now. Don't delay! Let's show our support. Go to the Registration Page (Click on Event Registration Form) and fill in your choices for events. Please note the price of all events includes transportation, taxes and gratuities. Also, lunch at Ashley's and the River Cruise are combined even though they appear as separate costs. There will be no dinner on the cruise. Evening meal is on your own for that day.

Make your own hotel reservations by clicking on the Hyatt logo, or call direct at (813) 225-1234. Be sure to identify yourself as requesting the MCITTA Gathering to receive the special price of $129 per night.

You can track Who's Attending on our MCITTA website. If you require additional information, please contact:

Hippolito (Paul) Hernandez, Email: Br7030@aol.com

Kris E. Hankinson, Email: kris@mcitta-gathering-2010.org

Richard Quinones, Email: richardquinones2002@yahoo.com

I look forward to greeting you all personally and enjoying a great Gathering of Marine Interrogators. See you there!

Semper Fidelis

A Personal Plea from the Chairman

Dear Members,

Once again, as I look to the future of our MCITTA organization, I see an area that continues to require our attention. Our editor of The Spot Report and this E-Bulletin has resigned his duties. It is vital we find someone to assume these responsibilities to provide continuity and flow of information to our members.

I have made several appeals for a volunteer and as of yet have received only one response. Unfortunately, he had to rescind his offer as a result of a sudden health issue. We certainly wish him well as he strives to recover.

As you know, MCITTA elected to go to a more economical format of disseminating our information via email and on the web. If you have any experience with these means of communicating, won't you please come forward and lend a hand to the Association. I can assure you the utmost cooperation and assistance in publishing our journals.

Please take an active role in the MCITTA by contacting me at: flsfrtrs@comcast.net. Your assistance and participation is critically needed. Thank you.

Semper Fidelis,

Harry Todd

This MCITTA E-Bulletin is sponsored by

Howard Young, USMC (Ret)