RIPCORD
RIPCORD
2nd FRA Ripcord Newsletter
25 March 2026 (Reunion – 50 Days)
This Ripcord covers both the Reunion Plan/Schedule, Water & Health Issues and the Election.
Reunion 2026 POC’s
13-16 May 2026
If you have any questions about planned reunion events here are the POC’s or contact information
| Wednesday, 13 May | Shooting at the VFW | Harry | [email protected] |
| Thursday, 14 May | Golf Outing | Al | [email protected] |
| Friday Morning, 15 May | Breakfast | Bill | [email protected] |
| Friday Afternoon, 15 May |
Lunch with the Company Memorial Service at Beach |
Dick Buck |
[email protected] [email protected] |
| Saturday, 16 May |
Crawl, Walk, Stagger, & Run BBQ & Auction (Maj Caper's House) |
Pat Buck |
[email protected] [email protected] |
2nd Force Reconnaissance Coins are now for Sale!!!
$15 each and 4 for $50
To purchase these awesome challenge coins in advance of our Annual Reunion in May, click here, or use the "DONATE" button (in yellow on the top right of the Homepage). Then tap the "Donate Now" button, input your credit/debit card, your name, and donation amount. These funds are automatically credited to our 501C account. Please remember to add the $10 for shipping for one to two coins, or $15 for three or more coins; otherwise, I will hand-deliver all prepaid coins at the Reunion in May. Thank you!
NOTE: We use the secure purchasing site "Square" for our online payments. It is very safe and all data is encrypted!
If you would like me to mail you the coins to your home, at this time use the comment section (also on the Homepage) and provide me your mailing address and I will confirm your order.
Please remember to add the $10 for shipping for one to two coins, or $15 for three or more coins; otherwise, I will hand-deliver all prepaid coins at the Reunion in May.
Keep Moving!
Semper Fidelis, Buck Liberto
-------------------------------
SWAG and a viewing of auction items will be available in the hospitality room at the Sneads Ferry Hampton Inn. Also available will be strip maps to all events.
The host hotel is the Hampton Inn Sneads Ferry NC @ 1248 Hwy 210 Phone 910 327-5555. “Study” rooms are $10.00 per night higher. When you call ask for the 2d Force Recon Association rate.
Auction Help - The auction we conduct at the reunion each year is our chief source of revenue. The Reunion Committee needs help with collecting items to auction. If you have items you wish to donate or which you can solicit from a vendor please contact myself or Mike Armstrong ([email protected]) ASAP so we can begin to assemble a list of auction items. If you need a letter explaining our Tax Exempt/Non Profit status for a business we can provide one upon request.
Election – We are still working on the elections for 2026. Both the President position as well as the Vice President position are both open for vote. We has sent out the nomination form and a list of the other positions that will be up for election this year. Nominations are still open so if you are willing to serve or want to press gang a buddy please submit your nominations NLT 30 April 2026 to Buck ([email protected]).
Camp Lejeune Water – What I said last month is unfortunately true, as we age more and more of us have contracted Lejeune Water issues. As part of the process to get assistance or compensation your are going to need documentation. While everyone Should have their DD214 I would suggest that you request a additional Official copy and a copy of your Service Record Book. The following is copied directly from the official website.
Personnel Record Portion: The Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) is primarily an administrative record, containing information about the subject's service history such as: date and type of enlistment/appointment; duty stations and assignments; training, qualifications, performance; awards and decorations received; disciplinary actions; insurance; emergency data; administrative remarks; date and type of separation/discharge/retirement (including DD Form 214, Report of Separation, or equivalent); and other personnel actions. Detailed information about the veteran's participation in battles and their military engagements is NOT contained in the record.
Starting in 1995, the military service departments gradually began retainiNLT ng their personnel records in electronic format; and all, but the Coast Guard, have stopped transferring them to the NPRC. Requests for these records should be submitted to their respective service departments (see Records Location Table for a listing and location of military service records). Please note: the Department of the Army has granted the NPRC access to the electronic OMPFs of its former military personnel (except for General Officers) to respond to reference requests.
Request Military Service Records | National Archives Response time is 90+ days
Standard Form 180 - Request Pertaining to Military Records (archives.gov)
Understand that while you don’t need your official documentation to file the DD Form 21-256EZ to start a claim you will need it down the road and as they say here it’s a 90-day turnaround (If all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed) to get records so…
If you have been diagnosed and are willing let us know, please send us your name so we can establish a good data base of Brothers so we can help out if and when we are needed. This info WILL NOT be released outside of the Association.