Marine Corps Interrogator Transl

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Our Bulletin editor Joe Burroughs has suffered a serious stroke and is unable to publish the E-Bulletin. Please keep him in your prayers.

Additionally, anyone interested in relieving Joe as E-Bulletin editor submit your name to either Vince Burdelski or Felix Conde. E-mail is acceptable.

9th Gathering Updates

The Day trip to Fredericksburg and the Trolley tour are two separate events. The Trolley tour is for those not wishing to go on the day trip or not participating in the golf tourney. The trolley tickets are hop-on/hop-off and are good for both Tuesday and Wednesday.

==CHANGE OF COMMAND==

As previously announced, as of this day, 31 January 2011, I am resigning my position as Chairman of the Board. By Robert's Rules of Order this notice by email is not an acceptable method as it is not a signed document sent to the Board of Directors via the Secretary. Be- cause of the nature of our organizational Board, no other alternative is viable for continuous uninterrupted operation. There cannot be a vote by Board members because of the extended time between my resignation, the next scheduled meeting and the location of the various Board members leaving the organization without effective decision making leadership. Since the announcement of my intent to resign several months ago there has been no rebuttal in opposition.

Please consider this, although not by Robert's Rules of Order, my formal letter of resignation. Vice Chairman of the Board Vince Burdelski will assume the mantle of Chairman of the Board with all that position's responsibilities. I shall no longer be a Board member, however, shall retain the Chairmanship of the Monument Committee until it has successfully concluded. The Board need not elect nor appoint another member to fill the vacancy as the current makeup provides that no vote can ever end in a tie.

I have enjoyed working with and for MCITTA. It was a pleasure to serve as Team Commander and as Chairman of the Board for seven of the nine years we have been successfully organized. Many projects have been proposed, worked on, and concluded successfully, and I have been privileged to be part and parcel of each effort. I extend the very best wishes for continued success under the Vince's leadership. I ask everyone to freely give him the same great support, cooperation, and dedication I have been privileged to receive these many years.

I will see you all in Texas in April. Should there arise any matter you think I may be able to clarify please do not hesitate to ask.

Semper Fidelis

Harry Todd

==ARTICLE==

To all MCITTA members. Think of all the things that have come to pass with MCITTA since 2003 and you'll see Harry Todd as part of most functions and activities. "It's time to pass the torch, it's been many years and a great ride, but it's time to turn the gavel over to a new generation, new leadership." Harry said. He says it's time for fresh ideas and more energy to be in charge, he stepped down as Chairman of the Board as of 01/31/11.

The sitting Board believes Harry has done a tremendous job during his terms of office. He kept up on all matters and worked closely with the members in all MCITTA activities. When Harry stepped down he was the last founding member remaining in a leadership position.

"MCITTA has done well, it just needs to continue making forward progress," said Harry. He's always been a go-getter, a person who did not sit still and one who credited the success of MCITTA to its members. MCITTA will miss his leadership style, he will be missed. Harry wants to make it clear, just because he's no longer on the board it doesn't mean that he is riding off into the sunset. He wants to be part of the MCITTA's future for as long as he can. Harry will continue to work on the MCITTA monument, focusing his attention on its carving and steps necessary to get the project finished. MCITTA has done well on the project, and just needs to get over the last hurdles. He believes MCITTA is headed for great things with opportunities for its members and believes his counsel can still be influential.

Semper Fidelis

Vince Burdelski

Chairman of the Board, MCITTA

PASSING OF THE TORCH

As we all know by now, Harry J. Todd has tendered his resignation as Chairman of the Board and as a member of the Board of Directors. The Board was aware that Harry planned to give up the gavel after one year of service. I, for one, am sorry to see him step down. He has been the ramrod of the MCITTA. He has pro- vided the leadership needed to keep the organization going through some rough times, keeping the MCITTA going when it seemed to be folding. When none of us stepped up to take the "helm", he again agreed to take the lead as Team Commander then as Board Chairman. He ensured that our projects were completed and successful. True to his devotion to the MCITTA, he has agreed to continue as Chairman of the Monument Committee and will ensure a monument honoring the Marine Corps Interrogator-Translators will be erected at the proper place and time.

I will miss his advice and encouragement. He and I may not have agreed on all matters, but he has always been a good sounding board for my ideas and opinions. His positive attitude and willingness to contribute to MCITTA's endeavors have made it a good organization to enjoy and be part of. Harry always told me he wanted MCITTA to remain a fraternal union for 0250/0251's. MCITTA needs to be kept out of politics, everybody's politics, public and private, he once told me. I hope we do continue to keep our MCITTA a fraternal organization for renewing and making friendships, as well as a place/site for gathering, maintaining, and pub- lishing the history of the ITT's. Thanks, Harry, for your leadership and your friendship. This is not goodbye as I hope to see you and Lois at the 9th Gathering in San Antonio in April.
Semper Fidelis.
Felix Conde, 0251

==TOGETHER WE SERVED (USMC) WEB SITE==

I know many of you have already added your name and profile info to the Together We Served Web Site. This is an excellent Web Site that provides a good way to input your own profile and photos and also search and find other Marines. I have connect5ed with many old friends through this site. It takes a little effort, but I think that it well worth it.

I would encourage those that have not joined this site to do so and add your stories and photos. Especially use the "Units" and "Combat Operations" sections to include your ITT/IT info with any names that you recall. This will help us eventually find all the Marines that ever served in a 0251 MOS. There are many ways to search, but a key is by MOS and Unit, so this is a good way to link all 0251's and ITT/IT members. Also there is any easy way to create a "Brothers" list. You can also send and receive messages to other members through the site even if you do not have their email.

In other words, this is a great tool for reaching out and connecting to each other and adding our history for others to see and share. After all, if we do not tell our history to others, who will?

I encourage you to join this Web Site or update and expand your profile if you are already a member.

Chip Reid
15th ITT 68-69
Quang Tri Province, RVN

==A CONTINUING JOURNEY==

I received a letter from a young lady named Karyn L. Mayes. Her grandfather brought home a souvenir Japanese flag. She asked MCITTA to translate the writing on the flag for her. She is considering returning the flag to the family of the Japanese soldier. Here is a summary of her letter: (Harry Todd).

My name is Karyn Mayes, I'd like to take you on a journey that still continues. My grandfather PFC Clarence L. Sportsman, Corpsman A, 2nd Med, 2nd Marine Division, served and fought in WWII in the Battle of Tarawa, Nov 20-24, 1943. In 2010, I became the caretaker of my Grandfather's WWII trunk. Inside the truck was a carefully preserved treasure box which sent my head spinning. I took photographs of the contents and enlisted the aid of retired Marines in the office where I work. I found out that the 2nd Marine Division was having its 61st Annual Reunion in Reno, Nevada on August 23-27, 2010. I quickly booked a flight for Reno. At the reunion I met SgtMaj Joe Houle, USMC (Ret) representing the Museum of the Marine and other Marines from the 2nd Marine Division. Having no knowledge of the military, I got answers to many of my questions.

After returning home, I found the internet site for the MCITTA and sent them photocopies of the Japanese flag and asked them to translate the writing on it. Harry Todd quickly sent me a reply and we continued our emails for several months. Out of sensitivity and respect for the Japanese culture, I didn't want to enlist the aid of local translators. Harry sent a PowerPoint to me from one of the MCITTA translators: the WWII Flag with a collection of writings for Takahashi Kun -- Urausu Village, Japan. The translation absolutely thrilled me to no end. It gives honor to Takahashi Kun and gives the Japanese Flag the respect it deserves.

Now 67 years after the fact, on the internet (Google Virtual Earth), I can see the community where the descendants of Takahashi Kun reside. Now at a crossroads, what should I do? After some research I found that the return of the flag by an American is not warmly received. I want to return the flag but don't want to disrespect the family. This is a hard coin toss.

So, I continue my search. Should I return the flag to Urausu, Japan, possibly through the Japanese Embassy in Washington, DC. Or, take the flag, with its MCITTA translation, both for display side by side at the Museum of the Marine in Jacksonville, NC and include a plaque. In some interesting developments, I discovered that a Harumi Takahashi is an official in the very area where the flag originated. II will continue to pursue a satisfactory disposition and keep Mr. Todd and the MCITTA informed.

"Thank you MCITTA so very much for helping me with this journey!"

Semper Fidelis, Karyn Mayes

==A REMINDER==

Just a quick note to remind everyone that the deadline for registration for the 9th Gathering in San Antonio, Texas is April 1, 2011. I thank all those already signed up and ask all of you to contact everyone you know to register. Let's make this Gathering one to remember. The registration form is in the web site: www.mcitta.org.

==MCITTA 9TH GATHERING==

APRIL 11-14, 2011

Monday, Apr 11

0900-2000: Check-in and Registration

1800-2400: Buffet Dinner, Meet & Greet in Hospitality Room

1900-2200: (Optional) Texas Cavaliers Riverwalk Parade

Tuesday, Apr 12

0730-1200: Golf at Fort S. Houston Golf Course

0900-1600: (optional) Local Trolley Tours (on your own, tickets are hop-on/hop-off all day)

1700-1900: Dinner on the Riverwalk Boats

1900-2400: Hospitality room open

Wednesday, Apr 13

0800-1600: Day trip to Fredericksburg, TX

(Tour the Museum of the Pacific)

(Lunch on your own)

0900-1600: (optional) Local Trolley tours (tickets are free 2nd day passes from Tuesday)

1800-2400: Visit and rekindle friendships in Hospitality Room

Thursday, Apr 14

0800-0900: Breakfast in Hotel (Section set aside for MCITTA)

1000-1300: Tour of BFI (Building for the Intrepid) BAMC (Fantastic rehab center for wounded)

1300-1400: Tour MarDet BAMC (Wounded Marines' Facility)

1600-1700: (optional) Marines at the Alamo (Marine Band concert)

1800-2400: MCITTA Banquet

Friday, Apr 15

0800-0900: Breakfast at Hotel El Tropicano and Departures

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A BLAST FROM THE PAST

Halifax 2005.jpg

Halifax 2005

Las Vegas 2006

Nashville 2007

Wash.DC (Museum of the Marines) 2009

Board of Officers