MCITTA E-Bulletin Number 02-08

-Time is short-

Please submit your registration by 21 August

The 6^th Annual MCITTA Gathering is rapidly approaching. If you have not submitted your registration form to our Gathering host, Don James, please do so as soon as possible before 21 August. Don must finalize the banquet and transportation numbers and costs.

Hotel Registration:

Time is of the essence, as well, to register at the Hyatt Dulles hotel, the headquarters for the 2^nd Combined Convention of the Committee for the Marine Corps Intelligence Associations. Deadline for hotel registration at the convention rate of $89 per room night is 18 August 2008. You may register on-line or phone, (703) 713-1234 or Toll Free at Hyatt central booking1-800-633-7313. Be sure to indicate you are with the Marine combined convention for the dates of 1-6 September.

As a reminder, we are sharing this year’s Gathering with the other three Marine Corps intelligence associations. This will be a fantastic opportunity to see many of our fellow intelligence Marines we have served with in the past. The special rate of $89 per room night is good for several days before and/or after the Gathering dates if you wish to take advantage of attending the last Evening Parade of the season at the Marine Barracks, 8th & I Streets, Washington on 29 August; or, to participate in the golf outing with the MCITTA members playing at the Medal of Honor Golf Course, Quantico on 6 September.

Guests of Honor:

We have had some difficulty obtaining a commitment from several notable Marine officers to be our Joint Reunion Guest of Honor. However, we are most pleased to report that General James N. Mattis, USMC will be our Guest of Honor for the combined banquet on 5 September. Known affectionately as “The Fighting General”, General Mattis is the current Commander, US Joint Forces Command, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation. General Mattis commanded the 1st Marine Division during the Battle of Fallujah where he popularized the slogan, “No better friend, no worse enemy” in a well-publicized open letter to his troops.

Concurrent Retirement:

On Friday, 5 September, MajGen Michael E. Ennis will be retiring after 36 years of Marine Corps service. He has extended an invitation to his retirement to all Joint Reunion attendees, being held at Marine Barracks, 8th &I Street (Band Hall.) The ceremony will begin at 1400 with a reception to follow.

MajGen Ennis’ career in the Marine Corps is distinguished as being the first dedicated by MOS Intelligence Officer promoted to general officer. He has been a long-time supporter to all the Marine Corps intelligence associations. General Ennis will be a special guest at the Joint Banquet.

Updated Schedule:

Go to our MCITTA website for a complete look at the revised schedule and to down load your Registration Form. Please fill it out and get it in the mail as soon as possible.

During the Social Hour on Friday, 5 September we will enjoy members of the Marine Corps Band providing the music. What a pleasure to be entertained by “The President’s Own”! Also, the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps, “The Commandant’s Own”, will provide the music for the opening ceremonies of the evening. Following the banquet, dance music until mid-night will be available.

What a special week! From a fantastic tour of the new Marine Corps Heritage Center, to a tour of Capitol Hill and meeting Senator James Webb, to rendering honors to our national heroes at the war memorials, and finally a great evening filled with the camaraderie of fellow Marines and nostalgia of our days in service, while listening to the music of our own Marine Corps bands, this is one Gathering of the MCITTA and combined reunion with other Marine intelligence associations not to miss. This will be a most special event.

See you there!

Paul and Jackie Anctil have finally been able to “bear the fruits of their labor” to produce a quality wine after several years of hard work nurturing their vineyards.

    Paul and Jackie have graciously donated three bottles of their Sans Soucy Vineyards wines and accoutrements, and a bevy of other local Virginia products to complete a splendid gift basket we intend to raffle during the 6th Annual MCITTA Gathering.

    A total retail value of $150.00 makes this a very generous offer. The wine, cheese and sausage are all locally made in Virginia as well as the glasses; all local products make this a very nice souvenir of your sojourn to Virginia and the 6th Annual MCITTA Gathering.

    The wines alone from our own Paul and Jackie Anctil’s new winery make this gift extra special. Let’s help them celebrate their new venture and show our appreciation for their generosity by making this drawing a worthwhile venture. Thank you Paul and Jackie!

The handsome wicker picnic basket includes:

3 - bottles of Sans Soucy Vineyards wine:
        2006 Cabernet Franc;
        2006 Rose;
        2007 Gold Leaf Traminette
2 - Sans Soucy Vineyard wine glasses
1 - hand painted bottle stopper
1 - box of wine glass charms (6/box)
1 - winged corked screw
1 - flat glass bottle cheese tray with knife
2 - bricks of "Virginia's Finest" (cheddar and provolone) cheese
2 - logs of "Virginia's Finest" (summer sausage and beef salami)

    Tickets are $5 each, with 3 for $10. For a SPECIAL of $25 you will receive 8 tickets and eight opportunities to garner this prize. An investment of $20 or $25 per member will generate a handsome return for the MCITTA operation fund. All proceeds will go directly to the MCITTA treasury to support the operation of our organization.

    You don't need to be present to win! Go to our MCITTA website by clicking on the logo at right and print as many tickets as you wish to purchase, fill in the information and mail them to Don James with your check for the amount.

    For those at the Hyatt Dulles, the basket will be on display throughout the Gathering and tickets will be available for purchase. Be generous and support your MCITTA, even if you can’t attend the Gathering. The drawing will be held on 5 September and the prize sent by UPS if you are not present.

Good Luck and Thanks for your support!

To download a complete updated 2008 MCITTA 6th Annual Gathering Information and Registration Package, go to our website at: www.mcitta.org and click on Gatherings, or the special link in the center of the page. There you will find an updated schedule with full information. Please make your own reservations at the Hyatt-Dulles by using the phone or the special on-line registration tab: CMCIA Convention Registration.