in memoriam - Fleet Reserve Association

Fortunately the Oida’s knew of a shipmate who was flying to Manila at 1100 from another airport, so with
their help, one of the unit members drove to the Oida’s home, picked up the passport and then delivered it to the
shipmate at the other airport. The shipmate was to take the passport to Manila and deliver it to our hotel. True to
form with Loyalty, Protection and Service, the shipmate delivered the passport to his son who is a Lieutenant Colonel
in the US Army stationed at the United States Embassy. The Colonel had one of his drivers deliver the passport
to us at the hotel in Manila.
Thanks to the local shipmates and ladies, they were successful in convincing security at the Legaspi Airport
to let Sandy board the airplane for our flight to Manila. Once we arrived at Manila, we went back to the Heritage
Hotel to rest and pack for the departure that evening.
We were scheduled to depart from Manila that evening at 2310 for Guam and of course could not get out of
the Philippines without her passport.
Talk about being nervous and concerned – we both were for several hours. This episode was without a
doubt, the most traumatic part of the trip.
At 2000 we departed the Heritage Hotel Manila for the last time en-route to the airport for our scheduled
departure at 2310 to Guam. After processing through the airport we departed on time for Guam.
Sunday, 18 February
GUAM – USA
After a 1,597 mile, 3 hours – 30 minute flight from Manila, we arrived at Agana, Guam at 0440. Even at
that early hour of the morning, Latte Stone Branch and Unit 73 (Agana) Presidents Shipmate Enrique (Rick) and
Lady Sophie Losongco, Branch VP Jim and Lady Sullenger, Branch Secretary/Treasurer Scott and Lady Carrie Duenas,
Tony and Lady Millie Artero, and Jack and Lady Terry Shimizu met us at the airport – and yes, with another
“welcome aboard banner!”
We were then taken to the Royal Orchard Hotel Tumon Bay and checked into room 617. We slept fast as
the branch and unit had scheduled a National President’s reception at 1400 in the hotel and wanted us down to the
meeting room by 1300.
After the reception, a combined branch and unit general assembly meeting was held at 1500 with about 60
shipmates and ladies present. The rest of the afternoon and evening was “leisure time” which was really appreciated
by both of us.
Monday, 19 February
At 0830 all of the shipmates and ladies who met us at the airport on Sunday morning and PUP Lady Joyce I
Martratt, left for an office call with Fred Gofigan, Veterans Affairs Administrator. We then toured the War in the
Pacific Memorial Park in Asan, the Veterans’ Cemetery in Piti, WWII Memorial Site, at the Asan Overlook and
other local historical sites. All of us then went to lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch we departed for the Lt. Governor’s Office at Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo’s Complex in Adelup.
While there we had a courtesy call with Lt. Governor Mike Gruz and we discussed legislative and military issues
concerning Guam.
At 1400 we arrived at the Guam Legislature Building for an office call with Senator (and former Speaker)
Antonio “Tony” Unpingco, Military and Federal Affairs Chairman. During the visit, Speaker Mark Forbes came in
and we all had a lengthy conversation concerning the proposed move of two U.S. Marine Corps Battalions from
Okinawa to Guam and the additional assignment of more U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army personnel between now
and 2014.
NP-15