Marine Barracks Hawaii Association

10/09/2026

We’ve run into some unexpected issues, so we won’t be able to Facebook Live stream this year’s reunion. We appreciate your patience and hope to share highlights afterward.

09/29/2026

This year at the reunion we are having our annual raffle, along with a silent auction and ending with a live auction. One of the items for the live auction is this beauty that features a laser etched engraving our logo.

09/29/2026

MBHA San Diego 2025 Reunion Agenda

Cost Details
Members: $60
Non‑Members: $75

All attendees receive 10 free raffle tickets

📅 Thursday – Oct 8, 2025
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM · Officer’s Meeting
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Registration & MBHA Membership / Memorabilia
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM · Social Gathering (cash bar)
7:00 PM – 7:30 PM · Commander’s Welcome (Facebook Live)

📅 Friday – Oct 9, 2025
8:30 AM – 2:00 PM · MCRD San Diego Visit
• 8:30 AM – Meet in Lobby
• 8:45 AM – Depart for MCRD
• 10:00 AM – Graduation Ceremony
• 12:00 PM – Chow Hall (subject to change)
• 1:30 PM – Depart MCRD, return by 2:00 PM
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Spouses / Significant Others Meet & Greet
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM · Annual Members’ Meeting (Facebook Live)
7:30 PM – 11:00 PM · Social Gathering (cash bar)

*Accepted IDs for MCRD:
REAL ID DL/State ID · Passport · Military ID · VHIC · TWIC

📅 Saturday – Oct 10, 2025
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Explore San Diego
Golf Outing · Time TBD
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Culinary Stations
• Whole Roasted Pig – pineapple jicama slaw, mojo criollo, Hawaiian rolls
• Mac Daddy Mac & Cheese (2 styles):
– Aged cheddar, herb crust
– White truffle, shaved Parmigiano
• Salad‑Tinis (2 styles):
– Micro greens, grapes, cherries, gorgonzola, walnuts, white balsamic
– Arugula, spinach, radicchio, pecans, strawberries, goat cheese, ch*****ne vinaigrette
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Cash Bar
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Raffle / Silent Auction / Live Auction (Facebook Live)
9:00 PM · Explore Gaslamp Nightlife

📅 Sunday – Oct 11, 2025
Farewells & Departures
Informal breakfast meetups

Things to Do Near Hard Rock Hotel (Walking Distance)
Gaslamp Quarter (0–5 min) - Restaurants, bars, shops, entertainment — perfect between events.
Convention Center (2–3 min) - Bayfront walkway, great photo spots.
Seaport Village (15–18 min) - Waterfront shops, dining, scenic paths.
USS Midway Museum (20–22 min) - Historic aircraft carrier with exhibits and restored aircraft.
Balboa Park (35–40 min walk / 8–10 min drive) - Museums, gardens, and the world‑famous San Diego Zoo.

Places to Eat (Walking Distance)
ALTITUDE Sky Lounge (2 min) - Rooftop cocktails and views.
Bub’s at the Ballpark (4 min) - Comfort food, wings, burgers.
The Nolen (6–7 min) - Modern rooftop, cocktails, skyline views.
Moonshine Flats (3 min) - Southern‑style bites, high‑energy country vibe.
Gaslamp Restaurants (0–5 min) - Wide mix of cuisines steps from the hotel.

Nearby Essentials
Ralphs (10 min) · Groceries, snacks, drinks
Target (15 min) · Travel supplies, clothing, essentials
CVS (8 min) · Pharmacy, toiletries, snacks
Walgreens (12 min) · Pharmacy, personal care items

Microbreweries (Walking Distance)
Resident Brewing (8 min) - Craft beers, small bites.
Mission Brewery (12 min) - Award‑winning beers in a historic warehouse.
Half Door (10 min) - House‑made beers, gastropub food.
Ballast Point Little Italy (25 min walk / 6 min drive) - Craft beers, elevated pub fare, bay views.

08/28/2026

🎖️ Sneak Peek! 🎖️

We're excited to give you a first look at our brand-new MBHA Challenge Coin!

This beautiful coin will make its debut at this year's reunion in San Diego, where attendees will have the first opportunity to add it to their collection. Following the reunion, the coin will also be available through mail order for those who are unable to attend. Pricing and shipping details will be announced soon.

Whether you're adding it to your personal collection or giving it as a meaningful gift to friends and family, this challenge coin is a special way to share and preserve a piece of your military story and heritage.

Don't miss your chance to own this outstanding keepsake.

08/27/2026

📢 Reminder for Reunion Attendees
If you'd like to attend the MCRD San Diego Graduation Ceremony during the reunion, please send me your information no later than Sunday, August 30, 2026.

🛍️ Online Store Update The first round of online store orders will begin processing on August 31, 2026.
Orders placed by August 31 will be either:
Shipped directly to your home, or
Available for pickup at the reunion, depending on the shipping option you selected.
Orders placed after August 31 will be processed and delivered after October 31, 2026.

Please don't wait until the last minute if you want your items in time for the reunion. We look forward to seeing everyone there! 🇺🇸 Semper Fi!

07/08/2026

📢 Important Update for All Reunion Attendees Visiting MCRD San Diego

We have received additional requirements and important details from the G-3 Operations Chief at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego regarding our upcoming visit.

🚌 Bus Attendees – Additional Information Required
For those who have already signed up for the bus, I will be contacting you to make sure we have the following information for base access:
Last Name
First Name
Middle Name
Suffix (if applicable)
Date of Birth
Driver’s License Number
State of Issue
Please note: We must submit our visitor list 30 days prior to our visit, so timely responses will be greatly appreciated.

🪪 Accepted Forms of Identification
Upon arrival, all visitors must present valid identification. Commonly accepted IDs include:
✅ REAL ID-compliant Driver’s License or State ID
✅ U.S. Passport or Passport Card
✅ Military ID (Active Duty, Retiree, or Dependent)
✅ Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
✅ Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

🚪 Visiting the Base on Your Own
Several people have asked if they can access the base independently without riding the reunion bus.
The response from MCRD was:
Individuals seeking base access on their own must obtain a day pass from the Visitor Center. However, they will only be authorized access to the Museum and Marine Corps Exchange (MCX).
If your goal is to attend the graduation ceremony, we strongly recommend reserving a seat on the bus before all seats are filled.

🍽️ Chow Hall Meal Information
For those interested in dining at the chow hall, we are working to determine meal schedules and attendance requirements.
One important instruction we received states:

"If your group is going to dine at the chow hall, payment must be made on ONE card and in ONE transaction."
We are currently trying to confirm whether we need an exact meal count when we submit our paperwork, or if attendees can make that decision upon arrival.

We will provide additional updates as soon as we receive clarification.

Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to an outstanding reunion and visit to MCRD San Diego!

06/26/2026

San Diego MCRD Visit – Transportation Details 🚍

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/charter-bus-to-mcrd-san-diego

We’re excited about our upcoming visit to San Diego MCRD!
To make transportation easy and convenient, we’ll be renting a charter bus with 56 seats available. The cost is $18 per person, which includes both transportation and a gratuity for the driver.

🎟️ Reserving Your Seat
If you’d like to join us on the bus, please use the link to reserve and purchase tickets for yourself and your group. Seats are limited, so be sure to sign up early!

📝 Required Information
As part of the ticket purchase process, you will be asked to provide some additional information. This information is required by San Diego MCRD and must be submitted in advance of our visit.

⏰ Deadline
To ensure we have enough time to submit all required information, seat reservations will close on August 31.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Lt. Commander Dale Dowell—we’re happy to help!

Looking forward to a great trip together!

Wayne Getz
Commander
Marine Barracks Hawaii Association

Reserve your seat on the charter bus to MCRD San Diego and join fellow Marines, families, and friends for an unforgettable experience. Witness the pride and…

06/20/2026

Marine Barracks Hawaii Association Reunion 2026
October 8–10, 2026 | Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Marines, it's time to reunite once again.

For more than seven decades, Marines have proudly served at Marine Barracks Hawaii. Our members represent generations of service, from those who stood watch in the 1950s to the final Marines who closed the barracks in 1994. While the barracks may be gone, the friendships, traditions, and pride we share remain as strong as ever.

Following another successful reunion last October in Kansas City, we invite you and your guests to join us in San Diego for the 2026 Marine Barracks Hawaii Association Reunion. This annual gathering is an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, welcome new members, honor those who came before us, and celebrate the unique bond that unites all who served at Marine Barracks Hawaii.

Marines and their guests may also book up to two additional nights before and after the reunion dates at our special group rate, making it easy to extend your stay and enjoy everything San Diego has to offer.

Planned activities include:

🦅 MCRD San Diego Graduation Experience
Morning Colors at 0800
Graduation ceremony of America's newest Marines
Group transportation provided from the hotel

⛳ Marine Barracks Hawaii Golf Tournament
Friendly competition and great fellowship

⚓ USS Midway Museum Tour
Explore one of our nation's most historic aircraft carriers
Honor the legacy of those who have served before us

🏨 Hotel Reservations
Reserve your room using the reunion booking link below:

https://book.passkey.com/event/51118086/owner/56761/home

The Hard Rock Hotel is offering our group a special rate along with a discounted All Access Pass for only $10 per day (regularly $40 per day), which includes:
• Wireless Internet Access
• 10% Off at the Rock Shop
• 10% Off at MaryJane's Restaurant (11:00 a.m. to Close)
• Complimentary Crosley Record Player Access
• Local and Long-Distance Calls
• Unlimited Access to the 24/7 Fitness Center
• Business Center Access
• USA Today (Weekdays)
• Fender Magazine
• Electra Bike Rentals
• Fender Guitar Rentals
• MP3 Playlist Download
• In-Room Keurig Coffee Maker

We encourage everyone to reserve their rooms early and share this information with fellow Marine Barracks Hawaii veterans who may not yet be connected with the Association.

We look forward to seeing familiar faces, sharing stories, honoring our history, and continuing a tradition that keeps the spirit of Marine Barracks Hawaii alive.

Semper Fidelis. Once a Marine, Always a Marine.

Book your hotel room for the event at special rates, available here on an exclusive basis.

06/12/2026

📣 MBHA Online Store is Now Open! 🛍️

https://creativedesigns.chipply.com/marinebha2026/?action=viewall

We’re excited to invite all members to check out the new MBHA Online Store, open now through October 31, 2026.

🚨 Important:
All new MBHA items are ONLY available through the online store and will not be sold in person at the reunion.

✅ Ordering & Delivery Options
Orders placed on or before August 23, 2026:
Ship to your home or
Pick up at the reunion (if attending)
Orders placed August 24 – October 31, 2026:
Shipping only (no reunion pickup available)

📦 Shipping Rates:
Shipping is based on the number of items ordered (e.g., 1–5 items, 6–10 items, etc.).

👕 Reunion Info
We will have a limited selection of past years items available at the reunion, but this year’s new styles, colors, and expanded options can only be ordered online.
A computer will also be available on site if you’d like to place an order during the event.

👉 Want to wear your gear at the reunion?
Be sure to place your order by August 23 to receive it in time or select reunion pickup.

🆕 With the online store, we can now offer:
More colors
Expanded sizes
Options for both men and women

🔗 Click the link to browse all available items and get your MBHA gear today!

https://creativedesigns.chipply.com/marinebha2026/?action=viewall

06/08/2026

A sincere thank you to the following Marines who have already reserved their rooms for our San Diego gathering:

Todd Bandermer
Rodney Burandt
Michael Burghardt
Bob Capoccia
Dan Clausen
Allen Cook
Dale Dowell
Wayne Getz
Wes Giehm
Joe Goodrich
Robert Kipp
Max Kopp
James Kotlarczyk
Karl Kucera
Mike Mazzone
Glenn McGregor
Norm Solis
Gary Spielman
Mark Surber
Scott Van Der Weide
Mark Wriggle

If you have made your reservation and your name is not listed above, please let us know. It is important that all reservations are credited to our group so we receive an accurate room count.

If you have not yet reserved your room, there is still time—but please don't wait. Reserve your room using the link provided or by calling the hotel directly. The sooner we know who is attending, the better we can plan for what promises to be an outstanding reunion.

Our goal is to make San Diego our largest gathering to date. Nashville brought together 80 Marines, and with so many of our Marines living in Southern California and surrounding areas, we believe we can surpass that number.

Call now to connect with business.