Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 62 Alumni Group

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Served under Chief Fuller and was PM Clerk in Guam when he passed. Seabee Betty gave the eulogy. Senior Chief Sutton had, I'm pretty sure saved my wayward ass on Diego the deployment before. I made it and retired in 99. CMC's McCreary and Powelson were some of my other early mentors. I made them earn their pay at times.

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Our Seabee Brother Duane Vance has passed away:
Duane R. Vance
February 28, 1947 — May 11, 2025
McDonough, GA
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Master Chief Duane R. Vance, USN, Retired of McDonough, GA, who passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of 78 in Gulfport, MS.

He was born February 28, 1947 in Painesville, Ohio , the first of nine children to the late Dean Rusk and Eleanor Ruth Faerber Vance.

Duane is survived and missed by his loving wife Judy (nee Conley) of 58 years; his children, Dean (Julie) Vance and Brandy (Heather Miller) Basilio; forever cherished and revered by his grandsons, Makena Rusk (Isabelle Laurin) Basilio and Noah Dean (Rebecca Phillips) Vance; his memory lives on with his sisters, Jeanne Wepplo of Franklin, MN, Dianne Hostetler of Salem, OH, Vicki (Kevin) Hull of Glendale, AZ, Patti (David) Carver, Deanna Vance Davis both of Diamondhead, MS, and brother David (Glinda) Vance of Mooresville, MS; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends that he loved very much.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Dan R. Vance; his sister, Nancy Vance Horkey; his brothers-in-law, Freeman Hostetler and Raymond “Ray” Wepplo; and his nephew, Lawrence “Larry” Wepplo.

Duane lived an extraordinary life of service and generosity. After graduating from Madison High School in 1965, he enlisted in the Navy Seabees as a Builder Heavy Construction Third Class (BUH3) at the age of 19. He proudly served his country in multiple tours in the Vietnam War. After many assignments around the world, he was selected to serve as Command Master Chief of the Pacific Seabees for the U.S. Pacific Fleet until he transferred to his final active-duty assignment as Command Master Chief of the Twentieth Naval Construction Regiment in Gulfport, MS. He retired after 26 years of active-duty service. The U.S. Navy recognized Duane for his honorable service by awarding many citations including Meritorious Service Medals (2), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2), Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy “E” Ribbon (2), Good Conduct Award (5), National Defense Service Medal (2), Navy Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star for five Campaigns & Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Insignia, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citations, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Following retirement from active duty, Duane went to work for Brown and Root (KBR) as a Project General Manager for 24 years before finally retiring to spend the days with his cherished wife Judy.

Duane was a lifetime member of the VFW, FRA, American Legion and the Navy Seabee Foundation.

Above all, Duane was a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather. His grandsons were the apples of his eye and brought him his greatest joy. He loved golf and was an avid reader. He also enjoyed traveling, woodworking, building, his pets, and spending time with his family and friends. Duane quietly helped and mentored countless people over the course of his life. We are all better having known him. His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our attitudes. We choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503. Family visitation will begin at 11am followed by friends at 12pm. A memorial service will begin at 1pm with interment to follow at 2:30pm at the Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Navy Seabee Foundation or your local animal shelter.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is serving the family.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Duane R. Vance, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Upcoming Services

Visitation
Thursday, May 29, 2025
12:00 - 1:00 pm (Central time)
Riemann Family Funeral Home - Gulfport
11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503

Memorial Service
Thursday, May 29, 2025
1:00 - 1:45 pm (Central time)
Riemann Family Funeral Home - Gulfport
11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503

Burial
Thursday, May 29, 2025
2:30 - 2:45 pm (Central time)
Biloxi National Cemetery
400 Veterans Ave, Biloxi, MS 39531

We wish our Brother Duane Fair Winds and Following Seas.

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https://www.riemannfamily.com/obituaries/duane-vance

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We had a great time at the 2025 Seabee Reunion in Gulfport. Hope to see a bigger turnout next year for the 60th anniversary of the recommissioning of MCB-62 and the 60th anniversary of MCB-62's arrival in Phu Bai, Vietnam. Next year's reunion will be at the same place, Courtyard Marriott, Gulfport from April 16-29, 2026. We took a group picture during our Mcb-62 meeting on Sunday but some, like Frank Pirrello and Jerry Hilbert left early so they weren't in the picture. Larry Wheeler mentioned that our MCB-62 flag has been misplaced. If someone is aware of where it is please make arrangements to get it to the 2026 reunion meeting. I'll try to post some pictures of the reunion. Hope other pictures are posted. Rocky

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How do I submit photos of the 2025 Seabee Reunion

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3-1-2025: The photos from the 2024 Gulfport NMCB 62 Alumni Annual Meeting which was held on Sunday, 5 May 2024 are now on our website. Go to website link #2 to look at them. Two Minutemen did not leave me their email addresses on the sign-in sheet, so I need your help. If anyone knows Chuck Doom or Thomas "Tom" Bault email address or cell phone number, send me an email normhahnjr@yahoo.com and let me know so I can get in touch with them. Thanks, Norm.

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2-16-2025: Camp Lejeune: Historic Drinking Water

Were you at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987?

If you lived or worked at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, prior to 1987, you are encouraged to register in the Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water Notification database.

Call (877) 261-9782 or visit www.marines.mil/clwater for more information.

See Also: LINK 15.1 for more Camp Lejeune information.

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2-4-2025: Bill Clough calls sec Norm and tells him that Frank has passed away. Here is his obituary:
Francis J. Cheschi Obituary
Francis J. Cheschi, 79, passed away on January 20, 2025 in UMASS Memorial Healthcare, Worcester.
Francis was born on April 20, 1946 to parents Frank and Elenor (Giampetro) Cheschi. Elenor sadly passed away. His father remarried Josephine Larosa and they resided in Hopedale, MA.
Francis attended the Hopedale School System and upon graduation he entered the U.S. Navy operating heavy equipment while serving 2 tours in Vietnam with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion NMCB 62 as a “Seabee”. Upon his return, he married his love, Joan Auty. They spent 47 years together, enjoying their mutual love of classic cars while raising their son, Mark.
He is survived by his son Mark Cheschi; two brothers, Richard and David Cheschi; grandchildren, Zack and his wife Shyanne Cheschi, Sara Cheschi and his great-granddaughter, Lyla Joan Mederious; nieces, Erin Cheschi and Ashlye Brennan and a nephew, Justin Cheschi. He also leaves his dear friend, Linda Maietta with whom he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Frank is predeceased by his wife, Joan and granddaughter, Nicole Cheschi.
He worked for the Local #4 Union operating heavy equipment, upon his retirement Francis enjoyed restoring classic cars. He will be remembered by everyone for his gentle and giving nature, and will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a veteran’s organization of your choice or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis, please visit our floral store.
Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home
42 Congress St
Milford, MA 01757
Get Directions
Phone: (508) 473-5511
Alumni Group dues paying members can see Frank's complete database on our NMCB 62 website.

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ATLANTA VIETNAM VETERANS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION, INC.

PROUD - PROFESSIONAL - PATRIOTIC

A Georgia 501(c)(3)Corporation

DOCUMENTARY FILM - VIETNAM WAR

The Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association Foundation, of which VEW Commander-in-Chief Al Lipphardt is a life member, is proud to present a 47 minute documentary film entitled "Truths and Myths About the Vietnam War," with introduction by actor Sam Elliott.

The purpose of the film is to honor those who served in the Vietnam War by providing factual information to address the decades of misinformation that have presented a skewed historical perspective of the war - a very important and long overdue film that presents the information and lessons learned that most Vietnam War veterans want reported about the war. Some of the truth we now know comes from Vietcong and North Vietnamese archives and other disclosures made available over the last 50 years since the war ended.

The film features Medal of Honor recipient Patrick H. Brady and seven historians including five of the six historians featured on the Fox Nation documentary films entitled "The Unauthorized History of the Vietnam War" moderated by Bret Baier. Two of the seven historians are Distinguished Fellows at the University of Virginia School of Law.

The film has been seen by many veterans of the war and generated considerable enthusiasm. Many consider the film to be the best-ever produced about the war.

We are a very credible veteran organization and were recently made honorary partners with the Vietnam War Commemoration Office at the Department of Defense. The film was shown at the National Infantry Museum on March 29 National Vietnam Veterans Day- and on Georgia Public Broadcasting on May 27, Memorial Day.

We consider the film to be our enduring legacy for future generations. To view or download the film, go to the website AVVBA.org. Submitted by James Dickson with the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association Foundation.

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COINS ON A HEADSTONE

Did you know?

A penny: You stopped by and paid your respects

A nickel: You attended boot camp together

A dime: You served together

A quarter: You were there when they were killed.