News / Events

News

News and updates

Keeping the legacy alive

From honoring our fallen brothers to celebrating the achievements of our members and commemorating historic battles, this is where the 1/9 community stays connected, informed, and engaged.

Podcast

November 2, 2026

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E6: Surviving Operation Buffalo at Con Thien

Ed Stanley and Freddy Garcia recount July 2, 1967, the first day of Operation Buffalo at Con Thien.

Event

September 15, 2026

2026 Reunion Photo Gallery

Photos from the 2026 National Reunion in Washington, D.C.

Proud Warrior

August 29, 2026

GySgt Eric D. Currier

GySgt Eric Currier traces his path from combat engineer training and deployments in Iraq to his service as a squad leader with 1st Battalion, 9th Marines.

Proud Warrior

August 22, 2026

James and Elvira Vierstra tell the story of a family shaped by service, hardship, and the enduring brotherhood of 1/9, from losing their home in a fire to watching three sons earn the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.

Proud Warrior

August 15, 2026

Still in the Fight

Veteran support advocate Kaylieann Keith reflects on trauma, resilience, and the role brotherhood can still play in helping 1/9 Marines find connection, dignity, and peace.

Proud Warrior

August 8, 2026

Tim Leonardo

Sixteen Marines shared seven months of relentless combat in Afghanistan and refused to let time scatter them afterward. Their story shows how connection is maintained and why isolation carries a cost.

Event

August 8, 2026

The Walking Dead Is Alive and Well

At the 2026 Reunion, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps spoke to what makes 1/9 different: we still show up for each other.

Event

August 7, 2026

Honoring Our Brothers at Arlington and the Wall

At Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the 2026 Reunion stood with the men who are still part of 1/9.

Proud Warrior

August 1, 2026

Roger’s Vision

What began with five newsletters became a national brotherhood. The story of Roger Liggon reveals how one Marine’s refusal to lose touch with his brothers built a legacy of connection, healing, and support.

Event

June 10, 2026

Reconnect: Why We Gather

RECONNECT, our 2026 reunion, brings the brotherhood home for five days in Washington, D.C.

Announcements

June 6, 2026

A 1/9 Marine Needs Our Help: The Deetz Family

A house fire destroyed the home of Chris Deetz, who served with 1/9 in Iraq and with the 24th MEU. A fundraiser is helping the family start over.

Announcements

June 4, 2026

Lt. Col. Kenneth Tarr to Speak at the Marine Corps Museum

One of our own will address the 1/9 community at the National Museum of the Marine Corps during the 2026 Reunion.

Announcements

May 1, 2026

SgtMaj of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz to Keynote 2026 Reunion Banquet

The 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps accepted our invitation to be guest speaker at the 2026 Reunion banquet.

Event

August 14, 2025

Texas Mini Reunion 2025

All 1/9ers are welcome in Onalaska, Texas, September 19–21, 2025, for a mini reunion hosted by Jim Stogner.

Event

August 4, 2025

Marines Don’t Age Quietly: 250th Birthday Bash in Oceanside

The 250th Marine Corps Birthday Bash comes to Belching Beaver Brewery in Oceanside, CA, on November 1, 2025.

Scholarships

May 21, 2025

Scholarships Now Open

Applications for the 2025 scholarships closed June 30, 2025.

Event

May 20, 2025

Doc Fink to Speak at Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day

Doc Fink, a Navy Corpsman with 1/9 in Vietnam, delivers the keynote at the Riverside National Cemetery Memorial Day program.

Press Release

May 20, 2025

Volunteer Opportunities

How to step up, share your skills, and serve with 1/9 Association committees.

Announcements

May 19, 2025

Our New Logo and Brand: What Changed and Why

1/9 Association has a new logo and brand. Here is what changed, what stayed, and why.

Announcements

April 18, 2025

The Walking Dead Lives: Help Us Tell the Story

The Proud Warrior becomes a full-length printed magazine, and we want your voice in it.

Announcements

February 1, 2025

January 2025 Newsletter

Updates on our finances, membership growth, rebranding, and new initiatives.

Podcast

January 5, 2025

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E5: Vietnam: The Stories We Carry

Bernie and Andy recount their experiences in Vietnam and the stories they’ve carried.

Announcements

January 2, 2025

Hurricane Helene Relief: The 1/9 Community Stepped Up

When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, the 1/9 community took action. 24 donors gave $8,700, and the Hunt family got help to the people who needed it.

Proud Warrior

December 31, 2024

December 2024 Proud Warrior

The December 2024 edition of the Proud Warrior.

Podcast

November 23, 2024

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E4: Hawthorne’s Tragedy

Tina Ripperda shares her story of loss and healing with 1/9 veteran Michael Saxton.

Podcast

October 30, 2024

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E3: Battle for Hill 64

Rod Fink and Rich Lissy recount the events at Hill 64.

Podcast

October 16, 2024

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E2: Surviving Con Thien

Ray Linebaugh and Rod Fink share their stories from the Battle of Con Thien.

Proud Warrior

October 6, 2024

September 2024 Proud Warrior

The September 2024 edition of the Proud Warrior.

Announcements

October 4, 2024

Hurricane Helene Relief Effort

1/9 Association launches a relief campaign for communities in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.

Announcements

October 2, 2024

The 1/9 Member Directory Is Here

A new Interactive Member Directory helps 1/9 members find and connect with each other.

Podcast

October 1, 2024

The Walking Dead Podcast Launch

Introducing The Walking Dead Podcast, recorded at the 2024 National Reunion in San Diego.

Event

September 1, 2024

2024 Reunion Photo Gallery

Photos from the 2024 National Reunion in San Diego, by Three Feathers Photography.

Press Release

August 13, 2024

Corporal Daniel Leroy Heller's Navy Cross Ceremony on August 28, 2024

Corporal Daniel Leroy Heller receives the Navy Cross for his actions during Operation Dewey Canyon.

Announcements

April 27, 2024

April 2024 Newsletter

Updates on the upcoming reunion, elections, and our new Local Coordinator roles.

Proud Warrior

March 30, 2024

March 2024 Proud Warrior

The March 2024 edition of the Proud Warrior.

Press Release

March 29, 2024

2023 Annual Report

A look back at the Association’s work in 2023.

Proud Warrior

December 24, 2023

December 2023 Proud Warrior

The December 2023 edition of the Proud Warrior.

Proud Warrior

September 15, 2023

September 2023 Proud Warrior

The September 2023 edition of the Proud Warrior honors Woody Postle.

Press Release

September 12, 2023

Charting a New Course: Our Strategic Plan

The Association approves a new Strategic Plan, shaped by a member survey.

Announcements

August 23, 2023

2023 Live Member Discussion Schedule

Dates for our 2023 live member discussions.

History

December 2, 2022

National Archives Collection

Photos from the Vietnam tour of 1/9, restored by Doc Fink from the National Archives.

Event

July 22, 2022

1/9 Deactivation Ceremony

The Vietnam veterans of 1/9 honored the Walking Dead Marines at their 2014 deactivation ceremony.

Event

August 20, 2018

2018 Reunion Highlight Reel

Highlights from the 2018 reunion, captured by New Media Systems.

Event

August 19, 2018

Secretary Mattis Speech 2018 1/9 Reunion

Secretary Mattis delivers the keynote speech at our 2018 reunion.

Event

February 17, 2018

Camp Horno Memorial Crosses

1/9 veterans gathered at Camp Horno to honor fallen brothers, in stories told through photographs.

News

Keeping the legacy alive

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E6: Surviving Operation Buffalo at Con Thien

2026 Reunion Photo Gallery

GySgt Eric D. Currier

Family Legacy

Still in the Fight

Tim Leonardo

The Walking Dead Is Alive and Well

Honoring Our Brothers at Arlington and the Wall

Roger’s Vision

Reconnect: Why We Gather

A 1/9 Marine Needs Our Help: The Deetz Family

Lt. Col. Kenneth Tarr to Speak at the Marine Corps Museum

SgtMaj of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz to Keynote 2026 Reunion Banquet

Texas Mini Reunion 2025

Marines Don’t Age Quietly: 250th Birthday Bash in Oceanside

Scholarships Now Open

Doc Fink to Speak at Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day

Volunteer Opportunities

Our New Logo and Brand: What Changed and Why

The Walking Dead Lives: Help Us Tell the Story

January 2025 Newsletter

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E5: Vietnam: The Stories We Carry

Hurricane Helene Relief: The 1/9 Community Stepped Up

December 2024 Proud Warrior

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E4: Hawthorne’s Tragedy

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E3: Battle for Hill 64

The Walking Dead Podcast S1E2: Surviving Con Thien

September 2024 Proud Warrior

Hurricane Helene Relief Effort

The 1/9 Member Directory Is Here

The Walking Dead Podcast Launch

2024 Reunion Photo Gallery

Corporal Daniel Leroy Heller's Navy Cross Ceremony on August 28, 2024

April 2024 Newsletter

March 2024 Proud Warrior

2023 Annual Report

December 2023 Proud Warrior

September 2023 Proud Warrior

Charting a New Course: Our Strategic Plan

2023 Live Member Discussion Schedule

National Archives Collection

1/9 Deactivation Ceremony

2018 Reunion Highlight Reel

Secretary Mattis Speech 2018 1/9 Reunion

Camp Horno Memorial Crosses