Richie Reese was a regular at Monaghans in the evening along with Lanny Beal and Richard Seipp and myself. He was a wonderful person, always a joy to talk with. He will be missed.
From my perspective, Richie Reese was my best friend. I don't remember how we met, but we hit it off and shared more interests than most brothers. I recall spending many Saturday nights with Richie playing pool til dawn in poolhalls from Richie Highway to Liberty Heights and Garrison Boulivard. As crazy as it sounds now, I also recall spending more than a few nights at the Glen Burnie dump shooting rats with a .22 rifle. It was a guy thing. It was not uncommon for Richie to be in my backyard at 6 o'clock on a Sunday morning, throwing pebbles against my bedroom window to tell me to get up a go swimming with him at the Granite quarry. That was Richie. Richie was a natural athlete, who loved playing sports. He excelled at softball and played several years in ther adult leagues. Richie's idea of a good game was beating the opponent and then drinking their beer. We went on many "double dates" to the Edmonson Drive-In and Champs in Richie's "Gray Ghost", which was a gray 4-door Ford station wagon. In 1965, Richie joined the Army and went on to "Jump School" after bootcamp to become a paratrooper. When I was going through boot camp at Parris Island in 1966, Richie made a point of sending me several letters written on Army Airborne stationary including a few derogatory comments about the Marines written on the outside of the envelope. My drill instructors weren't impressed. What are friends for? Richie was deployed to Vietnam in 1966 and served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Central Highlands. His Unit fought in the battles for Hill 875 and again at Dak To, earning him the Army's coveted "Combat Infantryman's Badge". Richie served with distinction and was discharged in 1968 after attaining the rank of Sergeant. Years later, several of our brother Woodlawn alumnists met at Monahan's and rode the train from Baltimore to D.C. for the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial. Richie and I sat next to each other on the train and talked about old times and not about Vietnam. I was best man at Richie and Ann's (Luers) wedding. As our families grew and job demands and children took over our lives, we went separate ways. We did always remain best friends. Semper Fi Brother, Randy Russin
Randy, I wept as I read your memory of Richie, few people take the time to share their feelings, memories and inside stories of those who have touched their lives. I only knew Richie thru school and always loved being in his company, my memories are sparked and touched by your mesage. Thank you for sharing. Look forward to seeing you soon. Sharon
To: Randy Russin: Randy, whould you believe Ritchie and I actually ran into one another in Vietnam ? I was in the Combat Engineers assigned to the 173rd for a time. We literally walked right past one another stopped, turned around and stared at each other with stupid grins on our faces. We spent that evening drinking to excess and reliving past doings. As I was a "short timer" by then we discussed this place and that (in Vietnam) and finally parted not knowing when we would see each other again. Turns out the next meeting was .... you guessed it.... in Monaghans!! Ritchie died on Super Bowl Sunday I believe in 2001. The Ravens beat the Giants. He died in my Parents house on Park Place. He was living there with Lanny Beale and Ray J. Strange but true ! He was a wonderful (and wacky guy). He never forgave me for getting ready to return to the World when he was just starting his Tour. Actually, he must have forgiven me as we partied many many times in the ensuing years. I miss him. Wink
Wink, What a coincidence. When I got off the plane and walked into the DaNang air facility as an FNG on day one, I didn't know a sole and didn't have a clue where I was going. Within minutes, I looked up and walked right into Ronnie Wilson (Class of 64). Ronnie was a Navy Corpsman, who had just completed his tour of duty with the Marine Corps and was going home on the same plane I came in on. We talked for a couple minutes and Ronnie wished me luck. Ronnie proceeded to his plane home and I proceeded to Dong Ha. I never met another person I knew during the rest of my tour. Small world. Randy
When I read the postings I remember the encounter in Vietnam with Wink and Richie. I found the picture of Wink, Richie and Schierling @ Bien Hoa, Vietnam June 11, 1967. I posted it under MISC WHS Photos. However, sometimes it shows that picture and sometimes Rolan & Pat Walton Kaun pictures...hope you can see it. I will email to Randy.
Diana Smith (Quinlan)
Charles Walter Smith
Reese was one crazy people ,sure am glad I was his friendMary Lubitz
Nice guy. We would meet up at Champs.
Michael Carski
Richie Reese was a regular at Monaghans in the evening along with Lanny Beal and Richard Seipp and myself. He was a wonderful person, always a joy to talk with. He will be missed.
Mike Carski
Randall Russin
From my perspective, Richie Reese was my best friend. I don't remember how we met, but we hit it off and shared more interests than most brothers. I recall spending many Saturday nights with Richie playing pool til dawn in poolhalls from Richie Highway to Liberty Heights and Garrison Boulivard. As crazy as it sounds now, I also recall spending more than a few nights at the Glen Burnie dump shooting rats with a .22 rifle. It was a guy thing. It was not uncommon for Richie to be in my backyard at 6 o'clock on a Sunday morning, throwing pebbles against my bedroom window to tell me to get up a go swimming with him at the Granite quarry. That was Richie. Richie was a natural athlete, who loved playing sports. He excelled at softball and played several years in ther adult leagues. Richie's idea of a good game was beating the opponent and then drinking their beer. We went on many "double dates" to the Edmonson Drive-In and Champs in Richie's "Gray Ghost", which was a gray 4-door Ford station wagon. In 1965, Richie joined the Army and went on to "Jump School" after bootcamp to become a paratrooper. When I was going through boot camp at Parris Island in 1966, Richie made a point of sending me several letters written on Army Airborne stationary including a few derogatory comments about the Marines written on the outside of the envelope. My drill instructors weren't impressed. What are friends for? Richie was deployed to Vietnam in 1966 and served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Central Highlands. His Unit fought in the battles for Hill 875 and again at Dak To, earning him the Army's coveted "Combat Infantryman's Badge". Richie served with distinction and was discharged in 1968 after attaining the rank of Sergeant. Years later, several of our brother Woodlawn alumnists met at Monahan's and rode the train from Baltimore to D.C. for the dedication of the Vietnam Memorial. Richie and I sat next to each other on the train and talked about old times and not about Vietnam. I was best man at Richie and Ann's (Luers) wedding. As our families grew and job demands and children took over our lives, we went separate ways. We did always remain best friends. Semper Fi Brother, Randy Russin
Sharon Ropka (Maben)
Randy, I wept as I read your memory of Richie, few people take the time to share their feelings, memories and inside stories of those who have touched their lives. I only knew Richie thru school and always loved being in his company, my memories are sparked and touched by your mesage. Thank you for sharing. Look forward to seeing you soon. Sharon
Charles Winkelman
To: Randy Russin: Randy, whould you believe Ritchie and I actually ran into one another in Vietnam ? I was in the Combat Engineers assigned to the 173rd for a time. We literally walked right past one another stopped, turned around and stared at each other with stupid grins on our faces. We spent that evening drinking to excess and reliving past doings. As I was a "short timer" by then we discussed this place and that (in Vietnam) and finally parted not knowing when we would see each other again. Turns out the next meeting was .... you guessed it.... in Monaghans!! Ritchie died on Super Bowl Sunday I believe in 2001. The Ravens beat the Giants. He died in my Parents house on Park Place. He was living there with Lanny Beale and Ray J. Strange but true ! He was a wonderful (and wacky guy). He never forgave me for getting ready to return to the World when he was just starting his Tour. Actually, he must have forgiven me as we partied many many times in the ensuing years. I miss him. Wink
Randall Russin
Wink, What a coincidence. When I got off the plane and walked into the DaNang air facility as an FNG on day one, I didn't know a sole and didn't have a clue where I was going. Within minutes, I looked up and walked right into Ronnie Wilson (Class of 64). Ronnie was a Navy Corpsman, who had just completed his tour of duty with the Marine Corps and was going home on the same plane I came in on. We talked for a couple minutes and Ronnie wished me luck. Ronnie proceeded to his plane home and I proceeded to Dong Ha. I never met another person I knew during the rest of my tour. Small world. Randy
Jane Mahoney
Richie was the best!
When I read the postings I remember the encounter in Vietnam with Wink and Richie. I found the picture of Wink, Richie and Schierling @ Bien Hoa, Vietnam June 11, 1967. I posted it under MISC WHS Photos. However, sometimes it shows that picture and sometimes Rolan & Pat Walton Kaun pictures...hope you can see it. I will email to Randy.
Thomas Gell
I apologize for my previous comment on Richie which I deleted. I had Richie confused with someone else. (Kathi Gell - Tom's wife).