Who We Are
We are Marine Corps veterans who served at Clarksville Base during the height of the Cold War. Clarksville Base, or "The Birdcage", was one of fourteen facilities around the US designed to store, modify and deliver atomic weapons to meet any threat from the Soviet Union. According to the historian of the Ft. Campbell Museum, the Birdcage was #3 on the "top ten" target list for Soviet inter-continental ballistic missiles.
Marines were assigned the mission of providing security for the base between 1952 and 1969 when it was permanently closed. Marines on duty carried live ammunition with rounds chambered to meet any threat to the base. People were not permitted to stop, loiter or photograph anywhere near the perimeter of the base.Those who tried to do so were quickly warned off by alert sentries.The Marines took their jobs very seriously and there are numerous anecdotal accounts of shots being fired by sentries.
The security of the base was never breached while the Marines were posted at Clarksville Base.
Seventh Reunion Report (updated 27 April 09)
Nearly 80 Marines and spouses gathered at Parris Island, SC for the Seventh Birdcage Marine reunion. Arrivals on Thursday spent the evening in conversation about their “Cage” days and catching up on the past 50 or so years. Several Cagers attended for the first time
Friday morning, we car-pooled out to Parris Island to watch the day’s graduation ceremonies for 600 Marines of the Second and Fourth Battalions. Graduations have changed radically from the “Old Corps” days and now include formal parades, and a Family Day the day before graduation. One person estimated the audience to be 5,000. It was impressive and the troops conducted themselves well. We were all proud that the USMC tradition has not been eroded.
Following graduation ceremonies, we had chow at H&S Battalion, then visited the Museum and gift shop. Some made a PX stop before returning to the hotel to prepare for dinner at the “O” club on Marine Corps Air Station—Beaufort. The weather was perfect—mid-eighties and sunny.
After enjoying the “O” Club’s full buffet dinner, our own celebrated author LtCol.Tom McKenney was gracious enough to speak to us about the history of the Marine Corps Receiving Barracks at Yemassee, SC. He recalled that wooden building where some of us were introduced to the Marine Corps—rather abruptly. Tom has written extensively on Marine Corps history and recently published a historical work entitled “Jack Hinson’s One Man War:” through Pelican Books. Our scheduled speaker, S/Sgt. Chuck Taliano, could not be with us due to a health situation, so thanks to Col. McKenney for filling in on VERY short notice.
On Saturday, we were free to explore the historic Beaufort area and generally relax before the evening’s dinner at the Amvets Club. We were treated to a finger lickin’ good meal of BBQ ribs and chicken with all the trimmings by Sticky Fingers catering. Concluding both meals, specially decorated cakes were ceremonially cut by Jim and Cass Shipley (Friday) and Col. Baker (it was his birthday) on Saturday. We shared some of our Birdcage memories with the group with all having the opportunity to speak. A good many door prizes were awarded. They ranged from items donated by Sgt. Grit, and bottles of Jarhead Red wine to handmade USMC insignia. The only tickets sold were to raise funds for the Wounded Warriors which helps the wounded and their families cope.
Bob Evilsizer and Bill Yates volunteered to lead the 2010 edition of reunion. As they work on the development of that event, they will be in touch with us.