First, a very Happy New Year to you all!! 2005 has proven to be a pivotal year for our Association. Your National Executive Council has been extremely busy preparing for the 2006 Spring Council and National Convention. The Museum Director has been working with the folks putting the final touches on our Documentary film and Chapters have been very busy closing out their calendar year events. As always, please do forward this email to supporters and members that may not be on my email listing.
230th Marine Corps Birthday Celebrations: Many Chapters sponsored a Marine Corps Birthday celebration this past year. I was fortunate to attend both the Philadelphia and DC # 6 celebrations. Both celebrations were expertly planned and executed. Brigadier General Ronald Coleman was the guest speaker at the Philadelphia Ball and he gave a rousing speech about the contributions of the Montford Pointers. Originally from Darby, PA, the General had about 20 family members and friends in the audience. The Mayor of Darby, PA presented the General with a Proclamation and he received a host of other awards and gifts during the celebration.
The 15th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, John Estrada, spoke at the DC-6 Ball which was well attended by many active duty Marines. During this DC-6 Ball I had the great honor of awarding a Chapter Charter to the reestablished Quantico Chapter and its President, CWO-3 James Averhart. I also attended a Veterans Day celebration in the DC area that was coordinated by Senior Regional Vice President Rueben McNair. That same evening I attended the Quantico Chapter’s first Social event at the American Legion in Quantico Virginia. That chapter has been partnering with both the DC-6 Chapter and the Quantico National Naval Officer Association to get the word out about our Pioneering Heroes. We are looking forward to great advancements for the Quantico Chapter.
In addition to the Marine Corps Birthday celebrations in NY and LA, the Columbia, South Carolina and the Jacksonville, FL chapters also held celebrations that were well attended. Chapters are reminded to not only give the National Public Relations Officers, Carmen Cordoba, advance notice of these and other events, but to supply both Carmen and myself with a synopsis of the event.
Some upcoming events of interest are;
PI LAMBDA LAMBDA Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc presents the 1st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Breakfast on Friday, January 15th, 2006 beginning at 8:00 AM at the Clubs at Quantico, Marine Corps Base Quantico. Tickets are $10.00 and must be purchased in advance. Major General retired Leo V. Williams III will be the guest speaker. For tickets and information, please contact Major Reginald Hairston hairstonrl1@mccdc.usmc.mil or 703-784-6663 or Brother Dwayne Patton misterqleanque@aol.com or 540-659-1119.
Black History Month Program: The Association has the opportunity to send representatives to Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas to be recognized by the Historically Black Colleges and Universities during Black History Month the weekend of 24-25 February 2006. Events include a reception where HBCU Presidents, Senior Department of Defense Leaders and elected officials will convene and mingle. Scheduled to attend are original Montford Pointers, Lieutenant Colonel ret Joseph Carpenter, 1stSgt retired Barnett Person, Ellis Cunningham and Jack McDowell and I. Special thanks to Air Force Major Marvin R. Jordan, Deputy Director, Military Equal Opportunity, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for reaching out to the Association for participation. Also, very special thanks to a dear friend of the Association, James Love, Office of the Secretary of Defense for pointing the Major our direction.
Quantico Black History Month Dinner Program: Will be held on Saturday, 25 February 2006 at the Clubs of Quantico starting at 5:00 PM. This has proven to be the premier Black History Month event in the Greater DC area over the past 6 years. I have attended the past four events to present a gift from the Association to the Guest Speaker. Last year we had a major display and at least a dozen members at the event. Mrs. Betty Currie, Secretary to President Bill Clinton, Retired Civil Service Employee and Political Activist, will be the featured speaker. Tickets are $40.00 for adults and $15.00 for children under 10 years. For ticket information, please contact retired Master Sergeant Bill Jones at home 540-548-1203 or at work 301-342-8263 (DSN 342). Bill can also be reached via email at William.e.jones@navy.mil or joneswe5@yahoo.com. Please get your tickets early; this event sells out every year!
The Metro-Missouri Chapter, St Louis, MO: Will host their Ninth Chosen Few Memorial Banquet on Saturday, 11 February 2006. Banquet will be held at the St. Louis Airport-Marriot Hotel (314-423-9700 or 800-228-9290). For further information, please contact Bill Washington at 314-997-0374 or William Washington Jr. at 314-524-5296.
Camp Lejeune, Chapter #10: Will have their Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Black and White Ball on Saturday, 14 January 2006 beginning with 6:00 PM cocktails at their clubhouse in Jacksonville. Tickets for this event are $25.00 each. Colonel Adele Hodges, slated Commanding Officer MCB Camp Lejeune will be their guest speaker. Colonel Hodges is scheduled to take Command on 23 January 2006. For tickets and more information, please call the Camp Lejeune, Chapter #10 clubhouse at 910-355-1900.
Camp Lejeune, Chapter #10: Will hold their Heritage Dance on Saturday, 25 February 2006 beginning with cocktails at 6:00 PM in their clubhouse. Camp Johnson (Montford Point) Commanding Officer, Colonel Grover Lewis will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $20.00 each and can be ordered by calling the clubhouse at 910-355-1900. Both of these events regularly sell out so please call the clubhouse very soon for tickets and more information.
Chapters are encouraged to ensure the Montford Pointers are included in Black History Month Programs scheduled in your area. Sometimes just a mention from the Master of Ceremonies of the presence of a Montford Pointer is enough to generate interest in our Association. Be proactive and take full advantage of these and other opportunities to put our Association in the news.
Kudos and General Officer happenings:
Major General retired J. Gary Cooper was featured in the recent Magazine of the National Naval Officers Association for his very active role with the NNOA and the local community in Mobile, Alabama. General Cooper’s current efforts to ensure the story of Lieutenant General Frank Petersen is told to the masses has been gaining momentum across the Corps and the Country. General Cooper is also very aggressively working to establish a Chapter of the MPMA in Mobile, Alabama. AT age 69, the General refuses to slow down and we are very grateful to him! Please visit the following link for more information about General Petersen; http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3738/is_199812/ai_n8812542
Biography -- Lieutenant General (Retired) Frank E. Petersen: http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/7E9AFECA0598EEA185256A40007188C5?opendocument
Welcome aboard to John Hopkins, Commandant of the Palmetto Marine Detachment #829 of the Marine Corps League. Marine Hopkins was named the 2005 National Marine of the Year at the 82nd Marine Corps League National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Marine Hopkins is a retired Major and recently became a life member of the Association! We are fortunate to have a Marine of John’s caliber in our ranks!
Also, welcome aboard recently to Former Gunnery Sergeant Ernest Branch of Boston, MA. The Gunny is also working to establish a MPMA Chapter in the Boston area! Keep up the good work Guns!!
Retired Sergeant Major Lonnie Long has also reestablished his membership with the Association. Sergeant Major Long was one of many retirees who help guide my career in the early 90s while I was stationed at MCRD, San Diego
ROTC Cadet Captain Josh Jackson of Romeoville, HS, just outside Chicago, IL will be the 2006 recipient of the MPMA Leadership Award at ceremonies on 18 May 2006. This award will be presented by our National Sergeant-at-Arms, Master Sergeant retired, Racine Wilson during their Awards Program.
To the New York-Metropolitan Chapter for their work with the local Marine Reserve Unit to collect Toys-for-Tots for needed children in the New York Area. Chapters are encouraged to establish a relationship with local Reserve Units to provide this much needed assistance to families and to gain exposure for the Association.
Spring Council: The dates for the Spring Council have been set. The Council will be held in Jacksonville, North Carolina April 6th-9th 2006 with the 6th and the 9th being travel days. Hotel information: 22 rooms have been reserved at the Conference Suites. The number is 910-346-8900 and the room rate is $71.00 plus taxes.
Convention 2006: Convention 2006 will also be in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Dates are July 26th through the 30th with the 26th and 30th as travel days. Past President Nathaniel James and the members of Chapter #10 are working hard to finalize events. Along with the Conference Suites, the Holiday Inn, 910-347-1900 $85.00 plus taxes and the Innkeeper, 910-938-0800 $71.00 plus taxes have been reserved. Please make your reservations for both early. Please note that the incorrect dates have been printed in previous updates, these are the correct dates.
NAACP National Convention: Will be held from 15-20 July 2006 in Washington, DC at the Washington Convention Center. More information will be passed as it is received. We scheduled our National Convention purposely not to conflict with the NAACP. To receive a registration for the Convention call 410-580-5780 and leave your full name and complete mailing address. Please visit www.naacp.org for the latest information with the NAACP.
Convention 2007: We are still looking for a Convention site for Convention 2007. Chapters are asked to work together for a possible joint convention and to also look into non-chapter sites. It is important to have a site locked down at the Spring Council. If your Chapter is interested, please be prepared to present to the National Executive Council at the Spring Council.
Appointments: I have made two appointments; the first to Lieutenant Colonel retired Joseph Carpenter as our National Historian. The Colonel worked diligently on a Power Point Presentation he presents to veteran and civic organizations throughout his travels. I have also appointed Past National President, Nathaniel James as our Convention Director. Nat brings his experience from the past six conventions, one of which his chapter hosted, to this post. I am confident these two long time members will bring credit to the offices appointed. Congratulations to you both!
2006 Queens Contest Tickets: Chapters should have received their compliment of Queens Raffle Tickets to sell by now. The Queens Contest is our premier National Fundraiser. Besides raising money for our National Scholarship commitment and to help with operating costs, this fundraiser should be viewed as an excellent opportunity to raise money and awareness of our individual chapters. Chapters are required to raise a minimum of $500.00 each to remain financial with the National Office. Chapters that are not financial will not have any voting privileges at the National Spring Council or National Convention. Tickets are $1.00 each for a grand prize of $2500.00 cash with 2d place receiving$ 500.00 and 3rd place getting $300.00. Please see your chapter representative for tickets or Chapter Presidents only, contact National Special Projects Officer George Herring at 619-266-8180
National Chaplain: Reverend James Moore (Sergeant Major retired) reminds us to contact him immediately upon the death or notification of grave illness of a member. Reverend Moore may be reached at home at; (843) 846-0881 or via email at; james.moore@usmc.mil
National Quartermaster: National Quartermaster, Elijah Abram still has the 40th MPMA Association Commemorative Coins for sale. Coins are only $8.00 plus shipping and handling. Abe also has the official MPMA patch that can be either worn or displayed. Patches are $10.00 each. Please contact Abe at 843-838-5475 or for more details. Coins make a great presentation to speakers and folks that have contributed to your Chapter’s mission.
As always, please continue to check our official website for more information through the Association at www.montfordpointmarines.com . Please also check chapter sites at: www.mpma28.com , http://www.mpmanyc.com and www.montfordpointchicagochapter2.org
Please continue to do all that you do to Preserve the Legacy of our heroes!
Semper Fidelis!
Joe Geeter Master Gunnery Sergeant (retired) National President Montford Point Marine Association 27 Red Tail Court Limerick, PA 19468 geeterj@yahoo.com 610-495-3619
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