Welcome to the many new individuals on this update list. For the benefit of the first timers receiving this update, this email list is to be used exclusively for the passing of information concerning the Montford Point Marine Association. Please do not forward the names on this list for any other purpose. Please do forward this information to anyone you determine appropriate. Because it is so late in the month, this update will serve as the July and August update.
It is my great honor to inform those who were not at the convention, or have not been informed, that I have been elected as your National President. In a very classy gesture, Past National President Nathaniel James conceded the election on the first day of business meetings. Nathaniel thanked his wife Judy for her six years of support as he led our Organization out of near bankruptcy into financial solvency. This has been the smoothest transfer of the National Presidency that I have seen in my 18 years with the Association. I have attached a letter of my goals and objectives that, with you help, I would like to accomplish during my time as your spokesperson for the Association. We have a lot of work ahead and I am confident that with your new National Vice President, Mike Johnson from the LA Chapter, we can reach new highs in our Association. Please read over the attached carefully, it was written with great care and will serve as my guide as I begin a journey that was forecasted years ago by my mentor, Brooks Gray.
The first question that I get from many is “how can I help?” The very first thing you can do is to become current in your membership. We can only be as strong as our membership. Many of you have been supporters for years, but have not become official members. I encourage you all to become members of your chapter of choice, or a member-at-large. While we are more financially sound then we were six years ago, we have a long way to go before we have enough capital to fulfill our goals. I have also attached a membership application in this update. Please fill free to tailor this application to fit your individual Chapter needs. Our membership year runs from 31 August – 1 September. This means that membership dues are due for individuals who are paying annually. Recruiting new members is of course the Lifeblood of our Association and cannot be emphasized enough. Please do not put off any longer renewing or becoming current in your membership. ‘Nuff said.
Like Brooks Gray, I firmly believe in communicating with the masses and for those whom I regularly send packages to, some stamps would be greatly appreciated. Please do not send me any money or checks to me personally, but a few stamps, of any denomination, would help. All current Presidential Appointees will remain in place. After the convention reports are in, I will look at appointees and make decisions if there are to be changes.
Because Mike Johnson had to resign his position as National Sergeant-at-Arms after being elected National Vice President, I will appoint Chicago Chapter Vice President Racine “Tree” Wilson to fill that position until the current term expires in July 2006. I have known Tree for over 22 years and he has actively participated in the past four National Conventions. I am confident he will fill this position adequately until election 2006.
Convention 2005 Convention 2005 was a huge success! Special thanks go to local convention coordinator, Chicago Chapter President, Norman Payne and his entire crew of workers. They all worked tirelessly to ensure every logistical matter down to the last detail went smoothly. Some highlights of the convention:
We received a detailed update on the documentary film on Montford Point. Brief was conducted by Dr. Clarence Willie, a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel and Superintendent of the School District of Fairfield County, SC. Lieutenant Colonel Willie was instrumental in securing the $500,000.00 grant from Congress and is dedicated to ensure we make a quality Documentary about the Montford Pointers. Target date for release is Convention 2006 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. A group picture of the convention group at the Chicago Hyatt Hotel. Picture is available for $12.00 which includes shipping and handling. Please contact me with your picture requests. A spectacular banquet in which nearly 80 Original Montford Pointers were in attendance. Admiral Anthony L. Winns, Deputy Director, Air Warfare at the Pentagon was our guest speaker. Also, Major General select Walter Gaskin gave opening remarks. General Gaskin also expressed the need for qualified persons to sign up or renew their membership. General Gaskin proudly showed his membership card to the audience. Also in attendance were US Congressman Danny Davis and a host of other local and state dignitaries. Besides the election of the National President and Vice President, the body voted re-election of incumbent officers; National Recording Secretary, Regina Lawrence and National Financial Secretary, David Fortune. Regional Vice President Charles Stallard was elected as our National Treasurer, defeating the incumbent Houston Shinal. The New York Chapter captured the Queen’s title from Chicago. Our new Queen, Mayrin Anton, raised over $5,998.00 for our Scholarship and Operating Expense funds!!!! Chicago’s Mary Carol Randall was second with $5,388.00 and Camp Lejuene’s Former National Queen, Joneita Carroll was 3rd, she raised over $3,000.00. This year’s Queens Contest grossed over $30,000.00 for the Association! Thanks to all who assisted in reaching this milestone! The raffle winners were; 1st place ($2,500.00) Adilah Younkins of Chicago, ticket sold by Gus Willis. 2d place ($500.00) James Stewart of Maryland #28, ticket sold by James Stewart. 3rd Place ($200.00) Bobby Taylor of Indianapolis, ticket sold by N. Blunt. Congratulations to all the winners! Chicago Chapter #2 received Chapter of the Year honors. Man of the Year went to A. “Sonny” Griffin and Jesse Hampton. James Calendar award went to Colonel Anselm J. Dyer The Semper Fidelis Award went to National Financial Secretary David Fortune (Philly) and to Howard Neal (Chicago). Woman of the Year went to Rochelle Crump (Chicago). Lester Granger Award went to Effie Wilson (Chicago) 2004 Hall of Fame inductees were: Joe Davis, LtCol Joe Montgomery, Wendell R. Ferguson, Harry Hamilton, Norman Payne, Johnny Washington, John Vanoy and Posthumously to O’ther (Special) Givens, our 2d National President & John T. Covington Past National Vice President, Elijah Abram received a long overdue award for his seven years serving as National Vice President.
Miscellaneous
Please see your local Chapter President for copies of all the reports that were submitted during the convention. The site of Convention 2006 will be Camp Lejeune. Detailed information about Spring Council 2006 & Convention 2006 will be passed as soon as it is available.
Mr. J.D. Lewis, Jr., who was a Montford Point Marine, recently, had the Garner Road YMCA name a new building in his honor. He was one of the first black broadcasters in radio, and television in this country. We have a received a DVD from Mr. Clarence Williams, Program Director from WRAL-TV detailing Mr. Lewis’ story. Mr. Lewis is 86 years old and lives in Goldsboro, N.C
Mahoning County (Youngstown) in Ohio is currently seeking the names of African American Veterans from Ohio to be included in a War Memorial they are building. Please contact Anthony Feldes at 330-559-7590 for more information.
For those interested in obtaining the new Silver Dollar celebrating the 230th anniversary of our Corps, please click on this link. http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/commemoratives/index.cfm?flash=yes&action=Marine
Members of the New York Chapter recently help ring the bell at the NY Stock Exchange. Please click on The below link for the pix. On the left is Chapter Financial Secretary James Maillard, on the Bell is Exec Dir Veterans Affairs & Chapter Member Clarice Joynes, MGySgt James Carr is in the back row, far right. http://www.nyse.com/Frameset.html?displayPage=/events/1120128534226.html
Members are reminded to contact National Chaplin Reverend James Moore IMMEDIATELY upon learning of the death of a Montford Pointer or MPMA Association member. Reverend Moore would like to timely contact the family upon hearing of a death. Even if we are notified late, please contact Reverend Moore as soon as possible. Reverend Moore can be reached at 843-525-1161 or james.moore@usmc.mil .
Marine Corps Ball Celebrations Chapters are reminded to submit request for guest speakers for their annual balls/banquets and events early to ensure you get your speaker of choice. Requests should be submitted to the speaker in writing, detailing all the particulars about the event. Request for National Officers should include whether the Chapter is reimbursing travel, lodging, etc… Again, the Ball Season is an excellent opportunity to educate Marines and others about the Montford Pointers. For those located near Marine Commands, request special recognition be given to the Montford Pointers during these events. Please inform both the National Public Relations Officer, Carmen Cordoba, cordobac@aol.com 703-784-6407, and National Recording Secretary, Regina Lawrence, reginab@aol.com 804-279-3589, the particulars of birthday celebrations and any other activities in your area.
In Search of: Quartense Jett Wade, the Widow of George Jett who served with the 52nd Defense Battalion in the Pacific from September 1944 to 26 March 1946, is looking for anyone who served with her husband. Marine Jett was a radar operator. If you know of anyone who served with Marine Jett, please contact me and I’ll put you in touch with his widow.
Kudos Master Gunnery Sergeant John Hood, MPMA Convention Banquet Director. The Masterguns was given a Special Award for his diligent work in ensuring our Banquet was properly conducted with all appropriate protocol. Masterguns quietly has been going about this duty for the past three conventions and we really appreciate his help. Thanks Masterguns for your continued support!!!
Past National President Gene Doughty will be a guest panelist at the International Conference on World War II October 5-9 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Gene will speak on 5 October from 4:00- 5:30 pm on his experiences as one of the first Black Marines and his combat time on Iwo Jima. For more information on this convention, please visit www.ww2confernce.org.
Major General Cornell A. Wilson Jr. relinquished command of II MACE, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on 15 July 2005. The General’s next assignment will be at Headquarters Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia, as the Director of Reserve Affairs.
Brigadier General Anthony L. Jackson was recently frocked to his current rank and is serving as the Deputy Commanding General of US Marine Corps Central Command. Please click on the link for pictures; http://www.duplainjm.fotki.com/archive/marines/bgen_jacksons_frock/bgenjackson052005_17.html
General Jackson served as the Commandant’s Equal Opportunity Advisor and was instrumental in allowing me to serve as a Equal Opportunity Advisor my last six years on active duty. CONGRATULATIONS GENERAL!
Convention Standing Operating Procedures The Convention SOP has been sent to each member of the Executive Council for review. Convention SOP draft was not sent to those chapters who have not had representation at the last two conventions/Spring Councils. If I missed a chapter, or a member of the NEC, please contact me separately for a copy. It is my intent to conduct a telephonic Fall Council as directed by our by-laws. During this council we will discuss the recommended changes to the Convention SOP and vote on those changes at the 2006 Spring Council. Please connect with your Chapter Presidents or Regional Vice Presidents if you want a say in how the convention is run. We are now accepting tentative bids for Convention 2007.
Dining out with Major General Clifford Stanley The Staff Non-Commissioned Officers of the beltway area will host a Dining Out on Saturday the 27th of August 2005 at the Spates Community Club, 214 McNair Road, Arlington, Virginia. The Guest of Honor is Major General retired Clifford L. Stanley. The cost for Field Grade Officers is $50.00, Company Grade (Blue Dress Alpha) $40.00, SNCO (Evening Dress) $40.00, Civilian (gentlemen, black tie, ladies, formal attire) $40.00. All checks should be received NLT August 5th. Checks should be made payable to: “Bernard H. Colebrook Order of the Sword” Please mail checks to;
Bernard H. Colebrook Post Office Box 234 Quantico, VA 22134-0234. Tickets may be fully refunded if cancelled by 4:00PM July 15th. The point of contact is Bernard H. Colebrook (work) 202-874-5311 (home) 540-720-2633 or email; Bernard.colebrook@occ.treas.gov . Proceeds from the Dining Out will be used for Scholarship America “Dollars for Scholarship”
As always, please continue to check our official website for more information through the Association at www.montfordpointmarines.com or www.mpma28.com or http://www.mpmanyc.com or 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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