Montford Point Marine Association Inc. National Update September 2006 Fellow members, friends,
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.
Documentary Film: The Documentary Film continues to be the hot topic in many of the conversations and correspondence I have had with members since the convention. I am reminding everyone that this Documentary Film is in the hands of the dedicated individuals who envisioned and produced it. Both Lieutenant Colonel Willie and Dr. Melton McLaurin understand that it is important to have this film available to members who would like to purchase a copy.
While there is currently no definitive timetable to release this documentary, we are very hopeful that it will be soon. As soon as pertinent new information is received by this office, it will be passed to the members immediately.
Membership: Our Association Year runs from 1 September to 31 August. Accordingly, all Annual National and Chapter dues are due. A late charge of $2.00 will be imposed for those failing to renew their membership by 30 September. Those paying installments of Life Membership are also reminded that their membership is required to be paid in full two years after you begin the installments. Chapter Presidents, please mail all membership monies to David Fortune our National Financial Secretary.
Fall Council: The Fall Council is tentatively scheduled for the last Saturday in October. National Officers are reminded that all reports are now due. Please forward your reports to both me and our National Recording Secretary Regina Lawrence immediately so that we may copy and mail them to members of the Executive Committee for review at our telephonic council. More details about the Council will be sent to both the Executive Council and Committee members soon.
Spring Council: The Spring Council dates are 3-6 May with the 3rd and the 6th being travel days. The site of Convention 2007 will be Jacksonville, Florida. Both the Spring Council and the National Convention will be held at: The Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront which offers 966 sleeping rooms with 110,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The Regency is located in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville along the St. Johns River. Adjacent to the Hyatt is the Jacksonville Landing, a riverfront festival marketplace and our city is surrounded by ocean & golf. Please visit their web-site at www.jacksonville.hyatt.com.
Convention 2007: The dates for our 2007 convention in Jacksonville, FLORIDA have been set. Convention will be from 25-29 July with the 25th and 29th as travel days. We envision the President’s reception once again being held on the Wednesday travel day. We also received three notifications of interests for Convention 2008 and we look forward to receiving additional information at the 2007 Spring Council.
Chapter Happenings:
Quantico Chapter #32 held their 1st Annual Commemorative Ball on Friday, 25 August 2006. I attended this sold out affair and was impressed with the Chapter’s organization of this event. Sergeant Major Al McMichael was the featured speaker in a night where the Original Montford Pointers were celebrated from the very beginning of the program. 7 Original Montford Pointers were marched in and individually introduced at the beginning of the ceremony. During the evening various members of the Quantico Chapter stood up throughout the audience and gave a brief bio of an original Montford Pointer to include; MGySgt Brooks Gray, SgtMaj Huff, SgtMaj Louis Roundtree and of course Howard Perry.
It the celebration of the Howard Perry as the first African American Marine recruit to arrive at Montford Point that this event celebrated. Major Michael Williams preformed his first person recital of the origins of Montford Point that again left the crowd mesmerized. In the audience were retired Major General Arnold Fields and representatives from the New York, Camp Lejeune Philadelphia, Chicago, Maryland 17 and 22 and DC-6 Chapters were all in the house supporting Quantico’s event. Northern Region Vice President Ken Rollock was presented his MPMA Hall of Fame credentials at this event. Also, our National Queen, Sontrese Williams, traveled from Chicago to attend this event. We are grateful that we have a National Queen willing to travel to support other chapters in their fundraising endeavors.
Congratulations to Chapter President James Averhart and his entire chapter for organizing a spectacular event!!!
Sergeant Major Al McMichael to retire: The 14th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and the first African American to hold that office is schedule to retire on October 5th 2006 with ceremonies at 8th and I street to begin at 3:00PM (1500). The Sergeant Major will retire with over 36 years of service. The Sergeant Major has been a staunch supporter of the Montford Point Marines and the Montford Point Marine Association. We are hoping for a large contingency of members at his historical retirement ceremony.
New National Public Relations Officer: Is Lieutenant Colonel USMCR Eric Lindsay. Eric may be reached at 703-791-3472 or 240-460-9304 or by email at aphiq78@aol.com. Please keep Eric notified of all chapter events and other media items of interest to the Montford Point Marine Association.
National Quartermaster: Mr Elijah Abram “Abe” reminds us that he is the singular point of contact for the Association for Name Badges and Covers. Please coordinate your orders through Abe. Abe also has some fantastic Champaign Glasses for sale that would make a terrific gift at your Chapter’s Ball. The more he orders he receives, the better price we can get. Abe also has coins for sale that make great gifts for members and speakers. Please contact our National Quartermaster at 843-838-5475.
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, Eric Lindsay, 703-432-9035 or lindsayem@marines.usmc.mil, and National Recording Secretary, Regina Lawrence, reginab@aol.com 804-279-3589, the particulars of birthday celebrations and any other activities in your area.
African American Military Web Site: A retired Navy Officer with a passion for African American military history and equal opportunity has launched an interesting and provocative internet site for African American veterans, active duty members, and Department of Defense civilians. "This project is long overdue," said retired Navy Commander Gregory Black, founder of blackmilitaryworld.com. Black retired as a Navy Diving Officer in 2002 and has since worked to promote African American history and to publicize the significant roles of African Americans in the defense of America.
The contributions of African Americans over the course of military history should be recognized and the word should be spread, added Black. "This rich aspect of black history has been downplayed for a variety of reasons, some of which are quite obvious to black military historians." Blackmilitaryworld.com is also a news and feature site that will help to educate the public about the diversity of roles assumed by African American military and civilian defense employees. The site covers all branches of the military and will prove beneficial to all those seeking to gain knowledge and understanding of military history and current events.
The site will also strive to strengthen the linkages between the vast numbers of organizations serving the African American military community. The site is dedicated to late Master Diver Carl Brashear, whose life story was told in the popular movie Men of Honor which was released in 2002. "Stories like that of Master Diver Brashear, the Buffalo Soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen, the Montford Point Marines and the 555th Paratrooper Battalion (Triple Nickles), are only the tip of the iceberg," said Black. According to Black, it is not widely known that there are approximately a half million African Americans currently employed by the United States Department of Defense (the largest employer of African Americans in the United States). The site can be accessed at www.blackmilitaryworld.com
Upcoming Chapter Events:
Philadelphia #1 will hold their Third Annual Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans celebration on Saturday, 11 November beginning at 8:00 PM. The guest speaker will be Marine Captain Vernice Armour, the first African American female combat pilot for the Department of Defense. Event will be at the Holiday Inn City Line Avenue and the Cost is $50.00 per person. For tickets and additional Information please call Joe Geeter at 610-495-3619
Chicago #2: Will once again hold their President’s Ball on Saturday, 18 November starting with cocktails at 6:00 PM. The ball will be held at the Chicago Clubhouse, 7011 South Vincennes Chicago, IL. Tickets are $50.00 and may be obtained from Chicago Vice President Racine “Tree” Wilson. Tree may be reached at: 312-217-4162
New York Chapter #3: will hold their Annual Dinner Dance on Sunday, November 12th beginning with a Social Hour at 6:30PM. Event will be at Antun’s Caterer’s in Queens, NY and the cost is $70.00 per person. The guest speaker will be determined. For tickets contact the NY Chapter at 212-267-3318 or http://www.mpmanyc.com/Dinner_Dances.htm
Washington, DC Chapter #6: will celebrate their ball on Friday, November 17th, 2006 beginning at 7:00 pm at La Fontaine Bleu Restaurant, 7963 Annapolis Road, Lanham, MD. The Key Speaker is retired Major General Leo V. Williams III. The cost is $50.00 and tickets must be purchased no later than 1 November 2006. Chapter #6 always puts on a first class event that sells out. For tickets and reservations, please contact Purnell Houston 908 Logwood Road, Capital Heights, MD 20743 or call at: 901-808-6012 or Southern Regional Vice President Reuben McNair at 202-529-0845.
Los Angeles Chapter #8: Will celebrate the 231st Marine Corps Birthday on Saturday, 11 November 2006 beginning at 7:00 PM. Event will be at the Los Angeles Air Force Club and the cost is $50.00 per person. For tickets call the LA Chapter President Mike Johnson at 909-815-1972.
Columbia, South Carolina #26: Will celebrate their Marine Corps Birthday with a ball on Saturday 11 November 2006 at the Radisson Hotel off route 20 in Columbia, SC. Tickets ate $35.00 each and may be purchased from Carlton Johnson 803-234-2722.
Mobile Alabama Chapter #33 will hold their first Mobile Chapter of the Montford Point Marine Association Ball on Saturday, 4 November 2006 at the Country Club of Mobile, AL. The guest speaker will be Lieutenant General retired Frank E. Petersen Jr. For tickets and additional information, please call or email Chapter President Rodney Lee at work 251-478-1222, cell 251-554-6238 or by email at;
Rodneyleecnb@aol.com
Montford Point Marine Documentary: Art Holliday, Director of the Documentary “Johnnie Be Good” asks us to please check out the following website for the latest information about the Documentary featuring Montford Pointer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Johnnie Johnson. www.JohnnieBeGood.net
Second Black Marine Reunion: will be once again be in Las Vegas, June 22nd thru 24th, 2007. The location will be at the Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino. They are surveying those on their mailing list to see how many are interested in attending the reunion. After they have determined the number, they will put together details for the reunion and update me and I will pass to you. This reunion is open to all Former Active Duty, Active Duty, Reserve and Retired Black Marines, their family or guests. Members who attended the first reunion in Vegas had such a great turn out that this group wanted to have another one in Vegas. Will G. McCoy, Jr. and Bobby Wallace are coordinators for this reunion and Willie “Bill” Mack and Thurston “T.T.” Thompson are our West Coast Contact. Members may the following individuals below: for more information; Willie “Bill” Mack 714-252-0188 billmack34@sbcglobal.net Will G. McCoy Jr. 702-645-4289 llbatist@msn.com Thurston “T.T.” Thompson 714-633-3673 tthompson31@juno.com Bobby “The Gator” Wallace 352-259-2435 bobbygator@comcast.net .
TAPS: The following was received from Master Gunnery Sergeant James Carr, Chapter President of NY #3 “It is with deep regret – that I pass along this notification that Montford Pointer Ernest Richardson, Platoon #49, 1943 (Page 56 Final Roll Call) of St Albans Queens passed this (recently) at NY Presbyterian Hospital. He is survived by his wife Olive. Ernie’s history with MPMA and with the City of NY is long and cherished, and he will be sorely missed”. Mr. Richardson will definitely be missed.
As always, please continue to check our official website for more information through the Association at www.montfordpointmarines.com or www.mpma28.com http://www.mpmalejeune10.org 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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