Montford Point Marine Association Inc. National Update October 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.
Lieutenant General Promotion: Topping this month’s items is the promotion of Major General Ronald S. Coleman to Lieutenant General on Friday, 27 October at 3:00 PM at the Clubs of Quantico. This will be only the second time in Marine Corps History that an African American has been promoted to this rank. The first was, of course, Famed Aviator Lieutenant General Frank E. Petersen Jr. USMC retired. There will be a contingent of Montford Point Marine Association members to include some Original Montford Pointers and myself at this historic ceremony. We all wish General Coleman much success as he begins this historical chapter in his outstanding Marine Corps Career!!!!
Fall Council: The Fall Council is will be held on Saturday, 4 November. The members of the National Executive Committee we be mailed copies of the; Convention Report, minutes from the National Convention, Journal Report and the Special Projects Officer Report. These reports and Spring Council 2007 and other topics will be discussed in our conference call. Although the Fall Council is for the Executive Committee, all members of the National Executive Council, which includes Chapter Presidents, are invited to phone in and provide input. Detailed information to include the call-in phone numbers will be in the package you will receive shortly via US Mail.
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.
Association Happenings: From November 16-19, an International Conference on World War II will be held at the National WWII Museum located in New Orleans. Past National President Gene Doughty has received and has accepted an invitation to participate at the Conference. As a Marine veteran and Combat survivor of the epic battle of Iwo Jima, PNP Doughty will be able to provide his vast knowledge and experience to the Conference. Many will remember that Gene was scheduled for this conference last year but Hurricane Katrina postponed this event.
For the past thirty years Gene Doughty has served as our National Scholarship Director. Gene has made it known to me that he plans to step down once his two year term of office expires in 2008. We are actively searching for a successor to Gene; there surely could never be a replacement. Now is a great time to have candidates identified so that Gene can personally mentor this replacement. I will be accepting nominations from individuals immediately.
Regional Vice President Reuben McNair announces his retirement: Original Montford Pointer and Korean War Combat wounded veteran Reuben McNair recently announced his retirement as the Senior Regional Vice President. Reuben has served this Association faithfully in many capacities over 35 years, the last seven as Southern Regional Vice President. I have supported Reuben’s recommendation that Quantico Chapter President CWO-3 James Averhart serve as interim Southern Regional Vice President until that Region can hold their region elections. If any National Executive Council members have input on this, please let me know by 1 November 2006.
Veterans Day: WASHINGTON – The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and leaders of major veteran’s organizations recently called on America's veterans to help kindle a new spark of patriotism on Veterans Day by wearing the medals they earned during military service.
"We are announcing a Veterans Pride Initiative to remind Americans of the pride and honor in the hearts of those who have served," Nicholson said. "We expect Americans will see our decorated heroes unite in spirit at ceremonies, in parades and elsewhere as a compelling symbol of courage and sacrifice on Veterans Day, the day we set aside to thank those who served and safeguarded our national security."
The campaign is modeled after a tradition in Australia and New Zealand, countries who honor the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on April 25. ANZAC Day sees veterans wearing their military decorations whatever they are doing on that day. Nicholson said he hopes a U. S. tradition will ensue to emulate this pride in being a veteran and in honoring our veterans.
VA is offering information about the campaign on its Web page, http://www.va.gov/veteranspride/ , where veterans also can obtain information about how to replace mislaid medals and learn how to confirm the decorations to which they are entitled.
VETERANS EAT FREE AT McCORMICK & SCHMICK’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS: All veterans receive a free lunch or dinner entrée at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants nationwide on Sunday, November 5th in honor of Veterans Day week. Vets should show proper identification (VA card, VFW card, veterans ID, discharge papers, etc.) RESERVATIONS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED! In a show of thanks to our nation’s veterans, Bill McCormick and Doug Schmick offer to serve those who’ve served at their McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants. Last year the company served nearly 15,000 vets nationwide. This year’s event is taking place on the Sunday before Veterans Day so that families can participate. McCormick & Schmick’s annual veterans program began as a small effort in just one restaurant in 1999. Due to its overwhelming popularity and positive response received from veterans the program has expanded nationwide. Where: McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants nationwide & in the Washington D.C. area: McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants: Reston Town Center, Reston, VA 703-481-6600, opens at 11:30 a.m. 1652 K Street NW, Washington D.C. 202-861-2233, opens at 5 p.m. 901 F Street NW, Washington D.C. 202-639-9330, opens at 5 p.m. 7401 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 301-961-2626, opens at 5 p.m. 8484 Westpark Drive, McLean/Tysons, VA 703-848-8000, opens at 5 p.m. 2010 Crystal Drive, Crystal City, VA, 703-413-6400, opens at 5 p.m
Atlanta, GA 770-399-9900 Atlanta, GA-CNN 404-521-1236
When: Sunday, November 5 2005 A complete list of participating restaurants may be found at www.McCormickandSchmicks.com
Documentary Film: Art Holliday, Director of the Documentary film “Johnnie Be Good” which tells the story of Rock and Roll Pioneer and Original Montford Pointer Johnnie Johnson, is constantly updating his web page on the progress of this historical project. Please check the webpage at http://www.johnniebegood.net Art is also looking to contact anyone who served in the Marines with Johnnie during World War II. Art Holliday’s email address is hollidayart@hotmail.com. The projected completion date of "Johnnie Be Good" is late 2007 or 2008.
Montford Point Marine Documentary: Many of our membership attended the Documentary PREVIEW during our National convention. The Documentary PREMIER is scheduled for 14 November with a reception beginning at 6:00PM and screening at 7:00PM at the Fisher Student Center on the Main Campus of University of North Carolina Wilmington. Those wishing to attend should RSVP by November 3rd at 910-962-4113. Our National Museum Director, Finney Greggs plans to attend with a contingent of Original Montford Pointers. For the latest information about the documentary please visit the following website; http://library.uncw.edu/web/montford/index.html This website is constantly being updated with new information and video clips.
Marine Corps Ball Celebrations: Chapters are reminded to please submit any media coverage (copies of newspaper articles, etc...) to our 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. Chapters are also encouraged to send request for reunion announcements and other media request to Eric Lindsay.
Chapter Happenings:
San Diego Chapter #12: recently held Chapter elections and Charlie Lewis is the new Chapter President. Listed are a complete slate of the current San Diego Officers; Charlie Lewis, President, August Willis, Vice President, Terriel Thompson, Secretary, Charlie Lewis, Treasure, Samuel Bagwell, Financial Secretary, George Herring, Chaplin, James Love, Sergeant-at-Arms, Augustus Willis, Public Relations President Lewis may be reached at (619) 264-7487 or CharlieWill@aol.com
Upcoming Chapter Marine Corps Birthday 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 National Sergeant-at-Arms 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.
Jacksonville Chapter #29: Will celebrate their Marine Corps Ball on Friday, 10 November 2006 beginning with a fellowship at 7:00 PM a 7:00 PM ceremony and dinner and Ball at Levya’s Restaurant at the Prime Osborn Convention Center 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville FL. Tickets are $50.00 each and may be purchased from Chapter President James Tippins 904-768-0687 or Maurice Grant 904-464-3048, Ronald Jackson 904-215-4020 or Anthony Landrum at 940-757-2582
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
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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