Montford Point Marine Association Inc. National Update January 2007 Fellow members and 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.
Wow,another calendar has passed all too soon! 2006 proved to be a remarkable year for our Association. The long anticipated Documentary film was previewed at our National Convention in July and premiered at the University of North Carolina Wilmington in November. We were fortunate to have Academy Awarding winner actor Louis Gossett Jr. at both events. Mr. Gossett continues to be very interested and in tune to assist us in telling the story of our heroes.
Three Chapters were stood up (Boston, MA. Warner Robins, GA and Mobile, AL) in 2006. Mobile held their first major event, a Marine Corps Birthday celebration in early November featuring Lieutenant General Frank Petersen, that was a huge success. I presented their Chapter Charter at this event.
Two of our Regional Vice Presidents have retired from their positions, Ken Rollock from the Northern Region and Rueben McNair from the South. Both of these original Montford Pointers have served our Association for many years and they leave their respective regions in very capable hands.
Our membership continues to grow, unfortunately, we are losing members through death as fast as we are gaining them through new membership. Please continue to aggressively recruit new members so that this great legacy continues.
There are no less than three books covering the Montford Point experience that have been written or are being researched as we speak. The first book from the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Dr. Melton A. McClaurin is ready for distribution and details how to obtain a copy are outlined further in this update.
Also, in 2006 we have had unprecedented press coverage. From the editorial in the USA Today about the Association’s feelings concerning the Major Motion Picture Flags Of Our Fathers (which was seen by nearly 2.3 million readers) to the various articles written in base newspapers in Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, MCB Quantico, Henderson Hall and the very nice piece in Semper Fidelis the magazine of the Marine Corps League and some of the major newspapers in the country and overseas, our story IS getting out.
The following link is an article that appeared in some overseas newspapers; Http://film.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329606476-3156,00.html many of your National Officers are working tirelessly daily to ensure our story is being told.
I managed to visit with seven chapters (Beaufort, Chicago, Philadelphia, DC-6, Quantico, Camp Lejeune and Mobile) during the past calendar year either at chapter events or simply to meet with members informally. The Chapter level is where the real work of the Association gets done. Many of you have labored at the local level for many years ensuring the legacy of the Montford Pointers continues to be told. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed.
As we look forward to 2007 and our Spring Council and National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida,I ask each and every one of you to rededicate yourself and your time to continue to help Preserve the Legacy of the Men of Montford Point! I wish each and every one of you a happy and prosperous 2007!
Montford Point Marine Documentary: 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. Copies of the Documentary are currently being mailed to those who were interviewed and UNC Wilmington expects copies to be mailed to Chapter Presidents during February. I still have no definitive word on when copies will be available for the general public and will pass that information in a special email just as soon as it is passed to me. Please view the following attachment about the Documentary Premier; http://appserv02.uncw.edu/news/article.asp?ID=2044&Keyword=Montford%20Point
Montford Point Book: Dr. Melton A. McLaurin, director of the Montford Point Documentary, has completed his book based on the 60 plus interviews that were done for the Documentary Movie. In honor of their service, members of the Montford Point Marine Association may order the hardcover book, normally $29.95, for the special price of $20.00, plus $5.00 shipping and handling. Orders should be directed to Longleaf Services,1-800-848-6224.
Mention the code “DMPMA” to obtain your discount. Or,you may order on-line at www.uncpress.unc.edu. Enter the code “DMPMA” after you have added the item to your cart, and the discount price will appear. http://www.uncpress.unc.edu/FMPro?-DB=pubtest.fmp&-Format=a-detail.html&-RecID=12819987&-Script=visited&-Find I have ordered and received mine in the mail. This is a very good read!!!!
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. The special rate is $99.00 single and double occupancy. The cutoff date for this rate is 1 April 2007. The number to the hotel is 800-233-1234 or 904-588-1234. 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. John’s 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.
Chapter Presidents are reminded that Award recommendations are due to the Awards Chair, West Region Vice President, Nathaniel Hosea, by our Spring Council. Please refer to our National by-laws and the letter that Nate sends out to ensure that you are in compliance and that the much deserved individuals receive recognition for the hard work they put into our Association.
Chapters are also reminded to submit their recommendations for resolutions to our by-laws at least 60 days prior to our convention to the Resolutions Chairwoman, Alexandria Johnson.
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.
NAACP Convention 2007: The 2007 NAACP Convention will be held in Detroit, MI from 7-12 July. We purposely scheduled our convention not to conflict with the NAACP. For detailed information about the NAACP Convention, please visit their website at http://www.naacp.org/home/.
Convention 2008: Once again we find the Association without a dedicated location for convention 2008. I implore Chapters that are interested in holding a convention in their area to be thoroughly prepared to brief the Spring Council members in May. Chapters are reminded that we have a very capable Convention Director, Past National President Nathaniel James, who will work with you through the entire process. The Convention is a great way to inject much needed funds into the local chapter.
Chapter Happenings: The Louisville Chapter #22 is hosting its 3rd Annual Covington-Hagan Scholarship Banquet in honor of John T. Covington and John W. Hagan, founders of the Louisville Chapter of the MPMA. This formal event will take place Saturday March 17th, 2007 at 6:00 PM at Masterson’s which is located at 1830 South Third Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40208. The guest speaker is Major General Cornell Wilson. Tickets are $50.00 each. For more information please contact Charles Stallard at 502-231-0132 or 502-550-2423 (cell) or by email at stallardc@bellsouth.net.
San Diego/Los Angeles Chapters will be supporting a viewing of our Documentary film on Friday, 9 February 2007 at 3:00 PM at the MCRD San Diego Theatre. Lieutenant Colonel Clarence Willie, one of the two principal individuals responsible for our Documentary, will be making commentary prior to and after the screening. Lieutenant Colonel Willie will also be the Reviewing Officer for that day’s graduation parade. Event was scheduled on a Friday so that the active duty Marines will have an opportunity to view this as part of their Professional Military Education (PME). Special thanks to Mrs. Evangeline Vann, wife of Original Montford Pointer Sergeant Major William “Movin” Vann, who coordinated this event. Also, thanks to the depot Sergeant Major, Sergeant Major Woods, who help guide Mrs. Vann through the protocol process to make this happen. This event will be open to members of both the San Diego and LA Chapters, please let your Chapter President know if you are attending so that good numbers can be given to Mrs. Vann. For additional information please contact Mrs. Vann at 619-264-0942.
St Louis Chapter#13 will have their annual Chosen Few Banquet on Saturday, 3 February at the Airport Marriot. The feature speaker is Colonel Grover Lewis, Commanding Officer of MCCCS (Montford Point). For tickets and additional information please contact Central Region Vice President, Tony Chestang at 314-524-7420 or email at tonychestang@sbcglobal.net.
Quantico Chapter #32 will hold their 2d Annual Heritage Dinner and Social on Saturday, 3 February 2007 beginning with a Social Hour at 6:00 PM. Event will be at the Chesty Puller VFW 1503 Minnieville Road, Dale, City VA and the cost is $35.00 in advance and $40.00 at the door. The keynote speaker will be Reverend James Moore SgtMaj USMC retired and our National Chaplain. For tickets and more information please contact the new Quantico Chapter President Kenneth Crutcher at 571-214-9653 or 202-373-8574 or Victor Eaves at 682-553-9141.
Membership Cards: The National Recording Secretary, Regina Lawrence, has reported that we should be now caught up with issuing membership cards. If you have paid your dues and have not received a card within a reasonable amount of time (30 days), please contact your Chapter President so that he or she may check on the progress of your card.
Before a membership card is issued, our National Financial Secretary must ensure that the member or perspective member has submitted the appropriate fee and then communicate that through a transmittal to the National Recording Secretary.
This may not happen as fast as members wish. We are all volunteers and try to be as fast as possible in getting cards to members. However, if you must check, please go through your respective Chapter President and if they cannot solve the problem, please bring it to your Regional Vice President. If for any reason the Regional Vice cannot resolve the issue he will contact me.
Marine Corps Museum: Our National History, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Carpenter, continues to press the National Marine Museum at Quantico to include the Montford Point Story at this beautiful museum that tells the Marine Corps’ history.
Kudos: To lifetime member Colonel Adele Hodges, Commander of Camp Lejeune, for being named Jacksonville/Onslow County Woman of the Year! Colonel Hodges was one of the individuals who were instrumental in the success of our National Convention by providing Logistical Support for the Camp Lejeune Chapter and hosting Mr. Lou Gossett during his visit. The Colonel has also sponsored a lifetime membership for a dear friend and original Montford Pointer in the New England area. There is an article and picture of the Colonel in the 22 January edition of Marine Corps Times. Well done Colonel and thanks for all your support!!!!!!
To the Marine Corps Recruiting Command. In the February issue of Ebony Magazine there is a full page recruiting ad on page 183 that features an African American Marine Officer with a picture of Montford Point Marines in Dress Blues in the background. How appropriate to have this run during Black History Month! Thank you to the Recruiting Command!!!!!
To Sergeant Major Carlton Kent, who has been named as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. Please visit the following website to learn more on this superb Marine Corps Leader! http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/01/mckent070119/
To Past National President Gene Doughty. Gene is featured in the February 2007 American Legion Magazine.
To Southern Region Vice President James Averhart, James recently assumed command of the Camp Lejeune Brig. James is also selected for promotion to Chief Warrant Officer -4.James recently turned over the Quantico Chapter to Kenneth Crutcher who I know will continue the superior work that James started in 2005. Congratulations James on all your accomplishments!!!
Black History Month: The Quantico Black History Month Program will be on Saturday, 24 February at the Fredericksburg Convention Center from 5 pm – 9 pm (dancing from 9 pm – 11 pm). The meal includes beef and chicken so you will have both on your plate. This event continues to be a sell-out every year. I plan on attending for the fifth year and once again the committee has allowed me to do a presentation to the guest speaker on behalf of the Association.
The guest speaker will be The Honorable Congressman Elijah Cummings 7th District (D-MD). Tickets are $50.00 per and may be purchased through Master Sergeant (retired) William “Bill” Jones. Bill may be reached at 301-342-8263 or by email William.e.jones@navy.mil.
Queen’s Contest: 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 our 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.
Books: Philadelphia Chapter President Reverend Lawrence Brown’s (PhD) book, Kwanza King & Queen has been published and may be purchased by contacting Reverend Brown at orders@xlibris.com or www.Xlibris.com call: 1-888-795-4274. Book will be available at www.Amazom.com., Barnes & Noble and Borders in November.
Dee Siffer, a Portrait Artist/Photographer in Southern California, has designed a beautiful 13” x19” custom plaque with a collage of photos depicting Montford Point and featuring Sergeant Major “Hashmark” Johnson. The cost of the plaque is $75.00 which includes shipping and handling. Dee designed some posters for us a few years ago and presented a few select National Officers (including myself) these posters which has allowed us to have posters at our displays. Dee also has the same design in a postcard form. Postcards sell for $2.00 each with a minimum order of 10. Dee may be contacted at 714-970-6810 or by email at deelove@pacbell.com. If you send Dee an email I’m sure she will send you a picture of this plaque.
TAPS: The Association lost a few members and supporters over the past few months to include;*The wife of Maryland 17 Chapter President William Foreman, Mrs. Edwina Foreman, passed on 7 December 2006. The Foreman’s were married for over 58 years!
*The wife of Museum Board of Director member Charles Williams, Mrs. Katie Williams passed on 3 December 2006. Mrs. Williams was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Jacksonville Chapter for many years.
*Detroit Chapter Member Andy Williams. Mr Williams was 75
*San Diego Original Montford Pointer and one of the founding fathers of that chapter Walter Travis passed in December 2006. Members are reminded to report the lost of members and supporters immediately to our National Chaplin, Reverend James Moore. Reverend Moore may be reached at 843-846-0881 or email at: james.moore@usmc.mil
Welcome: To NY Chapter members WO Adrian J Nicholas and SSgt R Swain who both welcomed new additions to their families during December 2006. WO Nicholas and his wife had a baby girl, Rachel Lyza Nicholas and SSgt Swain welcomed a new son. Congratulations to both of these members!!!
News: Past National Public Relations Officer, Carmen Cordoba found this interesting story about a few Montford Pointers on the net; http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=249547 Also, Carmen posted this on wisegeek.com; http://www.wisegeek.com/who-are-the-montford-point-marines.htm Thanks Carmen for your continued support!
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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