Montford Point Marine Association Inc. National Update February/March 2007 Fellow members and friends,
Because of the minimum amount of activities throughout the Association during March, this will serve as the update for both February and March. Please pass this information to those in your address book that may have an interest. Thank you everyone for getting this much needed information to the masses!
The Documentary Movie still commands many of the emails and phone calls I receive. I am encouraging all members to carefully read the next few sentences. Both the University of North Carolina Wilmington and South Carolina State University are aware of the great desire to put a copy of this Documentary in the hands of those who want it. However, they both have a marketing plan to distribute the Documentary AFTER it is scheduled to air on PBS stations. That date is still not final. In the interim, there have been, and there will continue to be, showings of this film across the country and I will notify members when and where that happens. Nobody wants to get this into member’s hands as quickly as I do but quite candidly; all the phone calls and emails are getting quite frustrating to me having to answer the exact same questions. National Officers and Chapter Presidents please use this update as the very latest in Documentary news. There is a number that you may call to add your name to the list of those who will be contacted when this Documentary is available. That number is 910-962-2650. No monies are being taken at this time; this is merely a pre-order list. I will still notify all when the Documentary is available for purchase. Thank you all for your continued patience in this matter.
Many of have already heard about Tyler Perry’s new movie “Daddy’s Little Girl” but did you know that Mr. Louis Gossett Jr. had a role in it?? If you like a good laugh, please get out and see this movie and support Mr. Gossett, who has done so much for us. Daddy’s Little Girl opened Valentine’s Day and is now playing in most theaters. Let’s get out and see this film and support Mr. Gossett!!
On 3 February I attended the Quantico Chapter’s 2d Heritage Ball in which our own National Chaplain, Reverend James Moore, was the featured speaker. Once again Quantico put on a very nice event in which the audience was educated about African American Heroes past and present. The focus was always on the Original Montford Pointers, in which four were in attendance from the DC-6 Chapter. Special thanks to the new Chapter President Kenny Crutcher for his warm hospitality.
Also, on 3 February our National Vice President, Mike Johnson, traveled to St Louis, MO for their 10th Annual Chosen Few Banquet that featured Camp Johnson (Montford Point) Commander Colonel Grover Lewis. Along with the National Ladies Auxiliary President Melcine Henderson, our National Queen, Sontrese Williams was there with a contingent of supporters from the Chicago Chapter. Detroit Chapter President Sylvia Riley was there along with Chapter members from Louisville and Indianapolis. Also in attendance was our National Public Relations Officer, Eric Lindsay & Host Chapter President and Central Regional Vice President Tony Chestang.
South Carolina State University is sponsoring a premier of the Documentary The Marines of Montford Point on Monday, March 12th, 2007 at Barbara A. Vaughn Recital Hall at their campus in Orangeburg, South Carolina, beginning with a reception at 9:30 AM. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP immediately at 803-536-7127.
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.
Executive Council Members: expect a mailing very soon to include; the Spring Council Agenda, The Journal information and the latest National update.
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/.
Black Marine Reunion 2007 the Second Black Marine Reunion will be held at the Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas from June 22nd through June 24th 2007. The cost for a Marine is $85.00 and $145.00 for a couple. Bobby Wallace is the point of contact for this reunion and he may be reached at 352-259-2435 or bobbygator@comcast.net. These Marines are not working in competition, rather in concert with the Montford Pointers. We have shared member information so that those who wish to participate can and are encouraged to support both the Black Marine initiative and ours.
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 previewed the 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, made commentary prior to and after the screening. Lieutenant Colonel Willie also was the Reviewing Officer for that day’s graduation parade. Event was attended by a few hundred active duty Marines. 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.
Camp Lejeune Chapter#10 also held a Documentary Showing on Thursday, 15 February, 2007 at Northside High School Auditorium in Jacksonville North Carolina. I know the Museum folks, specifically our Director Finney Greggs, was instrumental in making this happen. Finney also presented a plaque to the Northside High Principal to show our appreciation for the use of their Auditorium.
Camp Lejeune also held their 19th Annual Heritage Dinner Dance on February 24th at “The Point”, which is the Camp Lejeune Clubhouse. The speaker was The Honorable Judge Paul A. Hardison, District Court Judge, District 4.
DC Chapter #6 On February 8th, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs in Washington, DC held their Black History Month Celebration. The event highlighted this year’s theme From Slavery to Freedom: The Story of Africans in the Americas by including a Veteran’s Panel Discussion. James Ferguson, an original Montford Point Marine and member of the DC Chapter, was joined by men representing the Tuskegee Airmen, Buffalo Soldiers, Triple Nickels and the National Association for Black Veterans to recount stories of their time in the military and their service to Veterans. Mr. Ferguson told of his time on Okinawa as well as Guadalcanal and his humor filled stories garnered both laughter and applause. Following the panel discussion the men were given a briefing by the Veterans Health Administration Under Secretary for Health Jonathan Perlin, on what the VA was doing to help veteran’s now and in the future. They were also asked to take that information and pass it on to the members of their respective organizations to enlist their support and assistance in future health studies. Mr. Perlin also offered to make himself available to speak at their annual conventions to give similar briefings to educate members of their organizations.
Kudos: To Lee Triggs. Lee works with J. Walter Thompson (The Marine Corps Advertising Agency) and the 8th Marine Corps Recruiting District. Lee was instrumental in ensuring the original Montford Pointers and members that reside in the boundaries of the 8th MCD received a copy of the ad, in poster form, that is appearing in Ebony and Jet Magazines. Thanks Lee for your continued support of our heroes!!
To Past National President Gene Doughty. Gene is featured in the February 2007 American Legion Magazine. Gene commanded two full pages near the center of the Magazine to detail his participation in the battle for Iwo Jima.
To former Marine Officer and Daughter of Major General retired Gary Cooper, Shawn Cooper for her Company’s (MARTA) generous donation of $325.00 to our Scholarship Fund. Shawn is the Director of Marketing and Sales and is involved in their charity club. Thanks Shawn for your longtime support of the Association’s goals!!!!!!
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 is also available at www.Amazom.com., Barnes & Noble and Borders.
Scholarship Information: Our Scholarship Director, Gene Doughty, has sent this year’s scholarship information to Chapter Presidents. Please be mindful of the deadlines and ensure that your applicants return a complete package. I know there are plenty of deserving children and grandchildren of members that can benefit from both the Montford Point and the Marine Corps Scholarship programs. For additional Scholarship information, please contact Gene direct at 718-882-2523.
TAPS: The Association lost a few members and supporters over the past few months to include; *LA Chapter member Nathaniel Herman. Mr Herman may have been quiet at our meetings but he never missed a thing that was said. * Robert Lee Crittenden, an original Montford Pointer from San Diego, died on 5 January 2007. *Walter W. Travis, who served from 1944-1964 of San Diego passed away on 14 December, 2006.
Chapter Presidents and members are reminded to encourage our elder members to have a bio prepared for the press and the funeral home. We often get last minute requests from the family asking about their loved one’s service dates, rank, etc… Please make sure that up-to-date bio information is ready at the Chapter level. 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
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 shared these stories with us; http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070214/NEWS/702140423/-1/State http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/545013.html http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/sylvesterbrownjr/story/4DAD0D7A32F94A63862572880012B10A?OpenDocument
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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