Montford Point Marine Association Inc. National Newsletter August/September 2007
“Preserving the Legacy”
Fellow members and friends,
First order of business for this newsletter is to thank the many, many members that sent condolences, flowers, letters, emails and calls to both me and my family over the death of my Father, Joseph Henry Geeter Sr. I was overwhelmed by the support you have given the Geeter Family. A very special thank you to the Chicago Chapter members who came out in great numbers to my Father’s memorial service in Chicago. It meant a lot to my family to have you there.
Convention 2008 was a huge success! Jacksonville Chapter President James H. Tippins and his committee treated us to a very efficiently ran convention. From the President’s reception and the proclamation from the city council to Florida State Senator Anthony “Tony” Hills pledge of support to help get the Montford Pointers some very long overdue recognition from Congress to Lifetime member Lieutenant General Ronald Coleman’s heartfelt no notes speech at our National Banquet, every member I talked to had an enjoyable time.
We now turn our attention to both the Spring Council and Convention 2008 which will be held in Houston Texas.
We also received word very recently that the Documentary film will be shown in 87 cities during November 2008. Special thanks to Dustin Miller and everyone who are still working very hard on this project. More details on all these items will be covered in this edition of our National Update.
HEADLINE NEWS
Documentary Airing; We are pleased to announced that that the our documentary film will be shown on 25 September 2007 on North Carolina Educational Television (ETV) at 10:30 pm, and on South Carolina ETV on 20 September, 2007 at 10:30pm. On or about 10 November, 2007, there will be a nationwide showing on PBS in approximately 87 cities. More detailed information will be passed through a special update when available. Special thanks again to the Director, Department of Media Production at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, DUSTIN MILLER for staying on top on this project over the past few years!!!!!
MPMA Convention 2007.
The National Queen for our Association year is Camp LeJune’s Joneita Carroll. Joneita recaptured her crown by raising over $10,000 for our Scholarship and operating expense endeavors! The first runner up was Chicago Chapter Queen Delphino Barber and the 2d runner up was Louisville’s Markita Jones. Thank to all the Chapter Queen contestants who helped raise over $30,000 for our Association!
The raffle winners were; first prize $2500.00 Nikya Smith sold by the Louisville Chapter, second $500.00 Roxanne sold by the Mobile, Alabama Chapter and third place of $300.00 Robert Graham sold by the Chicago Chapter. Congratulations to the winners and special thanks to all who participate to make this a great year for our National Fundraiser!
The following National Officers were reelected for another two year term to our Association; National President:Joe Geeter National Vice President:Mike Johnson National Recording Secretary:Regina Lawrence National Financial Secretary:David Fortune
Congratulations to these officers! I look forward to working with you all for what I plan is the final two years of my administration.
Spring Council 2008: will be held at the Houston Hyatt Regency 17-20 April 2008. National Officers are requested to make their travel plans and reservations a minimum of three weeks in advance to ensure you get the best possible price for your arrangements and that the Association only spends what is necessary for reimbursement of those officers whose travel is covered by the Association.
MPMA Convention 2008: The dates for our 2008 convention in Houston Texas have been set. Convention will be from 16-20 July with the 16th and 20th as travel days. The President’s reception once again being held on the Wednesday travel day. The number to the Hyatt Regency is 713-654-1234. The Hyatt Regency Houston is located in Downtown Houston at 1200 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002
MPMA Convention 2009: It’s never too early to start planning to host a convention. If you are interested please let our National Convention Director Nat James or the National Vice President Mike Johnson know.
Chapter/Region Happenings:
Philadelphia Chapter #1: has announced their annual Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Ball will be Saturday 17 November at the Philadelphia Airport Ramada Inn beginning at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $45.00 each and may be purchased from Joe Geeter. Joe may be reached at 610-495-3619.
Quantico Chapter # 32 will hold their 2d Annual Commemorative Ball on Friday August 24th beginning at 6:30PM with a Social Hour at the Holiday Inn Select 2801 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Sergeant Major Carlton Kent, the 16th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps will be the keynote speaker. For tickets and more information, contact Sergeant Major Parisa Fetherson USMC retired at pyfethers@comcast.net or 540-657-8249.
Los Angeles Chapter #8 The Los Angeles Chapter will hold their Annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball on November 19th, 2007 beginning at 7:00PM at the Chester Washington Golf Course, 1930 West 120th Street, Los Angeles CA 90047. Hotel accommodations are available at the Ramada Plaza 5250 West El Segundo Blvd, Hawthorn California 90250. The rate is$75.00 per night and reservations may be made by calling 310-536-9800. For tickets and more information, please call National Vice President and LA Chapter President Mike Johnson at 909-815-1972.
San Diego Chapter#12 The San Diego Chapter will hold their Annual Scholarship Banquet on Saturday, September 8th, 2007 beginning at 6:00 PM at the Bay view Restaurant aboard The Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. The Keynote speaker is the son of an original Montford Pointer, Colonel John T. Boggs, USMC. Colonel Boggs is the Dean of Faculty and Academics Programs at the National Defense University, Washington, DC. For more information or tickets please call Sam Bagwell at 619-524-8280 or Annanias Rose at 619-556*-7412.
Chapters are reminded to contact me directly with the details of your upcoming events. It’s never too early to advertise your events for planning purposes.
60 Years ago this week: Daniel Bankhead, and original Montford Pointer, broke into baseball with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues as a shortstop in 1940. On April 22, 1943 he joined the Marine Corps in Macon, GA and was part of an all Negro Baseball team stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina which was kept in the States for the duration of the war and toured as a “morale raiser”. He played shortstop and the outfield. He was released from the service on June 7,1946 at the Naval Ammunition Depot in McAlester, OK as a Sergeant and joined the Memphis TN Red Sox also of the Negro Leagues and was converted to a pitcher. He was the first pitcher of African American ancestry to appear in the Major Leagues and made his Major League debut on August 26th, 1947. He also hit a home run in his first time at bat and was the first National League pitcher to do that. In 1948 he was with Nashua, NH in the Class B New England League where he led the league in winds with 20 and he also led the league in strikeouts. Late in that season he was moved to St. Paul MN in the Class AAA International League. At St. Paul his record was 4-0. He spent the 1949 season with Montreal, Canada, also of the International League and again won 20 games. He remained with the Dodgers for the 1950 season and started the 1951 season wit them and in July was sent back to Montreal, Canada. He had pitched in 52 games for the Dodgers. After two seasons with Montreal he began playing in the Canadian Provincial League and in 1954 began playing in Mexico. He played until 1965 and died May 2nd 1976.
Books:The May 2007 edition of Leatherneck Magazine reviewed the book “Collie J” that tells the story of Original Montford Pointer Collie J. Nickerson the first black member of Denig’s Demons”, the World War II Marine combat correspondences. Collie later was the man who was instrumental in bringing Grambling College to National recognition by sending advanced press releases to 400 black newspapers nation wide. Book may be purchased through the Marine Corps Association
There is another book that has recently been written about the Men of Montford Point by Retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Ronald K. Culp. Colonel Culp writes historical novels and is a freelance writer. He lives in Kerrville, Texas. The book’s released date has been pushed back to 1 July, 2007 but can be previewed on the following website; if you click on "Add to Cart", the ordering process will start. http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?isbn=0-7864-3000-1
National Chaplain: 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
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 National President Master Gunnery Sergeant (retired) Montford Point Marine Association 27 Red Tail Court Limerick, PA 19468 geeterj@yahoo.com 610-495-3619
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