“A leader’s job is to inculcate high-spirited, amiable self-discipline. Leaders must always generate options by surrounding themselves with bright subordinates and being catalysts for new ideas.”

--Gen James Mattis, from Call Sign Chaos

Hotel Reservations Reminder

1st Marine Division

Change of Command

2 July 2024

MajGen Benjamin T. Watson MajGen Robert C. Fulford

Dear Marine Family,

We are still accepting Registrations for our upcoming Reunion in San Antonio, Texas. We meet August 18-25 at the Riverwalk San Antonio Holiday Inn.

Please make your hotel reservation this week.

When our reserved block is full, you may get a room, but not at our group discount rate.

You may use the Registration Form below to order 50/50 tickets. You can have a stake at the banquet, even if you are not attending. The drawing will be the evening of Saturday, August 24. Winner need not be present.

July 2 will see a Change of Command at the 1st Marine Division.

Major General Benjamin T. Watson will pass the Division Colors to Major General Robert C. Fulford.

Wishing a happy, and safe, Fourth of July to you all.

God bless the United States Marine Corps.

Semper Fi

William S. Godfrey

President, 1st Marine Division Association

wsgsr9454@aol.com

(505)554-9635

Join us in San Antonio, Texas for at our 77th Annual Reunion, 18-25 August.

Location: San Antonio Riverwalk Holiday Inn

217 Saint Mary's Street, San Antonio, Texas 78025

Front desk phone: (210)224-2500

Reservations: (888)465-4329

Our Group Code: FMD

50/50 drawing ticket application is included in the Registration Form.

One ticket for $10, 3 for $20.

Download your Reunion Registration Form below.

For a paper form by mail, or to register by phone, please call HQ at (760)763-3268.

Deadline for our Group Rate at the hotel is 18 July, but if our block sells out sooner, you will not get the group discount rate.

Click here for direct link to the hotel and our group discount:

FMDA Group at Riverwalk San Antonio Holiday Inn

Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation

Our Mission:  To rebuild and re-establish The Tun™ as it was, a functioning mariner’s tavern reminiscent of colonial Philadelphia, serving period-influenced refreshments, food, and entertainment and offering an educational experience through exhibits, historical documents, and special events. 

All profits from operations of The Tun™ will be donated in perpetuity to support veteran causes, Masonic charities, educational scholarships, and qualified charities as determined by The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation’s independent Board of Directors.

77th Annual Reunion

1st Marine Division Association will gather 18-25 August 2024 for our 77th Annual Reunion in San Antonio, Texas, at the San Antonio Riverwalk Holiday Inn.

No new members since 19 June 2024 report

We continue to check public records to create the Taps Report.

Please report the passing of any Marine, Association member or not, so that our comrades may be remembered here. More recent passings are noted by boldface.

SGT DALE WILLIAM ANDERSON, 30 Mar 2024

SGT BERNARD P. BRUCE

PO3 JOHN B. CURCIO, 5 Jun 2024

SGT STANLEY H. DARLING, 25 Jun 2024

MGYSGT GLENN E. DENTON JR USMC(RET), 25 Nov 2023

SGT WILLIAM W. GOODMAN, 13 Jan 2024

SGT GALE R. JENSEN

GYSGT OSCAR M. KEY JR, 29 Dec 2008

SGTMAJ ROBERT T. KEYS JR, 18 Apr 2008

CPL JOHN P. KILBRIDE, 24 Mar 2023

CAPT NORM J. MAHALICH, 15 Jan 2021

FTM1 MICHAEL J. MURPHY, 9 Mar 2022

1STSGT EDWARD A. PIEL, 12 Feb 2007

LCPL EDWARD A. SALTINAS, 18 Nov 2004

MSGT JOHN D. SIMERMAN USMC(RET)

SSGT WILLIAM C. STACEY

MSGT ROBERT D. SUNDIN, 8 Dec 2022

COL O. IVAR SVENSON JR USMC(RET)

MR. JOSEPH J. VOETTER, 30 Dec 2009

Reported last run 19 June 2024

Headquarters Office telephone numbers

(760)763-3267 June Cormier

(760)763-3268 Dennis Coady, and general information

(760)763-3269 SgtMaj Marty Vasquez

(760)763-3270 fax

President William S. Godfrey's email: wsgr9454@aol.com

Please visit our website: www.1stMarineDivisionAssociation.org

Mailing address:

First Marine Division Association

P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902

Oceanside CA 92051

Thank you for reading the Blue Diamond News.

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Semper Fidelis