"There has been one persistent theme through all Axis propaganda. This theme has been that Americans are admittedly rich, that Americans have considerable industrial power - but that Americans are soft and decadent, that they cannot and will not unite and work and fight. ...
Let them tell that to the Marines!"
--President Franklin D. Roosevelt
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FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION |
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Marines of the 1st Marine Division board LCI(L)-340 a day before Christmas, 1943 at Oro Bay, New Guinea. These men would land at Cape Gloucester, New Britain. |
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Marines hit three feet of rough water as they leave their LST to take the beach at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, December 26, 1943. |
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The men of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines returning to base with captured Japanese flags after 23 days on the line. This was during the Battle of Cape Gloucester, on the island of New Britain. January 14th or 15th 1944. |
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Dear Members,
It is a great pleasure for me too announce to all of you that the 1st Marine Division Association will be honoring "The greatest generation" with the opening of the "Last of the First" bottle at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball on November 6th, 2021. I also want to give a big shoutout to the Camp Pendleton Historical Society for allowing us to join with them in celebrating the 246th Birthday of our beloved Marine Corps.
Our Association has begun the process of reaching out to veterans of the Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts by being more visible to them via communications with the possibility of being available to them by holding and participating in Community events and active recruiting. Stay tuned for further details on different ideas we are discussing.
We are also beginning to be very active in fundraising for OUR Association. These ideas are for raising funds in a permanent way to keep the Association fluid and healthy. See the ad below about the Clay Shoot that is being held soon. This is just one of the ideas being developed to help the Association survive. Any ideas that you might have please reach out to Dennis or June and they will pass on to the Fund Raising Committee.
Our annual reunion this year is going back to Washington, DC which we were going to celebrate 2 years ago. Stay tuned for more info on next years reunion. In the meantime please stay safe and well.
Happy 246th Birthday!! Oohrah!!
Gerard "Jerry" Corrento
President, 1st Marine Division Association
jcorrento@verizon.net
215-840-2257
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FMDA's 2021 50/50 Raffle Winner
CPL James T. Young
Receives His Winnings
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We drew the winning ticket for this year's 50/50 raffle on 14 September. The winner was CPL James T. Young, of Johnson City, Tennessee. Above, Carla Dunn, Executive Director of Dominion Senior Living, presents the check to CPL Young.
The prize was $2,825. CPL Young donated $825 back to the Association's General Fund. Thank you to all who bought tickets, and special thanks to Carla Dunn for her help, and to CPL Young for his donation.
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The Association's website is currently out of operation. We are working to restore it.
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1st Marine Division Association
Officers and Committees 2021–2023
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President Jerry Corrento, Sr.
19 Cherry Lane, Levittown PA 19055-1603
Home (215)486-5053 Cell (215)840-2257
Vice President Vince Rios
2024 Greenway Crossing Dr
Haslet TX 76052-2815
Cell (817)847-9954
Deputy Vice President, East Mike Galyean
746 McIntyre Ave
Winter Park FL 32789-5044
Cell (321)276-7515
Deputy Vice President, Central
William S. Godfrey
2215 Stagecoach St SW, Los Lunas NM 87031-4836
Cell (505)554-9635
Vice President, West Nick Warr
915 Mystic Dr, Grants Pass OR 97527
Cell (828)243-8708
Treasurer Arthur John (A.J.) Burn
107 Ervin Ave, Linwood, PA19061-4315
Cell (610)494-5818
Secretary Pierre A. Sims
841 W Birchtree Ln, Claymont DE 19703-1604
Home (302)792-1497
Cell (215)605-0723
Legal James T. Allison
2875 Mallard Ln, Germantown TN 38138
Cell (901) 494-0206
Chaplain Carlos Mariscal
PO Box 8192, Salinas CA 93912-8192
Cell (831)998-4249
Sgt-At-Arms Jerry Corrento, Jr.
66 Gaping Rock Rd, Levittown PA 19057
(267)300-6938
DAL, East Elmer Hawkins
450 Basin St, Daytona Beach FL 32114-5048
Cell (386)679-3814
DAL, Central Paul Wojahn
23403 180th Ave, New Ulm MN 56073-4001
(507)359-7595
DAL, West Open
COMMITTEES
Awards Committee
Blue Diamond Committee
Chairman:
Don Reid
By-Laws Committee
Jerry Corrento, Sr. (Co-chair)
Jim Allison
Pierre Sims
Finance Committee
Elmer Hawkins
David Snyder
Ken Vitucci
Fund Raising Committee
William Godfrey (Co-Chair)
Jerry Corrento, Jr.
Pierre Sims
History Committee
A.J. Burn
Insurance Committee
Bill Adams
A.J. Burn
Membership Committee
Jerry Corrento, Jr. (Co-Chair)
Stephen C. Dulin
Phil Peeler, Sr.
Nick Warr
Nominating Committee
Jerry Corrento
Fred Tolleson
George Sager
Paul Wojahn
Reunion Destination/Site Committee
Pierre Sims (Co-Chair)
Jim Allison
Jerry Corrento, Sr.
William Godfrey
Scholarship Selection Committee
Chairman: Open
A.J. Burn (Co-Chair)
Elmer Hawkins
Charlie Kershaw
Pierre Sims
Warrior Liaison Committee
Chairman: Marty Vasquez
Dan Smith
Bill Unger
Unit Directors
1st Marines Jerry Johs
5th Marines John Loudermilk
7th Marines Jimmy Clendennen
11th Marines Howard Wilt
Engineer BN Paul Wojahn
Aviation Jerry Corrento, Sr.
Recon BN Open
Updated 28 September 2021
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SAVE THE DATE: 6 Nov 2021
246th Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Presented by
Camp Pendleton Historical Society
and 1st Marine Division Association
We will be honoring 1st Marine Division WWII Marines with the opening of the "Last of the First" bottle of French cognac.
6 November, 2021, Omni La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, California.
We are looking for Marines and Corpsmen who served with
1st Marine Division in the WWII Pacific Campaign.
Please contact us if you know any Marines or Corpsmen
who are able to attend.
Contact HQ at
email june.oldbreed@fmda.us
Phone (760)763-3268
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Latest FMDA Scholarship awards:
Alexander J. Koritz, University of North Dakota for 3rd year
Elle Pittman, Portland State University for 3rd year
Gannon M. Ehrman, Montana State University for 1st year,
for Fall 2021/Spring 2022 Semesters
Through today, The Fund has paid $50,000 in scholarships for this term. Based on our latest approved student review, we have 5 scholarships remaining to be paid this fall.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Semper Fidelis,
Jerry Reed
Chief Financial Officer
FMDA Scholarship Fund, Inc.
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Thank you, LtCol John R. Stevens
The FMDA Scholarship Fund was named as a beneficiary to receive $10,000 from the estate of recently passed member, Chairman Emeritus LtCol John R. Stevens II.
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Saturday 2 October 2021
Marines:
Attached is the G/L for The Fund through September reflecting all transactions through 30 September. The asset base experienced a market pullback at the end of September associated with the federal budget impasse in DC (so what’s new about our DC and budget craziness!?) and The Fund experienced unrealized losses of $27k in September but has a gain of $58k year-to-date. Much of the temporary loss at the end of September was recovered Friday 1 October when the republicans caved, again, and, to the joy of Wall Street, joined their leftist buddies and passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the government for a little while longer with no real budget plan being developed.
To date, The Fund has released $40k in scholarship payments with $25k remaining to be released to universities upon receipt of attendance certifications.
Total assets at 30 September amount to $1,158,770.92 and cash and investments total $1,040,745.92. Net income year-to-date is $23,516.76.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Semper Fidelis,
Jerry
Click button below to download the FMDASF, Inc. General Ledger
Your Scholarship Fund continues to be in excellent health and is enjoying very steady asset growth. The Fund’s investment portfolio continues to yield very nice dividends under the financial management of Mr. E. B. Bartlett.
As previously communicated, the Blair Estate remains in probate and the attorneys probating the estate have informed that they do not expect a liquidation of the estate in 2021. When liquidated, the Blair Estate distribution to The Fund will be in the neighborhood of $118,000 with a like amount going to The Association.
Reminder …
My job is open so if anyone wants to submit his or her name to the Fund Board of Directors for the CFO position, it is open and available for consideration by the Scholarship Fund Board of Directors as I am more than ready to retire at 76 and I am not getting any younger as each day passes. A candidate should have basic accounting and financial reporting skills and be capable of preparing federal and state tax returns as well as other statutory reporting requirements and pay for postage out of pocket (i.e., donate postage and stationery, envelopes, etc.). The CFO should be willing to handle all statutory reporting requirements pro-bono (these are the ways that cash expenses are minimized for the benefit of The Fund). I have handled all tax and statutory filings for 2020 pro-bono, as in the past.
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Southern California Chapter's
The Breed, October 2021
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Sergeant Scott Montoya, USMCR:
A True “Blue Diamond” Hero
By Nicholas Warr
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Sgt Scott Montoya with President George Bush |
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As most veterans know, true heroes are very rare. Consider Lt. Gen. Chesty Puller, who during his legendary career earned the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross, and numerous other awards; and U. S. Navy Chaplain Father Vincent Capodanno, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor; and Lt. General Martin L. Brandtner, who earned two Navy Crosses out in The Arizona during his second tour in the Republic of Vietnam; these true heroes don’t come along every day.
One of the great benefits of being a member of the 1st Marine Division Association since I joined 23 years ago is that I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with some true American heroes – those who demonstrated amazing courage under fire, who saved lives and whose acts turned the tide of battle, resulting in victory and a new chapter in our beloved Corps’ legacy.
I’ll never forget the day that I first met Colonel Mitch Paige, USMC (MOH). I was attending an FMDA Anniversary celebration many years ago at Camp Pendleton. It was a rather dreary day with a light but persistent rain falling on those of us who had participated in and observed our annual “Rededication of Colors” ceremony at 1st Marine Division Headquarters. I had invited my son, Brent, and we were both soaking wet, so we ducked into the Quonset hut behind the White House where I knew there was a historical display of various artifacts displaying some of the legendary history of our division. As I began to show him around, I noticed that Mitch Paige was also in the Quonset hut, so I introduced my son to him. After a brief conversation, Mitch asked Brent if he would like to walk around the museum with him, so he could expand on the displays surrounding us. Brent was in awe of this kind, soft-spoken man who was wearing the beautiful starred blue and white decoration, proof of the fact that we were in the presence of a true hero, and so was I. I’ll never forget his kindness that day, and the humility that Colonel Paige demonstrated. It capped off a very memorable day for all of us.
I also remember the honor I felt every time I was in the presence of Gunnery Sergeant Denny Weisgerber, USMC (Ret) as we worked together within the 1st Marine Division Association. Denny was also a living legend to all of us who knew him and worked with him. Awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions in Korea in 1952, Denny worked tirelessly for many decades on our behalf. I will never forget his booming yet somehow gentle voice as he served as our Master of Ceremonies at many Blue Diamond functions and USMC Birthday Balls over the years.
Once I accepted the responsibilities to become the FMDA’s Deputy Vice President – West, the first thing I did was reach out to all the Chapter Presidents in the Western Region. When I reached the Chapter President of our Orange County Chapter, Sergeant Scott Montoya, I quickly became impressed with his youthful enthusiasm and immediately knew that our Orange County Marines had great leadership. That feeling was confirmed after our first conversation, during which Scott shared with me that their chapter was very active, hosting well-attended monthly meetings and four functions every year. They host a chapter picnic, a special luau, a Marine Corps Birthday celebration, and they are very active in the Toys for Tots program. Their meetings are full of “interesting stuff,” and light on “administrative crap” as Scott energetically enlightened me. Their biggest challenge is retention of membership and recruitment of new members, which is the issue that I have found to be uppermost on the minds of our chapters and our national association.
I was so intrigued by our first conversation that I decided to learn more about Sgt. Scott Montoya. I found that Scott had been working as a Deputy Sheriff in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for over four years when he came to the decision to enlist in the United States Marine Corps at age 25. He had observed that many of his fellow deputies had served time in our Corps, and he was very impressed by their love of the Corps and the Esprit de Corps they displayed every day. Scott graduated from boot camp at MCRD San Diego and excelled at every assignment he was given. He was the honor graduate of the School of Infantry and spent two and a half years as a squad automatic weapons gunner. He excelled at the elite Scout Sniper School, and he became a martial arts instructor and trainer.
Scott eventually changed his status as that of Marine reservist and went back to work as a deputy sheriff. Three weeks after the devastating terrorist attacks on 9/11, his reserve unit was activated. During the build-up of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Scott was deployed with the Scout Sniper Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, who were attached to the 1st Marine Division. His unit was on point for the invasion of Iraq, under the leadership of (then) Major General James N. Mattis.
As the Marines pressed toward Baghdad, Scott and his fellow Marines found themselves in a ferocious firefight in Sadr City, which was considered a stronghold for Saddam Hussein’s vaunted Iraqi Republican Army. To say the least, his actions during that hellacious battle saved lives and made a huge difference for his fellow Marines, but also many innocent Iraqi civilians who found themselves in harm’s way. Scott’s Navy Cross Citation speaks for itself, but it does not contain the full story. Here’s a link to the citation: https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/3638
I have recently learned from several of Scott’s business associates and friends that there is an effort underway to have his award upgraded to the Medal of Honor. After reading his citation and learning more about what happened that day and understanding the full story of Scott’s undaunted courage under fire, I am joining that effort to see that he receives the recognition he deserves.
After serving another five years in the Orange County Sheriff’s department, Scott decided to change his focus and launched a non-profit veterans’ service organization to help him and his partners do what they can do to assist disabled veterans. It’s called Faithful Service for Veterans, and their mission is to pair dogs with disabled veterans. You can check out this wonderful program here: https://faithfulserviceforveterans.org/
Imagine my joy at realizing that I was once again in the presence of a true Blue Diamond hero as I was speaking with Sergeant Scott Montoya, USMCR (Navy Cross). I look forward to meeting him in person at our next FMDA function and to working with him and our Orange County Chapter as we work toward the goals of financial stability, increased membership and renewed focus for the 1st Marine Division Association.
Stay tuned for the rest of Scott’s story, which will be published in the next issue of The Old Breed News.
Semper Fidelis!
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On Gold Star Mother’s Day I took my 57 Chevy to a car show and displayed my Fallen Marines Boots and Dog Tags Tribute for 1st CEB KIA in Afghanistan also iconic picture of Marine Sgt Brad Kasal who was severely wounded at Fallujah!
Many Veterans especially Marines complimented me along with Marine Recruiters,
car owners and civilians!
Semper Fidelus
Mickey Christiason
FMDA
Marine Corps League, San Clemente
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SEMPER FI & AMERICA'S FUND |
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The Semper Fi & America's Fund is caring for veterans from all
U.S. military service branches. See below for details of services provided.
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PELELIU PROGRESS
Gen. A.C. Zinni USMC(Ret.)
U.S. forces haven't decisively won a ground war since WWII .
How could capabilities 77 years ago now enhance national security? By noting that the modern-day firepower- and technology-driven U.S. military no longer depends upon separate fireteam maneuvers. So, neither it--nor any foreign Army it trains--can quickly advance through the severely broken terrain that the foe usually defends to get away from the tanks, bombardment, and large-unit formations.
There is no way of handling all that compartmentalization at once.
Peleliu Progress (from the author of The Last Hundred Yards) reveals what GIs learned the hard way on Peleliu that allowed their parent services to win the final WWII battle at Okinawa.
It shows how U.S. units must now prepare to take back Great Natuna at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca from the Chinese. That former part of Japan's Co-Prosperity Sphere also contains jumbled terrain with underground passageways.
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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SAVE THE DATE!
The 1st Annual Blue Diamond Sporting Clays Championship
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Sponsored by the 1st Marine Division Association
and Bass Pro Shops / Cabella’s
Event: Announcing the 1st Annual Blue Diamond Sporting Clays Championship, a fund-raiser supporting the iconic 1st Marine Division Association, which supports the U. S. Marines and Sailors who are on active duty with this historic “Blue Diamond Division.”
Schedule: Saturday, 16 April 2022 from 0800 to 1400
Location: Sporting Clays - 14995 River Road, Corona, California 92880 - (951) 735-7981
Event Program Overview: Many veterans of the 1st Marine Division will act as event volunteers, hosts and sponsors.
· Silent & Live Auction: Participants can own a piece of history by bidding on our war souvenirs wrestled from the Imperial Japanese Army on the beaches and battlefields of the Pacific Theater during World War II, or inside the Pusan Perimeter in Korea, or on the mountainous jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. Whether it is a Hari Kiri knife, a Japanese officer’s pistol / holster, battle flags or a Samurai sword, each item to be auctioned offers to be a treasured artifact for any collector or history enthusiast. Additional prizes that any shooter or hunter would desire are also included. The shoot is just a bonus.
· Buffet Lunch: At the end of the Shoot, all Shooters, Volunteers and Supporters, will be provided with a BBQ Buffet lunch and cold drinks.
· The Shoot: Shooters can pre-register individually, or in teams of four (4) shooters. All shooters will be organized into 4-shooter teams, and we will conduct a “Shotgun Start” at approximately 9:00 am. Each shooter will be given 100 targets and will shoot at fourteen (14) stations, competing for trophies and prizes. Included in the registration fee of $200.00 per shooter (or $150.00 if on active duty) or $800.00 per team (or $700.00 if registered and paid in advance) are opportunities to win prizes, a silent and live auction, tournament trophies, and a nice buffet lunch.
· The Volunteers: To ensure that our inaugural event is successful, we need a team of approximately twelve (12) committed volunteers to assist on Shoot Day. Volunteers will be asked to help find potential Shooters, Donors and Sponsors leading up to the event and they will be asked to be at the event venue staring at 0800 on the morning of the Shoot and to stay until the event is completed. Volunteer assignments:
o 2 – Registration Desk; responsible for checking in all pre-registered shooters / teams and taking money from those who sign up on Shoot Day.
o 2 – Welcome Desk; responsible for handing out the Event Programs to each participant, as well as answer questions about the Event.
o 2 – Mulligans Desk; Mulligans (do-overs) are available to any Shooter for $20.00 per mulligan. Limit two (2) per shooter.
o 2 – 50 / 50 Raffle, Silent Auction; responsible for setting up silent and live auction items and handling the auctions.
o 4 – Game Station Monitors; 2 Game Stations, 2 volunteers each; responsible for monitoring two “fun games” on the course: A Rabbit Target and a Simu-pair. Each Shooter may purchase a chance for both of these games. $20.00 per chance. Winners are given a raffle ticket and are entered in that game’s 50/50 drawing.
This will be the first of hopefully many annual shoots for this great cause over the coming years. We are looking for a “Few Good Shooters” to team up, join our team, and have a great time shooting for a great cause.
Our goal is to make this a “must attend” event into the coming years, so we are rolling out the red carpet to all who participate, especially our Shooters, Donors, and Sponsors.
1st Annual Blue Diamond Sporting Clays Championship
Sponsorships:
Blue Diamond Event Sponsor: $5,000
· May field three (3) five-shooter teams; thanked by signage, event program and participation in our media campaign
· Contributions can include cash or gifts for our silent and live auctions
Guadalcanal Sponsor: $2,500
· May field two (2) four-shooter teams; thanked by signage, event program and participation in our media campaign
Peleliu Sponsor: $1,500.00
· May field one (2) four-shooter teams, thanked by signage, event program and participation in our media campaign
Wounded Warrior Team Sponsor $1,000
· Supports one Wounded Warrior who will participate fully in the shoot and the fun; includes three (3) shooters.
Shoot Teams $800 ($700 if paid in advance)
· 4-shooter team will participate fully in the shoot and the fun; includes four (4) shooters.
Individual Shooter $200 ($150 if active-duty)
· Includes Shoot, buffet lunch and access to our live and silent auctions.
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Contact: Nick Warr
Cell (828)243-8708
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Welcome Aboard to our newest members:
LTCOL WILLIAM E. CALLAHAN
PVT JAMES A. HEITMEYER
Change to Senior Life:
SGT RANDAL A LUTES
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Short report this time. We have been working on duties other than
the Taps research this period.
Our thanks to Gary Brannan for his regular reports from Oregon.
Recent reports are in boldface.
CLINTON J. CLOYD, 18 Sep 2021
BETTY J.T. COOK, 29 Sep 2021
JAMES Z. EMRICK, 26 Aug 2021
EDWARD FERNANDEZ, 28 May 2021
SGT CHRISTOPHER JOHN HARMON, 15 Sep 2021
ROGER P. JOHNSON, 21 Aug 2021
GAIL OWEN LEWIS, 5 Feb 2021
FRANK G. THACHER, 24 Sep 2021
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Association's Challenge Coins
Contact HQ at (760)763-3268
SOLD OUT
These Challenge Coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Tet 1968
have sold out.
Thank you to everyone who bought a few to support the FMDA.
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Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Corrento's email: Jcorrento@verizon.net
Website currently down. We are working on it.
First Marine Division Association
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside CA 92051
(760) 763-3268
Thank you for reading the Blue Diamond News. Please contact us with corrections, suggestions, and content you would like to see.
Semper Fidelis
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