"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success."
- Henry Ford
Hershel 'Woody' Williams
Last Living Medal of Honor Recipient
of the WWII Pacific Campaign

WWII Marine Hershel “Woody” Williams - the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Pacific Theater - describes the series of events that lead to him being awarded the medal.

--Memoirs of WWII on YouTube
Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams (ESB-4) leaving San Diego, Calif. (US Navy Photo)
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
A Special Edition here for me to make a special plea to you all.

Since we couldn't have a reunion for DC in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Board of Directors didn't have a meeting to pick 5 members to be on the Nominating Committee. So, the Executive Committee voted to ask the DVP's to contact their Chapters in their Region. What I been told we've had no response. New Deputy Vice President Central, William Godfrey is contacting Chapter Presidents in his region's states, but the deadline we gave ourselves of 31 August is fast approaching.

So, I open it up to all you members. If any member would like to be on the Nominating Committee, please notify the office. We anticipate all business to be done by email and telephone conference meetings. No travel required.
We are also hoping individuals would step up to run for offices of the Executive Committee for the 2021-2023 term. Please submit your name to the office along with the position you are interested in.

Offices are held for a two year term, beginning August 2021.

The Association runs on it Bylaws. Click the link below to get your copy. Article 5 spells out the FMDA Offices. Article 7 details the Executive Committee. Article 8(A) defines the duties of the Nominating Committee

First, we need to form the Nominating Committee. Then, members willing to run for an elected office will submit their candidacy to the Nominating Committee for vetting. Nominated candidates will send in their information by 31st of December so we can start putting it together for the OBN and for making up the ballots.

There will be no 1st Marine Division Association in the future unless members will step up to help run it. Please consider running to be an Officer next year.

The 50/50 raffle winning ticket will be drawn tomorrow at Division Headquarters.

Semper Fi,

Jerry Johs 
FMDA President

DJC
From Headquarters
Save the date!
First week in August 2021
Oceanside/San Diego, California
 Blue Diamond 80th Birthday Reunion
“Last of the First Bottle” in honor of our WW II Vets

For more info contact:
Len Hayes
(760) 760-712 7088
Lenhayes@cox.net
You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
SEMPER FI FUND

The Semper Fi Fund is caring for veterans from all U.S. military service branches. See below for details of services provided.
Health
Coronavirus FAQs: What Veterans need to know
Our call centers and some VA health facilities are currently experiencing very high numbers of calls. To help us address the most urgent needs first, we ask that you use our online tools and frequently asked questions (FAQs) for routine or non-urgent questions. We’ll continue to update this page as the situation changes.
VA coronavirus chatbot
You can also use our VA coronavirus chatbot to get answers to your questions.
Visit the CDC for general coronavirus questions
For general questions about COVID-19, such as symptoms, prevention steps, guidance for travelers, and more, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
On this page
From Veterans Affairs

What should Veterans do?
Veterans with symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to contact VA before visiting – you can find contact information for your closest VA facility. Alternatively, Veterans can sign into My HealtheVet to send secure messages to their VA providers or use telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
Read responses to Veterans' frequently asked questions about accessing their VA benefits.
Upon arriving at VA, all patients will be screened for flu-like symptoms before they enter in order to protect other patients and staff. A VA health care professional will assist you with next steps once this screening process is complete.
At this time, VA is urging all visitors who do not feel well to please postpone their visits to VA facilities.
How to protect yourself
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 infection and no medication to treat it. CDC believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to an infection with these simple steps.
  • Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team, before any urgent problems arise.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Getting a flu shot is recommended.
  • 
What should I do if I have symptoms?
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, call your VA medical center before going to a clinic, urgent care, or emergency room. You can also send your doctor a secure message through My HealtheVet.

Contacting us first helps us protect you, medical staff, and other patients.
If you’re not sure about your symptoms, our Annie text messaging service can help you monitor them and advise you when to contact your VA care team or your facility’s advice nurse.

The messages also provide general wellness tips and steps you can take to protect yourself. You can subscribe to Annie coronavirus precautions messages yourself, or ask your VA care team to assign it to you.

Visit the CDC website to learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19.
MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS
MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS, AWARDS, AND UNIT HISTORIES
(See the attached pdf file, or go to the URL at bottom here)
 
A New Congressional Research Service Publication on U.S. Military Service Records, Awards, and Unit Histories
 
The Congressional Research Service has just published a short reference document that might be of interest to many:
 
The guide provides information on locating military unit histories and individual service records of discharged, retired, and deceased military personnel. It also provides information on locating and replacing military awards and medals. Included is contact information for military history centers, websites for additional sources of research, and a bibliography of other publications, including related CRS reports.

 
GENERAL FUND DONATIONS
USAA
Dear 1st Marine Division Association,
 
Thank you for taking care of veterans and military families, especially during this period of crisis and uncertainty. The First Marine Division Association’s services, fundraising and donations are meeting critical needs. On behalf of USAA’s more than 35,000 employees, please accept my sincere gratitude.
 
One of the many downsides this pandemic brings is the cancellation of gatherings – particularly your 73rd Annual Reunion, which I know USAA representatives were eager to support. We look forward to supporting next year’s event at the Home of the First Marine Division in Oceanside.
 
These are difficult times for all of us, and we know that military families are hard hit. That is why USAA just announced a donation of $30 million to offer relief and support through the Military Family Relief Initiative. This will help military aid societies provide zero-interest loans and emergency grants to eligible service members and their families, enhance veteran and spouse employment prospects, assist with child-care costs, support virtual delivery of education and offer emotional support for children.
 
We hope this contribution gives military aid organizations a lasting benefit. As interest-free loans are repaid, the funds can help new recipients well into the future.
 
The Military Family Relief Initiative is USAA’s largest one-time philanthropic contribution to date and expands our giving from the $11 million we donated earlier this year to military-oriented nonprofit organizations and our local communities.
 
To directly help our members, we’ve also returned more than $1 billion to our auto policyholders since stay-at-home trends have drastically reduced driving. And we’ve provided special assistance to more than 1 million members who are struggling during the pandemic.
 
We stand alongside you and the FMDA in supporting our military community through this crisis. Thank you for being an important ally in serving military and veteran families.

Best regards,

Wayne Peacock | CEO
9800 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78288
Office: (210) 498-7757 Cell: (210) 913-7757
New Members
No report this edition
Taps
No report this edition
Challenge Coin
Association's Challenge Coins Available
Contact HQ at (760)763-3268

These Challenge Coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Tet 1968 are available to members. The price is $5 per coin, plus shipping.

Our coin supply is replenished.
We'll be fulfilling backorders, and welcome more. 
Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Johs Email: geronamo0122@gmail.com
Please visit our website: www.firstmardivassoc.com

First Marine Division Association
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside CA 92051

(760) 763-3268