"The fear of death follows from the fear of life.
A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time."
-- Edward Abby
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FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
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Dear Members,
It has been a year to wrap up with Auld Lang Syne.
We just lost another. Mary Lou Tassinari passed away on December 23. Mary Lou was a fixture at the registration tables at any of our functions she and husband Henry attended. She was always first to volunteer to assist the staff, and a great supporter of our raffles. Our condolences to Henry and her family.
Here are my wishes that the coming new year is good for you all. Hoping for health and happiness.
If you able please join us aboard Camp Pendleton the last week of January to celebrate our comrades and friends.
Semper Fi,
Jerry Johs
DJC
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Come join us for our 79th Anniversary Commemoration aboard Camp Pendleton, California in late January and enjoy a mild winter among friends. January 29-31, 2020.
Click the button below to download your Registration Form.
Our next big event is this summer's 73rd Annual Reunion. Set for Washington, D.C., Friday, Aug 14 - Sunday Aug 23, 2020. Details to come.
You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
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Rocky Mountain Chapter
Installation and Celebration
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The below photos were taken by Tim Dunn at our annual Christmas luncheon and installation of new officers.
The first photo depicts members present at the Christmas luncheon on December 21, 2019 at the Mount Vernon Canyon Country Club. From left to right: Grady Birdsong, Skip Munger, Bill Purcell, Robert Brockish (Director and past president), Timothy Dunn (Director) Ted Ski, Justin McDonald, John Decker, Joe Porter.
The second photo shows the officers as elected. From left to right, Kitty Purcell, wife on the new president, William (Bill) Purcell, President, Skip Munger, Secretary, Grady Birdsong, Treasurer and John Decker, Vice President.
Semper Fidelis
John Decker
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News from
Desert Cities / Mitchell Paige MOH Chapter
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Desert Cities / Mitchell Paige Chapter
Chartered in 1998 by Marine Corps Veterans including namesake Colonel Mitchell Paige USMC. Colonel Paige, longtime Valley resident, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic action while a Platoon Sergeant with the 7th Regiment at the Battle of Guadalcanal, Pacific Theater of WWII. Colonel Paige marched to Heaven on November 15, 2003. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Paige who still attends our Chapter Meetings, luncheons and Marine Corps Award Ceremonies when she is able.
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President's Message
Marines/Sailors,
Greetings!
My wife Nancy and I had the pleasure and honor of attending and representing our Chapter at the 7th Regiment's Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Las Vegas. It was indeed a double honor for me because, much to my surprise, I was the oldest Marine present and as such participated in the traditional cake cutting ceremony.
Now back to business. Our seasonal fund raising drive is right on pace with previous years thanks to members who stood double and triple watches from day one.
The donations we receive at Jensen's primarily support our emergency fund program for Marine families, our Christmas dinner program, our support to Marine JROTC program and the Devil Pups program as well.
Over the years Jensen's customers have been very generous with their donations. That's why it is so important to staff every watch at both Jensen's markets.
I hope one day to be able to say every member of our Chapter participated in our fundraising effort by standing a watch at Jensen's.
Semper Fidelis
Harry Covert
Tun Tavern Swashbucklers to meet in January
TUN TAVERN GROUP
The Tun Tavern Club meets several times a year for dinner, fellowship, camaraderie, to swap sea stories and to pig out on food and grog. The few shekels accumulated by the club, if any, are turned over to the Chapter to use at its discretion. There are no club officers or rules or regulations guiding the demeanor of members and guests other than military courtesy extended to each other.
From time to time members may be tasked with sharing their military experiences with the members. Tun Tavern meetings are open to guests both military and civilian.
CURRENT TUN TAVERN MEMBERS
Wes Ahlgren | Michael Bales (in memorium)| Harry Covert| Joe Daily
Dave Dangwillo | Dave Franklin | Charlie Garbarini | BobFerris | Frank Gillette |Charlie Hall
Sam Huttenhower| Jim Irwin | Franz Jevene | Howard Lehman | Jimmy Martin
Vince Mast| Gene McClendon | Jack Mennis | George Moffatt | Hank Monahan
Gene Mooring | James Olson | Mike Ostrom | Marilyn Paige | | Dino Ruffoni
Henry Sanchez | Sandy Sandoval | | Bob Shepard | Buddy Sklar
George Stettler | Dale Turner | Quint Villanueva | Mike Walker | Michael Walker
Myrl Wallace | Linn Wiley | Tom Woulfe
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Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah Marines
Sending you holiday greetings from my dialysis center to you your family and our Marines and Corpsmen everywhere!
Remember the Fallen and our Wounded Warriors
Semper Fidelis
Mickey Christiason
FMDA Assoc Member
Marine Corps League-Det 0022
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I just heard earlier today that Steve Lakernick died about 2 weeks ago. I knew Steve and he got me signed up to the 1st Marine Division membership. I just want you folks to recognize him. He did a lot for the organization.
Thank you,
Semper Fi
Sgt Ronald L Morrison
HQ Co, 5th Mar Regiment, 1st Marine Division - July 67-August 68
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New for 2020: Commissary, exchanges opening up to 4 million more people
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Photo:
(Defense Commissary Agency/Kevin Robinson)
Military stores are gearing up for a potential
4 million extra people
who will be eligible to shop at
commissaries
and exchanges, and to use certain morale, welfare and recreation facilities starting Jan. 1.
The new benefit was authorized by law for all veterans with VA service-connected disability ratings; Purple Heart recipients; veterans who are former prisoners of war; and primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the VA caregiver program.
It’s the largest patronage expansion in more than 60 years. Currently about 6 million total households are eligible for the benefit; this increases that number by 60 percent. Not all of the 4 million people are expected to use the benefit, because of distance and other factors, but officials are working to ensure no out-of-stock situations occur at stores in states with high populations of disabled veterans and in states with higher cost of living.
Federal officials have determined that disabled veterans will use their Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) to gain access to military installations, and to shop and use MWR facilities.
The VHIC must display the veteran’s eligibility status — Purple Heart recipient, former POW, or service-connected
. Current Defense Department policy and the law have long allowed these benefits for Medal of Honor recipients and veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability ratings.
Most installations’ front gate scanning systems now have the capability to scan the VHIC cards. However, these newly-eligible patrons should allow some extra time when they first visit the installation to stop at the visitor control center, where they must pass an on-the-spot background check. Depending on the type of installation, patrons may be enrolled for recurring access to allow them to proceed to the gate without stopping at the visitor control center on future visits. Spouses can’t buy anything, but they and other family members can accompany the veteran into the store.
An estimated 37,000 veterans qualify for the new benefit, but don’t qualify for the VHIC for various reasons. They won’t have access to the installations during the first phase of the rollout. A credentialing solution is being worked out for these veterans, and will be rolled out at an unspecified later date.
Caregivers approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers will receive an eligibility letter from the VA’s Office of Community Care.
Newly eligible customers who shop in commissaries will pay a fee of 1.9 percent of their transaction if they pay with a commercial credit card, and 0.5 percent if they use a debit card. These fees won’t apply to those paying with a Military Star card, cash or check. By law, the expansion of customers can’t include extra costs associated with using credit cards in commissaries; the cost must be passed on to the customer.
Commercial credit card companies charge transaction fees to retailer when customers use their credit cards. The fees only apply to newly eligible patrons. But as has been the practice for decades, all customers pay a 5 percent surcharge on transactions, required by law to pay for commissary construction, equipment and maintenance.
The benefit extends to revenue-generating MWR activities such as golf courses, bowling centers, movie theaters, RV campgrounds and recreational lodging.
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Iwo Jima Association of America
Reunions & Symposium
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Bring your family to the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
4 January 2020, Fort Worth, Texas
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The Association receives 6% of each sale of the KA-BAR/EK
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The Semper Fi Fund is caring for veterans from all U.S. military service branches. See below for details of services provided.
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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.
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GYSGT THOMAS A. DECUBELLIS
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We are again updating the database from Social Security records.
Recent reports are boldface.
1STLT CHESTER W. ALLEN, 7 Dec 2019
2NDLT DELMAS D. BURCHFIELD PHD, 11 Jan 2016
PFC BARRET S. BURKE, 25 Aug 2009
JAMES T. BURKE, 3 Apr 2015
CAPT JOHN J. BURKE III USN(RET), 4 May 2019
STEPHEN D. BURKE, 12 Aug 2016
MARY LOU TASSINARI, 23 Dec 2019
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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.
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Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Johs Email: geronamo0122@gmail.com
First Marine Division Association
P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902
Oceanside CA 92051
(760) 763-3268
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Semper Fidelis
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