“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”
--G. Michael Hopf
|
|
FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
|
|
From taskandpurpose.com
Marines are finally about to receive their first new pistol in 35 years
|
|
The Marine Corps has officially begun procurement of the Army's Modular Handgun System to replace its existing pistol arsenal, the service
announced
on Tuesday.
The M18 service pistol — a compact variant of the striker-fired M17 that, based on Sig Sauer's P320, the Army adopted under the MHS program in 2017 — will finally see fielding this fiscal year,
according
to Marine Corps Systems Command.
MARCORSYSCOM spokesman Maj. Ken Kunze had
previously
pegged the start of fielding at some time during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, with a target completion date in "late 2023."
“The MHS improves on the precision and reliability of the legacy platforms, while also bringing with it new, more effective ammunition,” said Program Manager for Infantry Weapons weapons product manager Maj. Mike Brisker in a
statement
.
The Corps has been angling for a taste of the Army's new pistol since 2018 when the service's fiscal year 2019 budget request
laid out
plans to purchase 35,000 of the new MHS.
The M18 "provides modularity and greater shooter ergonomics over the current models which will allow for more accurate fire for military personnel of different sizes," as the Corps's budget request
put it at the time
.
...
|
|
Dear Members,
How are you all hanging on? Got big plans for the holiday weekend?
The Executive Committee met by telephone last Friday, 15 May. We voted to have our hotel broker negotiate with Hilton to get the best deal for us on our contract.
We are waiting for that result. The Exec Committee will again consider it then. I'll let you all know when I know.
The Washington, D.C. area is still being hit hard, and the monuments and museums remain shut down. Even if some venues opened up in August, enough members are telling us they would not want to risk travel, that we would expect a very low turn out. That would be a financial hit for the Association. Even more, our members are among the most at-risk cohorts.
USAA created some fine webpages for this Memorial Day. Please check those out below.
Until next time, folks, keep hanging on. And enjoy and appreciate this special Memorial Day holiday.
Semper Fi,
Jerry Johs
FMDA President
DJC
|
|
Our August plans are subject to change, as above. Please hold off making reservations until we know the state of the world this summer.
Come join us for our 73rd Annual Reunion in Washington, D.C. We meet 14-23 August at the Hilton Dulles Airport Hotel in Herndon, Virginia. Activities are in the planning stage. We are exploring visits to:
-- National Museum of the Marine Corps
-- Vietnam Memorial Wall for our memorial service
-- Iwo Jima Memorial
-- World War II Memorial
-- Korean War Memorial
-- Friday Evening Parade at 8th & I
Please let us know of any other sites you would want considered. Email the Site Destination Committee at
geronamo0122@gmail.com
We are looking into having a bus available to shuttle from the hotel into downtown D.C.
This year's banquet will see the opening of the 1st Division's Last Man Bottle.
Room rates are $127.68 per night (tax included).
Reservations may be cancelled until 1 August.
Click the button below to reserve your room or to check out the hotel.
Check out the sites of the Capital with the second button.
|
|
Developing details of the itinerary will printed in upcoming editions of the Blue Diamond News.
You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
|
|
The Semper Fi Fund is caring for veterans from all U.S. military service branches. See below for details of services provided.
|
|
This Memorial Day, we invite you to join us in remembering those military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service by visiting the
USAA Poppy Wall of Honor
#HonorThroughAction
|
|
From Chicago Marines via George Mulvaney
|
|
End of Vietnam War: 30 April 1975
|
|
Cpl Charles McMahon and L/Cpl Darwin Judge
|
|
Black Sunday
We had reflected back 45 years ago, with our local Veterans and the Vietnamese community last Thursday:
On April 30,‘75 in South Vietnam, SAIGON Falls (aka Black Sunday), Vietnam War came to an official end. The final day of Operation Frequent Wind, US Marines HELO-evac from US Embassy rooftop receives orders to stand-down & return to their ships deployment.
To those who had served during this era, in-country or out, your support was vital and felt worldwide. Thank You for your Service and Welcome Home to All.
To the people of the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) we too know of your pain and loss of close family. Along with tens of thousands who left behind their youth to an unknown country so far away, and for all able to return ...are still suffering, Wounded by their combat memories unable to fully recover, this remembrance is a testament to each that you will “Never Be Forgotten.”
In Memoriam, to the last two US service casualties, killed by a RPG attack, both US Marine Security Guards (MSG) Cpl Charles McMahon & L/Cpl Darwin Judge. RIP our Brothers, slow Hand-Salute!
S/F
chiMAR
George Mulvaney
MCL Burbank Det #072
|
|
Subject: Korean War Combat Veterans Special Visit to WDC and White House 70th Anniversary of Korean War
To our Korean War Veterans:
Timothy Davis, CEO of The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation and his organization has arranged a special 3-Day visit to Washington DC which will be highlighted by attending a special event at the White House to meet with President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, VP Mike Pence and the Joints Chiefs of Staff. The special event at the White House will be to honor the veterans of Korea, 70 years after the Korean War.
This trip will be a solo trip by each veteran who attends, (no family members), and will be scheduled for June of this year 2020. Everything on this trip will be arranged by
www.TGGF.org
It is asked that Veterans contacted in this email please do not contact the media, don't tell extended family beyond a wife, etc., until the mission is completed.
If you are interested, please contact Timothy Davis via email, telephone or text message and let him know you are interested:
Timothy Davis, CEO
The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation
303-653-4555
PS: If you know of other Korean Veterans not contacted on this email please let them know to contact Timothy at the above email or phone #.
Semper Fidelis,
Bill Purcell, President 1st MarDiv Association, RMC
John Decker, VP 1st MarDiv Association, RMC
Grady Birdsong, Treasurer 1st MarDiv Association, RMC
Coopers Troopers
|
|
Central Florida Chapter's Latest Newsletter
|
|
1st Marine Division has a Photo Gallery on their website. Here are a few of them.
Details and photographer credits are on the website. All photos USMC.
|
|
Sep 13, 2017
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Gonzalez)
https://www.1stmardiv.marines.mil/Units/3D-AABN/Photo-Gallery/igphoto/2001808819/
3d Assault Amphibian Battallions' annual surf qualification
|
|
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - U.S. Marine veterans with the 1st Marine Division Association visit 5th Marine Regiment's Memorial Garden on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 30, 2020. The veterans visited the memorial to honor those Marines and Sailors who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving with 1st Marine Division.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexa M. Hernandez)
|
|
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Mariscal and his wife gathered at the 5th Marine Regiment Memorial Garden during 1st Marine Division’s 79th Anniversary on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 30, 2020. The veterans visited the memorial to honor those Marines and Sailors who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving with 1st Marine Division.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexa M. Hernandez)
|
|
See all the photos on the Division's website.
|
|
Memorial Day in Oceanside
|
|
Good Afternoon:
My name is Serena Reid and I am an Adjunct Professor of Media Studies at Palomar College.
I just received information about an event that will take place this
Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2020 at the Oceanside Airport
. Registration is open to Active Duty, Veterans and their families.
(See flyer above)
From my understanding, there will be enough food available/distributed for 1000 cars. My purpose for writing is to reach out to as many Veterans and Veteran/Active Duty organizations as I possibly can to get the message out about this event so that deserving Veterans and Active Duty members and their families can participate.
Participants
MUST REGISTER BY THIS SUNDAY MAY 24, 2020 AT 12:00pm
HERE IS THE REGISTRATION LINK:
If more information is required, please email lori@vanc.me or CStarr@koct.org. In advance, thank you for passing this information along.
Semper Fidelis,
Serena Reid
|
|
From Veterans Affairs
What should Veterans do?
Any Veteran with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to call before visiting – you can find contact information for your
closest VA facility
.
Alternatively, Veterans can sign into
My HealtheVet
to send a secure message to VA or use
telehealth options
to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
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.
|
|
From The Kansas City Star
|
|
99-year-old COVID-19 survivor, a Marine and WWII veteran, honored as he goes home
|
|
COVID-19 survivor Max Deweese, 99, a Marine and World War II Veteran, was honored by dozens of healthcare workers, an honor guard and KCK police and firefighters as he was discharged from Ignite Medical Resorts, where he rehabilitated.
|
|
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.
|
|
GYSGT JAMES CARROLL ANDERSON
COL NATHAN NASTASE
LCDR GEORGE SCHRODEDER, sponsor: Bob Belz
Associate MRS ALICE WIENBERG,
sponsor: Cpl James A. Weinberg
|
|
We are again updating the database from Social Security records.
Recent reports are boldface.
SGT JOHN M. ABBOTT, 3 Mar 2010
CAPT RICHARD M. COAN USN, 15 Apr 2020
CPL JOSEPH (JOE) R. CONNELL, 1 May 2020
GYSGT RAYMOND K. CORNICK USMC(RET)
GYSGT KENNETH O. CORNWELL USMC(RET), 20 Mar 2019
CPL NICHOLAS COROMELAS, 15 Oct 2009
CPL JOSEPH R. CORREA, 29 Jul 2018
GYSGT WILLIAM J. CORRELL USMC(RET), 6 Jan 2018
PHM2 FRANK CORRY FMF, 24 Dec 2019
CPL JOHN CORZAN, 19 May 2019
LCPL RAYMOND F. COSTA, 8 Jan 2019
PFC JOSEPH COSTANZA, 26 Dec 2004
PVT PETER F. COSTARELLI
HM2 (PJ) (DV) (FMF) ROLAND G. COTE JR, 21 Apr 2020
MAJ RICHARD W. COTTEN, 24 Aug 2017
LTCOL ROBERT R. DARRON, 30 Mar 2020
CPL FRANCIS J. FRESCHAUF, 21 Aug 2015
PFC WAYNE V. FRIEDMAN, 13 Mar 2016
ROBERT DIXON GARNER, 20 May 2020
SSGT HAROLD R. HANEY SR, 31 Mar 2019
MAJ R. D. HAWKINS USMC(RET), 18 Dec 2011
LTCOL GEORGE JANISZEWSKI USMC(RET), 17 Apr 2020
CPL JEAN M. KERR, 6 Jan 2019
SGT DAVID E. KUHN, 11 Apr 2012
CPL ROBERT C. LEHMAN, 10 Apr 2020
KIRK NICOLAIDES, 4 Apr 2020
LCPL CARL J. NIXON, 9 Apr 2007
SGTMAJ FRANK E. ROLLER, 15 Aug 2018
PFC CLARENCE L. SHAW, 16 May 2014
SGT MARC STELLA, 3 Jun 2019
SSGT C. L. TILLER JR, 1 Jun 2012
SSGT EDWARD T. URZEDOWSKI, 19 Feb 2009
SGTMAJ WALTER 'VAL' VALENTINE, 30 Apr 2020
WILLIAM R. VINCENT, 18 Mar 2013
TSGT JOHN JOSEPH VINSKI, 16 Mar 2016
SGT JULES R. VITERBO, 2012
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
Thank you for reading the Blue Diamond News. Please contact us with corrections, suggestions, and content you would like to see.
Semper Fidelis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
