"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend."
--Thomas Jefferson

Teen Pays Tribute To Fallen Marines With Prom Dress

Aubrey Headon and her prom dress

ROCHELLE, Ill. (WIFR) ----- One young Rochelle girl took a rite of passage and turned it into a tribute for fallen servicemen.

Aubrey Headon knew she wanted to do something special with her prom dress and this weekend, she made her grand debut., wearing it as a tribute to 25 Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Each ribbon was marked with a different battalion member's name, with one of the ribbons representing Tyler Smith, a fellow Rochelle resident who passed away in a drowning accident last September.

Aubrey says she wanted to wear the dress to keep their memories alive.
"It makes me feel proud because these guys fell over in Afghanistan for us to live how we do and do what we do every day. Their lives.... and their memories need to carry on so that they don't fade into nothing," said Headon.

Headon says she felt proud to wear the dress in front of her classmates.



PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hope to see lots of you folks at our Annual Reunion this August. The Association needs your support, and a well attended Reunion does that. Come, have fun, and do good.

Check out, below, the AR-10 we will be raffling at the Reunion. It will be a great addition to your collection, and a great help to the Association.

Semper Fi

Jerry Johs
President
FROM THE HEADQUARTERS
72nd Annual Reunion
Louisville, Kentucky
Our 72nd Annual Reunion is set for August 3 through 12, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel.

We'll see old friends, make new friends, and see the sights of the Blue Grass State.

The Registration Form and Program for the week is
now available.





Please start making your plans to join us in a week of tradition, fun, and comradery.
Hotel Reservation Deadline

Reservations must by booked by June 10 to receive the Group Rate.
COME AND ENJOY AN EVENING WITH JOE GALLOWAY  

  At the 1st Marine Division Association 72nd Annual Reunion   
Wednesday August 7th, 2019 from 19:00 hrs until   
in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Hotel.  

Joe Galloway will be talking to all veterans attending and will have his latest book available to be purchase and will be signed by him.  
An American newspaper correspondent and columnist. Since 2013, he has worked as a special consultant for the  Vietnam War  50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to  Ken Burns ' production of a  documentary history of the Vietnam War  broadcast in the fall of 2017 by  PBS . He is also the former Military Affairs consultant for the  Knight-Ridder  chain of newspapers and was a columnist with  McClatchy Newspapers  
From: Steve "Doc" Lakernick

Let's Go Bowling!
Thursday, August 8
6:30PM - 11:00PM
Louisville, Kentucky

Join us for Association Bowling Fun Night. We'll have a private section of the bowling alley. We'll dine on chili, hot dogs, chips, soda, and beer. Bowling shoes included.

Price $50. Please pay to Association HQ in advance by July 8.
Hello Ladies! Update!
I'm hoping to see a lot of you at the upcoming Louisville, KY reunion luncheon. I will not be doing BINGO this year as last year didn't have a very good turnout. I am hoping to have someone their for entertainment, and I will be donating a really nice item to be a door prize. Attendees will receive one ticket upon entering the place where the luncheon will take place. You must be registered for the luncheon to be part of the door prize giveaway.

There will be a Silent Auction during the week of the Reunion, instead of the Chinese Raffle that was previously mentioned.
I am reaching out to everyone for donations of new items you may have laying around that you would like to donate for this silent auction. It doesn't have to be Marine Corps related. I am going to have women and men items up for this. If you have something you would like to donate, please contact me through Jerry Johs email at Geronamo0122@gmail.com or you can mail your items to the office. Please include a note that it for the silent auction.

Thank you, 

Cheryl Johs
Executive Committee/Board of Directors Meeting

The Executive Committee and Board of Directors met April 2 in Louisville, Kentucky. Details will be published in an upcoming edition.
First Marine Division Association
Scholarship Fund, Inc.
FMDA Scholarships Awarded to Brother and Sister
Hello,
My name is Jacklynn Lambert. I was awarded the 2019-2020 1st Marine Division Association Scholarship. I will attend Troy university in the fall of 2019. I plan to major in Mass communication and to become a sports analyst. Thank you and your executive board for awarding me this scholarship. I would also like to thank my father and all of the past and present who have served this country. This scholarship will help me and my family pay for my schooling and achieve my dream of becoming a sports analyst.
Thank you!!!
My name is Justin Lambert and I received the 2019-2020 1st Marine Division Association Scholarship. The school that I will attend is the University of South Alabama and I plan to major in Computer Science. I am honored and I would like to thank you on behalf of my father, mother, and I.
The Association's Own AR-10
MARINE CORPS KA-BAR/EK
Our latest PX item. 6% of sales support your Association.
Oregon City's Newest Park to Be Dedicated to
Navy Seal Tyrone S. Woods
Thank you SSGT D.J. Ruger for sending this in.
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.
REUNIONS
1st Battalion 3rd Marines

Reunion in Branson, Missouri, September 17-22, 2019. All eras welcome.
Contact: Don Bumgarner, dbumc13usmc@verizon.net (562)897-2437
26th Marines Association

26th Marines Association Annual Reunion. August 23, 24 and 25th, 2019 in New Orleans, La. 26’ers of all times, Iwo to current (Regiment, MEU, and supporting units) are welcome. See www.26thMarines.com for details. Or call Sonny at 512-825-4730 or email sonnyusmc@gmail.com .
Marine Corps Recruiting Service

Reunion, September 11 - 14, 2019, Bluffton SC. This event is for any Marine who served in a Recruiting Command either Officer or Enlisted, please visit our website for more information: 
Our guest speaker for our Banquet is retired General, former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Walter Boomer. 
This will be our third annual reunion and would love to see many West Coast Marines join us. 

Larry B. Risvold
Sergeant Major, USMC Retired
Organizer
Samuel Ortiz Verdeja
Delta Company
‘69/’70
A HISTORICAL REMEMBRANCE
The 1/1 Reunion Committee has been planning a great schedule for the October 23rd -26th 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Reunion to be held in San Diego . One of the highlights during the Reunion is the “Day at MCRD” where a special section for the Recruit Graduation and Parade Ceremony has been designated for the 1/1 group.

The Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Brigadier General Ryan P. Heritage has been invited to help welcome the 1/1 Vietnam Veterans, their families and invited guest, and to speak about the history and significance of MCRD as a military depot. Gunnery Sergeant John L. Canley, the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient will be acknowledged and recognized for his heroic actions in Hue City during the Vietnam War. Immediately after the ceremony we will be transported to the Bayview Café for a luncheon. After the luncheon there will be plenty of FREE TIME to wander and explore MCRD Museum and other sites. The day will end with a spectacular sunset view from Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial.

We are getting a positive response and are beginning to receive registrations for the Reunion. As Board Chairman, along with the Reunion Committee Board of Directors we invite you to register ASAP, and also ask that you contact other 1/1-Marines and encourage them to register and attend the Reunion. Please visit the 1stbn1stmarinesvietnamreunion.com website for registration form and all details regarding the 2019 Reunion.

This Reunion promises to be a Historical Remembrance for many reasons. However, I continue to be reminded that this may be the last time that some of us may go back to our beginnings as young Marine recruits. That in itself is worth attending!

Finally, an update will be posted first week of every month on the web site until reunion time. Meanwhile if you have any questions or thoughts, please let us know via the website: 1stbn1stmarinesvietnamreunion.com
Questions?
If you have questions or comments please send an email to: info@1stbn1stmarinesvietnamreunion.com
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
Ask Your Doctor

  This is a new condition under consideration by the VA. Some consider it a dangerous syndrome, others say it's a positive condition.
-----
CHRONIC MARINE SYNDROME (CMS):

This condition affects mostly men, but also can affect some women, too.
Symptoms to look for are:
1. Pride in oneself and the organization they represent.
2. A strong willingness to put in extra attention to detail to get the job done.
3. May wear articles of Marine clothing; T-shirts, jackets, watches, well into their 80's.
4. Will not hesitate to stand up or put their hand over their heart, or even salute when the National Anthem is played.
5. Does not succumb easily to political correctness.
6. Is sure of who they are.
7. Is often either respected or hated by others, due to their abilities and talents.
8. May donate toys to needy kids at Christmas.
9. Some have been known to wear their hair in a high and tight well into their 90's.
10. Will look you directly in the eye when talking to you.
11. Will give you a firm handshake.
12. Knows what "honor, courage and commitment" mean.
13. Can usually be found in some type of leadership position in whatever organization they work for.
14. Will often regard their drill instructors with the same respect as their parents.
15. Often found in either law enforcement or various leadership professions.
16. Is extremely thorough at what they do.
17. Does not wear a bunch of patches to adorn their uniform. Their title of Marine is usually sufficient.
18. Often arrives at work earlier than expected. If they wear a shirt and tie in their job, you might see the tie clip between the third and fourth button, centered.
19. Had spent time training at one of three places; Parris Island, San Diego, or Quantico.
20. May be able to field strip his rifle, up to 60 years after leaving active duty.
21. Can recite the nomenclature of the M1, M14 or M16.
22. May often have his pencils sharpened to a perfect precision point.
23. Will not back down from a fight.
Other symptoms include willingness to take on a challenge and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
Yes, CMS is real, and it's very hard to treat. The person with this condition often utters phrases such as "Once a Marine always a Marine," or "Ooo-Rah!"
Some may even say "Semper Fi" on many occasions.

It's best if you know someone with this condition to just leave them be. These people tend to be fiercely loyal to the Marine Corps.
New Members
No new members to report this period.
Taps
This Taps Reports concludes our database updating from Social Security records.

YVONNE ANDERSON, Sep 2013
TSGT TRAVIS K. BAILEY, 08 Nov 2010
SSGT AL J. BARON, 16 Jan 2017
PFC ROBERT R. BARRETT, 01 Jan 2011
PFC MAX E. BASORE, 12 Mar 2011
SGT VICTOR J. BLASIOL, 11 Apr 2011
SGT ROBERT L. BOUBEL, 01 Oct 2014
COL LAWRENCE J. BRADLEY, Mar 2012
MRS GOLDIE BURNETT, 14 Jan 2013
CPL FRANK H. CAMPBELL SR, 06 Nov 2017
CPL ROBERT JOSEPH CASTILLE, 23 Mar 2012
MRS LEONA CONNERS, Apr 2012
CPL LARRY C. CROCKER, 31 Oct 2011
TSGT BENNIE C. CRUZ JR, 10 Jul 2011
GYSGT GARY E. CUMMINGS USMC (Ret), 06 May 2011
COL CHESTER P. DERENG USMC (Ret), 27 Jan 2017
DONALD E. DOTY, 25 Jan 2017
CPL GEORGE P. DUPONT, 01 Nov 2012
MRS. MARY S. EAGAN, 23 Apr 2012
SSGT LEWIS W. EMERICH, 15 Dec 2010
MRS. SALLY FAYLES, 21 Dec 2012
SGT THOMAS A. FORTENBERRY, 13 Dec 2016
MAJ VINCENT FRANANO USMC (Ret), 23 Jun 2013
LCPL STEVE GARCIA, 09 May 2011
PFC RICARDO GARZA Jr, 16 Feb 2012
PFC ARLO W. GIBSON, 17 Apr 2018
PFC JUAN R. GONZALES, 18 Jul 2016
PFC BILLY B. HAND, 18 Apr 2011
MRS JOAN A. HARVEY, 12 Dec 2016
HM1 CARSON M. HATTON FMF, USN(Ret), 26 Jan 2017
SSGT WARREN G. HENDRICKS, 15 Feb 2011
CPL TANDY JOHNSON, 12 May 2011
CWO EARL H. KARR, 14 Sep 2011
CPL MORGAN L. KELTY, 08 Dec 2010
SSGT JOSEPH LANE, 22 Apr 2014
SGT SAMUEL A. LEWIS, Nov 2012
SGT BARRY W. LEYENDECKER, 25 Apr 2012
CWO5 ALAN J. LIRETTE USMC (Ret), 04 Dec 2016
SSGT JOSEPH P. MANGUNO, Jan 2015
BENITA MCGINN, 03 Dec 2013
CPL SHIRLEY MCSWEENEY, 05 Feb 2012
IRIS MILLER, May 2011
SGT MERLIN F. MITCHELL, 04 Aug 2016
LT JOHN M. OSBORNE, 18 Nov 2015
PFC THOMAS J. O'TOOLE, 25 Oct 2016
MGYSGT GEORGE PAPPAS (Ret), 30 Aug 2014
CPL RALPH H. PEKRUL
PFC ROBERT E. PETERSEN, Mar 2015
PFC DANIEL S. POWERS, Feb 2012
GYSGT RODNEY (PU) H. PUPUHI, 24 Oct 2014
CPL DAVID E. RAMSAY, Oct 2011
PFC JOSEPH RATNER, 27 Apr 2019
CPL CHARLES C. ROBERTSON, 12 Jan 2011
CPL CHARLES R. ROMING, 05 Apr 2011
1STSGT JOSEPH G. SAGAN USMC(RET.), 25 Feb 2013
CPL WILLIAM D. SAWYER, 26 Sep 2012
CPL GEORGE J. SEPER
SGT BARRY J. SMITH, Dec 2012
GEORGE WYLIE SMITH, 01 Jul 2011
SGT TED R. SOLARZ, 14 Jan 2011
SGT CARL R. STEVENSON, 21 Jun 2011
SSGT QUINTON J. SULLIVAN, May 2012
CPL JAMES L. TYNES, 07 Sep 2017
MRS VIRGINIA URBAN
ROBERT VACA, 18 Dec 2013
DR. NORBERT L. VON OSTEN PHD, 23 Jan 2017
SGTMAJ HOWARD D. VRMEER USMC (Ret), 23 Apr 2019
SSGT LOUIS S. VUKOVICH, Mar 2014
SGT GERALD R. WALLEY
CPL LEE E. WARNER, 04 Dec 2010
1STSGT MANUEL WIGGINS
MRS PATRICE WILLIAMS, Jan 2013
MRS JOSEPH WILSON
SGT GENE W. WINSLOW, 03 Mar 2018
SGT ROLAND W. WINSTEAD, Apr 2013
MAJ LEONARD A. YATES USMC (Ret), 07 Oct 2013
1STLT DAVID H. YAZELL, Nov 2010
SGT FRANK ZITO JR, 03 Jul 2012
Challenge Coin
71st Annual Reunion Challenge Coins Available
From: Steve "Doc" Lakernick

These Challenge Coins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Tet 1968 are available to members. The price is $5 per coin, plus shipping and handling.
Pictured here are front and back of the coin.
 
1 coin: total $7.00
2 - 5 coins: $5.00 per coin + $7.00
7 - 12 coins $5.00 per coin + $15.00
More than 12 coins ship via UPS Ground. Please call the office or write for a quote. Mailing address and phone at bottom of this page.
Headquarters Office (760) 763-3268
President Jerry Johs Email: geronamo0122@gmail.com
Please visit our website: www.1stmardivassociation.com

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

(760) 763-3268