"It is amazing what you can accomplish
if you do not care who gets the credit."
-- Harry S. Truman
From US Military News
Marine Corps' New Heavy Lift Helicopter CH-53K King Stallion
First Operational Deliveries in 2021
CH53-K will be the U.S. military's most powerful helicopter. It being developed by Sikorsky Aircraft. USMC has 277 on order to replace the CH53-E.
A KC-130 refuels a CH-53K King Stallion
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
We have a new Nominating Committee. Their job will be to vet the candidates for FMDA officers for the 2021-23 term, and to oversee the election.

The FMDA Bylaws state that the five member Nominating Committee will be selected by the Board of Directors. That did not happen last year in Louisville. We had no quorum in January. This year's Reunion was cancelled due to Covid-19.

It fell to the Executive Committee to make the selection. In June the Deputy Vice Presidents were charged to contact their Region's Chapter Presidents to gather names for candidates for the Nominating Committee. August 31 was chosen as the deadline for name submission. That effort fell short, so we asked for volunteers from the membership.

Seven members stepped forward. Our deepest thanks go out to those members.

The Executive Committee met by teleconference last week to select the Nominating Committee. Each member conveyed their choices, up to five, to Administrative Assistant Dennis Coady. Dennis tabulated the votes and reported the result back to the Executive Committee.
The members of the new Nominating Committee are:

1STSGT HERB D. BREWER USMC(RET)
A-1-5 1-1 VN CW
PAULS VALLEY, OK

LCPL JIMMY L. CLENDENNEN
E-2-7 VN
NEWTOWN, PA

1STSGT GEORGE E. GALVAN USMC(RET)
WPNS 1-7 KO VN
ATASCADERO, CA

SGT ELMER J. HAWKINS
SIG-HQ WWII
DAYTONA BEACH, FL

SGT ROBERT 'GENE' E. WUESTENFELD
B-1-11 CW
FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ

Congratulations to you five. The Association appreciates your service.

The new Nominating Committee will meet by phone this week. First order of business is to choose a chair. They have until this December 31 to assemble the slate of candidates for the ballots to be mailed out to next year.

Please consider running for an FMDA office next year. The Association exists because of those members who get involved enough to help run it.

Planning continues on next year's Annual Reunion. Let's hope the world situation is back to normal and we gather again in January for the Division Anniversary, then in August for the Reunion.

We have a winner of the 50/50 drawing. Congratulations to Mike Galyean. He won $380, with $380 going to our General Fund.

That's it for now. Fight the quarantine fatigue: Keep washing your hands, wearing your masks in public, and looking out for each other.
 
Semper Fi

Jerry Johs
President, 1st Marine Division Association



DJC
FROM THE COMMANDANT
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
Mike Galyean Wins 50/50 Drawing
We asked the crew at the Monster Garage to pull the winner of the August 50/50 raffle. Above, CPL Garcia drew the ticket, as CPL Plummer and SGTMAJ Marty Vasquez observe.

The winner was Mike Galyean. Prize was $380, with $380 going to the General Fund.
Congratulations, Mike, and thank you to all who bought tickets.

The Monster Garage provides groundskeeping and handyman services to the Division HQ, staffed by soon-to-be-separated Marines with not enough time remaining for other training.
You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
SCHOLARSHIP
1st Marine Division Association Scholarship Fund, Inc.
Announces First Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 Awards
Here are the first nine students for whom checks have been issued. More will be announced. Congratulations to all.
Christopher S. Kovacs, Florida Gulf Coast University
Keeton C. Landfair, University of Mississippi
Justin D. Lambert, University of South Alabama
April Chinea, Florida State University
Riley Grace Audsley, Rockhurst University
Jacklynn Diana Lambert, Troy University
Lisette Colon, Manhattan College
Michael A. Woods, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Liam Ehrman, Northern Kentucky University
Scholarship applications are still being accepted. Click the link below for the Scholarship Fund website.
Marines:
 
Attached is the General Ledger for The Fund as of 31 August 2020 reflecting all entries and transactions through 31 August. The Fund finished August with liquid assets totaling $1,120,424.55, up from the end of July due to a continued strengthening of markets combined with excellent investment vehicles managed for the Fund by Mr. Doug Dameron of Capitol Securities. In August, the Fund processed and paid three scholarships totaling $7,500.00 and the first day of September the fund processed three additional scholarship payments totaling $7,500.00 bringing total scholarships paid at 1 September to $15,000.00 (6 scholarships paid through 1 September). University administrators, feeling the pinch for cash in the form of student tuition and fees, have finally come out from hiding and are getting our students enrolled and their attendance certified with Col. Hayes and President Johs. Good job, President Johs and Col. Hayes.  
 
Your Scholarship Fund continues to be in very good health.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
S/F
 
Jerry Reed
CFO
 
President Johs:
As always, the information contained in the SF General Ledger Summary Report is public information and can be published in the BDN at the discretion of the Association. This is the members scholarship fund and they should be very proud of what the members and The Fund Board of Directors have achieved for the benefit of qualified students. Good job by all!  
CHAPTERS
Desert Cities Mitchell Paige MOH Chapter shares their September newsletter.
MEMBERS
Happy 97th Birthday to
Golda Fabian
Member Golda Fabian celebrated her 97th birthday on May 29. Local newspaper Tigard Life covered it.
From Member Raul Sifuentes:
Marine Corps Marathon Medal Honors Iconic Moment in American History
To all:
Months ago, during a discussion with the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) Staff regarding IJAA’s participation and sponsorship, The idea was posed of having a bit of the Black Sand from Iwo Jima embedded in the MCM. The response was enthusiastic! IJAA was tasked with providing the Black Sand, but ran in to a speed bump given the 2020 Reunion of Honor was not scheduled. Thanks to many of our members, we were able to collect sufficient Black Sand to fulfill the requirement…

Below is a link to an interview via ZOOM with the local Washington, DC NBC news affiliate that was held at the MCM Headquarters last Thursday. The interview was to discuss the 45th Anniversary MCM Finishers’ Medal and a bit on the Iwo Jima Black Sand embedded.

The MCM folks have graciously agreed to donate a sufficient number of medals to IJAA for distribution to every Iwo Jima veteran we have in our data base.

 
Have a great week!
 
Art.

email: rsifuentes@iwojimaassociation.org
FMDA Historian STS3 Tom Mcleod shares this amazing rendition of The Star Spangled Banner by 7 year old Malea Emma:
Click image below to watch the video on YouTube:
Here is a 103 second video of feel good...wow ---- only 7 yrs old !!!

--Tom Mcleod
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
USAA Invites you to join online event:

United States Navy Memorial
Virtual Lone Sailor Awards Program
I would ask that you take the time to register and plan to attend this spectacular event.   USAA sponsors a big part of this presentation and this year we are happy to have our very own Jim Syring, who will make a special guest appearance. This will be a great event and will set the standard for future virtual presentations.

Please help me promote this event by forwarding these links to anyone that might be interested in honoring two Great Americans. 

Reserve your favorite recliner and enjoy the show. 

Sign Up to Join USAA for the Virtual Lone Sailor Awards Program on September 17, 2020 at 7 pm EDT.
New Members
CPL STEVEN F. SHIFFLETT
Taps
We are again updating the database from Social Security records.
Recent reports are boldface.


PFC ROBERT E. BRIESKE, 8 Apr 2020
LT TRAVIS A. CURD II, 2 Apr 2017
TSGT E. J. CURTIS
MGYSGT EDWARD W. CURTIS USMC(RET), 15 Mar 2018
SGT RIGO CUSTODIO, 18 Oct 2009
CAPT ANGELO J. CUTTAIA, 19 May 2020
CPL DANIEL J. DALEY, 27 Oct 2008
CPL GERALD F. DALRYMPLE, 2 Jul 2014
CAPT R. W. DALRYMPLE, 12 Mar 2017
CPL JAMES R. DALTON, 5 Jan 2015
SGT ROBERT P. DALTON, 2 Dec 2008
SGT MICHAEL P. DALY, 9 Oct 2016
PFC CHESTER DAMESKI, 16 Aug 2018
SGT JERRY W. DANEHART, 7 May 2016
PFC CLOVIS E. DANIEL, Aug 2001
GYSGT WALT STEBBINS DANIELS USMC(RET), 9 Mar 1998
CPL RICHARD W. DANIELSON, 15 Sep 2017
SSGT ELMER J. DAPRON JR, 18 Aug 2019
MGYSGT KENNETH L. DARDEN, 18 Sep 2012
PFC ALLEN W. HANNER, 7 Jun 2013
CPL JAMES M. HANNON, 16 Mar 2020
SSGT DONALD L. HANSEN, 15 Aug 2016
SGT CLARENCE L. HILL
MAJ DONALD E. KENT USMC(RET), 21 Dec 2011
CPL LEO F. MANNY, 11 Dec 2016
CPL MITCHELL L. MAPP, 15 Nov 1999
PFC ROBERT E. MARTIN, 11 Mar 2018
CPL ROBERT L. MARTIN, 19 Apr 2020
CPL THOMAS J. MARTIN, 13 Jan 2017
CPL JOHN MARZANO, 11 Jun 2008
PFC JAMES H. MASON USMC, 19 Nov 2010
SSGT ZACK E. MASON, 18 Jun 2007
CPL FRANK E. MASSEY, 26 Apr 2010
CPL GEORGE H. MATHISEN, 26 Mar 2015
SGT GEORGE B. MATTHEWS, 26 Apr 2019
PFC CHARLES F. MAUER, 14 Mar 2020
MRS MILDRED S. MAURER, 14 Aug 2014
CPL JOHN J. MCGOWAN, 16 Dec 2016
JOHN R. MCGOWAN, 16 Jul 2007
CPL NORMAN B. MELCHIOR, 16 Oct 2015
CPL WILLIAM M. TRUMBLE, 7 Sep 2020
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