S P E C I A L
E D I T I O N
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FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
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2nd Marine Division Association
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2nd Marine Division Association
Signs Off
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Dear Members,
As we pack for our 72nd Annual Reunion next week in Louisville, Kentucky, it is my sad duty to share the belated news of the folding of our sister organization, the 2nd Marine Division Association.
We share their issues: an aging demographic of Marine veterans, and younger Marines not yet at that stage in life when they are ready to rejoin the company of old comrades.
The 2nd's Association hung on for as long as they could. We are hanging on. Last June I asked you members for donations to get the FMDA through a lean period. The response from you members to my plea gives me hope for our Association.
We are working hard to make sure this coming Reunion is a money maker for the Association. A successful reunion ensures that we will meet again next year, and the years to follow.
These are my last words in this space of the Blue Diamond News. These two years have been a wild ride. Thank you all for helping me leave the Association on a path with some hope for the future.
Meet me in Kenutcky.
Semper Fi
Jerry Johs
President
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72nd Annual Reunion
Louisville, Kentucky
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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.
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Hotel Reservation Deadline
for the Group Rate is now past, however the hotel has released 3 rooms at our special rate.
Call the FMDA HQ now to make it yours.
(760)768-3268
Did not pre-register for the Reunion?
You are welcome to show up and register
at the hotel during the week.
August 3rd - 12th
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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.
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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
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From: Steve "Doc" Lakernick
Let's Go Bowling!
We need more signups for Bowling Night
Please call HQ for a night of sport and fun
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 HQ call to get on the roster.
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Hello Ladies!
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
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1ST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION
SCHOLARSHIP, INC.
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From: Jerry Reed
Mr. President:
A very significant key accomplishment for your term was the recovery of the First Marine Division Association Scholarship Fund, Inc., assets and the rebuilding of trust and a great working relationship between the Association and The Fund such that, together, The Fund and the Association built a
protected scholarship investment portfolio for the qualified children of our 1
st Division Marines of a few dollars short of $1 Million at the end of your term! What a marvelous accomplishment born of great teamwork and solid decision-making by our teams of Marines within The Fund and the Association!
S/F
Jerry
Jerry Reed
Chief Financial Officer
1st Marine Division Association Scholarship, Inc.
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ATTENTION: Scholarship Applicants
The deadline for submission of applications
for the Fall Semester 2019 is
5 August 2019
Scholarship Selection Committee Point of Contact:
Col. Len Hayes
Phone (760)712-7088
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As about 3 million more people will soon be eligible to shop at
military stores, officials are working to make sure these new customers will have access to bases, and that the shelves will be stocked.
Starting Jan. 1, all service-connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary veteran caregivers will be eligible to shop at
commissaries and exchanges, and officials from three federal agencies are preparing the way.
The newly eligible customers will also be able to use certain morale, welfare and recreation activities.
It’s the largest patronage expansion in more than 60 years, said Virginia Penrod, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs, who spoke at a recent meeting of the American Logistics Association.
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The Cognitive Neuroscience Lab of Memory at UT Dallas was recently awarded a grant for a replication of an earlier study looking at a novel treatment for
combat related PTSD
. Our lab is currently recruiting for this new clinical trial, a multisite replication of the previous project that found positive effects of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) paired with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) in Veterans from post 9/11 combat cohorts.
The success of the initial project was directly related to the assistance that we received from organizations like yours in getting this information out to Veterans who might benefit from participation. We also want to be able to direct the Veterans who participate in our study to local organizations like yours that could help them in other areas of their lives. Can you help us distribute this information?
There are a variety of ways that you can assist with this effort. Are there events we could attend coming up in the next 6 months? Please let me know if you would like additional information and if you would like either printed or electronic materials for distribution. We would be happy to schedule a time for you to call or come tour our facility to learn more about our team and project. We’d also like to schedule a time to come to you to learn more specifics about the services you offer.
Best,
Kelsey Watson
Kelsey Watson, MPsy |
Research Coordinator
Cognitive Neuroscience Lab of Memory | The University of Texas at Dallas
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Members are invited to attend the 2019 Annual Retiree Expo
aboard Camp Pendleton, California on 7 September, 2019. The FMDA staff is planning to participate as an exhibitor.
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WE APPRECIATE AND HONOR YOU!
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is proud to roll out the red carpet to honor our military Retirees at the 2019 Retiree Expo! There will be various organizations at the event to cater to the unique needs of our Retirees:
Defense Finance & Accounting Service
Military Officers Association of America
Department of Veterans Affairs
Health Net Federal Services (TRICARE West)
...and many others!
We look forward to your attendance!
2019 Retiree Expo
7 September 2019
Doors will open at 7:30am
Event will begin at 8:30am
Pacific Views Event Center
202850 San Jacinto Road
MCB Camp Pendleton, CA
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The Association's Own AR-10
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AR-10 raffle tickets on sale now. Over 160 already spoken for.
Get yours while you can.
Call HQ at (760)763-3268.
The winner will be responsible for shipping the rifle home,
through Federal Firearms Licensees.
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Our latest PX item. 6% of sales support your Association.
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Update: Previous brochure said the K-Bar Serial No. 1 would be auctioned.
The K-Bar will raffled
at the Reunion Banquet Dinner, Saturday, August 10, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Tickets $10 each, or 6 tickets for $50. Please call or write FMDA HQ for your tickets.
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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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1st Battalion 3rd Marines
Reunion in Branson, Missouri, September 17-22, 2019. All eras welcome.
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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
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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
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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?
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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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None to report this period
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GYSGT ANTHONY G MORRIS, 2 August 2018
CPL FRANCIS (FRANK) J. PILEWSKI, 5 November 2009
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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.
UPDATE: Coins will be available only at the
72nd Annual Reunion, August 5-10, 2019
in Louisville, Kentucky
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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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Thank you for reading the Blue Diamond News. Please contact us with corrections, suggestions, and content you would like to see.
Semper Fidelis
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