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Thank you for your continued support of the 1st Marine Division Mitchell Paige Medal of Honor Chapter. Enjoy this month's "
SCUTTLEBUTT"
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MUSEUM BREAKS GROUND FOR GALLERIES THAT PAY TRIBUTE TO TODAY'S MARINES
Article from Buddy Sklar, Member
On 27 March, Lt. Gen Robert P. "Rusty" Blackman, CEO and President of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, officiated over the ground breaking of the final phase of the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The following is taken from many of his comments and observations.
Since its founding in 1775 , the Marine Corps has played a vital role in shaping American history and preserving our way of life. The National Museum of the Marine Corps (NMMC) proudly represents the men and women who wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.
Of course no exhibit could possibly replicate the danger our Corps faces in battle, however, visitors to the National Museum of the Marine Corps have a new respect for the courage of generations of Marines who are and have protected our freedom.
This past March we saw the official breaking ground on a historic expansion of America's home for Marine Corps history. Upon completion of the final phase of construction, the Museum will have doubled in size to make room for a giant screen movie theater, expanded education suites, a Marine Sports Hall of Fame, Marine Combat Art Gallery, and two additional galleries depicting the bravery and service of the men and women who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1976 through present day. Construction of this additional 120,000 square feet of new physical space is expected to be completed in 2017, and all new galleries and exhibits will be finished by 2020.
The first artifacts to be added will be a WWll SBD Dauntless dive bomber hung from the Museum's soaring glass ceiling, and a Viet Nam era Sikorsky UH-340D helicopter.
In 2017, a two story giant screen theater with a 325 seat capacity will open and feature a spectacular film about the celebrated history of the Marine Corps with a focus on the modern day Marine.
The award-winning Museum, which opened in 2006 and completed its first phase in 2010, has been visited by more than 4 million people from around the world since its grand opening with President George W. Bush officiating. As Lt General Blackman went on to say.
"Today's Marines have made the same indelible mark on the history of our Marine Corps, nation and world as every marine who has served since 1775. They have earned their place in this extraordinary museum, and the ground we broke today is a symbol of our commitment -- our mission will not be accomplished until this museum is complete."
"Not since the dedication of the Martine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia has there been such a meaningful tribute to the values and ideals of our Corps.
The history preserved in the Museum touches the lives of all the people who cherish freedom, Marines and non- Marine alike"
About the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (MCHF). Dedicated to the preservation and promulgation of Marine Corps history. The MCHF was established in 1979 as a non- profit 501 (c) (3) organization. It supports the historical programs of the Marine Corps in ways not possible through government funds.
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Tun Tavern Team
Thank you to this team of individuals who annually provide an additional $100 of financial support to the 1st Marines Division Desert Cities MPMOH Chapter - it is greatly appreciated.
Mike Bales | Carl Brooks | Joe Daily | Dave Franklin | Charlie Garbarini | Sam Huttenhower
Jim Larsh | Howard Lehman | Gene McClendon | George Moffatt | Jim Olson | Marilyn Paige Richard Partee | Bill Ross | Sandy Sandoval | Ray Schum | Bob Shepard | Buddy Sklar
George Stettler | Jim Sullivan | Dale Turner | Quint Villanueva | Col Mike Walker | Michael Walker Myrl Wallace | Linn Wiley | Franz Jevne | Charlie Knickerbocker
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June 18th Luncheon
The Guest of Honor will be John Wohlmuth, City Manager for Palm Desert. This will be the first time for our members to hear from John over the Adoption of the 7th Marine Regiment and what is going on at the City.
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President
George Stettler
Vice President
Richard Partee
Treasurer/Secretary
James E. Sullivan
Sergeant At Arms
Bruce Takacs
Directors
Michael Holquin
Robert Shepard
Quint Villanueva
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Bill Ping, 1998-2002
Joseph A. Daily, 2002-06
James E. Sullivan, 2006-09
Quintin Villanueva, 2009-12
Richard Partee. 2012-14
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City of Palm Desert has reached out to the community for support of their first major event for the Marines and families of the 7th Marine Regiment. To my knowledge, this will be the first family day  for the regiment. This will be a major event which means that we need to help where ever needed. Other volunteers are coming from the City of Palm Desert. So. Is you can donate 4 hours to help (1000 - 1400) at the Combat Center, please call Donna Gomez (760) 346-0611 and let her know you can help. Spouses are included.
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AMERICAN EMBASSY IN BELGRADE REQUEST
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The Marine Detachment at this Embassy contacted us looking for help in gathering some memorephelia for Col Mitchell Paige to honor him at the Marine recreation room at the embassy. They sent the enclosed photograph of the detachment.  Marilyn Paige is looking for photos and other items to donate to them. Mitchell Paige's parents were born in Yugoslavia before migrating to western Pennsylvania where Mitch was born and raised.
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Freedom is not free,
but the U.S.
Marine Corps will pay most of your share.
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Col. Bargeron Report from Kuwait City
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Hello,
I just wanted to shoot you and the FMDA a quick note. We are all safe at our new home for the next six months. Marines and Sailors are doing well.
If you have been watching the news, you know we aren't bored.
I've included a couple photos. One is of me uncasing the Regimental Colors as we assumed responsibility here. The other is of some our Marines training in the desert. Not that much different than home!
OK, we will stay in touch. Hope all is well back there.
Col Jay Bargeron, USMC
Commanding Officer
SPMAGTF-Crisis Response-Central Command
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LtCol Cal Lewke, Senior Instructor, Desert Hot Springs High School Marine JROTC program was the Guest of Honor. Quint Villanueva arranged for State Senator Jeff Stone to issue a Proclamation from the State of California recognizing Lewke's success with the cadet program being a Naval Honor School for the past five years. Only 20% of JROTC programs in the nation are given this award. Senator Stone's District Director, Glenn Miller made the presentation, since the Senator was tied up in Sacramento.
The Chapter also presented Lewke with a $10,000 donation to support the program for supplies and equipment and so they can take field trips to Camp Pendleton, MCAGCC, 29 Palms, MCRD and other military locations in Southern California. This school relies on veteran organizations for financial support.
The Chapter also presented the Devil Pups Program representative Joe Daily with a $2500 donation to support their annual summer camp program at Camp Pendleton. Joe has done a great job with recruiting Devil Pups in the Coachella Valley
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Grateful for Donations Received
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Mike Walker was in town recently to speak to a group of bankers at the Marriott Hotel, Palm Desert. Mike called and invited Harry Ziegler and myself for lunch. He offered to donate the speaker's fee that he received, to the Chapter, if I would drive him to the airport. An offer that I couldn't refuse. So, Col. Walker donated $1,000 to the Chapter. Mike is enjoying life in the Boise area with his family and sends his regards to all. Thanks Mike, we miss you a lot.
Another donation was received from friends of Bruno Takacs. He recently vacationed with them in the Caribbean on a charter sail boat and told them the good things we are doing here in the desert. He returned with a $500 donation from his sailing friends who live in Pennsylvania. Thanks Bruno!
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Thank You, hope you enjoyed this month's new E-Scuttlebutt Newsletter.
James E. Sullivan, Editor
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