"Ductus Exemplo"
-- A Latin term that means “lead by example,” 
Ductus Exemplo is the official motto of Officer Candidates School (OCS).
It means that being a Marine isn’t about giving or receiving orders;
it’s about behaving in a manner that inspires others."
July 3, 1898 Marines and sailors aboard USS New York docked at Newport RI.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
How's your new year so far?

The VA is slowly getting the COVID-19 vaccines out there for us. Check with your local clinic to find if they are dispensing yet. Read below in the Health section on how VA is prioritizing the shots.

The Executive Committee met by phone this week. The April Business Meetings are cancelled due to COVID. We will decide on March 5 if the Annual Reunion set for August is go or no-go. Southern California is a virus hotspot right now, so chances are slimming for August. We discussed getting the election information and ballots out to you members.

June and Dennis are applying for a COVID-19 Relief grant to the Association from the State of California. We are also checking federal grants as they become law.

Thank you all who responded to my plea for support last edition. Everyone else, please consider a gift to the Association. We need it to get us through the next few months.

It is a great time to give. The 2020 and 2021 IRS tax deduction for charitable contributions for non-itemizers is upped to $300 for single filers, and $600 for joint filers. Source: https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/info-2020/how-to-deduct-2020-charity-donations/

Keep on staying safe. Get the vaccine as soon as you can so that we can all get this behind us.

Semper Fi
 
Jerry Johs
President
 
DJC
FROM HEADQUARTERS

[Pending 5 March 2020
Executive Committee meeting]
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

The Reunion Committee welcomes your input. Let us know what you want.

We of the Committee would also welcome your participation. If you want to get involved with the planning, please drop a line to Dennis Coady in the HQ office. email: dennis.oldbreed@fmda.us

For more info contact:
Len Hayes
(760) 760-712 7088
Lenhayes@cox.net
You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
FMDA SCHOLARSHIP FUND, Inc.
3 January 2020

Marines:
 
Attached is the General Ledger for The Fund as of 31 December 2020 reflecting all entries and transactions through 31 December. The Fund finished December with liquid assets totaling $1,135,254.06, up $30,535.76 since 30 November due to continued market euphoria associated with Coronovirus vaccine announcements by major pharmaceutical companies engaged in the President’s Operation Warp Speed and the passage of additional stimulus payments to individuals which are now arriving in bank accounts. Through 31 December, The Fund has paid 20 scholarships totaling $50,000.00.
 
For 2020, the Fund’s G&A expenses totaled $2,463.20 or 1.25% of 2020 revenue. Capitol Securities investment fees for 2020 totaled $7,440.14 and total G&A and Fund operating expenses (includes Capitol Securities investment fees) totaled $9,904.04 or 5% of 2020 revenue. Your FMDA Scholarship Fund is likely the most cost-effective scholarship fund in the United States. Congratulations on a job well-done, Board members. This data can be found in the Summary page of the attached 2020 GL.
 
The Fund has mailed the 2021 pre-paid administrative services fee of $2,400.00 to the Association for monthly 2021 administrative support per the agreement between The Fund and the Association.  
 
Your Scholarship Fund continues to be in excellent health under the exceptional professional management of Mr. Doug Dameron of Capitol Securities.
 
Also, my job is open so if anyone wants to submit his or her name to the Fund Board of Directors for the CFO position, it is open and available for consideration by the Scholarship Fund Board of Directors as I am ready to retire at 76. A candidate should have basic accounting and financial reporting skills and be capable of preparing federal and state tax returns, pay for postage out of pocket (i.e., donate postage and stationery, envelopes, etc.) and also handle statutory reporting requirements pro-bono (these are the ways that cash expenses are minimized for the benefit of The Fund). I will handle all tax and statutory filings for 2020 pro-bono as in the past.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
 
S/F
 
Jerry Reed
CFO
Statutory federal filing for the Scholarship Fund
For your information ….
 
Marines:
Attached is a copy of the 2020 Federal 990 Tax Return and associated schedules for the FMDASF, Inc. This filing satisfies all Scholarship Fund federal statutory filing requirements.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions.
  
S/F
 
Jerry Reed
CFO
Tax Form 990
Tax Form 990 EZB
CHAPTERS
‌
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
Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
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
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.

 
MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION
GENERAL FUND DONATIONS
USAA
New Members
1STSGT EDWARD L. LORENZO
LCPL RICHARD B. TAYLOR,
sponsor: Colorado River Chapter
Taps
We are again updating the database from Social Security and public records.
Recent reports are boldface.

BRASWELL D. DEEN, JR 24 Dec 2020
PFC JOHN F. DONOVAN, 27 Jan 2020
HENRY DAVID FELTON 7 Nov 2020
WILLIAM J. FINCH, 31 Jan 2018
CPL C. W. FINK, 13 Jun 2014
CPL DONALD R. FINKLE
JOHN W. FINLEY, 10 Dec 2016
SGTMAJ MICHAEL (MICKEY) J. FINN USMC(RET), 28 May 2010
LCPL JOSEPH FINNERAN, 12 Sep 2015
SGT JAMES L. FINNEY, 16 Dec 2008
1STSGT CARL D. FINSTAD USMC(RET), 22 Mar 2016
SGT BERNARD M. FISHER, 28 May 2014
SGT BILL FISHER, 24 Jul 2006
TSGT JAMES JOHN FISHER, 13 Feb 2013
GYSGT RAMON A. FISHER JR, 18 Jul 2004
SSGT ROBERT FISHER JR
CAPT RONALD F. FISHER, 11 Jul 2006
SGT JERRY L. FITCH, 21 Mar 2016
SGT ROBERT R. FITCH JR, 15 Jun 2016
SGT EDWARD F. FITZGERALD, 10 Feb 2018
SGT ROBERT M. FITZGERALD, 11 Nov 2017
PFC RONALD A. FITZGERALD SR, 22 Nov 2010
SGTMAJ RAYMOND T. FITZHUGH, 23 Oct 2020
SGT THOMAS J. FITZMAURICE, 25 Sep 2020
SGTMAJ LAWRENCE K.T. LOO, Jan 2020
EUGENE 'GENE' MCCLENDON, 25 Dec 2020
GARY KENT MCPHERSON, 12 Dec 2020
CPL LIONEL D. SPENCER, 18 Oct 2018
CAPT J. W. STARR, 7 Feb 2013
SGT RICHARD A. SUAREZ, 24 Jun 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