"May you live in interesting times."
-- Chinese curse
27th and 28th Marines Take Iwo Jima
--Recently digitized film to video
Marines on Iwo Jima
Smithsonian Magazine published recently digitized film from the Battle of Iwo Jima. Source: U.S. Marine Corps History Division and Moving Image Research Collections, University of South Carolina

Click the buttons below to view the videos at Smithsonian.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
Hope you are staying well in these interesting times.
 
The HQ office staff is working from home. Phones messages will be returned, and mail is being opened.
 
The Executive Board met yesterday, by telephone conference, to discuss this year's two Association gatherings: the Spring Board Meetings, scheduled for next month, and our 73rd Annual Reunion in August.
 
All members of the Executive Board checked in. The board was united in voting to cancel our face-to-face meetings in April. We will not, as a group, be attending Doc Lakernick's burial at Arlington. The meals selection for August's banquet will be chosen by sight from the hotel's offerings.
 
We will go ahead with planning for the August Reunion. If we are back to normal by then it will be a celebration. However, we are watching day to day, ready to cancel before the Association or members make too much of a financial commitment.
 
The Executive Board will meet next by telephone on 15 April. We'll meet on the 15th of each following month, then again on July 10. That gives us time to pull out of the hotel contract without penalty.
 
How are you all handling cabin fever? Explore the links above to see some great videos of the 27th and 28th Marines taking Iwo Jima. Whether or not we make it to Washington, D.C. this year, the Smithsonian Museum has a lot online to catch your interest.
 
A reminder to anyone who has made reservations for April: suggest you cancel them now.
 
Keep well, and watch this space.


Semper Fi,

Jerry Johs 
FMDA President 

DJC
Treasurer's Report
Feb 1, 2020    $59,789.08

Income         $ 6,350.39
Expenses       $10,050.24

Feb 29,2020   $56,089.23

-- A.J. Burn
Vice President and Acting Treasurer

From Headquarters
Our August plans are subject to change, as above. Please hold off making reservations until we know the state of the world this summer.

Come join us for our 73rd Annual Reunion in Washington, D.C. We meet 14-23 August at the Hilton Dulles Airport Hotel in Herndon, Virginia. Activities are in the planning stage. We are exploring visits to:

-- National Museum of the Marine Corps
-- Vietnam Memorial Wall for our memorial service
-- Iwo Jima Memorial
-- World War II Memorial
-- Korean War Memorial
-- Friday Evening Parade at 8th & I

Please let us know of any other sites you would want considered. Email the Site Destination Committee at geronamo0122@gmail.com We are looking into having a bus available to shuttle from the hotel into downtown D.C.

This year's banquet will see the opening of the 1st Division's Last Man Bottle.

Room rates are $127.68 per night (tax included).
Reservations may be cancelled until 1 August.

Click the button below to reserve your room or to check out the hotel.
Check out the sites of the Capital with the second button.

Developing details of the itinerary will printed in upcoming editions of the Blue Diamond News.

You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
Camp Pendleton
From the San Diego Union-Tribune:
Marines establish Camp Pendleton task force, coronavirus isolation center
Personnel who test positive will be housed in a new isolation center monitored by medical staff; local military cases climb to 26

March 25, 2020 3:28 PM
CAMP PENDLETON — Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton have established a task force and an isolation center to monitor and respond to the spread of COVID-19 among Marines on the West Coast, the Corps announced Tuesday.
The isolation center — officially called the Task Force Medical Isolation and Observation Center Camp Pendleton — can house up to 200 Marines and sailors affected by COVID-19.

No one is currently isolated at the facility, according to Gunnery Sgt. Warren Peace, a Marine Corps spokesman, but it is ready to do so if needed.

More than 42,000 active-duty military personnel work on the base, which covers more than 125,000 acres sandwiched between Oceanside and Orange County. It is the largest Marine Corps base on the West Coast.

USO
COVID-19 Update: Military Faces Enormous Challenges
I think it’s safe to say that this isn’t the 2020 any of us envisioned. It’s an unexpected and uncertain time, but the USO continues to deliver the same mission we have for 79 years. What we CAN count on is that our troops will give everything they have to keep us safe, and our USO team, supported by generous donors like you, will work tirelessly to support them. I second USO CEO J.D. Crouch’s belief that “Together we will get through this and emerge stronger as individuals and as an organization.”

Here are some of the latest challenges being met head-on by our troops, their families, and our USO staff and volunteers:

Disruption is the Only Constant
These days, everything that was previously predictable and familiar is subject to change — from who, when and where to how much hair.
  • Like many civilian parents, military spouses are homeschooling their children solo while their spouses are at work in essential roles.
  • A sweeping 60-day “Stop Movement” order has delayed Permanent Change of Station moves and cancelled non-local leaves.
  • Military leaders are being challenged to build more social distancing into military life, which is ordinarily very communal. Even the Navy’s rules on hair length have had to bend.1
  • 
USO Creativity Shines
USO teams have moved with great agility to address the entirely new set of stresses our troops and their families face. We’ve developed an array of distance-safe entertainment offerings, including virtual programming and to-go meals and snacks. USO2GO care packages have gone electronic, with TVs and video games. Although we’ve temporarily closed our airport locations, our USO centers continue to serve military communities around the world. As a USO supporter, I hope you’ll take a minute to read about the USO’s effort that your donations continue to make possible. 2
  • USO Rota in Spain launched virtual fitness programming for military families, posted daily to the center’s Facebook page.
  • Recognizing art is a powerful tool for kids to express emotions, USO Naples in Italy joined in a country-wide, morale-boosting campaign.3 They created, and encouraged children on base to create and display, posters with the Italian phrase “andrà tutto bene,” which translates to “everything will be alright.” As you can see, they nailed not only the posters, but the delivery, as well.4
  • USO Stuttgart in Germany launched virtual cooking demonstrations, including how to make a healthy pasta meal from pantry staples.
  • To help entertain families in lockdown, USO Vicenza in Italy hosted a virtual St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt through their Facebook photos.

Our Heroes Are Doing What They Do Best
Preparation and resiliency are on full display, as every branch of our military races to address enormous logistical, supply chain and public safety challenges.
  • Now activated in every U.S. state and territory, our National Guard and Airmen are performing essential services,5 such as:
  • collecting samples at drive-thru COVID-19 testing locations,
  • sanitizing community spaces
  • distributing food from local food pantries to quarantined residents in need, including students who depend on low-cost or free meals at school
  • It takes a big plane to move 500,000 swabs, urgently needed in the U.S. for COVID-19 testing kits. Thanks to a service member on the mission, here’s a peek inside the hold of C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane, call-sign “Reach 911.”6
  • No force in the world is better prepared to add hospital capacity faster than our Army Corps of Engineers. Here’s how they are mobilizing to prepare 10,000 additional intensive care-ready hospital beds in just 3-4 weeks.7

Every day it seems our military’s role in navigating this crisis grows. It won’t be easy, but I am determined that our USO services will keep pace. Please continue your generous support, and our team will move mountains to deliver services to our troops and their families. Thank you for being with us every step of the way!

Alan Reyes
Chief Operating Officer, USO
Scholarship
Scholarship Date Announced

Attention Scholarship applicants and awardees:

Applications for school year 2021 scholarships will be accepted on or after 1 March 2020 .

Current awardees are reminded to submit proof of attendance for fall semester 2020.
Health
From Veterans Affairs

What should Veterans do?
Any Veteran with symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should immediately contact their local VA facility. VA urges Veterans to call before visiting – you can find contact information for your closest VA facility .
Alternatively, Veterans can sign into  My HealtheVet to send a secure message to VA or use  telehealth options to explain their condition and receive a prompt diagnosis.
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.
The following appeared in The Oregonian
- Gary Brannan
Iwo Jima Association of America
Reunions & Symposium


Iwo Jima Association of America
75th Anniversary Gala
KA-BAR/EK
The Association receives 6% of each sale of the KA-BAR/EK
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.
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
New Members
LCPL RUSSEL R. WOLD
PFC JOHN R. REEVES

Life Members
* Senior Life Membership
CWO FRANK G. GILLETTE USN(RET) *
HMC JAMES A. GREENOUGH *
SGT WILLIAM (PETE) DAVID HALE *
LCPL GARY L. HELSEL *
MGYSGT DAVID C. JOHNSON
CAPT THOMAS P. MARRIN JR *
SGT WILLIAM J. MICHELL *
CPL BERNABE F. PADILLA *
MAJ BILL WHITE, Honorary Life Member
Taps
We are again updating the database from Social Security records.
Recent reports are boldface.

SGT JOHN ABRAHAM JR, 31 Mar 2016
PFC EUGENE M. BENWARE, 9 Mar 2020
SSGT CHARLES D. BOUSE, 10 Jul 2016
CPL EDWARD B. BRUTZMAN, 26 Feb 2020
SGT JOHN W. CLARK, 23 Jun 2016
CAPT VINCENT T. CLARK USN(RET), 12 Jul 2001
CPL WILLIAM E. CLARK, 2 Feb 2014
SGT EDWARD CLASSON JR, 20 Jan 2009
SGT GEORGE W. CLAUSEN JR, 16 Aug 2010
PHM1C JAMES A. CLAYPOOL, 18 Dec 2011
CPL KEVIN G. CLEARY, 26 Jan 2014
MAJ W. F. CLEMENS, 31 May 2009
GYSGT BEAUFORD R. CLEMENTS, 13 Mar 2019
SGT LEROY D. CLEPPE, 3 Feb 2015
SGT CHARLES H. CLEVELAND
CPL C. E. CLEVENSTINE, 26 Jul 2014
LTCOL FRANKLIN W. COATES, 25 Jun 2015
PFC ROBERT J. COCHRANE, 25 Feb 2017
CPL DONALD WAYNE CODY, 3 Apr 2015
SGTMAJ JAMES CODY, 14 May 2016
DR CHARLIE Q. COFFMAN, 27 Feb 2004
COL RICHARD W COFFMAN, 3 May 2019
SGTMAJ GARY L. CONDREY USMC(RET), 16 Nov 2014
SSGT JACK H. COURTNEY USMC(RET), 15 May 2013
SSGT RICHARD A. CRUICKSHANK, 23 Jun 2010
GYSGT EDGAR L. DEIGHAN, 24 Feb 2013
CPL CLEMENT DELFAVERO, 4 May 2017
CAPT HARRY M. DEMARAY, 15 Jan 2008
SGT HAROLD L. DEMPSEY, 16 Nov 2009
SGT ROBERT W. DEMPSEY, 21 May 2016
PFC ANTHONY T. DEMURO, 20 Jan 2015
ELOISE DENNIS, 9 Jan 2020
CPL JOHN E. DENNIS, 24 Jun 2017
PFC SIMON C. DENTON JR, 14 Nov 2009
PFC KENNETH C. DETHERAGE, 5 Aug 2011
VOLSTEAD (VOL) HEATH
JAMES HENRY, 25 Aug 2005
CPL CHARLES R. MAIKISH, 27 Dec 2011
PFC JOHN JOSEPH MAJCHSZAK, 28 Jun 2010
STANLEY R. MAJEWSKI, 13 Jun 2006
SSGT JAMES W. MAJJASIE, 21 Oct 2015
SGT ROBERT T. ORMAN, 26 Aug 2013
PFC ROBERT A. ORZYP, 2 Feb 2009
CPL J. D. OUDSTEYN, 18 Jan 2009
SGT C. F. ROTHROCK JR, 21 Mar 2018
SGT LUTHER C. ROTTON JR, 15 Sep 2002
PHYLLIS L. ROUH, 16 Oct 2012
PHILIP EUGENE RUHMSHOTTEL, 18 Mar 2020
SGT DONALD T. SMITH, 23 Oct 2016
SGT WILLIAM P. SORENSON, 19 Nov 2019
PFC LARRY E. WOODS, 10 Feb 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.
 
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