"To be courageous is to do what's right."
-- Gen. David H. Berger
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FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION |
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6 November 2020
1st Marine Division
Morning Colors and
245th Marine Corps Birthday
Cake Cutting Ceremony
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MajGen Roger B. Turner, Jr. addresses those gathered. |
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MajGen Turner hands a piece of the birthday cake to SgtMaj Marty Vasquez. |
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LCpl Carson S. Kress and SgtMaj Marty Vasquez |
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6 November 2020
The 1st Marine Division marked the Corps' 245th Birthday this morning with a Morning Colors and Cake Cutting Ceremony at Division CP aboard Camp Pendleton, California.
Division CG MajGen Roger B. Turner, Jr. was the oldest Marine present. He shared a piece of the cake with the youngest Marine present, LCpl Carson S. Kress, of Spring, Texas, born 4 December 2002.
SgtMaj Marty Vasquez was the guest of honor.
The 1st Division Band was in usual excellent form, and the ceremony was broadcast live on Facebook.
Click the button below to watch the video.
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Dear Members,
We have made it through almost another year, and so we celebrate the 245th Birthday of our Marine Corps. The Division raised our colors and cut a birthday cake this morning at the big Blue Diamond in front of Division CP.
The video of this morning's ceremony is above. I invite you to watch the Commandant's Birthday Message below.
Happy Birthday, Marines.
A correction to The Old Breed News that went out last week. The Nominating Committee on page 2 as not updated to the current roster. That should have read:
SGT ELMER J. HAWKINS (Chairman)
SIG-HQ WWII
DAYTONA BEACH, FL
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 ROBERT 'GENE' E. WUESTENFELD
B-1-11 CW
FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ
Thank you, gentleman, for your continuing service to our Association.
The Nominating Committee is still receiving nominations for Association offices for the 2021-2023 term. The 1st Marine Division Association needs you to serve as as officer. Please consider putting your name into ensure the future of the 1st Marine Division Association.
To run, send in your short bio, and a copy of your DD-214 (with Social Security Number scratched out). Email to dennis.oldbreed@fmda.us, or send on paper to the office. Deadline is 31 December, 2020.
Keep on taking care of yourselves, your loved ones, and your neighbors.
We will meet again.
Semper Fi.
Jerry Johs
President
DJC
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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
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
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You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
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CMC Birthday Message
As the 245th Marine Corps birthday approaches,
Gen. David H. Berger reminds us how
the Corps’ legacy lives on in every Marine.
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More FMDA Scholarship Awards Announced |
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Luke Barr, San Joaquin Delta College
Emily E. Audsley, Louisiana Tech University
Elle Pittman, Portland State University
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Marines:
Attached is the General Ledger for The Fund as of 31 October 2020 reflecting all entries and transactions through 31 October. The Fund finished October with liquid assets totaling $1,050,042.95, down modestly in late October due to a market adjustment that has since corrected in early November and the payment of 7 scholarships in the month of October. Through 31 October, The Fund has paid 20 scholarships totaling $50,000.00.
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 continue to be very proud of what the members and The Fund Board of Directors have achieved for the benefit of qualified students.
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VIRTUAL MARINE CORPS
BIRTHDAY BALL
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From: Marines' Memorial Events <RSVP@MarinesMemorial.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2020 5:01 AM
Subject: You're Invited! 245th USMC Birthday Celebration
Join us "virtually" on 10 November at 5pm Pacific
to celebrate the
Marine Corps' 245th Birthday!
What does the Marine Corps Birthday mean to you?
To us at the Marines' Memorial, the Birthday is a chance to celebrate the honor, tradition, camaraderie, and dedication of United States service members.
The Club is known for our festive Birthday Ball that normally gathers more than 500 attendees to eat, drink, dance, and celebrate the USMC together. This year, we have had to think beyond our normal traditions to pay proper tribute to the Corps. Combining new messages from our President & CEO, Chairman, and Guest of Honor General Peter Pace, USMC (Ret), plus archival footage from past Birthday Balls at the Club, we will have a virtual celebration that honors the Birthday and helps us come together, even if we are not in the same room.
On 10 November at 5pm Pacific, we hope you have some wine (or a martini) and a slice of cake ready to celebrate with Marines' Memorial and our incredible members. (The video will be available on YouTube any time after 5pm as well!)
Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis,
LtGen Michael A. Rocco and Your Marines' Memorial Team
Marine's Memorial Association & Foundation
609 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 91402
Copyright
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James E. Dougherty “Doc”
1945 - 2020
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'Doc' James E. Dougherty receiving the Silver Star |
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16 July 2019
James E. Dougherty “Doc” James E. Dougherty “Doc” of Eagleville, PA passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 9, 2020.
He was born in Marion, Ohio on September 16, 1945, the son of the late James Albert Dougherty and the late Catherine Marie (Reilly) Dougherty.
He graduated from St. Matthew’s High School in Conshohocken PA in 1964 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of that year. Jim had a colorful and action packed four years as a Marine during the Vietnam War. He served two tours in Vietnam, in 1966 and again in 1967 to 1968. First as a rifleman in 1966 until wounds sent him back to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital.
Jim volunteered to return to Vietnam in 1967, this time as a Platoon Sergeant with the Fifth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division. Jim fought in some of the most ferocious fighting during the Vietnam War. During Operation Swift in September 1967 Jim’s battalion (1/5, First of the Fifth) fought the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) in a bitter battle in the Que Son Valley.
During this fighting Jim and his surviving Marines endured continuous close quarter, hand to hand combat. During that fighting, and that leading up to February 1968, Jim was wounded two more times. In January and February 1968 Jim’s unit again was heavily engaged with the North Vietnamese Army. Cut off from his unit, Jim and four of his men were able to evade the NVA and escape by commandeering a Vietnamese fishing boat and sailing it into the South China Sea where they were picked up by the US Navy.
MIA (Missing in Action) Sergeant Dougherty (Doc) surprised his company when he and his men returned to tell their story of escape and evasion. A few days later in action outside Hue City (during the TET Offensive) Jim was severely wounded (his 4th Purple Heart) by an NVA RPG (rocket propelled grenade) that nearly severed his leg. This life threatening wound returned Jim to the Bethesda Naval Hospital where he endured numerous operations to save his leg. He was eventually medically retired from the Marine Corps.
In addition to his four Purple Hearts, Jim was a Silver Star recipient for heroism in combat. Jim never forgot the men he served with in Vietnam and as President of the 1/5 Vietnam Veterans Association actively supported efforts to memorialize and support all veterans from all wars.
Jim Dougherty was a Marine’s Marine. After the Marine Corps, Jim returned to school and graduated from Weidner University, Cum Laude, in 1973. He taught school for two years at Norristown High School and then joined Municipal Supply Company of Huntingdon, PA until retirement.
Jim was very active in community events with the local Parks and Recreation Department, serving as Methacton Baseball Association Softball Commissioner. He also served as a Township Supervisor for Lower Providence Township. Jim loved sports and especially baseball. Jim never missed his daughter’s softball games, swim meets or field hockey games.
He was also an avid outdoorsman and hunter.
Jim is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth A. Dougherty (Badger) of Eagleville; two daughters KC (& James) Franks of Eagleville and Sarah Dougherty of Eagleville; three sisters, Mary Grove of Norristown, Ann (& Peter) Tyler of Eagleville and Catherine (& Bill) Cleaver of Audubon; and mother-in law, Wilma K. Badger of Eagleville. Jim is also survived by his three grandchildren, Gabriel James Franks, Leah Elizabeth Franks and Noah Reilly Franks as well as extended family and many dear friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Thursday, September 17th, 2020 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Moore, Snear and Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428 (610-828-0330). His Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on the 17th (following the viewing) at St. Matthew’s RC Church, 219 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428. Interment with full military honors will take place on Friday, September 18th at 9:00 a.m. in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Rd, Newtown PA 18940.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, 909 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
From:
John Chang 張
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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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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
On this page
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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No new members since last report |
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We are again updating the database from Social Security and public records.
Recent reports are boldface.
ANTHONY PAUL "TONY" BRINLEE, 22 Oct 2020
CPL EARL J. EAVES, 5 Mar 2008
SGT JAMES O. ECKERT, 1 Nov 2020
BARBARA EDDINS, 2 Jun 2017
CPL LLOYD D. EDMISTON, 23 Jan 2010
CPL R. EDMOND, 22 Nov 2017
MGYSGT JAMES P. EDMUNDS USMC(RET), 30 Mar 2019
SGT DANIEL L. EDWARDS JR USMC(RET)
SGT EARBY R. EDWARDS, 28 Jul 2009
CPL GEORGE SHELBY EDWARDS, 23 Oct 2012
JOHN C. EDWARDS, 28 Feb 2019
CPL D. T. HARTY, 4 Oct 2020
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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.
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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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