“To Marines, love of liberty is not an empty phrase…

Source: https://www.stayarlington.com/blog/spectacular-views-of-capital-fourth-fireworks-choose-arlington/

Tuesday, August 16: Check-in begins. Henderson Hall.

Wednesday, August 17: National Mall monuments and museums

Thursday, August 18: USMC Museum trip

Friday, August 19: Morning Memorial Service. Dinner at 8th & I, and the Evening Parade

Saturday, August 20: General Membership and Committee meetings, Ladies Lunch, Reunion Banquet.

Sunday, August 21: Check-out and departure, but hotel group rate is available through Tuesday, August 23.

We have a shuttle bus on Wednesday, to take you to the National Mall. Fare will be $10 per day.

We are contacting the Marine Corps Liaison Office to Congress about tickets to tour the White House and the Capitol building.

The banquet menu begins with Mixed Greens Salad, your choice of Airline Chicken Breast, or Grilled Shoulder Filet. Both entrées served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus.

Vegetarian entrée: Roasted Tomato Risotto with Char-Grilled Vegetables, Onion, Asiago Cheese.

The Registration Form can be downloaded for printing in the next section. Please call HQ if you need a form mailed to you.

Registration fee is set at $55, and includes primary registrant, and one guest, spouse, or significant other.

The deadline for Registration is July 15, but we will accommodate late registrations as much as we are able.

Looking forward to seeing many of you old and new friends in D.C. I expect we will have a great comeback Reunion.

Please enjoy a safe 4th of July holiday this long weekend.

Room rate: $125 one king bed, plus 14.25% tax. Total: $142.81

Free shuttle for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Hotel does not provide transport for Washington Dulles Airport (25 miles)

Complimentary breakfast for up to two persons per room

Hotel reservations must be made by Friday, July 29, 2022

Parking: reduced overnight parking rate $15 for attendees

Jada Chavez, phone 703-521-1900, email jada.chavez@sheratonpentagoncity.com

Please contact June Cormier, (760)763-3268, or june.oldbreed@fmda.us for information and registration.

FMDA Scholarship Fund, Inc., made a $2,500 payment to University of California Riverside, for student Alexander H. Estrada, for Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 semesters.

Wishing you the best for your future, Alexander.

On 06 My 2022, the Dallas Chapter, First Marine Division Association presented its Joe Walker Award to Cadet GySgt Estanfany Sanchez during the W. T. White High School, Dallas, Texas annual MCJROTC awards ceremony. This annual award recognizes the achievements of the programs Top Cadet. An exceptionally talented young lady, Estanfany Sanchez has been selected as the MCJROTC Battalion Commander for SY-2023.

Pictures from left to right, Mary Walker (daughter), Nora Walker (Widow), Joe Walker, Jr. (son), GySgt Estanfany Sanchez, LtCol Walt Schmick (President, Dallas Chapter).

Semper Fi,

Walt Schmick

President

Dallas Chapter

Medal of Honor Recipient and World War II Veteran Hershel “Woody” Williams, 98 has died on Wednesday. Williams was born on Oct. 2, 1923, and grew up in Quiet Dell in Marion County, West Virginia.Williams was the last living WWII Medal of Honor recipient. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division. Williams received the Medal of Honor on October 5, 1945, from President Harry S. Truman for his “actions, commitment to his fellow service members, and heroism.”

Presidential Citation

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to CORPORAL HERSHEL W. WILLIAMS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Demolition Sergeant serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Island, 23 February 1945.

Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines and black, volcanic sands, Corporal Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine-gun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flame throwers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another.

On one occasion he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flame thrower through the air vent, kill the occupants and silence the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon.

His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strong points encountered by his regiment and aided in enabling his company to reach its' [sic] objective.

Corporal Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

As many of you are aware, Camp Lejeune is one of the worst water contamination cases in history. A devastating tragedy whose far-reaching destruction is still being experienced by many people and families today: men, women, and children. These victims are soldiers. They are Marines (and their families) who dedicated themselves to this country and who now are losing their lives to cancer and various other life-threatening health issues.

These soldiers and families were commissioned to live on base at Camp Lejeune where, unfortunately, common practices allowed for the dumping of oil, industrial wastewater, and potentially radioactive toxic chemicals into storm drains. These negligent practices allowed toxic chemicals to seep into the water tables and ultimately contaminate the water supply on base.

Between 1953 and 1987, the men, women, and children living at Camp Lejeune drank and bathed in water laced with toxic chemicals, such as trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical used as a degreaser, perchloroethylene (PCE), a dry-cleaning solvent, and benzene, an industrial solvent. What’s worse, these hazards were no secret.

During the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) labeled Camp Lejeune a major polluter. In 1984, regulations were added by the military outlining the proper technique required for disposal of hazardous waste, such as organic compounds, which could possibly infiltrate and contaminate drinking water. Reports show that as early as April 1980, leakage problems from buried fuel tanks could make water contamination a possibility. Regardless of all the prior warning signs, testing of the drinking water did not begin until 1982; however, by that time, the damage was done. And the results are devastating: cases of male breast cancer (which is extremely rare); various forms of reported cancer cases; leukemia; birth defects; and other rare illnesses.

Scientific studies show that chemical compounds have breached the ground water supply on several of our US Military Bases and, in some instances, have affected civilian properties adjacent to the bases, including churches, schools and private wells.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (Act) is working its way through Congress—it passed the House and the Senate.  We expect the House to fully approve the Act and send to President Biden for signature this week.

The Act allows veterans, family members, and those who lived or worked on base between 1953 and 1987 that were harmed by water contamination to file a lawsuit for compensation.

It does not matter if you have been provided benefits under the VA. This does not affect your benefits and you are not prevented from filing because you have received benefits. You also do not have to have one of the above presumptive conditions.

I am a life-time member and former Executive Director of the FMDA and intend to follow this legislation closely. I will be updating opportunities in the old breed news as the Congress takes action.

We want to avoid another Agent Orange scenario

To determine eligibility status or ask general questions, please contact us, phone (704)916-1509, email virginia.flynn@troutman.com.

Chad Fuller and I, Virginia Flynn, will be working to provide you justice.

Thank you.

Virginia Bell Flynn*

Direct: 704.916.1509 | Mobile: 843.847.9766 | Internal: 22-1509

troutman pepper

troutman.com

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Thank you, Col. Len Hayes, for this notice.

Marine House USA Chairman Chester Yong Park invites Korean War veterans to a luncheon to mark the 72nd Anniversary of the Inchon Landing.

Wednesday, September 28 1100-1500

Pacific Views Event Center

Camp Pendleton, California

RSVP

Telephone: 213-736-5291

Email: marinehouseusa@gmail.com

This is our first New Members Report this year,

due to abbreviated newsletter editions.

CPL HAIG J. BARSOMIAN

LCPL FRANK F. BINKOWSKI

CPL ARTURO "SONNY" CASTILLO

RONALD CAYETANO, Sponsor: David Franklin

GYSGT ARNOLD J. CHRISTIANSEN

SGT ALBERT W. CLUTTER JR USMC(RET)

SGT ALBERT W. COOPER

LCPL DANIEL COOVER, Sponsor: Gunny Puentes

SSGT IRVEN S. DAWSON

STEVEN P. DES GEORGES

CHUCK DIAZ, Sponsor: Grady Birdsong

SGT NORMAN E. FOLK, Sponsor: VN Magazine

SGT ALAN A. GALVEZ

DEBBY WEDELL GUY

CPL GARY M. HAGGERTY

LTCOL JAMES A. HART USMC(RET)

JAMES W. HAWKE

PVT JAMES A. HEITMEYER

E-8/MSGT DANIEL WAYDE HELFRICH

PAMELA JEAN KLOBUCHER, Sponsor: Bob Bobst

CAPT ALLEN S. KOGUT

CWO5 ROBERT BRITT LANDGRAF USMC(RET), Sponsor: Mike Welsh

SSGT ZAN T. LUNA, Sponsor: William Godfrey

SGT CHARLES W. LUNDEEN

SSGT ROBERT V. MAIN

SSGT DALE D. MCKENNA

HMCS MARTIN L. MONACO USN(RET)

GYSGT LOUIS (LOU) J. NEUBECKER, Sponsor: Gary Brannan

DONALD H. NICKERSON

LTCOL ROBERT WAYNE O'CONNOR

SGT CHARLES (CHUCK) M. PECK, Sponsor: Mike Ostrom

SSGT BENJAMIN MS REID

MRS REBA REYNOLDS

CAPT CARL A. SCHULTZ

SGT EDWARD S. SMITH

HM3 MILTON J. SONDERMAN

MARIE TAVONE

SGT PHILLIP G. UNDERWOOD

CPL JOHN MICHAEL ZAJICEK

SGT MATTHEW W. ZELASCO

SGT GARY ZINSSER, Sponsor: Dominick Ramos

We are again searching public records to update our Taps Report. The older listings here are due to our mailing list cleanup service not being perfect, so a Lost Patrol effort finds some long missed passings.

Please contact HQ when you hear of a fellow Marine passing, so that we may pay our respects here, and keep our members informed.

Recent reports are in boldface.

SGT JERRY AMEN, 15 Apr 2021

CAPT HAROLD ARUTUNIAN, 8 Jul 2016

SGT JOHN ATENCIO, 11 Jul 2017

SGT WILLIAM W. AUSTIN, 24 Feb 2020

COL HAROLD L. BLANTON JR USMC(RET), 21 Jun 2020

SSGT CHARLES F. BURROWS, Oct 2008

GYSGT PABLO CASTORENA, 22 Mar 2019

GYSGT W. R. CHANEY USMC(RET), 8 Jan 2017

WILLIS CLARK JR, 26 Jul 2020

DONALD J. CORNISH, 9 Jul 2015

HM3 CHARLES T. CULPEPPER, 12 Jul 2012

CPL RICHARD B. DEAN, 8 May 2017

SGT STEVEN EDWARD DRUMMOND, 23 Nov 2013

CPL LYLE E. EBNER, 19 Feb 2007

ROBERT L. EVANS, 17 Jan 2021

JOSEPH J. FARRELL, 19 Jun 2000

PFC J. R. FINEGAN, 6 Apr 2009

PFC ED D. FULWIDER, 12 Dec 2020

CPL LEMUEL C. GOODE, 25 Aug 2006

CPL JAMES D. GREENE, 31 Dec 2019

GYSGT HENRY D. HALL USMC(RET), 26 Jun 2011

LTCOL JOSEPH G. HALL, 23 Jan 2016

SGT FRANCIS J. HALLAS, 1 Aug 2014

MR. THOMAS JOSEPH HALLIGAN, 8 Dec 2016

SGT DAVID E. HALSTEAD, 1 Feb 2016

SSGT DUANE K. HALSTEAD, Aug 2008

SGT CALVIN H. HAMBLEN, 15 May 2016

SGT SAMUEL T. HAMBRICK, 7 Jan 2009

COL JAMES G. HAMILL, 2 Nov 2020

CPL WALTER A. HAMMEN, 26 Mar 2020

SGT RALPH H. HAMMONTREE SR, 2 Jun 2014

SSGT WILLIAM B. HANEGAN JR, 16 Mar 2020

PO3 MICHAEL J. HANEY, 23 Jun 2018

PHYLLIS HANKE, 3 Sep 2013

SGT ROBERT C. HANKS, 9 Jul 2017

CPL WILLIAM R. HANLEY JR, 29 Dec 2015

ROY D. HANNA, 1 Dec 2009

SGT KEITH W. HANSEN, 5 Oct 2019

SGTMAJ GERALD A. HANSON, 12 Apr 2021

MRS JURENE HANSON, 9 Jun 2010

ROBERT W. HARD, 28 Jun 2020

GYSGT ALGORA HARDEE USMC(RET), 19 Oct 2003

CPL PATRICK G. HARDESTY, 18 Mar 2020

SGT WENDELL L. HARKINS, 3 Aug 2015

COL JAMES EDWIN HARRELL USMC(RET), 4 Mar 2015

CAPT JAMES S. HARRELL USMC(RET), 28 Jun 2014

SGT THOMAS E. HARRIS, 5 Mar 2020

PVT DAVID L. HART, 18 Jun 2019

SSGT JAMES W. HART, 23 Feb 2004

1STSGT CHUCK HARTON, 11 Aug 2016

LCPL R. B. HARTZELL, 7 Jul 2014

SGT ERNEST L. HARVEY, 22 Apr 2009

GYSGT QUILLIE L. HARVEY, 28 Jun 2007

SGT VICTOR L. HARVILLE, 27 Jan 2021

SGT PAUL F. HASSICK, 11 Sep 2019

DR J. R. LINDLEY, 7 Jun 2020

CPL STANLEY J. MARCHAND, 15 Feb 2010

LCPL DANIEL C. MARCHEANO, 24 Oct 2019

SSGT EDWARD J. MARTIN, 19 Feb 2009

1STLT GERALD J. MCLAUGHLIN, 25 Sep 2013

SSGT GUY L. MILLER III

COL MORRIS (SPUD) A. MILLER USMC(RET), 23 Dec 2014

CAPT WILLIAM T. MOORE JR, 25 Feb 2012

CPL JOE T. MORRIS, 23 Apr 2020

MRS MARY ANN MURPHY, 21 Jun 2020

SGT CHARLES H. PACKARD, 18 Mar 2003

CPL TED E. PEABODY, 19 Oct 2019

CPL ALBERT R. PENOR, 8 Apr 2016

GYSGT GENE E. RAINBOLT, 12 Jun 2014

SGT HARVEY LYNN ROBINSON

SGT BILLIE B. SCHRAUB, 7 Jun 2012

SGT ROGER S. SCHUBERT, 4 Dec 2011

HAROLD SCHULTZ, 4 Apr 2019

GYSGT HENRY E. SCHULTZ USMC(RET), 16 Feb 2014

CPL CHARLES E. SKOV, 5 Jul 2014

SGT HARVEY J. STEFANOWICZ

PHM3/C HAL TAYLOR, 5 Aug 2020

1STSGT HAROLD O. TAYLOR, 29 Oct 2002

CPL WALTER C. TERREL, 22 Aug 2006

COL MINERT N. THOMPSON USMC(RET), 7 Jul 2019

SGT ROBERT L. THOMPSON USMC, 3 Dec 2008

OTIS P. TIBBETTS, 3 Sep 2008

SSGT RICHARD K. TIERNEY, 20 Nov 2015

COL JEROME B. TINLING USMC(RET), 7 Feb 2021

SSGT RICHARD L. USHER, 1 Mar 2014

SSGT ERNEST A. VIGIL, 9 Jun 2013

SGT NEIL S. WHEELER, 23 Oct 1973

WILLIAM ZAGONE SR