"This world of ours...must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate,
and be, instead a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.
-- Dwight D. Eisenhower
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FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION |
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1st Marine Division
80th Anniversary
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1 Feb 2013 - Tom Vetter, 78, right, of San Juan Capistrano, and other veterans representing conflicts in which the 1st Marine Division participated, stand for the national anthem during the battle streamers rededication ceremony and 72nd anniversary of the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton Friday morning. |
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February 1, 2013 at 3:49 p.m.
CAMP PENDLETON – Retired Lt. Col. Tom Vetter’s eyes welled with tears and a lump formed in his throat Friday as he participated in a ceremony where battle streamers from the 1st Marine Division were rededicated at Camp Pendleton.
“I look at all the young Marines, Gen. Ronald Bailey, veterans and less than a handful of the three-war veterans who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam,” said Vetter, 78, who served in Korea with the 4th Battalion, 11th Marines. “This ceremony is about pride of service with the 1st Marine Division. It’s such an emotional feeling to be part of that.”
Vetter, of San Juan Capistrano, was one of dozens of veterans from across the county, state and nation to attend the 72nd 1st Marine Division Battle Colors Rededication Ceremony. The ceremony honors sacrifices made by Marines and sailors. Veterans and association groups from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom participated. The ceremony ensures that traditions of the division and the experiences in the Marine Corps live on.
The division, a combat-ready force of more than 25,000 Marines and sailors, was activated aboard the battleship Texas on Feb. 1, 1941. It is the oldest, largest and most-decorated division in the United States Marine Corps, with nine Presidential Unit Citations.
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Dear Members,
Happy Birthday to the 1st Marine Division.
We will not be gathering this year for our usual commemoration week. Camp Pendleton access is still restricted to essential business, and we should still be isolating at home. The 2013 story above from the Orange County Register brings back memories of past Anniversary weeks.
We lost a big one last week. LtCol. Tom Vetter passed away on 16 January. Tom served in Korea 1954-1955, and as Association President 2003-2005. He moved the Association HQ from Chantilly, Virginia, to nearer home in Oceanside, California, with the goal being our present site aboard Camp Pendelton, next to Division CP.
Tom belonged to a long list of our Chapters: Colorado River, Bodfish, Central California, Los Angeles, Orange County, Rocky Mountain, and Southern California.
Tom's cheer and dedication to duty will be missed.
We also lost our oldest living Marine earlier this month. Dorothy Schmidt Cole died on on 7 January, at the age of 107. She enlisted in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in July 1943. We wish you fair winds, and following seas, sister.
Like FDR told the nation long ago, normalcy is just around the corner. Keep up your good, healthy habits, seek out the vaccine, and we will get back together sometime.
Semper Fi
Jerry Johs
President
DJC
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[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
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You can keep current on the Association events at our website:
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LTCOL TOM VETTER, USMC (RET) |
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LtCol Tom Vetter
18 June 1935 - 16 January 2021
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Date: Mon, Jan 18, 2021, 10:46 AM
Subject: Passing of Tom Vetter
LA & Bodfish Family,
I’m sad to report that Tom Vetter reported to his final duty station Saturday, 16 January. This report came from Dick Cesaroni who received the information from the LA Sheriff’s Office. No further details or information regarding services is available at this time.
Tom Vetter was very active with the First Marine Division Association and both the LA & Bodfish Chapters.
Tom served as my VP in 1979 when I was LA Chapter President. Tom got throat cancer in 1998. He survived that ordeal and went on to become the President of the LA Chapter. After serving for one year Tom passed the gavel to his VP Dick Cesaroni and went on to become the National President of the 1st Mar Div Assn.
As National President he relocated the National headquarters from Chantilly VA to Oceanside CA.
Tom also served as the President of Bodfish in 2007. There are many stories and great Bodfish Tales to tell about Tom.
Tom was a mustang Marine. He joined the Corps in the mid 50’s and did his boot training at MCRD San Diego. After active duty he joined the Marine Corps reserve and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He rose through the ranks becoming a LA Sheriff Commander. Tom did not sit idle in the Marine Corps Reserve. He received a commission to Second Lieutenant through the ROTC Program at USC.
Among many assignments during his Marine careen he was a recon Marine (Staff Sgt) and commanded a tank company after being commissioned.
He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve and a Commander on the Sheriff’s Department before retiring in San Juan Capistrano.
Tom was proceeded in death by his wife Barbara. To the best of my knowledge he is survived by a Son and at least one grandchild.
There is no doubt, the Big Bodfish Saloon in the Sky will be rockin' and all the old Bodfish clan will be waiting to greet Tom as he checks into Heavens Gate.
Thanks to Dick Cesaroni for the info and photo.
Semper Fi and Bodfish is Forever!!
Dale Turner, BFPP 2003
LA Chapter President 97-98
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It is a sad day, Tom was a good friend and a good President for the FMDA .
May he rest in peace.
Jerry Johs
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Date: January 18, 2021 at 11:15:13 AM PST
Subject: Fwd: Passing of Tom Vetter
Juan & June, A sad notice to pass on. I also let Mike Sisk know. I have no further scoop. Tom & I served together as SSgts @ 4th Tanks, Camp Elliott way back when.
Semper Fi!
David M. Franklin
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I will miss this fine Marine.
Corkie Lee
Southern California Chapter
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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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Department of Veterans Affairs
Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
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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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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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MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION |
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CPL EDUARTO CONTRERAS, change to Senior Life Member
HM3 CHARLIE HALL, change to Senior Life Member
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We are again updating the database from Social Security and public records.
Recent reports are boldface.
GYSGT GARY G. ARABIAN USMC(RET), 9 Nov 2021
CPL JOHN F. ATTENISIA, 23 Dec 2020
CPL JAMES M. FLAHERTY, 18 Jan 2014
RICHARD R. FLANERY, 7 Oct 2015
PFC JAMES J. FLAVIN, 28 Dec 2008
CPL CHARLES F. FLEIG, 15 Jul 2015
PHM1C JACK M. FLETCHER, 26 May 2018
CPL RICHARD J. FLIPPIN, 10 Jan 2020
NORBERT J. FLISS, 8 Nov 2019
CPL JOSEPH K. FLORENCE, 31 Aug 2010
SGT BARRY L. FLOYD, 7 Nov 2019
SGT CHARLES D. FOGARTY, 18 Oct 2011
SGT WILLIAM E. FOGARTY, 10 Oct 2009
CAPT BYRON 'BARNEY' G. KEEP, 10 Jan 2021
GYSGT JAMES E. KERLEY USMC(RET), 21 Oct 2020
CAPT NORMAN W. LARSON
SGT ROBERT J. LEWIS, 16 May 2018
COL JOHN O. MARSH USMC(RET), 12 Apr 2019
JOHN 'JACK' R. MARSH, 16 Dec 2020
LTCOL THOMAS M. VETTER SR USMCR(RET), 16 Jan 2021
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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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