FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION

Transcription

1 President Rios says, "There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines; Marines and the enemy" FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION President Rios says, "There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines; Marines and the enemy" -Gen William Thornson, U.S. Army PHOTO OF THE WEEK Southern California Chapter Sponsors a Cook-Out for the 5th Marine Regiment at Task Force Mateo on 13 May 2016.

2 Dear Vince, SgtMaj Paul Stephenson 90 years young telling his war stories to the Marines. YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS Please "run" this story and photo in your Friday Constant Contact "Blast." This is the "full story" about the new 5th Marines Vietnam War Memorial Monument project, the project is moving forward nicely. I hope that this story and photo will also run in the next issue of The Old Breed News. It will be in the next issue of The Fourragere with the Houston reunion details. Nicholas Warr, Treasurer 1/5 Vietnam Veterans Association 5th Marines Vietnam War Memorial 5th Marines Memorial Garden Camp San Mateo, Camp Pendleton, CA

3 Our mission:"to honor the 2,705 Marines and Sailors while serving in the 5th Marines gave their lives for their country, and to establish a legacy for those serving in the 5th Marines today and in the future." The Fighting Fifth Marines are Looking for "A Few Good Friends" Camp San Mateo, Camp Pendleton, California There were 2,706 U. S. Marines and Sailors killed in action during the Vietnam War while serving in just one infantry regiment, the Fighting Fifth Marines. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. With your help, each and every one of them will be honored with a beautiful new Memorial Monument to be built in the 5th Marines' Memorial Garden, Camp San Mateo, Camp Pendleton, California. This is a major undertaking. The monument will include the ranks and names of all 2,706 casualties and will offer a restful park-like setting for visitors. We believe that the completed memorial monument will not only benefit Vietnam Veterans and their families, but will also comfort all veterans of the Fighting Fifth, including those young Marines and Sailors currently serving on active duty in the Middle East and around the world. This new memorial will also educate all generations of Americans about this famous USMC infantry regiment's pivotal roles in many successful military campaigns during the Vietnam War. Our goal is to raise the necessary funds ($400,000.00) over the coming months, with the monument dedication targeted for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, Our project team includes the leadership of the 5th Marine Regiment, the 1/5

4 Vietnam Veterans Association, the 1st Marine Division Association (whose headquarters is now located aboard Camp Pendleton), and the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group (a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization who, as the project's fiduciary, are managing all donated funds in a secure trust fund. The monument design layout (see the image on Page 2) includes a total of six (6) "name panels" arranged in a "lazy U" shape around the "center piece." Both sides of each name panel will be used, providing a total of twelve (12) name panels overall. The name panels are fashioned from Medium Barre Granite and American Black Granite. The cost of this project, including the manufacture of the monument, erection of the monument, creation of the monument "infrastructure" (foundations, lighting, etc.) is estimated to be $400, We hope you will join us in our efforts to honor those we left behind. You can donate! We are seeking the $20.00 individual donation, the $50, corporate or organizational donation, and everything in between. We are confident that with our veteran's networks and our growing "Friends of the Fighting 5th" community, we will have no problem raising the money to fund this important memorial project. For more project details, images of the monument design, and online donations, please visit our website at: Should you have any questions, please contact either of us. We hope you will join our team and help us make this dream come true. Semper Fidelis! Steve Colwell, 1/5 Vietnam Veteran Project Leader, 5th Marines Vietnam War Memorial Monument 3301 Celinda Drive Carlsbad, CA stephenbcolwell@gmail.com Nick Warr, 1/5 Vietnam Veteran Marketing and Promotional Support, 5th Marines Vietnam War Memorial Monument 4030 Little River Road Hendersonville, NC nicholas@stonehillproductions.com

5 - Michael Gier "Friend of the Association" Silver Dove RE: Wounded Heroes Silver Dove Filmsis a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization that is producing a movie titled "Wounded Heroes". The film will honor our military and bring more awareness to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Millions suffering from PTSD - 22 Veterans a day - take their own lives; one every 65 minutes. Veterans are reluctant to get help from PTSD because of the negative stigma associated with it. It's a sad fact that over 50 percent of veterans suffering from PTSD go untreated. Our film hopes to change that statistic and lower the suicide rate. This film is going to be financed by donations with 50% of the films net profits donated to non-profit organizations that benefit Veterans. To get this film made, we need donations, people to do fundraisers in their own communities, and help by spreading the word about this film project and our fundraising needs. The film is inspired by true events and focuses on the reconciliation between two veterans: a father and a son. The son battles with PTSD, which actually began in childhood when his Vietnam War-traumatized father failed to deal with his own PTSD demons. The emotional abuse the boy suffers is intensified by later experiences in Afghanistan, and he turns to alcohol to deal with it. The film not only highlights the effects of PTSD on this young Veteran, but also the courage it takes the entire family to overcome his difficult battles. For more details about the film, to donate, or to do your own fundraiser, go to On the home page, be sure to watch the promo video at the top and then the video right below of Tom Matteo, a Vietnam Veteran and six time purple heart recipient. Tom Matteo is a member of the First Marine Division Association

6 Wounded Heroes - Wounded Warriors Movie Brings Awareness... Silver Dove Films is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization that is producing this movie titled Wounded Heroes. The film will honor our military and bring... Michael Gier

7 Vince I set up my 48 Ford Woodie with USMC Flag and Fallen Marines Boots n Dog Tags Tribute at Oceanside's Military Appreciation Day! Many USMC Vehicles were also on display nearby on the Beach! I was representing the So Coast Detachment of the Marine Corps League. S/F Mickey Christiason-1st MAR DIV ASSOC

8 Jefe, If you have directed Sandy Melander to give Pierre Sims access to our web site he will make the necessary changes to the By-laws on our website and the problem of the inaccurate By-laws at our 'site will be solved. Lee Rux By-laws Committee To all; I am ready to update the by laws but first I need to know what you want updated that is approved and acceptable with everyone. Pierre A Sims MSgt, USMC(Ret To: Pierre Sims Other than the obvious ones we tell about. Line not in order, Article V D a 7 "Duties of the President". Years ago we changed the name of the Finance Review Committee to just Finance Committee. Make that change. Lee Rux Bob, Do you think Vince would let the changes be published in the OBN? It would far too much to hand out copies at the Reunion. I think the Membership Committee will drag there feet to put off them being presenter o the Membership at the Reunion. Lee Rux Lee, I talks to Vince today, he has no problem with it. The changes should be in the Secretary's minutes of the meeting. If so, we will just have to put a short

9 paragraph drawing attention to that portion of the minutes covering the By- Laws. Bob Montgomery DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL COLT 1911 A1 PISTOL! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! RAFFLE HELD AT THE HOUSTON REUNION 2016

10 P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902 Oceanside, CA Call Heidi at (760) to pay by credit card Hi June, Vince I had an idea so I went ahead and tried it. I published the President's Blast to the website. May 13 and May 20, 2016 are under Vince's Corner on the front page. They are the last items on the left-hand side of the web page. If this has your approval I will continue formatting and uploading the Blast each week, if not, I will take it down immediately. Semper Fi Sandy Melander MIS/IT Ooh RAH! Great idea, keep it up. El Jefe

11 ps You come up with the greatest ideas.that's why you are our WEBMASTER and I am the WAGONMASTER President Rios and June, CHAPTERS/HEADQUARTERS I contacted the United Way regarding donations for the FMDA. The way the United Way works is an employee donates through their workplace to the United Way specifying the donation goes to The First Marine Division Association. I believe the employee gives the United Way our information. It seems similar to IBM or Donatewell. Heidi ATTENTION ALL FMDA CHAPTER PRESIDENTS PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ADS FOR THIS YEAR'S HOUSTON REUNION JOURNAL CLICK HERE TO VIEW RATE SHEET ATTENTION CHAPTERS When a Chapter is holding an event that requires a Certificate of Insurance, please contact Headquarters and we will provide the certificate for the event. Please notify Headquarters fifteen days prior to your event with name and location of event. MONEY MATTERS General Fund and Scholarship Fund Report for the Week of 21 May 2016 General Fund Checking Account Bank of America Checking 05/21/16 $130, Scholarship Fund Bank of America Checking 05/21/16 $52,474.55

12 05/14/16 $129, Difference: + $ /14/16 $52, Difference: + $ Available General Funds General Fund Balance: $130, Less Restricted Funds: $ 5, Available General Funds $125, Wells Fargo Advisors 05/21/16 - $295, /14/16 - $295, Difference: $ Bank of America Scholarship Savings 05/21/16 $ /14/16 $ Difference: $ Nick, Below are the fund raising event revenues as listed in the Financial Statement I send everybody. If a event is not listed it is because no revenue has been received Blue Diamond Program $1, Southern Cross $1, Reunion Drawing (Henry & Mary Lou) $3, USAA Commission $1, igive $00.00 Footlocker $00.00 SOURCE: 2016 April Financial Statement Year-To-Date 2015 Blue Diamond $1, Southern Cross $3, USAA Commissions $ Anniversary Drawing $ (2016) igive $00.00 Footlocker $00.00 SOURCE: 2015 December Financial Statement Year-To-Date We may have received some money from other events however if we did June classifies it under "donations to the general fund" or "Anniversary" or

13 Reunion". For example, June combines all money received during a event like the reunion into one deposit ticket and does not break out where it exactly came from like the pistol drawing, etc. Hope this helps. Semper Fi, Jim Attention Marines: The 1st Marine Division Association Scholarship Fund April Financial Statement is now complete. Click on the attachment to see your financial statement. The Scholarship Fund showed a net profit of $3, for the month of April and showing a total profit of $6, for 2016 year-to-date. Semper Fidelis, Jim Click here to view statement: President Rios, I decided to go into our financials and find out exactly how much the scholarship fund owes the FMDA using that 20% factor you said were in the By-Laws. I started with In 2012 the scholarship fund paid to the FMDA $2, for Juan's salary as recorded by him using a time card at his regular rate of pay. In that same year scholarship donations were $12, so it was about a wash. However starting in 2013 there were no more charges to the scholarship fund for Juan's salary. Here is a breakdown of donations and interest received by the scholarship fund by year as taken from our audited financial statements Donations: $35,309.17

14 Interest: $ Donations: $33, Interest: $ Donations: $36, Interest: $ through April Donations: $8, Interest: $9.82> Total Donations: $113, Total Interest: $ Grand Total: $113, times 20% Amount Due FMDA: $22, The scholarship fund has adequate money in it's checking account to pay in full. May I recommend this be a monthly exercise to transfer 20% of donations and interest received by the scholarship fund directly into the FMDA general fund checking account. Let me know what you wish me to do. Semper Fi, Jim Howdy Guru Jim, Thank you for working up these figures for me. Your integrity and diligence in pursuit of honesty and fairness is commendable. It far exceeds opinions some have of others' performances in recent history. While it is common knowledge that our past FMDA Executive Director, SgtMaj Juan Duff devoted countless hours of his own time to administer the FMDA Scholarship Fund, it would be impossible to calculate and pay him for the hours not logged, just as it would be to attempt to recover incalculable overstated hours - and dishonest, however the FMDA Inc will be compensated by the FMDA Scholarship Fund in accordance with the FMDA By-laws.

15 It is stated in the FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION By-laws, Amended August 2014, Article XII: Scholarship, "A. Scholarship: 1. (b) The FMDA, Inc. will be compensated for the cost of administering the scholarship program by the Fund, at a rate of no more than 20% of the current donations, interest earnings from investments and other Fund revenues. Payment will be made at least semi-annually." Effective May 30, 2016 and every month thereafter, you are to calculate monthly the current month's donations, interest earnings from investments and other Fund revenues; collect 20% of said monthly revenues from the Fund and pay that 20% to the FMDA, Inc. The compensation due since Sgt Maj Duff's departure, to date to the FMDA, Inc from The FMDA Scholarship Fund is now due and payable and will be collected from the Fund and paid to the FMDA, Inc immediately in one lump sum. Again, thank you for your exhaustive pursuit, Semper Fi, President Vince Rios El Jefe HISTORY I am a retired Marine, '66 - '86, and a 1/5 veteran. I cannot speak of Australia during WW II, but I can speak of them afterwards. I only briefly spoke to a couple of them in '67 in Vietnam, but they liked Yanks and were glad they could be there to help us and share the fight. In '77 or '78, I floated to Australia from Pearl for Operation Kangaroo II. We could barely buy a drink. The Ausies insisted on paying for our drinks in bars, we were invited to people's homes for dinner, and we were overwhelmed with friendliness. We felt like we were the ones who had just got back from Guadal Canal, the Solomon's and points north. We were not just welcome, we were wanted. The Aussies love Yanks, and most especially Marines. I can understand the Aussies being concerned about our young men being around their girlfriends, wives and daughters. We would feel the same. Many

16 of our own people don't like us in Oceanside, Kailua and the many other towns outside stateside bases. On the other hand, had I been one of the Marines who had lost so many of his buddies there, I would have been more than unhappy too. I guarantee I know the feeling. I came back to the U. S. in '68. All in all, that was then, whichever side you look at. This is now and the Aussies love us more than our own people. Few of our own people will do more than say "Thanks for your service." How many people INSIST on buying your drink even when you politely decline? How many invite you to their homes for dinner with their family, including pretty young girls? How many go out of their way to say thank you in a manner that makes you feel like a hero, when you weren't even born then? I love our WW II Marines as much as any and feel sad to hear they weren't embraced like we are now. They deserved better as did Viet Nam military. I have spoken to Marines who have been in Australia in the last few years, and they still love us deeply. Saying thank you is heartfelt, not a fad. Whether the Aussies donate something to the Association should not be something we ask for. Marines never ask for anything back. We do what we do because we are who we are. If a request was made, I would hope it would be retracted. If they offer, or don't offer something of their own volition, que sera sera. And quite frankly, I would rather it be something for the WW II Heroes. Ray Willis USMC (Ret) 1stMarDiv Assoc. TAPS Robert J. Clark Brian B. Kent Robert W. Maughan deceased Conrad O. Blevins Robert T. Bush deceased Charles R. Farinholt deceased

17 President Vince Rios First Marine Division Association Office (760) President Vince Rios (817) President Vince Rios Please visit our website: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902 Oceanside, CA (760) st Marine Division Association, P.O. Box 9000, Box #902, Oceanside, CA 92051