TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Construction Has Begun Wall of Stars Our Job is Not Over Groundbreaking Ceremony MPM Contest Thank You JTDA 2015 MPM Day MPM Day Accommodations Bronze Sculpture Arrives MPM Inscribed Bricks Milestones Answers to Your Questions Coins for Sell T-shirts for Sell Monument Fundraiser Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Hotel Accommodations National Monument Team Enclosures Page 9 MPM Contest Guidelines CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN! CONGRATULATIONS, Members and Friends! Construction on Phase I of our National Monument began on April 27, 2015. September 11, 2015 has been targeted for completion. As of the publishing of this newsletter, the contractor is ahead of schedule by two days. Recent weather in the Lejeune area had no negative impact on the work schedule. Phase I Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Members of the Monument Committee met with the Jacksonville Tourism Development Authority (JTDA) on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. At that time, plans were to have a formal ribbon cutting ceremony during the 2015 Montford Point Marine Day celebration in August. However, this has changed. Tentatively, the ceremony is set for October 2, 2015; pending any inclement weather and other circumstances beyond contractors control. The JTDA has once again allocated $5,000 for Fiscal Year 2015/16 in support of Montford Point Marine Day monument fundraising events. A portion of these funds will be set-aside for the ribbon cutting ceremony. FIRST STRUCTURE, WALL OF STARS Page 10 Contribution Form Page 11 Brick and Plaque Ordering Form DONORS, OUR JOB IS NOT OVER. LET S CONTINUE OUR STRIDE TO BUILD PHASE II! The Groundbreaking Ceremony to begin Phase I of our National Monument should have been the catalyst to catapult future donations for Phase II. We must dig deeper into our pockets to complete the entire job we have all agreed to start. Funds needed to move our monument project forward: $868,736 Our Job Is Not Over!! PHASE II COST $1,028,020.00 PHASE II PURCHASES $ 92,945.00(completed) PHASE II FUNDS ON HAND $ 66,339.00 WE DID IT BEFORE, WE CAN DO IT AGAIN! WORKING TOGETHER REALLY WORKS!
NATIONAL MONTFORD POINT MARINES MONUMENT GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1) 8) 2) 9) 3) 10) 4) 11) 5) 12) 6) 13) 7) Historical Groundbreaking Ceremony for Phase I of the Montford Point Marines Monument February 27, 2015 Memorial Site, Lejeune Memorial Gardens KNOW YOUR MONTFORD POINT MARINES CONTEST Back row is not a part of this contest Dr. James T. Averhart Jr., James Carr, Col David Jones, Col Grover Lewis III (Ret) (Please see Enclosure 1 for Rules and Guidelines) JACKSONVILLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THANK YOU! Jacksonville Tourism Development Authority for your memorial funding support. "JTDA came through for us with flying colors, in the form of a Funding Resolution to donate $75,000 in their FY 2015/16 budget to the memorial. This resolution gave us the balance needed to reach our goal of $641,800 that prompted the SECNAV to issue the license for us to begin construction." 2
2015 MONTFORD POINT MARINES DAY CELEBRATION AT CAMP LEJEUNE AUGUST 20-22, 2015 Charity Motorcycle Ride Congressional Gold Medal Charity Golf Tournament Montford Point Day Events - August 20 marks the official opening of the Montford Point Marines Day celebration. What better way to bring the summer to a close than to spend it with friends, socializing and paying homage to our Marines. Three noteworthy events are scheduled. A Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 20, 9:00 a.m., at the Camp Johnson parade field. Medals will be presented to four Montford Point Marines posthumously. Show time for the Charity Golf Tournament is Friday, August 21, 8:00 a.m., at the Paradise Point Golf Course, MCB Camp Lejeune. The Charity Motorcycle Ride will be on Saturday, August 22 with registration beginning at 8:00 a.m. The ride will start and finish at New River Harley-Davidson, 2394 Wilmington Hwy 17 South, Jacksonville, NC. Lunch will be served following the ride. HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS A block of rooms have been reserved from August 19 - August 23, 2015. The special room rate of $98.00 per night will be available until August 5th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Home2 Suites by Hilton 139 Circuit Lane, (910) 355-3500, Jacksonville, NC 28546. Group Name: Montford Point Marines Group Code: RCM Cancellations accepted until day of event Rooms must be booked by: August 5th to receive group rate. Hotel website address: http://home2suites.hilton.com/en/ht/groups/personalized/j/jkvncht-rcm- 20150819/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG For additional details: Visit our website: mpmamemorial.org To register for a base pass, please have the following information available: Driver: full name, driver s license No. and state of issue Car: year, make, model and color License Plate: number and state of issue Insurance policy: company name and expiration date Vehicle Registration: expiration date Deadline for base pass requests: August 10, 2015. Email this information to: htshinal@yahoo.com or Mail to P.O. Box 7222 Jacksonville, NC 28540 or Voice mail accepted at (910) 347-3896 3
ATLAS BRONZE SCULPTURE HAS ARRIVED The bronze sculpture was delivered on May 11, 2015 and is currently housed in building 1117 aboard Camp Lejeune. Two committee members, upon its arrival, conducted a detailed inspection. No problems were noted. A check for $27,245 has been paid to Mr. Stan Watts, Atlas Bronze Casting Company. The balance of $3,500 will be paid to Mr. Watts when he completes installation of the sculpture at the memorial site. Projected time for installation is early August 2015. Mr. Watts will produce miniature replicas of the statue and provide a pricing plan to Monument Committee. MONTFORD POINT MARINES INSCRIBED BRICKS Persons who have purchased a brick and desire to have it inscribed, other than just their name on the brick, should provide their inscription to the National Monument Director. Initially, 500 bricks were available for inscriptions and to purchase. Currently, the 4 x 8 bricks are the only size bricks still available for purchase, and the supply is limited. The cost remains $500 each. Please hurry to purchase your engraved brick while supplies last. Bricks for inscriptions are available for purchase by all interested persons. These bricks can also be purchased online at website: mpmamemorial.org or complete and mail the Brick and Plaque Ordering form (Enclosure 3, Page 11 to MPMA Memorial Project, P.O. Box 7222, Jacksonville, NC 28540. The 12 x 12 Bench Plaques are still available for the modest price of $10,000 each. BOOK OF NAMES: The National Museum Montford Point Marines is working with the National Monument Director to compile a book of names of original Montford Point Marines. This book will be located at the National Monument Museum. We are also reviewing the consolidated roll. This document will be published at the Museum on Camp Johnson, as well. 4
MONUMENT MILESTONES: MOVING FORWARD...OLD TO NEW Projected Completions 2015 2 Oct - Projected Phase I ribbon cutting ceremony 11 Sept - Projected Phase I completion Aug - Projected installation of Atlas Bronze Statue at monument site 11 May - Atlas Bronze Sculpture delivered 30 Apr - Atlas Bronze Sculpture completed 27 Apr - Phase I construction began 26 Mar - $61,000 JTDA Funding Resolution (Please see page 2.) 24 Mar - The Secretary of the Navy issued final approval to begin construction 27 Feb - Groundbreaking ceremony held at monument site Projected Completions 2014 11 Dec - Phase I, $641,800 goal reached (ready to begin construction) 28 Mar - SECNAV approved to accept monument as a gift upon completion. Completions 2013 13 Feb - Approval of Atlas Bronze Statue contract 1 Mar - Initial deposit for Atlas Bronze Statue 13 Apr - M1A1, 90MM Anti-aircraft gun delivered to Jacksonville, NC 13 Jul - Social Media fundraiser selected Completions 2012 12 Jun - Restoration of M1A1, 90MM Anti- aircraft gun began 12 Dec - Monument technical drawing Completions 2011 Jan - Identify General Contractor Jul - Monument briefing at National Convention Completions 2010 15 Apr - Initial proposal package presented at 2010 Spring Council 15 May - Chapters provided feedback to Monument Director 23 Jul - National Convention voted on proposal 16 Aug - Briefing by Officer on Camp Johnson on monument proposal Aug - Monument proposal w/letter of Intent delivered to Marine Corps Base 1 Sep - Architect selected 5
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS Below are answers to questions members have asked. If your question(s) was not answered in this segment, please send email to jonesdee@ec.rr.com and it will be answered in our next newsletter. 1) Q: What is the total number of bricks sold, all sizes? A: 280 (This number includes brick installment payments.) 2) Q: What was the cut-off date to purchase brick(s)? A: The original date was December 31, 2011. However, that date has been extended indefinitely or until all 500 bricks are sold. 3) Q: What was the total amount of money collected for all bricks sizes? A: $174,038. 4) Q: Has any monies been paid to the brick company? A: No, not as of this newsletter. 5) Q: Have individuals paid for any bricks? A: Yes, 266 paid in full; 14 are paying by installments. 6) Q: Is brick money mixed with general account money? A: No, monument funds are in the monument checking account and monument CD, as certified by Association s CPA. 7) Q: Was brick money used to build Phase I of MPMA Monument? A: Yes. 8) Q: Will names be on bricks as part of the memorial at the 2015 dedication? A: No. 9) Q: If bricks are only added in Phase II, how many years projection before finished. A: No one can answer this question. The funds to complete Phase II must be in the bank, the same as required to begin Phase I. However, we can modify the current contract via change orders. This means that we should have funds available for additional contractor work, such as install bricks, the entry wall and/or benches. It is the contractor s option to do the additional work. 10) Q: How much have we paid contractor to date? A: The contractor has received only one payment, in the amount of $84,641.14. 6
MONUMENT COMMEMORATIVE COINS STILL FOR SALE This limited edition of the monument coin sells for $10.00, plus shipping. So hurry to purchase this one of a kind historical memorabilia. Anyone wishing to purchase a coin(s) should contact: National MPMA Quartermaster montfordpointmarine.org or National Monument Director P.O. Box 7222 Jacksonville, NC 28540 (850) 499-6727 monumentdirector@montfordpointmarines.org FRONT BACK MONUMENT T-SHIRTS ARE STILL FOR SALE T-shirts are $18 (original) and $22 (latest design) to include shipping. Anyone who would like to purchase one or more should contact: National Monument Director (850) 499-6727 htshinal@yahoo.com $18.00 $22.00 FRONT OF MEMORIAL T-SHIRTS (no wording on back) SECOND MONUMENT FUNDRAISER SHOE DRIVE MAY 1 TO JULY 31, 2015!!!WE WANT YOUR SHOES!!! We are again collecting new and gently used shoes from individuals, chapter members, families and friends. You can help MPMA raise the remaining funds needed to complete the Montford Point Marines Memorial. Each member is asked to collect 25 pair of shoes (less than 25 are still appreciated). Collect them through your local chapter. For additional information call (910) 381-7939 or e-mail www.mpmamemorial.org 7
NATIONAL MONUMENT RIBBION CUTTING CEREMONY HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS September 30 - October 4, 2015 Home2 Suites by Hilton 139 Circuit Lane, Jacksonville, North Carolina 28546 Phone Number: (910) 355-3500 Room Rates Per Night: $83.00 (off season military rate) Rooms must be booked by: September 7th to receive group rate. A block of rooms have been reserved for September 30, 2015 - October 3, 2015. The group rate will be available until September 7th or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first. Group Name: Montford Point Marines Ribbon Cutting Group Code: MRC Cancellations accepted until day of event Hotel Webpage Address: You may make your reservations on this webpage. home2suites.hilton.com/en/ht/groups/personalized/j/jkvncht-mrc- 20150930/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Dr. James T. Averhart Jr. CWO4, USMC National President, MPMA, Inc. 540-288-6129 nationalpresident@montfordpointmarines.org MGySgt James H. Carr (Ret) National Vice-President MPMA, Inc. National Fundraising Director 646-772-8587 vicepresident@montfordpointmarines.org CWO5 Houston T. Shinal (Ret) National Monument Director MPMA Inc. 850-499-6727 monumentdirector@montfordpointmarines.org National Monument Management Team Mr. O. Liam Wright, Designer/Producer: True Interaction Global Technology Consultants 203-496-9947 liam@trueinteraction.com Attorney Ernest J. Wright, esq. Legal Counsel: The Wright Law Firm 910-455-9646 www.ewrightlaw.com Mr. Gilbert Taylor Webmaster info@montfordpointmarines.org MONTFORD POINT MARINE MEMORIAL PROJECT Preserving the Legacy of the Montford Point Marines 824 Gum Branch Rd, Suite M Jacksonville, NC 28540 (850) 499-6727 8
KNOW YOUR MONTFORD POINT MARINE CONTEST! Rules and Guidelines The National Monument Committee is having a Know Your Montford Point Marine contest beginning with this newsletter. We are asking you to identify each Montford Point Marine in the photo on page two (2) of this newsletter that is holding a shovel. You must submit the full name of each. Your entry will not be considered unless all 13 names are submitted. The winner will be the entry received with the highest number correct. In case of a tie, the entry received first will win. 1) Anyone can participate in the contest by forwarding their e-mail, with the names of each of the Original Montford Point Marines written beside the correct corresponding number, in reference to the photo on Page II of this newsletter, to National Monument Director monumentdirector@montfordpointmarines.org 2) Participants can only enter one time per newsletter publication. (If you submit a second guess it will not be considered in the contest) 3) You cannot change your initial guess even if you claim a typo or some other type of mistake. So please ensure your first entry is what you want. 4) The winner will receive a monument T-shirt, commemorative coin and their name published in our next newsletter 5) The winner will be determined by the first correct email received (by correctness, date and time). If two or more entries are received on the same date at the same time, extra points will be given if the full middle name is included, and of course, the name is posted under the correct photo. 6) Entries for the photo on page two (2) must be received no later than July 30, 2015, 23:59 EST. 7) Official winner will be notified only by e-mail from Houston Shinal, National Monument Director 8) Final decisions will be made by the National Monument Committee 9) All entries become the property of the National Monument Committee and will not be returned to you. 10) The name must correspond with the numbers on the graph on Page II of this newsletter. 11) You have the option of either e-mailing the completed graph on Page II of this newsletter or using a blank sheet of paper to clearly print each of the 13 names beside the corresponding number. Whether you e-mail or mail your contest entry, please ensure your full name, address and best contact telephone number is listed on your entry document.. WORKING TOGETHER WORKS! 9 Enclosure 1
10 Enclosure 2
BRICK AND PLAQUE ORDERING FORM Please e-mail this form to Monument Director: htshinal@yahoo.com NOTE: ONLY 4 x 8 BRICKS ($500) AND 12 x 12 BENCH PLAQUES ($10,000) ARE AVAILABLE FOR DONOR PURCHASES Use this grid to complete your 4 x 8 brick inscription and e-mail to Monument Director. Follow these instructions to see a sample of your brick inscription: Go to the Bricks R Us website: http://www.bricksrus.com Click: Products. Click: Brick Creator Complete: Lines 1-3 Click: Create Brick Use: Edit to go back and make changes. When you are finished, use Option 2, type htshinal@yahoo.com in the block provided: Click: E-mail brick. We will get it. Use this grid to complete your 12 x 12 Bench Plaque inscription. 11 Enclosure 3