"If you don't read the Blast, you are uninformed, if you read something else you are misinformed." -El Jefe FIRST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION "In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." - President Franklin D. Roosevelt PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Change of Command on 23 June, 2017 @ 1300 Major General Eric Smith will take command of the 1st Marine Division from Major General Daniel J. O'Donahue. AMERICA'S HEROS
From the Headquarters THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PURCHASED THE CHALLENGE COINS. FMDA APPRECIATES YOUR SUPPORT. 70th Annual Reunion Journal Advertising Rate Sheet Norfolk VA Click here to view document Please send ads to FMDA Headquarters by June 10th, 2017
MONEY MATTERS GENERAL FUND Bank of America Checking Beginning Balance (05/24/17) $69,098.09 Credits, Total $ 210.00 Debits, Total $ 0.00 Ending Balance (05/30/17) $69,308.09 Accounts Receivable ( past due ) $23,106.34 Scholarship Fund, FMDA. " READ THE BLAST ON THE WEB, IN FACT VISIT THE FMDA WEBSITE FOR EVERYTHING: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org. IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING ABOUT SOMETHING. " Chapter and Unit Chapters: ATTENTION MEMBERS
It is that time of year again, that I'm reminding all of you, we are needing your chapter roster, financial report, $1 per member of your chapter for insurance, and if your chapter is active or non active? Please let us know who the Chapter Delegates (Rep), it is required of them to attend two meetings a year. Also would like to know who is your Chapter President? Please also let us know if your Chapter Delegate will be attending Norfolk, VA reunion, so we know if they are attending the meetings. We need this information ASAP. Please send all your information to June at the office by emailing her june.oldbreed@fmda.us Thanks and Semper Fi, Jerry Johs Vice President Click here to view Latest Chapter President List HQ has. USMC REUNION FINDER. PLEASE CLICK ON LINK: Year of the Reunion 2017 REUNION SHAPE UP TO ALL, 70TH ANNUAL REUNION NORFOLK, VA PLEASE CONTACT JIM FAIRBAIRN (REUNION DESTINATION COMMITTEE) FOR ALL QUESTIONS AND INQUIRES. TELEPHONE: (972) 644-4122 EMAIL:JMFCMFBAIRN@MSN.COM
We have room for people to set up tables or displays to 1. sell books 2. sell memorabilia 3. advertise trips 4. ETC. Also we have now available space for a hospitality suite for any group that wants to have a reunion with the Div. Reunion. Two units now have hospitality suites 1. 1/5 Vietnam Chapter. 2.Bodfish Chapter. Let us know as soon as possible if there are any other takers. Jim Fairbairn FROM THE MEMBERS/ CHAPTERS
Thursday, 5/29/17 HQ BN HIKE (9 MILES) 1ST MARDIV ASSOCIATION SOCAL CHAPTER MEMBERS SERVED CHOW. Fellow Korean War Veterans and families, We just received quota increases for the June and July Revisit Korea tours, PLUS the Peace Camp for Youth (PCFY). (Grandchildren program) Reminder:Korea Defense Veterans are now eligible. Anyone who served in Korea from July 1953 thru the 70's. "War" veterans get preference but there are plenty of spaces available. Go to Military Historical Tours web site: www.miltours.com Click on Korean War Tours. Military Historical Tours www.miltours.com Military Historical Tours, Vietnam Tours, Iwo Jima travel, return to vietnam Fraternally, Warren Warren Wiedhahn lst Vice President Korean War Veterans Association 13198 Centerpointe Way, #202 Woodbridge, VA 22193-5285
JWiedhahn@aol.com Korea - 1950 YOU NEED TO KNOW
NEW MEMBERS
OUR GOAL: Every member recruit at least one member. -President Vince Rios The First Marine Division Association has not had much active recruitment in quite awhile. Invest $35 to personally recruit and sponsor some deserving soul. Set a good example. I welcome any and all responses; I'll put them in the BLAST and will list and applaud those who read this and respond with, " I just recruited my pal from my combat tour " in the subsequent issue. President Rios
GENERAL FUND DONATIONS All FMDA Members please use your USAA card- the First Marine Division Association, Inc gets a small but helpful rebate. TAPS
Sgt. Francis James Connors (USMC Ret.), 68, of Bartlett, NH passed away Monday May 15, 2017 at Memorial Hospital in North Conway after a lengthy battle with cancer. Francis was born on May 9, 1949 in Brooklyn, NY the son of the late Francis John & Helen (Ritter) Connors. Francis grew up in Bristol, RI where he resided for most of his life working as Assistant Harbormaster and a Reserve Police Officer for the town. Francis served his country in the United States Marine Corps serving in Vietnam from 1968-69, a member of the 1st Marine Corps Division, Delta 17. http://www.currentobituary.com/obit/207693
Donald Bruce Rooke (87) of Longmeadow departed this life with family at his side on Sunday, May 14, 2017. At 18, he graduated from Cathedral High School (1947) and, following in the footsteps of his older brothers, joined the United States Marines. A sergeant trained for stenography, he shipped to Korea with the 1st Marine Division engaged in the Battle of Pusan Perimeter and the Inchon invasion, and survived the fighting and bitter cold at the Chosin Reservoir. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. Upon returning from the war, he joined the Springfield Police Department, and served as a patrolman for four years, working nights while pursuing a BA in English from American International College. http://obits.masslive.com/obituaries/masslive/obituary.aspx?n=donald-brucerooke&pid=185406902&fhid=2410 President Vince Rios First Marine Division Association Office (760) 763-3268 President Vince Rios (817) 847-9954 President Vince Rios E-mail vrmarine@msn.com Please visit our website: 1stmarinedivisionassociation.org P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902 Oceanside, CA 92051 (760) 763-3268