National Newsletter - Montford Point Marines

Montford Point Marine Association Inc.
National Newsletter
Members, Friends, and Supporters:
October/November 2012
“Preserving the Legacy”
Congratulations on a successful 47 th National Convention in Jacksonville, NC. It is with sincere
appreciation that I express my gratitude for your continuous hard work, dedication, commitment, and
support to the Montford Point Marines and Association. Once again I would like to also congratulate this
year Hall of Fame recipients for their unwavering contributions to preserving the legacy of our heroes by
bridging the gap worldwide. This has truly been a banner year for the organization and we are looking
better each and every day in our efforts to “preserve the legacy” of the Montford Point Marines. Our
Association has continued to make progress as a united entity at an unprecedented rate towards
accomplishing the goals established in my 2010 Presidential Intent and Planning Directive. You have
responded more aggressively to each call for support. Once again I ask you to focus on the business at
hand and work toward the Association’s # 1 goal of erecting a National monument to memorialize the
legacy forever. It is imperative that we stay engaged, stay the course, remain focused, and committed to
the cause. http://www.mpmamemorial.com/video
Approximately 70 years ago, the first African American reported to train at the segregated camp called
Montford Point and approximately 47 years ago our association became chartered and established for this
cause of preservation. With that notion, I charge each of you to support and embrace the vision of your
national leadership. An aggressive agenda has been set for the months ahead-leading up to the 48 th
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National Spring Council and National Convention to be held in San Diego, California. Our actions for the
next six months are crucial in sustaining the legacy. Our actions today will indeed affect us tomorrow.
We are focusing on amplifying our involvement on several key initiatives: Membership retention/
Recruitment, Promotion/Marketing, Financial Sustainment, and the Monument erection. By becoming
more focused towards success in these agenda items, we are expecting the tangible results of vetting the
association to National prominence. This charge is not easy, but well worth it.
There has been a paradigm shift allowing the Montford Point Marine Association to achieve significant
milestones, which was accomplished by the hundreds of hours of volunteer service provided by each of
you. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to lead this magnificent organization and work with true
professionals who serve a common purpose. You have made me a better human being, leader and Marine.
I cannot thank the Montford Pointers, National Officers, committees, members and family members
enough for your support, encouragement and the hard work you provide day-in and day-out.
In closing, as Marines worldwide prepare to celebrate the 237 th birthday of our beloved Marine Corps. On
behalf of the Montford Point Marines Association, National Officers and members, I salute the
35 th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, General James F. Amos and the 17 th Sergeant Major
of the Marine Corps, Sergeant Major Michael P. Barrett for their leadership and resolute commitment to
duty to our Corps of Marines. Semper Fidelis! Happy Birthday Marines! Respectfully,
Dr. James T. Averhart, Jr.
National President Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. (MPMA, Inc.)
P.O. Box 64066 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23467 Telephone Number: (540) 288-6129
From the National Public Relations Officer;
TOP RATED TV SHOW NCIS TO FEATURE STORY WITH MONTFORD POINT
THEME!!!On Tuesday, 30 October 2012, a fictional story of a Montford Point Marine will
broadcast prime time on the CBS number one rated show NCIS. Synopsis: NCIS: Episode 214 –
"The Namesake" While investigating a case, Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and the NCIS
team come across a Congressional Gold Medal in a Pawn Shop. It turns out that the medal
belongs to Leroy Jethro “L.J.” Moore (Billy Dee Williams), the Montford Point Marine who
Gibbs was named after and hasn't seen in years because of a falling out between Moore and his
father, Jackson Gibbs (Ralph Waite).
Broadcast Information: The show airs on CBS, Tuesday 30 October 2012, at 8PM EST. Please
check your local station for channel information and listing. This accomplishment is one step
closer to bringing the Montford Point Experience to the silver screen. Please join me in viewing
the show. Pass the word to your network and contact base and ask for their support by viewing
and honoring these men of distinction. We need to ensure the ratings are off the charts. Many
thanks to those who are working without ceasing in the trenches and behind the scenes making
things happen on behalf of our heroes the Montford Point Marines. NATIONAL PRESIDENT
DR. JAMES T. AVERHART JR.
CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL:
Congratulations to our Original Montford Pointers who, we all know by now, are the recipients of
the Congressional Gold Medal!
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Special thanks and congratulations go out to our National Vice President, James Carr, who led and
continues to lead the Congressional Gold Medal Team, as they communicated with and
documented over 800 living and deceased Montford Pointers. The primary members of his team
included, Catrina Upshaw, Dr. Cladie Spears, Eric Nelson and PNP Joseph Geeter. Each one of
these and many more members and supporters dedicated an incredible amount of time ensuring
our heroes received their just recognition. We are continuing to build on the database we created
and encourage all Original Montford Pointers to please continue to gather and send to James
Averhart copies of original Montford Pointer’s DD214s or discharge papers (both sides) that will
document that they received training at Camp Montford Point from 1942-1949. Ideally we would
like our Chapter Presidents to gather this information and forward to our National President,
James Averhart at;
Dr. James T. Averhart, Jr. MSM
National President Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. (MPMA, Inc.)
P.O. Box 64066 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23467
National News:
Appointments: The National President takes pleasure in announcing the appointment of Former
Atlanta Chapter President, Linda Sykes, to Southern Region Vice President. Linda led the Atlanta
Chapter to a very successful and historical National Convection in 2011.
Monument update: There were many members who pledged money for the monument at the
convention. Please follow up on your pledges ASAP with the National Monument Director, Houston
Shinal at 850-499-6727. If you have not donated to our Monument, please take a mminute to fil out the
enclosed form. As out National President told us at the Nation Convention “EVERY PENNY
COUNTS”!
Membership: Our membership and Association year began 1 September 2012. There are still many
members not current in their dues. Remember that members must become current in their National Dues
in order to remain active with their chapter. Please get you dues in now! We need the funds in order to
continue to move our many initiatives forward.
Rosters: There are still a few chapters that have not submitted an updated roster since our Jacksonville,
NC convention. We cannot stress enough how important it is to submit these rosters and updates timely.
We are having far too many letters returned because of incorrect addresses. Let’s correct this now! If
you have received multiple copies of this mailing please contact our National Recording Secretary,
Diedra Ware-Padgett H-(703) 567-7890 C-(443) 802-4898 Primary email.
RecordingSecretary@montfordpointmarines.org Alternate email diedraware@yahoo.com
Fall Council 2012: In accordance with our National by laws, the 2012 Fall Council will be held via
conference call on Saturday, November 17 th at 3:00 PM EST. The call in information will be 619-326-
2700 Pin code# 8164484#/
Spring Council 2013: Our Spring Council will be held in San Diego, CA. The dates are April 18-
20. Please check the National website for the latest convention news. www.montfordpointmarines.org.
We are asking those chapters who would like to host our future National Conventions to be prepared to
professionally brief the National Executive Council at the 2013 Spring Council and the members will vote
at convention 2013.
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Convention 2013: Our 2012 convention will also be held in San Diego, CA. The convention dates
are July 10-13. More detail information, to include location and price will be posted on our website as
soon as it becomes available.
Queens Contest: Congratulations to the Tracy Rivers of the Chicago Chapter for once again
capturing the title “NATIONAL QUEEN” at our recent convention in Jacksonville, NC. Tracey is a multi
winner of this title and her efforts have greatly helped not only our Scholarship efforts but our overall
operating costs.
Chapter Happenings:
Philadelphia #1 will conduct a Marine Corps All Military Ball on Saturday, November 24 th at 8:00 PM.
Event will be at the Ramada Inn Essington, PA and the cost is $50.00. The guest speaker will be retired
Marine Two Star General Clifford Stanley. For tickets and additional information call Chapter President
Dr Lawrence Brown 215-292-1929 or Charles Clarke 267-307-5229.
New York Chapter #3; Will hold their 45 th Annual Dinner Dance on Sunday, November 18th at Antun’s
of Queens Village 96-43 Springfield Blvd, Queens Village NY. Tickets & information:Montford Point
Marines (office) 212-267-3318
Manhattan: Lillian Braxton 212-795-4885 Walter Weaver 212-866-0948 Sonny Griffith 212-222-9145
Bronx: James Carr 718-432-2616 Bill Aiken 718-601-2163 Al Edwards 718-731-6515 Bertram Ferrer
718-561-4970 Dr. Kwando Kinshasa 718-882-6394 Queens: Jim Maillard 718-261-9640 Carl Luke 917-
734-2782 Joe Jackson 718-712-1021 Curtis E.Moore 718-527-4019 Brooklyn: Leon Jones 718-974-6572
Terry Salley 718-408-0613 Erskine Agee 718-287-0349 New Jersey: Ken Rollock 201-569-7113
Atlanta Chapter #5; Oct 13 th – Atlanta Chapter-5 celebrated our Annual Awards Banquet and
Ceremony. We had 225 in attendance. We Re-Presented The Congressional Gold Medal to 9 of those that
was awarded in D.C., Presented to 2 that was awarded for the 1 st time and Presented to 3 Posthumously to
Widow and family members of deceased OMPM’s. LtGen Walter Gaskin was the Guest Speaker (He was
awesome). We emphasized The Frederick C. Branch Scholarship, The naming of the Montford Point
Ship, The CGM and The Building of The Memorial To Preserve The Legacy of our OMPM’s.
Additionally, we showed 3 videos. (1) “I AM” Ashanti Curry, The Montford Point Story and Building
The Memorial Videos. We also had tri-fold at every seating that included The Frederick C. Branch
Scholarship, The Montford Point Story & Building The Memorial.
Nov 6 th will participate in a information fair sponsored by Home Depot at their Headquarters. We will use
this opportunity to “Tell the Montford Point Story” and push our “Three Prong Initiatives” The Frederick
C. Branch Scholarship, The Building of The Memorial and Recruiting”.
DC Chapter #6: Will commemorate the 237 th Marine Corps Birthday with a Ball on Saturday, 3
November 2012. This ball with take place at the Sheraton, Pentagon City, 900, Orme St. Arlington, VA.
The guest speaker will be BGen Craig C. Crenshaw, Vice Chairman, J-4, Joint Staff. For tickets and
additional information contact Chapter President Pat Hackbarth at 703-623-7181
Los Angeles Chapter #8; Will hold their 47 th Anniversary and 237 th Marine Corps Birthday on Saturday,
November 10 th , 2012. This event will start at 5PM at the Carson Community Center, 3 Civic Plaza,
Carson California. Tickets are $55.00 each. The theme is “A Tribute to the Original Montford Pointers”.
For tickets and additional information please contact LA Chapter President L.E. (Mike) Johnson at 909-
815-1972
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Tidewater #14: Events Completed- 13 Oct, During local parade at Virginia Beach Ocean front,
Original Montford Pointer's, Mr. William A. Brown and Mr. Robert E. Nichols were honored and shared
in the 200th PLUS year celebration of the Virginia Beach SEATACK Community, the oldest African
American community in the Tidewater VA area. Upcoming Events;
- 29 Oct, Chapter 14 will give a presentation/speak to the Chesapeake Rotary club.
- 4 Nov, Several Montford Pointers will be honored in Yorktown VA, at a Veterans celebration hosted by
- 8 Nov, Norfolk State University will honor the local Montford Point Marines in the Veterans Day
Parade.
-11 Nov, Several Montford Pointers and National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) attending the 1100
worship service will be recognized at the First Baptist Church South Hill (FBCSH) Annual Veteran's Day
Service Sunday, November 11, 2012 This year's guest speaker for both services will be The Honorable
Will A. Gunn, General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
(http://www.va.gov/opa/bios/bio_gunn.asp). Please click on this link for directions and to learn more
about FBCSH http://fbcsouthhill.com/index.php.
Louisville #22: The 9th Annual Covington-Hagan Scholarship Banquet will be Saturday March 16,
2013 at The Hilton Garden Inn in Louisville, Kentucky. The ticket price is $50.00 per person. The
speaker will be named later. For tickets and further information please contact Chapter President Charles
Stallard at; 502-550-2423 or stallardc@bellsouth.net
Detroit #19 November 9, 2012 The Montford Point Marines of Detroit will host its Marine Corps
Birthday Celebration to be held at Vietnam Veterans 6:00 p.m.-until of America 2951 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI. Hot food and refreshments will be served with a minimum donation of$10 per person. There
will be a Ceremonial Cake cutting ritual along with the reading the Commandant's birthday
message 2012.
November 12, 2012 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 am The Detroit Historical Civil War Society and the Montford
Point Marine Assn. of Detroit will host the 28th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony honoring the 102nd
United States Colored Troops buried at the historic Elmwood Cemetery located at 1200 Elmwood Street
(corner of E. Lafayette and McDougal). Local T.V. stations Fox 2 News, Action News
Channel 4, WXYZ CH 7 News, and the Detroit Free Press will broadcast this event before an expected
crowd of over 1500 persons. The USAF will officially commence the program with a flyover of A-10 jet
aircraft at 10; 00 a.m. sharp.
Quantico Chapter #32 Ladies Auxiliary: Quantico Chapter 32 and Ladies Auxiliary 2012 Gala
Saturday, Oct 27, 2012 Aquia Harbor Country Club 204 Bow Cove Aquia Harbor, VA 22554 (map)
Description MONTFORD POINT MARINE ASSOCIATION, INC. (MPMA, INC.) Quantico Chapter
32 and Ladies Auxiliary Cordially Invites You to Our 2012 Gala Guest Speaker Brigadier General Craig
C. Crenshaw, Vice Director, J-4, Joint Staff Cost : $50.00 per person (No Tickets available at the door)
Buffet Meal, Cash Bar, Live DJ For Tickets Contact : Mr. Forest Spencer 703.994.8273; Mr. Wayne
Kelly 540.514.9405; Dr. Cladie Spears 540.846.7270; Ms. Catrina Upshaw 540.903.5988
Mobile AL Chapter #33: will hold their 7 th Annual Marine Corps in conjunction with the 237 th
Marine Corps Birthday on Saturday, 3 November starting at 6:00PM. MPMA National President, Dr.
James T. Averhart Jr. will be the guest speaker. For tickets and additional information call Mobile
Chapter President Rodney Lee at 251-776-2424 or rleecommonwealthbank.com
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TAPS/Final Formation:
We have lost many members and supporters since our last convention. Please visit our Obit page on the
website for all the information on these heroes;
http://www.montfordpointmarines.org/Obituary%20Annoucments.html Chapter Presidents, please ensure
that our National Chaplain has the names of all members who have passed since our last Convention in
Virginia for the memorial portion of our National Banquet. Reverend Moore’s contact information is in
the next section of this update.
National Chaplain:
“We continue to give thanks for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon the Montford Point
Marine Association during the past year and they are many! Our eyes have witnessed and our hearts
have felt the enormous impact of the unveiling of history in regards to the legacy of our beloved
Original Montford Point Marines.
These accomplishments are the results of a lot of hard work and answered prayers by those who are at
work today as well as those who have gone before.
It is unfortunate that many of our Patriots have departed this life and are unable to share in these
honors. I ask that each chapter ensure that I am in possession of all names that they may be properly
recognized at our National Convention.
It continues to be my hope and prayer that the blessings of God are upon Montford Point Marines
everywhere and that they may prosper even as their souls prosper. As we continue to witness history
being made on behalf of the legacy of our heroes, let it be the testimony of all of us that we were
engaged and did the best we could for this great cause!”
Chapter Presidents and members are reminded to encourage our elder members to prepare a bio for the
press and the funeral home. We often get last minute requests from the family asking about their loved
one’s service dates, rank, etc… Please make sure that up-to-date bio information is ready at the Chapter
level. Members are reminded to report the lost of members and supporters immediately to our National
Chaplin, Reverend James Moore. Reverend Moore may be reached at 843-846-0881 or email at:
james.moore@usmc.mil
As always, please continue to check our official website for more information through the Association at
www.montfordpointmarines.org or www.mpma28.com http://www.mpmalejeune10.org or
http://www.mpmanyc.com or www.montfordpointchicagochapter2.org or
http://mpmalouisvillechapter22.com/
Please continue to do all that you do to Preserve the Legacy of our heroes!
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