"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.

Rather we should thank God such men lived."

- General George S. Patton

Reunion Registration Deadline Extended to June 21

Monday 27 May 2024

Memorial Day at

Arlington National Cemetery

Remembrance service at Arlington Memorial Amphitheater

Just before Memorial Day weekend, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (the "Old Guard") honors America's fallen heroes by placing American flags at the 228,000 gravesites for service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery.

Wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown

Dear Marine Family,

We have extended the Annual Reunion Pre-Registration deadline to June 21.

There is still time to get your form sent in to HQ.

Please try to join us in San Antonio, Texas the week of August 18 - 25.

The downloadable form also serves as your request for tickets for our 50/50 raffle, to be drawn at the Reunion Banquet on 24 August. Whether or not you are able to attend, you can help support the Reunion, and be there in spirit, with a few tickets in the hopper.

We are paper mailing a brief newsletter and a registration form to all of our members. This electronic newsletter before you now is read by about 1,000 members who open our emails. There are about 4,000 others whose only contact is our ballot mailing every two years.

Past mailings have covered their expenses through resulting member donations and 50/50 ticket sales. We want to keep all our members informed and participating.

This coming Monday is Memorial Day. I hope you all enjoy the holiday, and stay safe, as we remember our comrades whose sacrifices give us our freedom. Have one for them.

God bless the United States Marine Corps.

Semper Fi

William S. Godfrey

President, 1st Marine Division Association

wsgsr9454@aol.com

(505)554-9635

Join us in San Antonio, Texas for at our 77th Annual Reunion, 18-25 August.

Location: San Antonio Riverwalk Holiday Inn

217 Saint Mary's Street, San Antonio, Texas 78025

Front desk phone: (210)224-2500

Reservations: (888)465-4329

Our Group Code: FMD

50/50 drawing ticket application is included in the Registration Form.

One ticket for $10, 3 for $20.

Please get your Reunion Registration Form to HQ by 21 June.

Download your Reunion Registration Form below.

For a paper form by mail, or to register by phone, please call HQ at (760)763-3268.

Deadline for our Group Rate at the hotel is 18 July.

Click here for direct link to the hotel and our group discount:

FMDA Group at Riverwalk San Antonio Holiday Inn

Central Florida Chapter shares their latest newsletter:

Click on above image to download your copy of the Ooo Rah.

Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation

Our Mission:  To rebuild and re-establish The Tun™ as it was, a functioning mariner’s tavern reminiscent of colonial Philadelphia, serving period-influenced refreshments, food, and entertainment and offering an educational experience through exhibits, historical documents, and special events. 

All profits from operations of The Tun™ will be donated in perpetuity to support veteran causes, Masonic charities, educational scholarships, and qualified charities as determined by The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation’s independent Board of Directors.

77th Annual Reunion

1st Marine Division Association will gather 18-25 August 2024 for our 77th Annual Reunion in San Antonio, Texas, at the San Antonio Riverwalk Holiday Inn.

Extended Pre-Registration deadline is 21 June 2024.

MGySgt Artie Allen invites you a "Legislative Breakfast", hosted by the Riverside County Veterans' Advisory Committee.

84th Division Anniversary

Division told us we can to expect the traditional unit tours and banquet only on the big five-year anniversaries. February 2025 will be the 84th, so are hoping for a big event in February 2026.

LTCOL FRANK EVERSOLE

GYSGT REFUGIO LLAMAS

LTCOL MILTON 'JIM' TEIXEIRA

We continue to check public records to create the Taps Report.

Please report the passing of any Marine, Association member or not, so that our comrades may be remembered here. More recent passings are noted by boldface.

LTCOL HARLAN PAGE CHAPMAN, 6 May 2024

SGTMAJ TROY L. HENSLEY, 1 Feb 2023

MRS BARBARA HINDS, 11 Oct 2021

LCPL ROD L. HOEL, 15 Jun 2023

CPL LEONARD V. HOFFMAN, 9 Jun 2015

ALLEN LEON HOGREFE, 11 Mar 2011

SGT DENNE HOWARD, 29 Dec 2015

SSGT WILLIAM F. HULLINGER, 23 May 2012

COL PAUL 'PETE' N. MCCLOSKEY JR USMCR, 8 May 2024

Reported last run 23 April 2024

Headquarters Office telephone numbers

(760)763-3267 June Cormier

(760)763-3268 Dennis Coady, and general information

(760)763-3269 SgtMaj Marty Vasquez

(760)763-3270 fax

President William S. Godfrey's email: wsgr9454@aol.com

Please visit our website: www.1stMarineDivisionAssociation.org

Mailing address:

First Marine Division Association

P.O. Box 9000, Box # 902

Oceanside CA 92051

Thank you for reading the Blue Diamond News.

Please contact us with corrections, suggestions, and content you would like to see.

Semper Fidelis