Scuttlebutt- November 2021

by Vince Mast | Nov 24, 2021 | Miscellaneous

Desert Cities, Mitchell Paige

MOH Chapter

SCUTTLEBUTT

1st Marine Division Association

November 2021

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT FMDADESERT.org

HAPPY 246TH BIRTHDAY MARINES!!!

“I believe in my soul that Marines are different. Our identity is firmly rooted in our warrior ethos. This is the force that will always adapt and overcome no matter what the circumstances. We fight and win in any clime and place.”

-General David H. Berger

Commandant USMC

NEXT CHAPTER MEETING, DECEMBER 16

GUESTS ARE WELCOME

MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALLS CANCELLED

Citing an “abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger is canceling his Marine Corps birthday ball in the nation’s capital, a Marine Corps spokesman confirmed Wednesday.

It’s a move echoed across the Corps.

For the second consecutive year, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Marine Corps birthday celebrations, generally held on or around the Corps’ birthday on Nov. 10. In 2020 most units in the Marine Corps had to adjust birthday celebrations, limit travel plans or outright cancel them.

CHAPTER NEWS & UPDATES

DEAN HUNTER

Lt. Col. Dean Hunter

Commonly known among FMDA Marines is the name Mitchell Paige, Founder of our Chapter, Medal of Honor recipient and long time Coachella Valley resident. Less familiar to our members my be the name Dean Hunter.

Lt. Colonel Dean Hunter, US Air Force. former Marine, is a long time member of our Chapter, resident of Rancho Mirage and candidate for the Medal of Honor.

Dean has a most interesting and unique 26 year military background that began as a Marine grunt and closed out as an Air Force fighter pilot (Dean embraces the credo once a Marine, always a Marine).

Marine Private Hunter, by some bureaucratic snafu was shipped out to Korea at the early part of the Korean war where he served as a rifleman without having first received any training to prepare him for combat. Surviving Korea and receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps, Dean joined the Air Force, trained as a fighter pilot, and flew 166 combat missions during the Viet Nam war to become one of the highest-decorated officers for heroism in the US Air Force.

Dean Hunter is currently a candidate for the Medal of Honor for a flight flown on June 25, 1964 in South Vietnam.

CHECK THIS OUT: Author, educator, and American hero, Lt Colonel Dean Hunter will relate his experiences from ground pounder to fighter pilot in his spellbinding presentation, “For Love of Life” at the Palm Springs Air Museum on November 16 at 1:00PM. This is a unique event for hosting family and friends and an opportunity to meet an amazing American hero.

CHAPTER KICKS OFF NEW FUND RAISING SEASON

Kudos to Chapter members Harry Covert, Vince Mast, Jim Irwin, Jim Olson, Dominick Ramos, Tom Woulfe, Quint Villanueva, Mike Ostrom and Jack Rabinowtiz who turned out on Oct 8 and 9 to staff our donation tables at Jensen’s Palm Desert and Palm Springs markets kicking off our Chapter’s fund raising season.

As was anticipated, Jensen’s shoppers dug deep in their pockets and contributed generously to our program which provide Christmas dinner gifts to 180 Marine and Sailor families stationed at the Marine Base at Twenty Nine Palms; supports Desert Hot Springs High School Marine Corps JrROTC cadets and maintains an emergency fund at the Armed Services YMCA for use by Marine and Sailor families in their time of need.

Twenty twenty one is the fifteenth year that Matt Zack, General Manager of Jensen’s Market’s invited us to set up our donation tables in front Jensen’s Markets. Mucho thanks Matt for your unswerving support!

FYI each boxed, already cooked Christmas dinner, contains enough food for eight meals. A quick calculation tells us our Chapter donated 2700 boxed Christmas dinners or 21,600 meals to Marine and Sailor families since we began this program 15 years ago.

Well done shipmates!

But let’s not rest on our laurels. Now is the time for all Chapter members to pitch in a few hours time to stand watch at one of our donation tables during November and December.

The following tribute to Mitchell Paige appeared as part of an essay by Nicholas Warr,

Deputy Vice President – West, FMDA

A WORD ABOUT MITCHELL PAIGE

FOUNDER OF THE DESERT CITIES

MITCHELL PAIGE MEDAL OF HONOR CHAPTER

Nicholas Warr

I’ll never forget the day that I first met Colonel Mitch Paige, USMC (MOH). I was attending an FMDA Anniversary celebration many years ago at Camp Pendleton. It was a rather dreary day with a light but persistent rain falling on those of us who had participated in and observed our annual “Rededication of Colors” ceremony at 1^st Marine Division Headquarters. I had invited my son, Brent, and we were both soaking wet, so we ducked into the Quonset hut behind the White House where I knew there was a historical display of various artifacts displaying some of the legendary history of our division.

As I began to show him around, I noticed that Mitch Paige was also in the Quonset hut, so I introduced my son to him. After a brief conversation, Mitch asked Brent if he would like to walk around the museum with him, so he could expand on the displays surrounding us. Brent was in awe of this kind, soft-spoken man who was wearing the beautiful starred blue and white decoration, proof of the fact that we were in the presence of a true hero, and so was I.

I’ll never forget his kindness that day, and the humility that Colonel Paige demonstrated. It capped off a very memorable day for all of us.

MARINE CORPS 246TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

A celebration of the 246th birthday of the U. S. Marine Corps and “Last of the First” Salute to 1st Marine Division WW II combat veterans.

The 1st Marine Division Association (FMDA) and Camp Pendleton Historical Society (CPHS) cordially invite you to celebrate the 246th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps and to salute World War II combat veterans of the 1st Marine Division.

All Marines (active duty, Reserve, retired, veteran) and their spouses and friends of the Corps are invited.

Nov. 6, 2021

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.

Carlsbad. CA

Pre-Ceremony Cocktail Hour (5 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
Birthday Ceremony (6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.)
Dinner (6:45 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
Tickets: Single $100 Couple $175

Attire

TUN TAVERN UPDATES

TUN TAVERN GROUP

The Tun Tavern Club meets several times a year for dinner, fellowship, camaraderie, to swap sea stories and to pig out on food and grog. The few shekels accumulated by the club, if any, are turned over to the Chapter to use at its discretion. There are no club officers or rules or regulations guiding the demeanor of members and guests other than military courtesy extended to each other.

From time to time members may be tasked with sharing their military experiences with the members. Tun Tavern meetings are open to guests both military and civilian.

CURRENT TUN TAVERN MEMBERS

Wes Ahlgren | Michael Bales (in memorium)| Harry Covert|

Dave Dangwillo | Charlie Garbarini | Bob Ferris | Frank Gillette | Charlie Hall

George Stettler | Dale Turner | Quint Villanueva | Mike Walker |

Myrl Wallace | Linn Wiley | Tom Woulfe

CHAPTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT | Harry Covert

VICE PRESIDENT | Vince Mast

SECRETARY | Quint Villanueva

TREASURER | Tom Woulfe

SERGEANT AT ARMS | James Olson

DIRECTORS |

Robert Shepard

George Stettler

Dave Dangwillo

PAST PRESIDENTS

Bill Ping (RIP) 1998-2002 | Joseph A. Daily 2002-2006 | James Sullivan (RIP) 2006-2009

Quint Villanueva 2009-2012 | Richard Partee (RIP) 2012-2014 | George Stettler 2014-2016

Vince Mast (2016-2019)

THANK YOU FROM THE EDITOR

We hope you find this newsletter of benefit. We appreciate your continued membership and support of the chapter. If you are interested in contributing to this newsletter with news or stories, or if interested in helping edit and produce the newsletter please email the editor.

Quint Villanueva, qlv@aol.com

1st Marine Division Association Desert Cities | PO Box 10856, Palm Desert, CA 92255

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Scuttlebutt — February 2019

by Vince Mast | Feb 20, 2019 | Scuttlebutt

NEXT CHAPTER MEETING

February 21, 2019
1130 HOURS

Please make your reservations early by calling

760 901 5494
Speak slowly, loudly and clearly.

Or email Jim Olson at
Olsoncj5@aol.com to make a reservation.
As usual, our meeting will take place at the Classic Club in Palm Desert.

VOTE FOR
CHAPTER OFFICERS

You should have received a ballot by email for the election of Chapter Officers and Board members. Please mark your ballots and return them in a stamped envelope to: FMDA, PO Box 10856, Palm Desert, CA 92255.

WELCOME ABOARD - Newest Member

Craig Sunquist

Craig hails from Castle Rock, Colorado and wisely spends his winter in the Coachella Valley. He served with the 1st Shore Party Battalion from 1966 to 1969.

Craig is active in the the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
Welcome aboard, Craig!

PROVIDING EMERGENCY RELIEF TO MARINE FAMILIES

Opportunities for carrying out our Chapter’s mission of providing support to Marines and their families, present themselves in various ways. In particular the support our Chapter gives to the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), 29 Palms exemplifies those opportunities.

Last November our Chapter donated $7500 to the ASYMCA to be used for emergency relief for 7th Marine Regiment families, primarily. Emergency relief can be in the form of paying for air fare for emergency home leave; gas for Marines private vehicles for day trips to Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs for families to receive medical treatment; and related expenses for billeting families at Fisher House near Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs when Marines or family members have been admitted as patients there.

Thus far, of our Chapter’s $7500 donation made in November, $3500 has been used to provide emergency relief to Marine families.

GUEST SPEAKER JOE GONZALES: UNMANNED AERIAL SURVEILLANCE

We were very fortunate to have as our January guest speaker 27 year active duty Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Jose Gonzalez who was accompanied by his wife Heather.

Master Guns is on the leading edge of developing applications of unmanned aerial surveillance technology for use by ground troops in battle. His comprehensive presentation included the evolution of unmanned aerial surveillance equipment from its early beginning of high altitude long range surveillance to small unmanned drones carried by individual Marines for surveying the enemy when engaged in close combat situations.

Marine Corps Veterans Desert Chapter FMDA Chapter Luncheon!

FRIENDLY REMINDER -- DUES DUE IN JANUARY!

ANNUAL DUES: $50.

FOR TUN TAVERN SWASHBUCKLERS
ANNUAL DONATION IS $100.

SUBMIT PAYMENTS TO: FMDA DESERT CITIES
P.O. BOX 10856
PALM DESERT, CA 92255

Some Folks haven’t been heard from
…you know who you are. Get hot!

78th ANNIVERSARY REPORT

The Blue Diamond Division Celebrated
78 Years of Outstanding Service to the Nation
on February 1 2019

The 1st Marine Division, formed on February 1 1941, celebrated its 78th anniversary on Feb 1.2019 at Camp Pendleton culminating five days of hosting Marine veterans from the 1st Marine Division Association.

The Blue Diamond Division Regimental Commands rolled out the red carpet for 1stMarDiv Association veteran Marines at 1st, 5th and 11th Marine Regiments, the Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn, the Landing Track Vehicle Bn and the a MAW squadron.

Marines from various Association chapters were hosted for lunch at Battalion Mess Halls where they broke bread with young Marines and mesmerized the young Marines with sea stories of yesteryear.

Chapter members Quint Villanueva and Dave Franklin participated in all the activities offered during the five day event including live firing on a range with M16 rifles. Highlights of the week were the ceremonial parade with battle streamers on the Division Colors. Our long time Chapter member Dave Franklin presented the Vietnam War battle streamer to the Commanding General to attached on the Regimental Colors, A Regimental birthday party rounded out weeks activity.

All in all, it was one heck of a fine week!

Pictured: Quint Villanueva, Secretary of the Desert Cities Mitchell Paige Chapter and Major General Castellvi, Commanding General, 1st Marine Division, in front of the 1st MarDiv HQ just prior to the Battle Streamer ceremony.

[IMAGE]
CAPTION

DID YOU KNOW...

Did you know…
Picture of President Truman President Truman was not the first United States President who planned to do away with the Marine Corps. George Washington, our first President, saw no further need for the country to have a Marine Corps after peace was made with England so he took action to abolish it.

It was John Adams, a supporter of the Corps and instrumental in its birth, who saved the Marine Corps when he became President by convincing Congress to establish the Marine Corps as a permanent military force.

TALES FROM THE TUN -- RECAP

TALES FROM THE TUN — RECAP

The Tun Tavern crew convened at the Firehouse restaurant in Palm Desert on January 9th for food, grog, camaraderie and sea stories. Bob Ferris, Vietnam veteran and former lecturer at the Naval Academy, gave an outstanding presentation on the Marines battle at the Chosin Reservoir.

The Tun Tavern group will meet again on February 27 at which time Gene Mooring will share with us his experience as one of the Marines involved in the atom bomb experiment in White Sands, New Mexico way back in the ’50s. It’s sure to be an interesting meeting.

UP NEXT: TUN TAVERN CLUB MEETINGS

TUN TAVERN GROUP MEETING

Picture of Tun Tavern The Tun Tavern Club meets several times a year for dinner, fellowship, camaraderie, to swap sea stories and to pig out on food and grog. The few shekels accumulated by the club, if any, are turned over to the Chapter to use at its discretion. There are no club officers or rules or regulations guiding the demeanor of members and guests other than military courtesy extended to each other.

From time to time members may be tasked with sharing their military experiences with the members. Tun Tavern meetings are open to guests both military and civilian.

CURRENT TUN TAVERN MEMBERS

PAST PRESIDENTS
Bill Ping (RIP) 1998-2002 | Joseph A. Daily 2002-2006 | James Sullivan (RIP) 2006-2009
Quint Villanueva 2009-2012 | Richard Partee 2012-2014 | George Stettler 2014-2016

THANK YOU FROM THE EDITOR
We hope you find this newsletter of benefit. We appreciate your continued membership and support of the chapter. If you are interested in contributing to this newsletter with news or stories, or if interested in helping edit and produce the newsletter please email the editor.
Quint Villanueva, qlv@aol.com

← Scuttlebutt -- January 2019 Scuttlebutt -- March 2019 →

Guest Speaker at Chapter Meeting

by Vince Mast | Feb 19, 2019 | Events

LAST MONTHS – Guest of Honor and Speaker Master Gunnery Sergeant Jose Gonzalez combat veteran of both Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom Campaigns! He is an expert on “UAV’s” – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles! He gave us the history and brought us up to date on all levels of UAV models and capabilities. Including squad level miniature drones that Marines carry into the field today! Outstanding presentation.

Scuttlebutt- November 2021

NEXT CHAPTER MEETING, DECEMBER 16

GUESTS ARE WELCOME