SUMMER IS OVER AND OUR CHAPTER
BEGAN ITS NEW SEASON ON SEPTEMBER 19

Thirty Chapter members and guests convened for lunch at the Classic Club on September 19 and to enjoy a presentation by 1st Sergeant Robert Door, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines. What?

The 25th Marines is a Massachusetts Marine Reserve Regiment, what’s it doing in 29 Palms? What it’s doing is hooking up with the 7th Regiment and preparing to deploy to the far east with elements of the 7th. 1st Sgt. Door was accompanied by 1st Lieutenant Brandon Gallahew. Both Marines had been to 29 Palms on previous training assignments and found the beauty of the base to be unchanged since their last visit.
1st Sgt. gave a brief on the composition of the 25th Marines and how its battalions are located at various population centers in New England.

The Q and A session was quite interesting as 1st Sgt Door fielded questions that covered everything from Reserve recruitment and retention to training and impact on families when units are mobilized for deployment on relatively short notice.

Harry Covert and Vince Mast flank September guests, 1st Sergeant Robert Door and 1st Lieutenant Brandon Mattahew from the 1st Battlion, 25th Marines

JENSEN’S REPORT

Here’s your chance to lend a hand during our new fund raising season.

Our Chapter will staff its donations tables at Jensen’s Palm Desert and Palm Springs markets on
Friday October 11 and Saturday October 12.
The shift hours are 1000 to 1300 hours and 1300 to 1600 hours.

You don’t have to work both shifts or both days unless your a really dedicated Chapter member. Working one shift on either day is sufficient to earn you an “attaboy” from our President Harry.

To sign up as a volunteer contact Harry Covert at hncovert@gmail.com or by phone at 760200 0094.

The annual fun filled golf cart parade kicks off on
Sunday, October 27 and once again our Chapter will lead the parade. If you haven’t already signed up to march (walk) or ride with the Chapter, do it now.
We’re honored to have Marilyn Paige riding with us this year. Marilyn is the widow of Mitchell Paige, Medal of Honor recipient, and a founder of our Chapter.

Riding in our lead car with Marilyn Paige will be two of our WWII veterans, Dorothy Irwin and Sam Hutterhower.
Email Quint at Qlv@aol.com to sign up.

In recent years our Chapter raised funds to cover the cost for selected 7th Regiment Marines to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. We will do the same this year. Attending the Ball can be an expensive proposition for a Marine. The expenses are borne by each Marine because the Corps does not budget for the celebration.

Chapter members are encouraged to solicit donations from friends and local business in support of assisting Marines to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball.

Donations can be made to the Chapter and earmarked for Ball tickets or made directly to Marine Corps Community Service (MCCS) which will pass the donation to the appropriate command to purchase Ball ticket for its Marines.

If you have any questions, contact
Harry Covert: (760) 200-0094;
Vince Mast: (760) 972-4886;
or Quint Villanueva: (760) 772-2129 for further information.

WHO THAT MARINE WAS WHO LEAD
THE CHARGE OVER THE SEA LALL AT INCHON?

On September 15, 1950, U.S. Marines made a surprise amphibious landing at the strategic port of Inchon, on the west coast of Korea, about 100 miles south of the 38th parallel and 25 miles from Seoul.

This photo of a Marine leading the charge over the sea wall at Inchon memorializes the Inchon landing. Did you ever wonder who that Marine was? Let me tell you…

He was 1st Lt. Baldomero López, USMC, a platoon commander in A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.

He was captured in this iconic photograph by Marguerite Higgins as he led his Marines over a seawall. Moments later, while preparing to throw a hand grenade into a North Korean bunker, he was struck by automatic weapons fire in the chest and right shoulder, causing him to drop the activated device. Although seriously wounded, Lt. López crawled toward the grenade and unable to throw it because of his injuries, pulled it under his body to shield others from the blast. He was killed in the resulting explosion and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Now you know the rest of the story.

The official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a marine platoon commander of Company A, in action against enemy aggressor forces. With his platoon 1st Lt. Lopez was engaged in the reduction of immediate enemy beach defenses after landing with the assault waves. Exposing himself to hostile fire, he moved forward alongside a bunker and prepared to throw a hand grenade into the next pillbox whose fire was pinning down that sector of the beach. Taken under fire by an enemy automatic weapon and hit in the right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw, he fell backward and dropped the deadly missile. After a moment, he turned and dragged his body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it. In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion. His exceptional courage, fortitude, and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon 1st Lt. Lopez and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

EXPANSION OF BENEFITS ON THE HORIZON

Starting Jan. 1, all service-connected disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war and primary veteran caregivers will be eligible to shop at commissaries and exchanges, and officials from three federal agencies are preparing the way.
The newly eligible customers will also be able to use certain morale, welfare and recreation activities.
It’s the largest patronage expansion in more than 60 years.

Uniform Shirts and Covers

Recently some members inquired about ordering Chapter shirts. Here’s the scoop: White shirts are required to be worn at Chapter meetings. Red and blue shirts can be worn to other events, ie, standing watch at Jensen’s or participating in group field trips. Some members purchased all three colors.
To order a shirt(s), send an email to Quint Villanueva at Qlv@aol.com specifying shirt size and color. When twelve shirt requests are accumulated an order will be placed with the manufacturer. Payment for your order can made on delivery to you.
Prices:
Shirts $30.00
Covers $15.00
Lt Wt Jackets $30.00
Hvy Wt Jackets $35.00
Name Tags $10.00 
Lapel Pin $7.00

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| Joe Daily |Dave Dangwillo | Dave Franklin | Charlie Garbarini | BobFerris | Frank Gillette |Charlie Hall| Sam Huttenhower| Jim Irwin | Franz Jevene | Howard Lehman | Jimmy Martin| Vince Mast| Gene McClendon | Jack Mennis | George Moffatt | Hank Monahan| Gene Mooring | James Olson | Mike Ostrom | Marilyn Paige | | Dino Ruffoni | Henry Sanchez | Sandy Sandoval | | Bob Shepard | Buddy Sklar| George Stettler | Dale Turner | Quint Villanueva | Mike Walker | Michael Walker| Myrl Wallace | Linn Wiley | Tom Woulfe