WOUNDED WARRIORS LUNCHEON. APRIL 8TH.
We are planning to host these Wounded Warriors to lunch on Friday, April 8th at their battalion quarters.  We plan to barbecue New York Steaks, which we will barbecue there, along with assorted side dishes. This will give us an opportunity to interact one on one with these Marines and let them know that Marines help Marines.
 
RETIREMENT CEREMONY, APRIL 8TH.
One of our new members, Master Gy.Sgt. Michael Holguin will retire on Friday April 8th at 1400 at the parade deck at 29 Palms.  Those of us supporting the Wounded Warriors Luncheon will also plan to attend the ceremony.
 
APRIL 21ST LUNCHEON MEETING
Plan to join us on Thursday, the 21st, 1130 at the Desert Falls CC.  Scheduled speaker is Lt.Col. Todd Simmons, 1/7 Commanding Officer.  He will talk about their 6 months deployment to Okinawa, Korea, Philippians and Thailand for amphibious warfare training with their counter parts in those countries.
 
New officers and directors will be installed at this meeting.
 
APRIL 30TH, WOMEN MARINES LUNCHEON
Last year, this luncheon was a success.   Now, we are holding the second one which will be an annual event. This year we will have LtCol Allison Clardy, USMCR (Ret.) as the guest of honor and speaker and the 29 Palms Marine Band to perform.  Mary Roche, Former Mayor of Indian Wells and current City Councilwoman will  Chair the luncheon.  (Mary was the driving force for the building of the fabulous I W Club when she was the Mayor).  Mary is the widow of Bobby Roche who served Marine organizations here in the desert.
 
 
To refresh your memory, we have to pay the Marine Band’s travel expenses for their bus to transport them down here from 29 Palms.  We also will charter a bus to transport 30+ women Marines down for the luncheon.  We will  feed all of them so we need our members to buy some extra tickets to support these Marines. 
 
The I W Club is a beautiful location for this luncheon.  Last year, the Marines that joined us were wide eyed over the venue and spread the word among their fellow Marines so this year we have a waiting list of Women Marines.
 
The Band will be in their dress blues and will provide patriotic music for everyone.
 
If you cannot attend the luncheon, then please show your support by purchasing a  ticket for our Marines. (We have a bus load of women Marines and the Band to feed at the luncheon).
 
MAJOR ELMER STONE, USMC (Ret.) PASSED AWAY
We lost a great man!  Elmer was one of the most respected Marines in the desert community.  His beloved wife Paula hosted a gathering of Marines and friends at the Monterey Country Club for a final toast in lieu of a funeral service.
 
Elmer was instrumental in saving the Marine Corps League a few years ago.  He was their former commandant.  He joined the chapter five years ago and supported us as much as he was physically able.  May God Bless Elmer!
 
COL RANDALLL P. NEWMAN
Col Newman was relieved of command at a ceremony on March 17th at 29 Palms.  He left immediately to return to Afghanistan on special assignment for the transfer of the command from the 1st Marine Division to the 2nd Marine Division over the next few months.  He is waiting for his final orders which should return him to Quantico this summer.
 
Col Newman recognized the DCMPMOH Chapter in his remarks and thanked us for our support over the past years.
After the ceremony LtGen Tom Waldhauser, CG 1st MEF walked up to personally thank us for our support of the 7th Marines while deployed to Afghanistan and last Christmas for gift cards for their families.   MajGen Mel Spiese also thanked the chapter for supporting the 7th Marines.  Both Generals drove up from Camp Pendleton for the ceremony.
 
The Chapter, represented by Quint, Pete Van Vechten, Bob Shepard and myself,  presented Col Newman with an engraved Ka-Bar Knife  to thank him for his tremendous support over the past 2 ½ years.
 
Newman was replaced by Col Austin Renforth who was Chief of Staff of 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton.  Col Renforth has accepted our invitation to be the guest of honor and speaker at our June 16th meeting.
 
INFANTRY UNIT LEADERS TRAINING BN, CAMP PENDLETON
We attended the 8th Anniversary of the Platoon Sergeant Mitchell Paige MOH Graduation Ceremony on March 18th.
Marilyn Paige, Dick Partee, Harry Covert and Jim Olson went to Camp Pendleton for the graduation ceremony.  Our chapter sponsors the Mitchell Paige Trophy awarded to the top NCO in the class.
 
1/7 SGT MAJOR RELIEF AND APPOINTMENT CEREMONY
Also, on March 18th,  Quint and I attended this ceremony at 29 Palms.  SgtMaj Paron Lewis was relieved by SgtMaj Keith Coombs.  Lewis will assume Sgt Major responsibility  for the 4th MAW, Mira Mar Air Station.
 
TUNS TAVERN CLUB
Over the past couple of years our Chapter has grown and we have incurred more expenses.    This year, we will have the Marine Band participate twice in our events.  They do cost money to provide for their transportation expenses and food.  In the past, the executive board and other members have come up with the extra money to cover these costs.
 
To overcome these extra expenses and not nickel and dime our members, we have decided to form the TUNS TAVERN CLUB.  To become a member we are asking  for a minimum donation of $100.00.   Your membership will be recognized in the monthly newsletter, on our website and on your name badge.  Membership dues are in addition to the regular dues.
 
Our initial goal is to have twenty members sign up. To join, simply send us a check and mark your check Tuns Tavern Club Membership.
 
CATHEDRAL CITY POLICE OFFICER KILLED
Officer Jermaine Gibson, a veteran Marine, died after he lost control of his patrol car during a high speed chase in Cathedral City.  A fund has been set up by the CC Police Officer’s Association to help the family.  A college fund will also be established for Gibson’s son.
 
Members who would like to make a donation for Officer Gibson should send the Chapter a check with his name on it.
Money collected will be sent to the Cathedral City Police Officer’s Association special fund.
 
 
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
 

SEMPER FIDELIS MARINES
 
Jim Sullivan, Editor
 
 
 
OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
Quint Villanueva, President Dick Partee, Vice President Jim Sullivan, Secretary / Treasurer Henry Sanchez, Director
Carl Brooks, Director - Elect
 
 
 
 
TUNS TAVERN CLUB
Carl Brooks, Dick Partee, Henry Sanchez, Jim Sullivan & Quint Villanueva