MARCH, 2011 NEWSLETTER

MARCH MEETING
Please plan to join us on Thursday, March 17th for our monthly luncheon meeting at Desert Falls Country Club, Palm Desert.  Please make a rez (760) 901-5494.
 
The original speaker was LtCol Todd Simmons, CO, 1/7 who has  cancelled since he will be participating in a change of command ceremony that afternoon for the 7th Marine Regiment.  Lt Col Simmons has agreed to speak at our April 21st meeting.
 
We have lined up Dennis Mulkey, Civilians On Patrol (COPS) who will talk to us about their recruiting efforts for the City of Palm Desert.  Veteran Marines are ideal volunteers for COPS program.  (Volunteers don’t have to live in Palm Desert.)
 
REGIMENTAL CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY
Also, on Thursday, March 17th Colonel Randy Newman will relinquish command of the 7th Marine Regiment to Colonel Austin E. Renforth in a COC Ceremony at 1500.
Col Newman will head back to Afghanistan and should be there into the summer.
He expects his orders for permanent duty station to come through while deployed.
 
We will carpool so let us know if you are driving so that we can arrange for main gate access.  If you need a ride please let us know so we can make arrangements.  As you know seating will be assigned so please make a reservation if you plan to sit with the Chapter.  Blue blazers, khaki slacks and white chapter shirts will be the uniform of the day.
 
3rd BATTALION 7TH MARINE REGIMENT
On March 25th their will be a Change of Command Ceremony to relieve LCol Clay Tipton.  LtCol Tipton is already  in Georgia training NATO troops for deployment to Afghanistan. More information forthcoming.
 
WOUNDED WARRIORS LUNCHEON
We plan to host members of the Wounded Warriors Lunch at their barracks location at MCAGCC on Friday, April 8th.  Please plan to join us and sponsor one of the Marines at the luncheon.  If you cannot attend, please make a donation to cover one Warriors lunch.  More details in the April newsletter.
 
 
RETIREMENT CEREMONY - MASTER GUNNERY SGT HOLQUIN
Also, on Friday, April 8th there will be The Retirement Ceremony of Master Guns  Michael Holguin at 1400 at the parade field.  A reception will take place following the ceremony at the SNCO Club, Hashmarks located next to the Main Exchange.
 
Holguin was Operations Chief for the 7th Marine Regiment.  He recently joined the chapter and he plans to continue to live in 29 Palms after his retirement. Some of you will recall he was our speaker at our June, 2009 Meeting.
 
 
NEW MEMBERS
It’s always a pleasure to welcome new members aboard.  This month we have four new members:
 
James Olson has joined the chapter.  He served from 1952 - 1960.  He is married to Carole and lives in Palm Desert.  Dick Partee recruited him.
 
 1st Sgt. Simon L. Sandoval, 3rd BN, 4th Marines where he is 1st Sergeant of Kilo Co. has joined the chapter as an associate member.  Sandoval helped organize the 2009 and 2010 7th Marines Barbecue, as a member of the 2/7.  He plans to deploy to Afghanistan in early April.
 
Rick Saxon has also joined the chapter.  Rick is retired and lives in Thousand Palms with his wife Joan.  He served in 1965 - 1969 with MAG units. He was recruited by Dick Partee.
 
Dan W. Silvers, Rancho Mirage has joined the chapter.  He served with the 2/7 during the Korean War.  He is married to Susan and lives in Rancho Mirage.
 
JOINT CHAPTER MEETING
Quint Villanueva and Jim Sullivan met with other chapter leaders from So Calif and Arizona in Oceanside before the 1stMarDiv reunion at Camp Pendleton in early February.  We all exchanged information on establishing communications between the chapters, membership recruiting, fund raising improving member participation. This was the first time such a meeting was held.  It was so successful that we are planning to meet in 6 months for a follow up session.
 
WOMEN MARINES LUNCHEON, I W CLUB, INDIAN WELLS
Remember, Saturday, April 30th is the date for our second annual luncheon to honor Women Marines from 29 Palms.  The Honorable Mary T. Roche will Chair the luncheon.  LtCol Alison Clardy, USMCR (Ret.) will be the Guest of Honor. (She is married to BGen H. Stacy Clardy, Commanding General, MCAGCC, 29 Palms).
 
The Marine Band will be there to entertain.  We have invited 30 Women Marines from 29 Palms to be our honored guests and will bring them down in a chartered bus. We are asking  for everyone to sponsor at least one Marine whether you attend or not.
 
Invitations should be mailed in early March.
 
HI DESERT ROD & GUN CLUB
Located in Yucca Valley off Hwy 62, as you drive up the grade from Morongo
Valley to Yucca Valley, this range is open Friday, Saturday and Sundays.  I was impressed with the people that I met there, the safety standards  and being an outdoor facility, so I joined.  They are set up for rifle and pistols and offer a shotgun trap range. Annual membership is $30 and family membership $50.  If you are interested in joining call (760) 365-1355 or visit their website: www.hdrgc.com
 
ADVANCED INFANTRY TRAINING - WEST
On Friday, March 18th, the Colonel Mitchell Paige Award will be presented to the honor graduate of Infantry Unit Leader Course Class 2-11. The ceremony will be held at their Battalion Theatre, Camp Pendleton at 1030.  If you are interested in attending, please let us know by March 10th.  We have to RSVP to the Battalion C.O. to reserve seating in the theatre.  We will car pool.  Blue Blazers, white chapter shirts and khaki’s are the uniform of the day. RSVP to (760) 901-5494.
 
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
They will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, March  9th, 1100 at Woodhaven Country Club.  Scheduled speaker is Scott Laidig who will talk about a new book he is writing about General Al Gray former CMC.  Some of you met Scott at our January meeting at 29 Palms.
 
1st BATTALION 7TH MARINE REGIMENT POST DEPLOYMENT BALL
Last November 10th, the 1/7 celebrated the Marine Corps Birthday aboard ship during their deployment to the Far East.  When they returned to 29 Palms in early January they planned a real BALL to include their wives and girl friends. They also invited supporting units from the 31st MEU to join them.
 
Karen I were invited to attend the Ball on February 17th.  We sat with their command staff and enjoyed the largest ball that we have ever attended.  There were 1850 Marines, spouses and guests there.  The event was held at the Las Vegas Hilton  Sgt Major Lewis and Lt Col Simmons did a terrific job since everything went so well.
 
The 1/7 Commanding Officer, LtCol Simmons will join us at our April meeting to give us a rundown on their deployment.  There was some excitement during theirs deployment when the  North Koreans  shelled that South Korean Island. The 1/7 standing by aboard ships in case they were needed. 
 
ELECTRONIC MAIL NEWSLETTERS
We are looking at continuing to move into the 21st Century with our monthly newsletters and have them sent by e-mail in lieu of snail mail.  Stay tuned as we work out the details. Obviously, those members who don’t have e-mail will continue to receive by snail mail.
 
HISTORY LECTURE - PALM DESERT HIGH SCHOOL
On February 25th, we were invited back to the high school to give a lecture on the role of Marines in WW II.   SgtMajor Ray Schum, USMC (Ret.),  shared his experiences with all of the Junior Class history classes. There were over 350 students at his two lectures at the Performing Arts Center on campus.
 
Thanks to Franz Jevne for establishing our creditability with the school. We expect to do several more lectures this spring on Korea, Viet Nam, the Gulf War and will call on other members to lead these lectures as needed.
 
Great job, Sgt Major!
 
 
 
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
 
 
 
 
 
 
SEMPER FIDELIS
 
 
 
Jim Sullivan, Editor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Quint Villanueva, President         Richard Partee, Vice President    Jim Sullivan, Sec / Treasurer