PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Hello again from the Volunteer State of Tennessee. I am very pleased to see our membership numbers increase. The money given at the birthday celebration to sign up active-duty Marines as new association members was well spent. The active–duty Marines could see that the SMDA members really wanted them to be part of the association. I would also like to commend all the donors who helped increased the General Fund this past year. Please keep up the good work.

Our Scholarship Program is excellent and in the competent hands of Chairman Marty McNulty and the program’s trustees David Dowdakin, Richard Grace, Jack Stone, Dick Van Horne and Brixey Lewis. When you see them give them a pat on the back for their devotion to the children and grandchildren of the Second Marine Division Association.

Our Division Birthday speaker, MajGen Ray Smith, talked a good bit about World War II battles we Marines fought in, especially Tarawa. Every time I heard something about Tarawa, I could see Marine bodies floating onto the beach. I could also see them wading through the water to get ashore and being fired upon.

At the birthday banquet, the association wanted to give a plaque to division commander, Major General Tryon, for his unflagging support of the association, even though he has been deployed for the bulk of the time. Since he had just returned from Iraq, he was not able to attend the banquet. Dave Brown will make the presentation at a later date. However, a plaque was given to Brigadier General Craparotta, Assistant Division for his hosting the Tarawa vets in November and for being the keynote speaker in Nashville last summer.

New association chapters are being formed comprised of vets and active duty members from the same battalion. I want to commend the executive director, Dave Brown, for his tireless effort to get the job done. Thanks from me and all others.

The Reno reunion is coming soon. Please make an extra effort to attend. We will elect our national staff officers in Reno. Jack Stone is chairman of the nominating committee; please send your nominations to him. He will get in touch with those now serving to see if they want to continue. He will also touch base with the chapters to have one member from each chapter serve on his committee.

I have a sad note to pass along and that is to report the death of Jim Evans, our national president in 2005-2006. Jim, a Pearl Harbor survivor and a great leader of this association and the California chapter, will be deeply missed. We send our love and heartfelt condolences to Jim’s wife, Jeanne, and Jim’s family

I continue to enjoy my 14 years of service on the national staff and want to thank all for the support you have given.

Semper Fi, Bill Steele