Marines

Photo Information

(From left to right) Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 James T. Averhart, the National President of Montford Point Marines Association, Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, the commander of Marine Forces Reserve, James A. Gray II, the New Orleans District E Councilman, Retired Master Gunnery Sgt. James Carr, the National Vice President for MPMA and Master Gunnery Sgt. Ronald C. Johnson, the Deputy Director of the host chapter for MPMA, gather for a photo after Feltus Sterling (bottom left) and D. K. Cooley (bottom right) were presented the Congressional Gold Medal at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, March 21, 2014. Sterling and Cooley are original Montford Point Marines that served when segregation laws of the 1940s prohibited African-American recruits to train at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award conferred by Congress and is awarded to all original Montford Point Marines. Montford Point Marines Participated in the Pacific Theater Campaigns of World War II, including the Battle of Iwo Jima. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Codey Underwood)

Photo by Cpl. Codey Underwood

49th Annual Montford Point Marine Association National Convention announced

14 Jul 2014 | Cpl. Tiffany Edwards U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve

The Montford Point Marine Association announced its 49th Annual National Convention, professional military education and training seminar taking place July 17-20 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in Marine Administrative Message 326/14.

This year’s theme is “Preserving the Legacy: Paying it forward by educating, commemorating, and rededicating our efforts." Workshops and briefs for active duty and Reserve Marines at the conference will include a mentoring roundtable with original Montford Point Marines, a leadership panel with senior officers and enlisted Marines, MPMA history and legends, panels and workshops addressing diversity in the Marine Corps, conflict resolution and other topics affecting this generation of Marines.

Representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs will also brief veterans about benefits and assist Marines with their benefits claims and services. An awards banquet will be held at the conference featuring guest of honor Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Bailey, Deputy Commandant Plans, Policies and Operations. The uniform for the banquet is Evening Dress, Blue Dress "B" or Service "A" uniforms with ribbons and badges.

Conference attendance is open to all active-duty, Reserve and former Marines. Commanders are not authorized to use command temporary assigned duty funding for Marines' travel or conference registration fee. Marines may be authorized leave or permissive temporary extra duty to attend the conference, but will be required to pay their own fees and expenses for registration, lodging, transportation and other expenses. The uniform of the day for Marines attending the PME is service "C" with ribbons. The uniform for personnel attending PME in a PTAD/leave status is business casual.

Conference registration is $35, with additional costs to participate in events where meals are served. Registration and check-in will be open from 7 to 9 a.m., July 17 on the second floor foyer of the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. For more information, see MARADMIN 326/14.