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Congressonal Gold Medal Award Ceremony

Information

The Montford Point Marine Association is a nonprofit Veteran organization, established to perpetuate the legacy of the first African Americans who entered the United States Marine Corps from 1942 to 1949 at Montford Point Camp, New River, North Carolina.

Membership in the Association is open to veterans and active members of all branches of the U. S. Armed Forces regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

The purpose of the Association is to support educational assistance, veteran programs, and promotion of community services. The Association works to improve the social conditions of our veterans, local families, youth and the growing population of senior citizens.

Throughout the year, the Association is busy with activities that create camaraderie, goodwill, and esprit de corps, both locally and nationally. The activities vary from chapter to chapter and include, but are not limited to youth programs, visits to various organizations and veteran support agencies as well as delivering food and much needed items to the sick and shut in during times of distress.

As we prepare to embark upon the 45th National Convention, we are focused on seeing two initiatives come to fruition.  These two projects are designed for the preservation of the legacy of the Original Montford Point Marines namely, The Congressional Gold Medal and The National Montford Point Marine Monument Project.
The legislation initiating The Congressional Gold Medal, bills S1695 and HR3927 were introduced in September, and October 2009 respectively and sponsored by Senator Roland Burris (D)-IL and Rep. Corrine Brown (D)-FL. Much ground has been gained with this project as the number of supporters in Congress continues to increase. Optimistically, these bills will be passed in the near future to honor those remaining unsung heroes who have fought so passionately for this country. Please click on the bills, S1695 or HR3927 for more information and to track the progress of each bill.

The National Montford Point Marines Memorial Project is currently in the planning stages. Three concepts and designs have been submitted for review and final approval. When completed, this project will serve as a fitting memorial on behalf of the military legacy of Black Americans and the effect of Executive Order #8802 which allowed Blacks to be recruited to the Marine Corps. It will also serve as a reminder of the sacrifices and to honor the over 20,000 African American Marines who trained on the hallowed grounds of Camp Montford Point and on to fight for the "Right to Fight” in WWII.  Both projects serve to honor and solidify the dedication, perseverance, and bravery of our Original Montford Pointers. Each day brings further progress to the completion of these goals.

For more information, please click on the project name to view these concepts and track its progress.
  
The Montford Point Marine Association also consists of the Ladies Auxiliary. Membership in the Ladies Auxiliary is open to wives, daughters, sisters, and mothers of members or former members of the United States Armed Forces. If you have any questions or would like more information click here.

Semper Fidelis!

James T. Averhart, Jr.
National President
Montford Point Marine Association Inc.

Email: National President or Phone: (540) 288-6129

‘‘Montford Point Marines Day’’

Click here for full details

Montford Point Memorial Project It has been the goal of MPMA to progressively expand awareness of the Montford Point Marines by educating and inspiring Americans through the Montford Point Marine (MPMA) National Museum, books, and an on-going PBS documentary with Louis Gossett Jr. The mission is To construct a fitting memorial to honor the 20,000 African American Marines who fought for the "Right to Fight” and to educate and inspire youth and Marines (Past/ Present/Future) and instill the value of perseverance. Click on the memorial design image to learn more and look at the proposed design. Here you will also be afforded the opportunity to make a donation for Memorial Plaque and or Cast Bronze Plaque. click on the two links and read more on the plaques. Your Donation will go a long way in helping us complete this Memorial. As an independent non-profit organization, Montford Point Marine Association is not financially supported by any university or governmental agency. Please make your donation gift to the Montford Point Marines. Your financial contribution will support our efforts to share a history that must be remembered and preserved. We accept PayPal, Check, Credit Card or Money Order. We do not sell or rent email addresses to other organizations, Your contribution transaction is fully secure and confidential throught PayPal.		Congressional Gold Medal Support Deadline Date Set for 15 April 2012 In order to solidify the validation process for the identification of Montford Point Marines who trained and served at the segregated training camp from 1942-1949, and final deadline date of 15 April 2012 has been established. The U.S. Marine Corps is planning on providing logistical and financial support to all living Montford Point Marines and one escort/caretaker/family member to attend the award ceremony. In addition one bronze replica medal will be presented to all certified living Montford Point Marines in attendance. The ceremony date will be established once the Congressional Gold Medal design has been approved through the U.S. Mint and designated internal committees. The Congressional Gold Medal award ceremony is tentatively planned to be held in May 2012. When submitting the DD214/Discharge Papers, please specify whether the Montford Point Marine is living or deceased. Please provide current contact information (name, address, phone number, email etc) for the Montford Point Marine and the next of kin for formal notification by invitation. Please scan documentation and expedite the information to the following: MPMA Inc. National Legislative Officer Mr. Joseph H. Geeter III 27 Red Tail Court Limerick, PA 19468 Phone: 610 495 3619        Email: geeterj@yahoo.com   Respectfully, Dr. James T. Averhart, Jr. National President Down Load Press Release here