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God speed John Glenn

Col. John Glenn

America has lost one of its true heroes from a bygone era when space exploration was still considered a modern miracle. John Glenn passed December 8 at age 95. He was a highly decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot from World War Two and the Korean War and the first American to orbit the earth at a time when the Russians had already put Sputnik into orbit and we needed to save face.

I met John Glenn when he was running for president in the Democrat Party primary of 1984 on Tybee Island, Georgia near Savannah. He posed with a beauty queen because it was expected and Glenn, always duty bound, did what was necessary to show the world he was both dedicated, sincere and predictable. Someone who could and should be counted on to do the task at hand.

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Memorial for Bob Long set

Bob Long

Bob Long

Update: A Memorial to be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at 11 am.

A journalist, filmmaker, broadcasting executive and Combat Correspondent in the Marine Corps, Bob had a fascinating career developing motion picture scripts and serving in news rooms on the east and west coasts. He served as KNBC Vice President and News Director from 2003 to 2009 when he retired and accepted the teaching post in Istanbul. He had previously served at NBC as Vice President for News and Operations at the network’s owned station in Washington, DC (1999 to 2003). His prior television news experience included news gathering, production and management jobs at the CBS owned station in Los Angeles (1968-1975), UPN Television in Los Angeles (1991-1994), Disney Television in Los Angeles (1994-1997) and a first tour at the NBC Los Angeles flagship as managing editor before going to Washington as Vice President for News.

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Chuck Beveridge, former USMCCCA art director dies

Chuck Beveridge at Iwo Jima. (Courtesy of Hoover Public Library)

Chuck Beveridge at Iwo Jima. (Courtesy of Hoover Public Library)

Update:  Charles W. “Chuck” Beveridge(1925 – 2016)
Charles W. “Chuck” Beveridge, retired creative director and artist and recipient of the Purple Heart after being wounded on Iwo Jima in World War II, died Wednesday. He was 90.

Beveridge joined the Marines at 17 with permission from his parents and fought in some of the Pacific Theater’s most significant battles from January 1944 through October of 1945. He fought with the Fourth Marine Division on Roi Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima, where he watched the flag raised on Mount Suribachi from a hospital ship after being wounded.

He recovered from the wound he received during the amphibious landing and rejoined the battle for Iwo Jima. Beveridge, who never graduated high school, began his highly successful career as an artist at Leatherneck magazine, where he worked two stints, 1946-1948 and then 1952-1955.

A talented artist with a brilliant creative mind, he worked for many advertising agencies around the country and founded his own studios in New Orleans and Florida. He retired from Birmingham Magazine and continued to work freelance well into his 80s.

He was a member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoover. He is survived by his loving wife Mary, three daughters, Harriett (Coby) Bethke, of Silver Springs, MD; Judi (Paul) Sherman, Lewis, DE; Linda (Daniel) Bailey, Birmingham, AL, nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Family requests that donations be made to the Howlin’ Mad Smith Detachment of the Marine Corps League, 1515 Bent River Circle, Birmingham., AL 35216. Donations also can be made at the funeral home.

The funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood with visitation at 10 a.m. The family invites friends, after the service, for a reception at Valley Chapel’s Edgewood Parlor.

Funeral Home
Ridout’s Valley Chapel
1800 Oxmoor Road Homewood, AL 35209
(205) 879-3401
Published in The Birmingham News on Nov. 6, 2016

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Commandant of the Marine Corps Names Dickey Chapelle “Honorary Marine”

Dickey Chapelle to receive Honorary Marine status.

Dickey Chapelle to receive Honorary Marine status.

CCHQ was notified October 4 that the Commandant of the Marine Corps has approved Dickey Chapelle for Honorary Marine status. As most know, Dickey was killed November 4, 1965 while with “her Marines” on Operation Black Ferret near Chu Lai in Vietnam. At our request, retired BGen. Tom Draude, a former Director of Information, initiated the formal request to HQMC. In his letter, written in June 2015, he pointed out the following:

For the record, Ms. Chapelle was killed November 4, 1965 by fragments of a booby-trapped mortar shell while covering Marine action during Operation Black Ferret with the 7th Marine Regiment near ChuLai, Republic of Vietnam. Following her death, Lt. Gen. Lewis Walt and other officials from the III MAF honored her by placing a plaque near the spot where she was killed. As a matter of information, this plaque no longer exists in that area. She was returned to the United States accompanied by an honor guard of six Marines, proof of the regard in which she was held by all.
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By Jason Fudge, ago

Summary of 2016 USMCCCA Annual Business Meeting

Jack Paxton, Executive Director gives his report to the 2016 old board members during the 2016 National Conference and Training Symposium in Fredericksburg, Virg.

Jack Paxton, Executive Director gives his report to the 2015 old board members during the 2016 National Conference and Training Symposium in Fredericksburg, Virg.

(Note:  The following is an executive summary of the USMCCCA Annual Business Meeting held in Fredericksburg, VA during our National Conference and Training Symposium.  It carries all actions taken by the Old and Foundation Board Meetings.  For copies of those, please contact the Executive Director at usmccca@cfl.rr.com.)

2016 Annual Business Meeting
August 26, 2016

President Manny Pacheco called the 2016 USMCCCA Annual Business Meeting to order at 8:26 a.m. A quorum was present.

Reports

Secretary:  Secretary Chris Whiting was asked to read the minutes.  Bob Mergle made a motion to accept the minutes as published in the Now Hear This newsletter.  Seconded and passed. Treasurer:  In the absence of Treasurer Rick Lavers, Executive Director Jack Paxton told the members that the Association has $69,604.82 in three CDs and the checking account.  He said we are in good shape.

Executive Director:  Paxton started his report, saying that the conference was a success.  He said we had 58 registered for the banquet, and we actually fed 91.  He said we made Paxton expressed appreciation for Dave and Diane Biesel for the new history book.  He asked people to read it and give him any changes by November 1.  The book will be published in January.  Paxton told the members that the Now Hear This quarterly newsletter is no more.  He said he had been complaining that it was worthless because he had been pulling old news back off the web site to put in it.  He said we will now place our emphasis on the web site and our Facebook page.  He added that those who cannot access news via computer can get a hard copy, upon request. He said that Keith Oliver and Sally Pritchett were the first to pledge their contributions to the Foundation, spreading out payments over the year.  Paxton said it is an easy way to give and you can set it up through your bank.  He said four or five oral histories were done during the conference.  He will ask the History Division for copies.

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By Jason Fudge, ago

USMCCCA Foundation (FL Chapter) Golf A Success

Red Carpenter at the USMCCCA Foundation, Florida Chapter Golf tournament at Sherman Hills Golf Club in Brooksville, Fla., April 22, 2016.

Red Carpenter at the USMCCCA Foundation, Florida Chapter Golf tournament at Sherman Hills Golf Club in Brooksville, Fla., April 22, 2016.

Neither rain, nor thunder hampered the 12th version of the Foundation’s (Florida Chapter) Annual Golf Tournament held at the Sherman Hills Golf Club near Brooksville, FL held Friday afternoon, April 22.

While other organizations nearby were cancelling tournaments worried about inclement weather, 80 golfers teed off following brief ceremonies at 1 p.m. led by Chapter President and Tournament Chair Red Carpenter. While there were several brief passing showers and a peal of thunder once or twice, everyone finished on schedule at 5:15 p.m. in time to enjoy a meal of hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans and potato salad.

Jack Paxton, executive director at the tournament.

Jack Paxton, executive director at the tournament.

Following the meal an auction was held, led by Chapter Member Kevin Doll. This helped increase the tournament profit to a grand total of $5,063.80. The Chapter will make a recommendation to the Foundation Board of Directors as to the disposition of the money. Past tournament profits have gone to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund, Oceanside, CA and to the Foundation Scholarship Fund. It is expected both will receive major portions of this year’s profits.

USMCCCA Board Member Bob Mergle made his first venture into tournament play, traveling from his home in Columbia, SC and bringing several friends. Other Chapter member/players were Betsy Judge, Bob Jordan and National Executive Director Jack Paxton. Providing vocal (and photographic) support were Association VP (and webmaster) Kate Stark, and Chapter VP Hank Ehlbeck.

More photos on next page:

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By Jason Fudge, ago