WELCOME MESSAGE

The Montford Point Marine Association is a charitable nonprofit 501 (c) (3) 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.

Between the period of 1942-1949, approximately 20,000 African American men took a step of faith that would forever change the course of history.  These men paved the way for tens of thousands of African Americans serving in the United States Marine Corps today.  These men came from all walks of life.  They were courageous men who had to fight for the “right to fight”.  They were true heroes who fought at Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Saipan, and the Marinas Islands just to name a few. Some of our Montford Pointers even paid the ultimate sacrifice by laying down their lives for our country and fellow Marines. This was all done during a time of adversity and despondency, when they were neither accepted by the United States Marines Corps nor their own country for which they served courageously. In their honor, the MPMA, Inc., is committed to pursuing the following initiatives in the quest to the preserve the legacy of the Montford Point Marines namely, The Congressional Gold Medal and The Montford Point Marine Monument Project.

Congressional Gold Medal

On November 23rd, 2011 President Obama signed into law bills S.1527 and H.R. 2447. This important legislation authorizes the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines which bestows on these trailblazers, the first African American Marines, the honor and recognition they so richly deserved. The introduction of S.1527 by Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) and H.R. 2447 by House Representative, Hon. Corrine Brown (D-FL) have made an enormous footprint in the hearts and minds of our heroes, families and members. This law symbolizes our country's gratitude and appreciation toward those brave men who trained aboard the segregated base at Camp Montford Point and served in the United States Marine Corps during 1942-1949 under Executive Order 8802, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. I would like to thank each of you for your support in accomplishing this major goal and congratulate the Montford Point Marines for their commitment to duty and country. Job well done! For more information regarding the Congressional Gold Medal awarding ceremony, please click on the corresponding link

 

The National Montford Point Marine Monument Project is underway for construction and scheduled for a 26 August 2012 unveiling. Upon completion, these initiatives will serve as a reminder of the legacy of African American Marines and the effect of Executive Order #8802 which allowed Blacks to be recruited in the United States Marine Corps.  This project serves to honor and solidify the sacrifices, dedication, perseverance, and  the bravery of over 20,000 African American men who trained on the hallowed grounds of  Camp Montford Point and fought for the "right to fight” as United States Marines.

For more information, please click on the project name to view these concepts and to track its progress.

The Montford Point Marine Association also proudly supports a Ladies Auxiliary under its umbrella. Membership 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!

Dr. James T. Averhart, Jr. CWO4
National President
Montford Point Marine Association Inc.

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

‘‘Montford Point Marines Day’’

Click here for full details

 

Click on the image above to play video

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 Marines of Montford Point visit with members of the United States Senate Senators Durbin and Burris both from Illinois join in a conversation with MPMA President James Averhart, MPMA Public Relations Officer Joe Geeter, along with Original Montford Pointers George Kidd, Joe Carpenter, James Ferguson, while at a US Senate visit in Washington DC. Senators Durbin and Burris both from Illinoisjoin in a conversation with MPMA President James Averhart, MPMA Public Relations Officer Joe Geeter, along with Original Montford Pointers George Kidd, Joe Carpenter, James Ferguson, while at a US Senate visit in Washington DC. A supporter of the Congressional Medal for the Marines of Montford Point, Congressional Black caucus Congress Woman Corrine Brown of Florida posses with MPMA President James Averhart. Congressional medal Track Congressional Gold Medal and Sponsors