2018 COURTESY RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE WOMEN MARINES ASSOCIATION (WMA) AND THE 30^TH BIENNIAL WMA CONVENTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM; AND

WHEREAS THE 2018 CONVENTION IS DEDICATED TO THE WOMEN MARINES’ 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND TO ALL WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED IN THIS LEGACY; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED THAT THE ASSOCIATION WISHES TO EXPRESS OUR GENUINE AND HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO:

1. THE MAYOR OF WASHINGTON, DC, THE HONORABLE MURIEL BOWSER, FOR HER GREETING TO THE WOMEN MARINES ASSOCIATION IN HONOR OF THEIR 100 YEARS OF SERVICE;
2. THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA GOVERNOR, THE HONORABLE RALPH NORTHAM, FOR PROCLAIMING WOMEN MARINE CENTENNIAL WEEK AND FOR TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR WOMEN MARINES PUBLICLY WITH BOTH A LETTER OF WELCOME AND A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION;
3. THE DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, WASHINGTON, DC, MR. ELY S. ROSS, FOR A LETTER OF WELCOME;
4. THE GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND, THE HONORABLE LARRY HOGAN, FOR CONGRATULATING AND WELCOMING THE WOMEN MARINES TO THE GREAT STATE OF MARYLAND THROUGH HIS PROCLAMATION;

5. GEORGE W. OWINGS III, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, FOR A LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT;
6. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, RHONDA AMTOWER, AND PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENTS, SUE SOUSA, PAULA SARLLS AND CAROL MUTTER, FOR THEIR EXPERTISE AND GUIDANCE, AND ESPECIALLY TO THE CONVENTION COMMITTEE AND THE WMA BOARD;
7. PRESIDENT BETTY MOSELEY BROWN FOR HER LEADERSHIP LEADING UP TO AND THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION, AND FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO WMA;
8. OUR CORPORATE 4-STAR SPONSOR, LOCKHEED MARTIN, AND OUR 2-STAR SPONSORS, GEICO AND DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION;
9. OUR 1-STAR CORPORATE DONORS, MERRILL LYNCH; 4-RIVERS RANCH LLC; ALEXANDRIA INSIGHTS, INC.; AMIDA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC.; LOCKHEED MARTIN AEROPARTS, INC.; NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION; USAA; AND Michele A. Flournoy;
10. OUR FELLOW VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS, AMERICAN ARMED FORCES MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATION, MILITARY BENEFIT ASSOCIATION, MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, ARMED FORCES BENEFIT ASSOCIATION, MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, NAVY MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATION, MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION, VMFA-321, MARINE CORPS RESERVE ASSOCIATION, WMA TEXAS-2 CHAPTER, AND 1^ST MARINE DIVISION ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR SPONSORSHIPS;
11. CHERYL BADORREK, DC-1 CHAPTER, AND VALERIE SHIELDS BREIDENBAUGH, DC-1 CHAPTER, FOR PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES AT ALL EVENTS ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS;
12. WMA MEMBER, LISA THOMPSON, FOR ARRANGING A SPECIAL TOUR OF OUR CAPITOL BUILDING WITH HER VAST EXPERIENCE. SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO CAPITOL TOUR GUIDE, JOE WASIAK, WHO CAME IN ON HIS DAY OFF TO ENSURE, DESPITE AREAS OF THE CAPITOL BEING SECURED FOR A MEMORIAL, THE CAPITOL TOUR WAS COMPLETE, INFORMATIVE, AND TOOK OUR MEMBERS TO AREAS NOT USUALLY INCLUDED;
13. THE 37^TH COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS, GENERAL ROBERT B. NELLER, FOR ACCEPTING THE INVITATION TO BE THE GUEST SPEAKER AT THE OPENING BANQUET OF THE 30^TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION AND TO GENERAL AND MRS. NELLER AND THE FINE MARINES OF MARINE BARRACKS WASHINGTON, DC, FOR HOSTING THE EVENING PARADE IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN MARINES;
14. THE FACILITATORS OF THE WONDERFUL WORKSHOPS OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION INCLUDING LAURA BROWN, 1^ST VP WMA; JAMIE DEPAOLA, AREA-1 DIRECTOR; PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER MARY ANN MERRITT; NATIONAL SECRETARY MARY ELLEN STONE; CDR MELISSA AUSTIN BUMED; LT. CHARLENE REESE, DEPARTMENT HEAD, STAFF EDUCATION AND TRAINING, NAVAL HEALTH CLINIC MCB QUANTICO, VA; DR. PATRICIA HAYES, CHIEF CONSULTANT, WOMEN’S HEALTH SERVICES, VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION; ASSISTANT COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS, GENERAL GLENN WALTERS; JOI TANN, ACCREDITED FINANCIAL COUNSELOR; TOMEKA BROWN, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, NFCU; SHANE OSTROM, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND BENEFIT INFORMATION, MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA; YOGA INSTRUCTOR, BRIANNA RENNER, NY HOLLY CHARETTE CHAPTER;
15. FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS 30^THBIENNIAL CONVENTION FROM WITHIN OUR MEMBERSHIP INCLUDING ADELE HODGES, ALMA J. HAAS MCCLUNE, ANNIE GRIMES, ELEANOR M. WILSON, TX-2, DONNA CAMPBELL, DEBRA HILL, PAUL & LYNN GIAUDRONE, MITZI MANNING, DELORES MASTERS, LELIA JACKSON, EILEEN SCANLON, SUE SOUSA, SHARLEENE PRIEUR, AND SUELLEN A. BEAULIEU;
16. AD SPONSORS INCLUDING WMA MEMBERS SUE SOUSA, EILEEN SCANLON, ANGELA MANESS, Michele a. Flournoy, SHARLEENE PRIEUR, J. WALTER THOMPSON, DANIELLE DILLARD, PATRICIA SINGER, SALLY PRITCHETT, CATHERINE LOUISE FRAZIER, DEBRA FOWLER, 3/11 FOUNDATION (NANCI VISSER), ALMA J. HAAS (WWII WR), PEGGY REIBER, AZ-2, WA-3, BARBARA E. SWANSON, BETTY PRINTZ SIMS, BEVERLY WILDER, BRIDGET YOUNG, CA-11, CA-2, CA-29, CA-3, CA-7, CAROLINA POODLE RESCUE (TRICIA BYRNE) CPR, FRIENDS FOR LIFE, LELIA JACKSON, DC-1, CENTRAL MARYLAND YOUNG MARINES AND MARY KAY (VIVIAN PRICE-BUTLER), CIVILITY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS (LAURIE SAYLES), CONSTELLATION WEST (LISA WOLFORD), CREATIVE PATRIOT MACHINE QUILTING (TAMI SCHMIDT), DH FRAMING (DAWN HARRISON), DONNA GENOVESE, FAITH TERRELL, FL-12, FL-2, GAIL GOODSON, GPS FINANCIAL (WENDY WOODARD), HAWAII MARINES, IN-1, IRIS BIGGERS, JAMIA L. WRIGHT (BETTY’S FAMILY), JAMIE DEPAOLA, JEANNE BOTWRIGHT, JEANNE VILARDOFSKY, JOHNETTA WILLIAMS, KAREN LAINO GIANNUZZI, KARL & PAT HACKBARTH, KATHLEEN POTTHOFF, KAY AND HENRY GOTO, KY-1, LA-1, LINDA FIELD, LISA EYLER (IN MEMORY OF BARBARA THOMPSON HLUBOKLY), LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE CONSULTANTS (KARYL L. MOESEL), MA-1, MARINE CORPS LAW ENFORCEMENT FOUNDATION (ELAINE STEM), MARK ADKINS (IN MEMORY OF CATHERINE GRACE MURRAY 1917-2017), MARTZ GROUP, MI-2, MITZI MANNING, NANCY ZAUNBRECHER-PAYNE, NC-3, NE-1 2020 CONVENTION AD, NE-1, NEW HORIZONS COMPUTER LEARNING (SHELIA D. DIAL), OR-1, OR-3, PA-2, PATRICIA O’MALLEY KELLY, PATRICIA SINGER, PATTI ORSINI, PENNY MILLER-HARDIMAN, BAILEY HARDIMAN, QUANTICO NNOA (DAWN HARRISON), QUEENS CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (BEV WILDER), RHONDA AMTOWER, RI-2, ROLL BACK SERVICES (LELIA JACKSON), SANDRA SPATZ-WISZNEAUKAS, SC-2, SEMPER SISTERS (KYLE COTTRELL), SONDRA MEEKS (AUTHOR MODEL MARINE), STACEY N. HUMPHREY, TRICIA BYRNE, TX-1, TX-2, TX-7, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA MARINE CORPS FILM LIBRARY, VA-1, VALERIE E. BREIDENBAUGH, VALERIE E. SIMON, VMFA-321 (ELAINE STEM), WI-1, ZAHARA VETERANS NETWORK, INC. (HELLENA PUGH), FL-7MO-KAN-2;
17. CORPORATE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS AND AD SPONSORS NATIONAL MPMA; OPERATION SERVICES, INC; GID SOLUTIONS; ANN HAND; CHRYSALIS HOLDINGS, LLC; POWELL STRATEGIES; HOLLOWAY COATS; FANS ZONE (CYNTHIA BOWEN); GREENSPRING; JD BELFIELD ENTERPRISES; JEFF IDALSKI SHIRTS MUGS AND MORE; JERSEY SKEETERS DETACHMENT #136 MILITARY ORDER OF DEVIL DOGS; ALPHA AND OMEGA WORSHIP CENTER, INC; BLUE MOUNTAIN MILITARY WOMEN; BOB AND EDITH’S DINER; CAMP PENDLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY; CARRY ON DETACHMENT #1236 MARINE CORPS LEAGUE; CHAPTER #32 MONTFORD POINT MILITARY ASSOCIATION; MARINE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION; DANIEL’S BOUTIQUE; NATIONAL MONTFORD POINT MILITARY ASSOCIATION; OKOYE AND ASSOCIATES, LLC; OPERATIONS SERVICES, INC; PARK UNIVERSITY; PEARL VETERINARY HOSPITAL; PHYSICAL AND SPORTS REHAB, INC.; POWELL STRATEGIES, LLC; SHIPS HATCH; TJ’S HOME INSPECTOR; VERNDELL ROBINSON REALTOR; WOMEN VETERANS UNITED COMMITTEE, INC
18. OTHER FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO INCLUDE JACKIE ADAMS; GOONEY BIRD DETACHMENT, MARINE CORPS LEAGUE; GENERAL GLENN WALTERS; ALPHA AND OMEGA WORSHIP CENTER; MARTZ GROUP; DEVIN BROWN; ZAHARA VETERANS NETWORK, INC; FAITHE AND MICHAEL HILL; Michele Flournoy; MARINE CORPS HERITAGE FOUNDATION; LELIA JACKSON’S FAMILY; BGEN AND MRS ROBERT D. PAPAK; J. ANTONIO AND HERMENE ECCLESTON; MERVIN K. GOOCH, SR.; DEBORAH KAMINSKE; EVELYN B. JOPPA; SCOTT OATMAN; GWENDOLYN R. DANIELS-PARKS; J. WALTER THOMPSON ATLANTA; JUANITA TATE; DAVID W. ALVES, CWO-4; KATE HOWARD; MARINE EXECUTIVE ASSOCIATION; MILITARY HISTORICAL TOURS; 74 PATS-INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL;
19. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS TO THE CONVENTION INCLUDING WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE FOR AMERICA (WIMSA) MEMORIAL; HELEN HANNAH-CAMPBELL; EILEEN SKAHILL; TRACY CROW; ANN HAND; MISSION BBQ (AT WIMSA FOR ALL ATTENDEES); AMIDA TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC.; CARMEN CARDOBA; CHARLES E. SMITH; BJ’S; BOB & EDITH’S DINER; COSTCO; DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; CHICK-FIL-A; CVS; DANIEL’S BOUTIQUE; HENDERSON HALL MARINE CORPS EXCHANGE; HOLLAND AMERICA; CHRISTOPHER SETZER; HQMC COMM TEAM; MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION; MARINE CORPS HERITAGE FOUNDATION; MARINE PARENTS.COM; MARINE CORPS UNIVERSITY PRESS (HISTORY DIVISION); MARINE CORPS RESERVE ASSOCIATION; MILITARY BENEFIT ASSOCIATION; NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION; NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY; USAA; WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY; PAT HACKBARTH; PEPSI; SAM’S CLUB; CHRISTOPHER SETZER; BGEN AND MRS. ROBERT D. PAPAK; WASHINGTON NATIONALS; WASHINGTON REDSKINS; WEGMAN’S; WMP PRODUCTIONS; WMA DC-1 CHAPTER; WMA VA-1 CHAPTER; YOUNG MARINES; NATIONAL PARK SERVICE; SHIP’S HATCH; WMP VIDEO; HERR’S CHIPS; AND VIANEY VERDUZZCO-ARROYO;
20. DEBRA FOWLER, KATE HOWARD, AND VIVIAN PRICE BUTLER FOR THE VERY GENEROUS DITTY BAG DONATIONS;
21. MADONNA BAUCUM (DC-1) FOR THE AVAILABILITY OF THE WHOVA APPLICATION THAT ALLOWED MEMBERS TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, TO SHARE PICTURES, AND TO ENJOY THE CONVENTION TO THE FULLEST;
22. Bridget Young (DC1) for spearheading the MANY ditty bag donations, and Nanci Visser (DC-1) for overseeing the volunteer assembly line;
23. the MANY volunteers WHO packed nearly 800 bags with goodies. Special thanks to Lidwine Comeau, who arrived early FROM CANADA to volunteer, AND TO DANCY FELT FOR BRINGING SEVERAL ACTIVE-DUTY MARINES FROM QUANTICO TO HELP;
24. THE NE-1 CHAPTER FOR OVERSEEING THE RECOGNITION AND AWARDS PROGRAM AND FOR MAKING THE LUNCHEON AN EXCITING AND FUN EVENT FOR ALL WHO ATTENDED AND SUBMITTED ENTRIES;
25. DC-1 MEMBERS AND LOYAL ESCORTS CRYSTAL GRAMATES, BEVERLY WILDER, AND DANIELLE HARRIS FOR DESIGNING THE PATRIOTIC OPENING BANQUET CENTER PIECES AND TO THE DC-1 MEMBERS WHO PUT ALL 80 OF THEM TOGETHER;
26. JENIFFER HINJOSA BALLARD FOR THE GORGEOUS CLOSING BANQUET CENTERPIECES AND TO ELAINE STEM (DC-1) AND TONYA CLARK (VA-1) FOR THE CLOSING BANQUET UNIFORM PARADE;
27. ELAINE STEM FOR SERVING AS THE CONVENTION EMERGENCY POINT OF CONTACT AND FOR COMPASSIONATELY SUPPORTING THOSE WHO WERE INJURED OR FELL ILL DURING CONVENTION;
28. VIRGINIA BUENO, YVONNE CARLOCK, AND CYNTHIA HOWARD FOR PUBLICIZING AND PROMOTING THE 2018 CONVENTION THROUGH TWITTER AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS;
29. THE CHAPTERS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO SOLD TICKETS FOR THE HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE. CONGRATS TO WMA OR-3 EAGER BEAVER CHAPTER FOR MOST TICKETS SOLD; THANKS TO PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT SUE SOUSA FOR THE VISION TO HAVE A CONVENTION SWEEPSTAKES TO OFFSET CONVENTION COSTS;
30. STEPHANIE SMITH, WMA ATTORNEY, FOR THE INCREDIBLE LEGAL SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING PROCESS AND FOR ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET TO YES, LEGALLY, TO SUPPORT WMA AND THE CONVENTION CO-CHAIRS;
31. RICARDO ROBINSON AND THE HEADQUARTERS, U.S. MARINE CORPS COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH FOR COLLABORATING WITH THE 2018 WMA CONVENTION CHAIRS TO PRODUCE THE MOTIVATING AND SPECTACULAR VIDEO CLIP, “WOMEN BY GENDER, MARINES FOR LIFE;”
32. THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE “WOMEN BY GENDER, MARINES FOR LIFE” VIDEO: GENERAL ROBERT NELLER; BETTY MOSELEY BROWN; SGT MICHELLE VAZQUEZ; LTGEN LORI REYNOLDS; PRINTZ SIMS; LTCOL NICOLE A. MANN; MAJGEN CHARLES F. BOLDEN, JR.; THERESA “SUE” SOUSA; MGYSGT SHANNON PETERS; BMG; AND WARNER MUSIC GROUP/RHINO ENTERTAINMENT;
33. THE PHENOMENAL TEAM AT THE WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE FOR AMERICA (WIMSA) MEMORIAL FOR HOSTING CONVENTION ATTENDEES AT THE MUSEUM. SPECIAL THANKS TO DONNA HOULE AND MAJ GEN DEEANN MCWILLIAMS FOR ACCOMMODATING EVERY REQUEST, NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL, TO MAKE THE VISIT SPECIAL FOR CONVENTION ATTENDEES;
34. NORMA RAMBO FOR RECITING “The WRs Have a Birthday” Poem DURING THE PROGRAM AT WIMSA;
35. LIEUTENANT GENERAL ROBERT R. BLACKMAN, SUSAN HODGES, AND THE MARINE CORPS HERITAGE FOUNDATION STAFF FOR EXTENDING THE HOURS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MARINE CORPS AND FOR BRINGING IN ADDITIONAL DOCENTS TO SUPPORT THE VISIT OF CONVENTION ATTENDEES. THANKS ALSO FOR GENEROUSLY DONATING ITEMS FOR THE DITTY BAGS TO WELCOME CONVENTION ATTENDEES;
36. LIEUTENANT GENERAL WILLIAM “MARK” FAULKNER, COLONEL MARY REINWALD, AND THE MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION FOR THE MONETARY DONATIONS AND THE BEAUTIFUL PLAQUES FOR THE THREE ESSAY WINNERS;
37. THE ESSAY CONTEST JUDGES MARIANNE WALDROP, EMILY SWAIN, WANDA ANTOINE, NANCY WILT, AND MARY REINWALD;
38. DONNA GENOVESE, GAILE LEE, PAT KELLY (DC-1) AND ALISA ALLEY FOR COLLECTING AND JUDGING THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF ENVELOPES WITH DONATIONS FOR THE CONVENTION ENVELOPE CONTEST;
39. KATHY SHEPPARD AND KATHY POTHOFF FOR LEADING EFFORTS TO UNVEIL THE MEMORIAL AT THE UNMARKED GRAVE OF THE FIRST FEMALE TO ENLIST IN THE MARINE CORPS, OPHA MAY JOHNSON, THAT SERVED AS THE PRELUDE TO THE CENTENNIAL CONVENTION; KAYE SAVAGE AND JIM JONES, ST PAUL’S ROCK CREEK CEMETERY STAFF, FOR THEIR TIRELESS SUPPORT TO THE TO ERECT THE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL.
40. TAMMY HINLINE FOR VIDEO RECORDING THE OPHA MAY JOHNSON UNVEILING AND THEN THE SAME DAY CREATING A CLIP THAT CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF THE UNVEILING SO IT COULD BE SHARED DURING THE OPENING BANQUET FOR THOSE WHO COULD NOT ATTEND THE CEREMONY AT ROCK CREEK CEMETERY;
41. Colonel JASON K. Fettig, Commanding Officer and Director of The President’s Own UNITED STATES MARINE BAND, and Captain Ryan J. Nowlin, Assistant Director of The President’s Own and composer of The “Century OF SERVICE” March FOR Women Marines. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PRESIDENT’S OWN FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE OPHA MAY JOHNSON MEMORIAL CEREMONY AND OF THE CONVENTION’S OPENING BANQUET;
42. ANDREW JACKSON, SAM BUTLER, AND MICHAEL HILL FOR SETTING UP AND TAKING DOWN THE TENTS AND CHAIRS IN NEARLY 100-DEGREE WEATHER AT THE OPHA MAY JOHNSON MEMORIAL UNVEILING;
43. COLONEL JULIE NETHERCOT FOR HER CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE CONVENTION PLANNING COMMITTEE DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS AND THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION. THANKS, TOO, FOR OPENING DOORS AND MAKING CONNECTIONS TO HELP THE COMMITTEE ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION;
44. CRYSTAL GRAMATES FOR ARRANGING AN INTERVIEW WITH CHANNEL 7 NEWS “GOOD MORNING AMERICA;”
45. NBC FOR COVERING THE OPHA MAY JOHNSON MEMORIAL UNVEILING;
46. SAM BUTLER FOR PICKING UP AND DELIVERING 33 CASES OF WATER AND 33 CASES OF PEPSI PRODUCTS TO THE HOTEL;
47. ANDREW JACKSON FOR PICKING UP AND DELIVERING 33 CASES OF WATER AND SNACKS FROM WEGMANS TO FEED MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE;
48. VOLUNTEERS WHO WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND DURING CONVENTION: Debra Fowler, “Captain” to THE on-site Registration chair; Isaac BazIle, Loyal Escort, WHO assisted in moving heavy items from one location to another; Melissa Ayres, registration desk VOLUNTEER; Lelia Wingfield, Loyal Escort, registration desk VOLUNTEER;
49. CHERYL ROBERTS (DC-1 LOYAL ESCORT) FOR SERVING AS THE LOCAL POINT OF CONTACT TO THE NATIONAL LOYAL ESCORT PRESIDENT DURING CONVENTION PLANNING AND FOR COORDINATING LOYAL ESCORT VOLUNTEERS DURING THE CONVENTION;
50. CHERYL ROBERTS FOR SOLICITING LOCAL VENDORS TO PROVIDE LUNCHES FOR CONVENTION VOLUNTEERS;
51. DONNA CAMPBELL (DC-1) FOR SPEARHEADING THE SILENT AUCTION TO SELL PRIZED MARINE CORPS MEMORABILIA THAT RESULTED IN AN IMPRESSIVE FUNDRAISER FOR THE WMA OPHA MAY JOHNSON FUND. THANKS TO ALL WHO DONATED ITEMS;
52. DC-1 MEMBERS PRINTZ SIMS (PLAYING KEYBOARD), PATTI ORSINI (PLAYING TAPS), NANCI VISSER (PLAYING RECORDED MUSIC) FOR LENDING YOUR TALENTS TO THE MEMORIAL SERVICE, AND THE FOUR ACTIVE DUTY MARINES (LED BY LTCOL TEGAN OWEN) WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE MEMORIAL SERVICE;
53. PATTI ORSINI (DC-1) FOR PLAYING TAPS AT THE OPENING BANQUET;
54. MARTZ TRANSPORTATION COMPANY FOR THE PROFESSIONAL AND SAFE TRANSPORT OF LARGE GROUPS OF OUR WOMEN MARINES AND LOYAL ESCORTS THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON, DC. AND VIRGINIA AND FOR ASSISTING OUR MANY ELDERLY MEMBERS WITH WALKERS, SCOOTERS, ETC.;
55. THE STAFF OF THE CRYSTAL GATEWAY MARRIOTT, AND MOST ESPECIALLY LAUREN BRYANT, SENIOR EVENT MANAGER; EBONA WALKER, GROUP HOUSING COORDINATOR; AND THE AV STAFF, PARTICULARLY ALYSSA, CONNOR, AND ABDUL;
56. OUR COURT REPORTER, LISA GILES, FROM TRANSCRIPTION, ETC., LLC FOR HER MANY HOURS OF RECORDING THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION AT THE WMA BUSINESS MEETINGS AND BOARD MEETINGS;
57. THOSE EXHIBITORS WHO PROVIDED INFORMATION, ASSISTANCE, AND HANDS-ON ACCESS TO BENEFITS FOR OUR MEMBERS INCLUDING UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA MARINE CORPS FILM LIBRARY (KARL & PAT HACKBARTH), MVP VETS (JULIANA MERCER), FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN WARRIORS (JODIE GRENIER), FEDERALLY EMPLOYED WOMEN (KAREN M. RAINEY), NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY, A BIG THANK YOU TO THE VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION;
58. THE TIRELESS CHERYL BADORREK, BRIDGET YOUNG, SHARLEENE PRIEUR, DANCY FELT, CHARMALE GALLAGHER, ELIZABETH INGLESE, AND DAWN OWENS;
59. ALL VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSISTED IN THE WAR ROOM AND VOLUNTEERED TO HELP AT THE REGISTRATION AREA THROUGHOUT THIS CONVENTION;
60. WMA CHAPTERS DC-1, NC-3, TX-7, TX-6, MI-2, VA-1, OR-1, OR-3, TX-1, NY-6, NE-1, CT-1, TX-5, WA-3, NC-2, WMA NATIONAL MERCHANDISE, AND THE LOYAL ESCORTS FOR PURCHASING SPACE IN THE PX;
61. THE NUMEROUS CHAPTERS AND INDIVIDUALS FOR DONATING DOOR-PRIZE ENVELOPES TO ADD FUN AND EXCITEMENT TO ALL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION;
62. MICHAEL PEARCE AND THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP OF THE LOYAL ESCORTS FOR THE MANY INVALUABLE THINGS, SEEN AND UNSEEN, THEY DID TO SUPPORT THE CONVENTION, INCLUDING THE HOSPITALITY SUITE AND USHERING AT VARIOUS EVENTS THROUGHOUT. SPECIAL THANKS FOR THE OVERSIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION OF MARVELOUS GOODIE BAGS AT THE END OF THE FUN WALK/RUN;
63. THE FUN RUN/WALK CHAIR, CHARMALE GALLAGHER, WMA VA-1 CHAPTER;
64. TX-7 OPHA MAY JOHNSON CHAPTER MEMBERS, ANGELA MANESS, AUDREA KILLALEA, ROSA FRANK-OSBORN, AND JACKIE BRITTON-BAZILE, FOR PROVIDING THE OUTSTANDING, ALL WMA-MEMBER COLOR GUARDS FOR BOTH OPENING AND CLOSING BANQUETS;
65. ANGELA MANESS, LAURA BROWN, AUDREA KILLALEA, AND ROSA FRANK-OSBON FOR PRESENTING THE VERY MOVING POW/MIA SALUTE DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY;
66. TO CHRISTOPHER SETZER FOR HIS ASSISTANCE TO INCLUDE DESIGNING THE CONVENTION LOGO;
67. SHARLEENE PRIEUR, PROGRAM BOOK COORDINATOR; NANCI VISSER, VOLUNTEER EDITOR; AND BETTY ROE, BAY WEST GRAPHICS, FOR THE PRINTING AND GRAPHIC SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM BOOK;
68. MITZI MANNING FOR ACTING AS THE INSTALLATION OFFICER FOR OUR NEW NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS;
69. VONDA JONES SELLERS FOR SERVING AS PROTOCOL OFFICER FOR THE CONVENTION;
70. NANCI VISSER FOR SERVING AS THE LOCAL PROTOCOL OFFICER AND LENDING HER EXPERTISE AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL;
71. LAURA BROWN FOR SKILLFULLY DIRECTING THE CONVENTION PROTOCOL TEAM FROM PLANNNING TO EXECUTION IN HER KIND BUT DIRECT WAY;
72. GAILE LEE FOR COORDINATING RESERVED TABLES WITH THE CONVENTION PROTOCOL OFFICERS;
73. KATHLEEN WRIGHT FOR DIRECTING THE FLAG CEREMONY AT THE OPENING BANQUET;
74. HOLLY AND BRAD PRAFKE FOR LEADING THE OPENING BANQUET FLAG CEREMONY PRACTICE;
75. 19^TH WMA NATIONAL PRESIDENT, BETTY MOSELEY BROWN FOR HOSTING THE MEET AND GREET;
76. DANIELLE DILLARD (VA-1) FOR CHAIRING THE FIRST-TIMERS AND ACTIVE DUTY PROGRAMS AND THE VOLUNTEERS FROM DC-1 AND VA-1 WHO SUPPORTED THEM;
77. THE OLD TOWN TROLLEY TOURS WASHINGTON, DC, FOR THE DISCOUNTED AND FUN-FILLED TROLLEY TOURS OF THE BEAUTIFUL NATION’S CAPITAL;
78. MARY ANN MERRITT, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, FOR INPUT TO THE MEMORIAL PROGRAM BOOKLET, FACEBOOK ADVERTISEMENT, CONVENTION PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, AND FOR ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS SHE DOES FOR WMA;
79. FRIENDS AND SPOUSES FOR JOINING US ON OUR SUNDAY MORNING RUN/WALK;
80. THE 2020 CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE AND NEBRASKA CHAPTER FOR THE PROMOTIONAL PRESENTATION TO GENERATE EXCITEMENT FOR THE 2020 CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA;
81. CHAPLAIN EILEEN SKAHILL FOR HER EXCELLENT PRAYERS THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION AND FOR COORDINATING THE MEMORIAL SERVICE;
82. MANY ACTIVE-DUTY MARINES WHO CAME TO SUPPORT THEIR SISTERS FROM ALL ERAS AS WE ALL JOIN HANDS TO SUPPORT THEM IN THE FUTURE;
83. GENERAL ROBERT B. NELLER, 37^TH COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS, AND OUR OWN LIEUTENANT GENERAL LORI REYNOLDS, DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR INFORMATION AND U.S. MARINE CORPS FORCES STRATEGIC COMMAND, FOR EACH BRINGING THEIR INSPIRING MESSAGES TO OUR BANQUETS;
84. MARC SHEPPARD AND THE HQMC MPE TEAM FOR FACILITATING THE PUBLISHING OF THE MARADMIN THAT ALLOWED ACTIVE DUTY AND CIVILIAN MARINES TO ATTEND THE 2018 WMA CONVENTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM;
85. OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT, BETTY MOSELEY BROWN, FOR GRACEFULLY PRESIDING OVER THIS WONDERFUL CONVENTION;
86. THE WOMEN — PAST AND PRESENT — WHO HAVE WORN THE EAGLE, GLOBE, AND ANCHOR, AND TO THOSE WHO WILL WEAR IT IN THE FUTURE; AND
87. THE BIGGEST THANKS AND LOUDEST “OOHRAH” TO THE 30^TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM COMMITTEE: CO-CHAIRS LELIA JACKSON, DC-1 AND PARISA FETHERSON, VA-1; TREASURER AND CREDENTIALS CHAIR PAT HACKBARTH; COURTESY RESOLUTION CHAIR PEGGY REIBER; SECRETARY AND REGISTRATION LEAD CYNTHIA HOWARD; CCC TEAM MEMBERS BRIDGET YOUNG, SHARLEENE PRIEUR, CHERYL BADORREK, ELIZABETH INGLESE, DAWN OWENS, MARLENE HUNT, AND T. HANIBLE. SPECIAL THANKS TO GANG LEADER/CONVENTION PLANNING COMMITTEE CHAIR, RHONDA AMTOWER, AND HER AMAZING TEAM INCLUDING MITZI MANNING AND MARY ANN MERRITT.

 

 

 

 

 

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