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[[image - black and white photograph of five men.  One man is presenting another man with a paper and the other three men are watching]]

MONTFORD POINT MARINE ASS'N.
AUGUST 17-21, 1977
HOLIDAY INN
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTFORD POINT MARINES

Since 1775 the United States Marine Corps has served our country in peace and war.  Today the Marine Corps continues to serve the nation as a force in readiness, prepared to go wherever the national interests require. Throughout its proud history the Marine Corps has had in its ranks the finest of young American manhood. These Marines have made the Corps one of the world's most respected military organisations. 

The Montford Point Marines are proud to be part of this outstanding organization.

Prior to 1942, no Black man had ever worn the cherished "Globe and Anchor" of the United States Marine Corps. In May of 1942 President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802. This opened the doors for Blacks to enlist in the Marine Corps. 

August 26, 1942, Howard Perry of Charlotte, N.C., was the first recruit to arrive at the training camp set up for Blacks at Montford Point, New River, North Carolina - part of Camp LeJeune, the largest Marine base in the eastern United States. Daily afterwards, they came from all parts of the country. Draft boards were requested to send their most capable prospects to the Marine. This prompted Hari Rhodes, a Montford Pointer, movie and TV actor, several years later to write a book about Black Marines entitled "A Chosen Few." Indeed they were a chosen few - hand picked for duty in the elite of the Armed Services.