Montford Point Marines MGen. J. Gary Cooper, Mobile, AL, Chapter #33

05/24/2025

History, Legacy, and One Unforgettable Night…

Join us as the National Montford Point Marine Association kicks off its 60th National Convention with Havana Night: The President’s Reception!

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025 | 8PM
Hilton Atlanta | 255 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA

Step into a vibrant evening filled with the finest Cuban seed ci**rs from Havana Ci**rs, electrifying music from DJ Jammin Jay, and a celebration of Black Marine Corps history that changed the nation.

This is more than an event — it’s a tribute to our trailblazers, our legacy, and our mission.

Open to the public | Limited tickets on Eventbrite
Scan the QR code and secure your spot in history.

The Countdown Begins… 60 Days to History in the Making!

Can you feel it? The energy. The legacy. The celebration of 60 years of the Montford Point Marine Association is almost here and YOU need to be there.

July 23–27 | Hilton Atlanta
We’re not just hosting a convention; we’re preserving a movement. From honoring WWII trailblazers with the Congressional Gold Medal, to celebrating African American pioneers at our "Celebration of Firsts" Awards Gala, this convention will echo through history.

And it all kicks off with a night you won’t forget…
Havana Night: The President’s Reception
Wednesday, July 23
Adrian Jammin Jay Guyton (DJ Jammin Jay) will be playing your favorite jams, and Havana Ci**rs will be on-site with finest Cuban seed ci**rs.

Open to the public. Limited tickets on Eventbrite.
Scan the code. Secure your spot. Witness history. Be part of the legacy.
Because the world needs to know about the Montford Point Marines. Please share with your network

05/23/2025

Honoring Legacy on and off the Green

Chapter #33 salutes our brothers and sisters of the National Montford Point Marine Association Atlanta Chapter #5 for hosting a powerful and successful 3rd Annual Montford Point Marines Classic Golf Tournament!

This wasn’t just a tournament—it was a living tribute. From heartfelt appreciation for their sponsors like Southern Company, to the unforgettable moment 99-year-old Montford Point Marine Ambassador Theodore Britton Jr. sank the opening putt, the day was filled with honor, history, and purpose.

The legacy of the Montford Point Marines continues to inspire, educate, and unite us across generations and geography. We’re proud to stand with Chapter 5 in preserving this vital chapter of American military history.

Semper Fidelis.

05/19/2025

Join Us for a Day of Fun, Service, and Celebration!

Chapter 33 will be proudly participating in the Stand Up & JAM Volunteer Appreciation & Summer Celebration on Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the James Seals Community Center (540 Texas Street, Mobile, AL 36603).

Bring the whole family and enjoy:
• Games & Giveaways
• Live Music & Talent Show
• Food Trucks & Bouncy Houses
• Empowerment Stations
• Tournaments (Spades, Dominoes, Chess)
• Summer Learning Opportunities
• Voter Registration & More!

Let’s celebrate our community, honor our volunteers, and kick off the summer with purpose.

This event is free and open to the public.
Stop by our booth and connect with the legacy!

05/19/2025

As the sun rises, so do we—carrying the legacy of perseverance, honor, and service.
Each day is another chance to reflect our values, uplift our communities, and honor those who came before us.

Let’s lead with purpose and continue to build a future worthy of the Montford Point name.

Semper Fidelis.

05/19/2025

As the sun rises, so do we, carrying the legacy of perseverance, honor, and service.
Each day is another chance to reflect our values, uplift our communities, and honor those who came before us.

Let’s lead with purpose and continue to build a future worthy of the Montford Point name.

Semper Fidelis.

05/19/2025

A powerful sight for a powerful day.

In honor of Armed Forces Day, the thunder of rotors and the precision of the UH-60 Blackhawk reminded us of the strength, sacrifice, and readiness of our nation’s military.

As the Blackhawk touched down, it wasn’t just a helicopter landing—it was a tribute to every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, and guardian who stands watch over our freedoms.

Today, we salute all who serve.
Past. Present. Future.
Semper Fidelis.

05/18/2025

Chapter 33 Treasurer Michael Kirksey performing “God Bless the USA” at Armed Forces Day put on by South Alabama Veterans Council, video courtesy of Family Of The Fallen

05/18/2025

On April 29, 2025, MGen. J. Gary Cooper, Mobile, AL Chapter #33 gathered in unity, pride, and purpose at the Ben May Main Library to honor the past and invest in the future.

Our annual Scholarship Award Program was a night to remember. We proudly presented three deserving students with scholarships recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and the enduring legacy of the Montford Point Marines:

• Alvin Dailey, Jr. (Saraland High School)
J. Gary Cooper – Montford Point Marine Scholarship

• Ava Davis (Satsuma High School)
Montford Point Marine “Legacy” Scholarship

• Ashlynn Marcantel (Baker High School)
Montford Point Marine “Legacy” Scholarship

Each of these students represents the future our ancestors fought for—resilient, driven, and full of potential.

We extend our deepest thanks to our guest speaker, Mrs. Jabaria Dent, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of South Alabama, for her powerful words of encouragement and inspiration.

Special appreciation goes out to:

• Cynthia House, our Mistress of Ceremony

• Chaplain Andrew Jackson for his moving invocation and benediction

• Baker High School Army JROTC for Rendering of Honors

• Michael Kirksey for his performance of the National Anthem

• Disciples for Christ Music Ministry for the beautiful musical selection

• Elbert Harrison, Scholarship Committee Chair

• All Chapter 33 members and supporters who made this night possible

Your dedication fuels our mission and reminds us that honoring history means investing in tomorrow.

Congratulations again to our 2025 scholarship recipients! Semper Fidelis.

05/18/2025

Honoring a Century of Courage – Corporal Lewis Charles Malone Turns 102

Frisco City, AL – March 15, 2025
Members of MGen. J. Gary Cooper, Mobile, AL Chapter #33, accompanied by National President James Averhart, made a heartfelt visit to Corporal Lewis Charles Malone to celebrate a major milestone—his 102nd birthday. The visit was more than a celebration; it was a tribute to a man whose life is woven into the very fabric of American military history.

Cpl. Malone stands among the pioneering African American Marines who trained at the segregated Montford Point camp during World War II—what is now known as Camp Johnson in North Carolina. His journey began at a time when the military was still divided by race, yet his determination and service helped lay the groundwork for a more unified fighting force.

As the nation moved toward integration, President Truman’s executive order in 1948 marked the end of segregated training facilities like Montford Point, but the legacy of men like Cpl. Malone lived on. In 2011, his role in reshaping military history was formally recognized when he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest civilian honors.

Today, fewer than 400 Montford Point Marines are believed to still be with us. Cpl. Malone, the eldest active member of Chapter 33, continues to inspire with his quiet strength, humility, and deep pride in the Corps. His tears of joy and gratitude reminded all present that honoring our past is a sacred duty.