2014 Spring Letter Jima Iwo Texas
Service Force, Airborne, McAllen, at Iwo Jima Parade, see page 5. 5. page see Parade, Jima Iwo at McAllen, Airborne, Force, Service . Photos MMA More
MMA Marketing Director Andi Atkinson interviewing Eugene Gutierrez, WWII 1st Special Special 1st WWII Gutierrez, Eugene interviewing Atkinson Andi Director Marketing MMA 6) pg. (See he
time I come here,” Cleckler, a retired educator, said as as said educator, retired a Cleckler, here,” come I time
Iwo Jima. “That’s one of the things I think about every every about think I things the of one “That’s Jima. Iwo
A mortar blast killed Block on March 1, 1945, on on 1945, 1, March on Block killed blast mortar A
Block is depicted at the base of the flag pole. flag the of base the at depicted is Block
battle. long - month cessful 1) Pg. suc(frm
began landing on Iwo Jima for what would become a a become would what for Jima Iwo on landing began
23, 1945, four days after some 30,000 U.S. Marines Marines U.S. 30,000 some after days four 1945, 23,
they planted the U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi on Feb. Feb. on Suribachi Mount atop flag U.S. the planted they
The monument depicts Block and five others as as others five and Block depicts monument The
afternoon. late
luted the flag that fluttered over the monument in the the in monument the over fluttered that flag the luted
Cleckler, 89, and 16 other Iwo Jima veterans sa- veterans Jima Iwo other 16 and 89, Cleckler,
Monument. Jima Iwo MMA’s of front
About 350 stood as rows of cadets marched in in marched cadets of rows as stood 350 About
Jima. Iwo of Battle epic Theater’s
ed the 69th anniversary of the World War II Pacific Pacific II War World the of anniversary 69th the ed
Wednesday as Marine Military Academy commemorat- Academy Military Marine as Wednesday
Cleckler, now of Harlingen, was among the crowd crowd the among was Harlingen, of now Cleckler,
1942. December in Corps rine
students when they enlisted together in the U.S. Ma- U.S. the in together enlisted they when students
Cleckler and Block were Weslaco High School School High Weslaco were Block and Cleckler
Monument. Jima Iwo
Harlon Block’s spirit fills his heart when he gazes at the the at gazes he when heart his fills spirit Block’s Harlon
Glen Cleckler says Marine Cpl. Cpl. Marine says Cleckler Glen — HARLINGEN
Star Morning Valley VALLE, DEL FERNANDO By
permission) (By
alo lc ud,G nCek r mog30 tMAIoP ade ra Pa Iwo MMA at 350 ong am er, Cleckl en Gl buddy, Block on Harl
(See pg 3) 3) pg (See
Award.Award. Year the of Volunteer Museum Jima Iwo with Bagley history’ - ”. White Ray Ila
always been a history buff. There is no one I I one no is There buff. history a been always
Iwo Jima Museum Assistant Director Gracie Galarza presents Neil Neil presents Galarza Gracie Director Assistant Museum Jima Iwo
battle in Marine Corps Corps Marine in battle
“I love this museum,” said Bagley. “I’ve “I’ve Bagley. said museum,” this love “I
said to be ‘the costliest costliest ‘the be to said Boling.”
fighting for the island. It is is It island. the for fighting with him. Neil is a pleasure to work with, said said with, work to pleasure a is Neil him. with
six flag raisers were killed killed were raisers flag six good humor and we’ve all enjoyed working working enjoyed all we’ve and humor good
raising the flag, three of the the of three flag, the raising more volunteers than anyone. He’s a man of of man a He’s anyone. than volunteers more
“Within a few days after after days few a “Within Jima Volunteer of the Year. “Neil brought in in brought “Neil Year. the of Volunteer Jima
Director then announced Neil Bagley as Iwo Iwo as Bagley Neil announced then Director
killed.
Gloria Boling, the Iwo Jima Museum Museum Jima Iwo the Boling, Gloria
Navy personnel had been been had personnel Navy
said. Hill Col
5,000 Marines and 1,200 1,200 and Marines 5,000
come them as Iwo Jima Museum volunteers,” volunteers,” Museum Jima Iwo as them come
wounded and more than than more and wounded good character who fits in here, we’d wel- we’d here, in fits who character good
17,000 Marines were were Marines 17,000 tary Academy. If you know of someone of of someone of know you If Academy. tary
the entire island, over over island, entire the complishing the mission of the Marine Mili- Marine the of mission the complishing
American troops had taken taken had troops American “You all play an important part in ac- in part important an play all “You
price. By the time the the time the By price. 2.
Annual Iwo Jima Volunteer Luncheon March March Luncheon Volunteer Jima Iwo Annual victory came at a terrible terrible a at came victory
27 the addressing Hill, Glenn R. Col tendent “The Iwo Jima Jima Iwo “The
th
first people visitors see,” said MMA Superin- MMA said see,” visitors people first
“Museum volunteers are usually the the usually are volunteers “Museum
2 No. 1, Vol. 2014, Spring
MMA Iwo Jima Museum Volunteer of the Year! the of Volunteer Museum Jima Iwo MMA
“I love this Museum!” Navy Veteran Neil Bagley honored as as honored Bagley Neil Veteran Navy Museum!” this love “I
Texas Iwo Jima Letter Jima Iwo Texas
2 2014 Spring Letter Jima Iwo Texas
event! wonderful a such Lunch Volunteer 2014 the made who all and Guard
tx.org - visitorcenter@mma
Col Hill, Gloria Boling, Gracie Galarza, the MMA Cadet Color Color Cadet MMA the Galarza, Gracie Boling, Gloria Hill, Col to thanks Major
6006 - 365 - 800
9234 - 421 - 956 Tel:
78550 TX Harlingen,
Blvd Jima Iwo
Museum Jima Iwo
Academy Military Marine
Editor Letter Jima Iwo Texas
Laney Tom
Museum Assistant Director Assistant Museum
Galarza Gracie
Publisher Letter Jima Iwo
Director Museum Jima Iwo
Boling Gloria
Commander MMA
USMC Hill, Glenn COL
Letter Jima Iwo Texas
Guard Color
Iwo JimMuseum Volunteer Luncheon: GREAT time! GREAT Luncheon: Volunteer JimMuseum Iwo
3 2014 Spring Letter Jima Iwo Texas
volunteers gather in their Iwo Jima Museum. Museum. Jima Iwo their in gather volunteers
alizes museum volunteers Tom King and Ron Losey. Left, Left, Losey. Ron and King Tom volunteers museum alizes
Above, Iwo Jima Museum Director Gloria Boling memori- Boling Gloria Director Museum Jima Iwo Above,
volunt eers R on Losey a nd T om King om T nd a Losey on R eers volunt
Iwo Jima M use um Dire ctor B oli ng, vol unt eers honor honor eers unt vol ng, oli B ctor Dire um use M Jima Iwo
Guy Neil Bagley’s barber? Bagley’s Neil Guy
the Iwo Jima Museum. Lower left, Neill with WWII Navy Dan Montes, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Top left, Nice Nice left, Top Okinawa. and Jima Iwo Montes, Dan Navy WWII with Neill left, Lower Museum. Jima Iwo the Maine. Plymouth, and Hondo
er right, Neil Bagkey talked his buddy Walter Fleming out of his WWII Navy uniform which is now displayed at at displayed now is which uniform Navy WWII his of out Fleming Walter buddy his talked Bagkey Neil right, er Neil and wife Barbara live in Rio Rio in live Barbara wife and Neil
name. Upper right, Iwo Jima Museum Director Gloria Boling, Neill Bagley and wife Barbara with Col R. Glenn Hill. Low- Hill. Glenn R. Col with Barbara wife and Bagley Neill Boling, Gloria Director Museum Jima Iwo right, Upper
on Tuesdays. Ask for his barber’s barber’s his for Ask Tuesdays. on
battle. He can be found at the Museum Museum the at found be can He battle.
unteers, is an expert on the Iwo Jima Jima Iwo the on expert an is unteers,
Bagley, like all the Iwo Jima Vol- Jima Iwo the all like Bagley,
Museum. Jima Iwo the of Director
with,” says Gracie Galarza, Assistant Assistant Galarza, Gracie says with,”
“Neil’s funny! He’s fun to work work to fun He’s funny! “Neil’s
Guantanamo. at matches boxing
Mediterranean cruises and arranging arranging and cruises Mediterranean
tise on guided missile systems , 13 13 , systems missile guided on tise
Bagley’s service included exper- included service Bagley’s
2. - CWO to Obnoxious”) & Dumb
7 Chief to LT LDO (“Loud, (“Loud, LDO LT to Chief 7 - E from going
stroyers serving from 1959 to 1980, 1980, to 1959 from serving stroyers
became an electronics officer on de- on officer electronics an became
Navy. I never considered the Army. I I Army. the considered never I Navy.
the Marine recruiter recommended the the recommended recruiter Marine the
But I also wanted technical training so so training technical wanted also I But
Corps. “I wanted to join the Marines. Marines. the join to wanted “I Corps.
Bagley’s first love was the Marine Marine the was love first Bagley’s
do.” to things
ing here is one of my most favorite favorite most my of one is here ing
of them out of his uniform. Volunteer- uniform. his of out them of
come through here. I even talked one one talked even I here. through come
here; and, all the rest of the vets who who vets the of rest the all and, here;
me to be able to meet so many of them them of many so meet to able be to me
the WWII generation and it is a thrill for for thrill a is it and generation WWII the
(Cont. from pg 1) respect more than than more respect 1) pg from (Cont.
r Yea he t of r untee Vol useum M Jima Iwo , ey Bagl Neil
4 2014 Spring Letter Jima Iwo Texas
carrying? YOU are WHO story.
your Bucket List! Bucket your
to join the National Relay, make a donation, or to share your your share to or donation, a make Relay, National the join to CarryTheLoad.org Visit
Put the Iwo Jima Museum on on Museum Jima Iwo the Put community.” your through walking those
pating in the Relay, whether that is walking, biking, running, raising money or just cheering on on cheering just or money raising running, biking, walking, is that whether Relay, the in pating
fect time for family members and friends to take time to show their appreciation by partici- by appreciation their show to time take to friends and members family for time fect
admiration for those who sacrifice for us every day,” added Bruce. “Memorial Day is the per- the is Day “Memorial Bruce. added day,” every us for sacrifice who those for admiration
Through the efforts of Carry The Load, we are all able to express our respect and and respect our express to able all are we Load, The Carry of efforts the Through
Memorial Day and share “who they are carrying” are they “who share and Day Memorial
in an effort to remember the true meaning of of meaning true the remember to effort an in
throughout the route to join the National Relay Relay National the join to route the throughout
encourages people in communities and towns towns and communities in people encourages
points in more than 230 cities. Carry The Load Load The Carry cities. 230 than more in points
than 2,000 miles across the nation with relay relay with nation the across miles 2,000 than
This year, Carry The Load will log more more log will Load The Carry year, This
freedoms.”
those who made that ultimate sacrifice for our our for sacrifice ultimate that made who those
calls all of us to ‘never forget to remember’ remember’ to forget ‘never to us of all calls
“The true purpose of Carry The Load Load The Carry of purpose true “The
site? Museum Iwo Future
Load. The Carry of founder - co
demo: Chapel
barbecues and mini and barbecues vacations,” said Clint Bruce, Bruce, Clint said vacations,” -
and women has become a weekend of sales, sales, of weekend a become has women and ______
bering the sacrifices of our fallen military men men military fallen our of sacrifices the bering Shop Gift & Museum Jima Iwo
“What was meant to be a day of remem- of day a be to meant was “What Director Boling, Gloria
them and their families. families. their and them
Troops. table organizations around the country that help help that country the around organizations table
Hope to see you soon. God Bless Our Our Bless God soon. you see to Hope ers, and rescue personnel, and to support chari- support to and personnel, rescue and ers,
. tx.org - visitorcenter@mma
fices of our military, law enforcement, firefight- enforcement, law military, our of fices
9234 or or 9234 - 421 - 956 at us contact may You
morial Day by connecting Americans to the sacri- the to Americans connecting by Day morial
p.m.
The Load is to restore the true meaning of Me- of meaning true the restore to is Load The
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 4 to p.m. 1 Sunday p.m. 4 to a.m. 10 Saturday
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) The vision of Carry Carry of vision The (PRWEB) TX Dallas,
The Museum is open Monday through through Monday open is Museum The
Summer! great a Have Load The Carry
summer camp! I can’t wait for the excitement! excitement! the for wait can’t I camp! summer
And then follows follows then And graduation. and year school
thing done before the end of of end the before done thing . MMA To
very busy trying to get every- get to trying busy very
The month of April is is April of month The 26. of the most decorated athletes in the academy’s history. (MMA photo) (MMA history. academy’s the in athletes decorated most the of
parents on April 25 and and 25 April on parents United States Naval Academy in 1997. A four A 1997. in Academy Naval States United year starter for the Midshipmen, he remains one one remains he Midshipmen, the for starter year -
for cadets and and cadets for Fling Spring zation that exists to re to exists that zation establish the true meaning of Memorial Day. Bruce graduated from the the from graduated Bruce Day. Memorial of meaning true the establish -
It will be hosting hosting be will It campus.
and rescue group based in Dallas. He is also the founder of Carry the Load, a non a Load, the Carry of founder the also is He Dallas. in based group rescue and profit organi- profit -
ganization is very active on on active very is ganization
now the founder and president of Trident Response Group, a global intelligence, intervention intervention intelligence, global a Group, Response Trident of president and founder the now
12. The MMA Parents Or- Parents MMA The 12.
Gov. Rick Perry (Texas), former NFL star Vince Papale and Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (Texas). Bruce is is Bruce (Texas). Jr. Lucio Eddie Sen. and Papale Vince star NFL former (Texas), Perry Rick Gov.
ni Reunion on April 11 and and 11 April on Reunion ni
Award include former Secretary of State George Schultz, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), (Texas), Hutchison Bailey Kay Sen. Schultz, George State of Secretary former include Award
MMA hosted the 2014 Alum- 2014 the hosted MMA
April 4 at MMA. Past recipients of the prestigious Iwo Jima Leadership Leadership Jima Iwo prestigious the of recipients Past MMA. at 4 April Dinner Smith M. H. eral
life. in purpose “Soul” our on
Academy athlete Clint Bruce was the recipient of the Iwo Jima Leadership Award at the the at Award Leadership Jima Iwo the of recipient the was Bruce Clint athlete Academy Gen-
speaker who really encouraged everyone to act act to everyone encouraged really who speaker
U.S. Navy SEAL officer and decorated United States Naval Naval States United decorated and officer SEAL Navy U.S. MMA Cadets loved Clint Bruce! Bruce! Clint loved Cadets MMA
Clint Bruce, a former Navy SEAL was a terrific terrific a was SEAL Navy former a Bruce, Clint
Iwo Jima Award Recipient Recipient Award Jima Iwo Dinner. Smith M. H.
We had a great turn out for the General General the for out turn great a had We
Winter. next return their
We will miss them, and we llook forward to to forward llook we and them, miss will We
Texans are going back home. home. back going are Texans
come true soon. Winter Winter soon. true come
only dream and maybe it will will it maybe and dream only
We can can We be? it will what -
--- life new for spot empty big
el was sad but now there is a a is there now but sad was el
The demolition of the Chap- the of demolition The
HI!!!!
useum M Jima Gree tings from t he Iwo Iwo he t from tings Gree
5 2014 Spring Letter Jima Iwo Texas
. Monument. the of base the at flag the placing
LE for this truly wonderful story and permission to run it.) run to permission and story wonderful truly this for LE
is the first Iwo Jima Marine, Marine, Jima Iwo first the is Block Harlon Cpl
FERNANDO DEL VAL- DEL FERNANDO Reporter thank We Note: (Ed.
future.” a them gave
They gave their lives for us. For the young people, they they people, young the For us. for lives their gave They
cry every time I come here because I love them so much. much. so them love I because here come I time every cry
Bernice Carlson, a Winter Texan from North Dakota. “I “I Dakota. North from Texan Winter a Carlson, Bernice
“Here are the veterans who fought for us,” said said us,” for fought who veterans the are “Here
Va. Arlington,
bronze U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial that stands at at stands that Memorial War Corps Marine U.S. bronze
monument, which served as the model used to cast the the cast to used model the as served which monument,
After the ceremony, crowds gathered around the the around gathered crowds ceremony, the After
Iowa. from farmer
we had a parade when we graduated,” said Halverson, a a Halverson, said graduated,” we when parade a had we
“It reminded me of when I was in boot camp, when when camp, boot in was I when of me reminded “It
1945. in Jima Iwo off destroyer
days before he entered the war that led him to serve on a a on serve to him led that war the entered he before days
The parade brought Norman Halverson back to the the to back Halverson Norman brought parade The
American.” an be
Wis. “They’re keeping the history. It makes me proud to to proud me makes It history. the keeping “They’re Wis.
said Zimm, a retired computer programmer from Barnes, Barnes, from programmer computer retired a Zimm, said
“It was very, very inspiring and very impressive,” impressive,” very and inspiring very very, was “It
versary.
she watched the cadets commemorate the battle’s anni- battle’s the commemorate cadets the watched she
For Joyce Zimm, the parade marked the first time time first the marked parade the Zimm, Joyce For
Valley. Grande Rio the across from Texans ter
The ceremony drew veterans and Win- and veterans drew ceremony The
Cleckler Glen made.” they
us to be here to honor the sacrifices sacrifices the honor to here be to us
Iwo Jima veterans. It’s an honor for for honor an It’s veterans. Jima Iwo
an interview. “We got a number of of number a got “We interview. an
academy’s superintendent, said in in said superintendent, academy’s
“It’s was a great turnout,” Hill, the the Hill, turnout,” great a was “It’s
end. parade’s the at cadets
Jima veterans as they inspected the the inspected they as veterans Jima
Retired Col. Glenn Hill led the Iwo Iwo the led Hill Glenn Col. Retired
emotions.” mixed have
remembered Block. “It makes you go back in time. I I time. in back go you makes “It Block. remembered
1) pg. from Star (Valley
Parade! Iwo attend 350
6 2014 Spring Letter Jima Iwo Texas
TX.org - MMA catalog: online our Visit
us! visit come Y’all
Museum.
and Monument Jima
Iwo support Proceeds
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Recon, Navy, SEALS, Army, Airborne, Air Force, WWII, Korea, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Vietnam, Republic, Dominican Korea, WWII, Force, Air Airborne, Army, SEALS, Navy, Recon,
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