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TO ALL USSMA MEMBERS: AS PRESIDENT OF OUR ASSOCIATION IT IS MY SAD DUTY TO INFORM YOU THAT FOR VARIOUS REASONS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE ELECTED TO CLOSE DOWN OUR ASSOCIATION. THE REASONS VARY.....STARTING WITH THE OUTBREAK OF COVID & HAVING TO CANCELL OUR 2020 FLEET REVIEW FOLLOWED BY THE CANCELLATION OF 2021 & 2022. THE 2023 REVIEW WAS HELD IN ALBUQUERQUE BUT OUR ATTENDANCE WAS LACKING AND SEVERAL EVENTS HAD TO BE CANCELLED. OUR CURRENT MEMBERSHIP IS APPROXIMATELY 1300 FORMER MARINES BUT WE HAVE HAD ONLY ONE NEW MEMBER JOIN IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. REMEMBER THIS IS A VOLUNTER ORGANIZATION BUT WITHOUT VOLUNTERS WE CAN'T DO MUCH. AGE & MEDICAL REASONS SEEM TO BE DRIVING OUR DECLINE. OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHICH ONCE CONSISTED OF FIVE MEMBERS NOW CONSIST OF TWO. WE HAVE LOST ALL OF OUR REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS. THE PRINTING AND MAILING OF THE SEAHORSE HAS DOUBLED OVER THE PAST YEAR THUS OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION IS DIRE. WE ARE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER ONE LAST FLEET REVIEW FOR NEXT YEAR IN SAN DIEGO. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL WORK OUT. MORE TO FOLLOW. WE HAVE HAD A GREAT RUN ALL OF THESE PAST YEARS. WE PLACED OVER 37 USSMA PLAQUES IN VARIOUS SHIPS AND HAVE DONATED GREATLY TO THE SEA GOING MARINE DISPLAY AT THE MARINE MUSEUM AT QUANTICO.
Thank you,
Steven Collins
USSMA President
We band together as Seagoing Marines and shipmates to renew and preserve the bonds that grew out of 223 years of dedicated service at sea, and to preserve and remember the historical incidents, missions, and accomplishments of all those United States Marines assigned duty as part of the crew in the warships of the United States Navy during the period 1775-1998. Our memorial fund will establish historical markers at various locations assist in preserving some warships as museums and assist in many ways the preservation and promotion of Marines Corps. history and tradition. At the Annual Fleet Review we will reunite with shipmates and make new friends to perpetuate the history of our Glorious Corps. The United States Seagoing Marine Association does not participate in politics nor do we wear any rank at our business meetings or social events. We are all - "Soldiers of the Sea".