WMA Convention

From 29 August 2002 to 3 September 2002, the Host Chapter, Minnesota Leathernecks Chapter (MN-1), welcomed the 22nd Biennial Convention of the Women Marines Association to Minneapolis, Minnesota--a city of gleaming skyscrapers, abundant shopping and exciting recreational opportunities.

The convention was held at the Marriott Center City Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with 374 registered WMA members and guests in attendance. Included in that number were 10 members from our chapter who received admiring attention from other conventioneers because they wore bright yellow, green or blue vests with red hot chili peppers on them. Shown in the thumbnail to the left are (left to right) Lil Cross, Ellie Judge, Lorry Vaca and Alice Williamson.

The theme was The Greatest Generation: Passing the Sword. To emphasize the theme, a gray haired, World War II era WMA member solemnly passed a Marine Corps Staff NCO sword to a young active duty woman sergeant in dress blue uniform. This breathtaking ceremony took place at the breakfast seminar featuring our member, BGen (select) Mary Ann Krusa-Dossin, as the guest speaker.

The Opening Ceremony and Banquet, with over 400 people in attendance, exemplified the pride and esprit de corps that is so much a part of the Marine Corps experience. All chapters were invited to bring their chapter flags for the opening procession and then place them on the dais where they made a beautiful and patriotic backdrop for the proceedings. The guest speaker for the Opening Banquet was General Michael J. Williams, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. He is pictured in the photo to the right with chapter member Anna Hopkins.

The following days saw business meetings conducted by WMA and LEGGS (the Loyal Escorts of the Green Garter) which functions as a WMA auxiliary with members who are husbands and male relatives of WMA members. There were meetings for virtually everyone: First Timers, Past National Presidents, and people interested in woman veteran benefits, woman marine history projects and writing cameo life stories. In between business meetings, attendees could visit a hospitality room to unwind and a boutique where various chapters sold jewelry and other merchandise related to women marines. In the photo to the left, our members, Dottie Monroe (in the bright blue vest with red hot chili peppers) and Marie Proulx, look forward to the meetings they will attend.

On Saturday evening, 31 August, everyone was thrilled to receive a surprise visit from the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Jones. He was getting ready for his new assignment as Commander of NATO forces in Europe, but he still found time to visit our Convention. Even though the visit lasted for only an hour, it was memorable and he impressed all who met him with his congeniality.

On 1 September, our chapter hosted the 2004 Convention Promotion Luncheon. Anna Hopkins developed an enjoyable program that showcased what San Diego has to offer as the site for the 2004 WMA Convention. Our theme, Olé San Diego, 2004, was carried out with table decorations of chili peppers and Mexican hats, a slide show of Southern California attractions, and a skit on California history presented by our members and LEGGS. To the right is a photo of Ken Cross (Lil Cross’ husband and a new member of the LEGGS national board) cheerfully playing his part in the chapter skit.

Of course, it wasn’t all work and no play. Trips were organized to the Mall of America and there was a Twin City Trolley Tour, a Mississippi River Boat Luncheon Cruise and a trip to Mystic Lake Casino. Our members particularly enjoyed cruising the Mississippi River as can be seen in the photo to the left.

The Recognition and Awards Luncheon was true to its name: awards were presented to recognize chapters which excelled in community work, newsletter, history book, and several other categories. CA-7 member, Lorry Vaca, (at right) compiled our chapter history book which was entered in the history book competition and won third place. She also compiled the scrapbook that documented our chapter’s activities and won first place for chapter achievement. This award included a streamer for our Marine Corps flag.

There was also a moving Memorial Service held at Wesley United Methodist Church to honor all WMA members that had passed away since the last convention. As shown in the photo to the left, our departed members received a final salute and taps played by a real bugler. Sgt. Jeannette Winters, the first woman Marine to be killed in the war in Afghanistan, was also honored.

The closing Grand Banquet was a sell-out with over 400 in attendance. The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj. Alford L. McMichael, was a dynamic guest speaker. He is pictured to the right with Lorry Vaca.

Another highlight of the closing banquet was a performance of the Sometime Singers. This group of WMA members only gets together once every two years at the Convention. They practice harmonizing together and then they sing for the various functions. Their musical stylings are shown in the photo on the left.

The members of MN-1 worked very hard to put on this convention and surmount all the obstacles in their path. They did an outstanding job. You can see their group photo to the right.