The Marine Corps Tankers Association is a Nonprofit Benefit Corporation organized and exclusively operated for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with Articles Of Incorporation filed with the State of California on October 27th 1986. Prior to its official registration the association and definition of purpose began in Oceanside California with several marine tanker veterans meeting at the “Golden T” bar which was owned at the time by founding member “Red” Saunders. The purpose of the Association is defined in Section 2.01 of the Bylaws which reads as follows:
(a) The purpose of this Association is to foster, encourage and perpetuate the memory, spirit and comradeship-in-arms of Members of the Marine Corps Tankers;
(b) To preserve incidents and memories of our Association;
(c) To provide charitable and scholastic financial aid to survivors and dependents of Members of and those eligible for membership of Marine Corps Tankers;
(d) To promote and safeguard the principles of justice;
(e) To foster patriotism and love of country;
(f) To perpetuate the spirit and traditions of the United States Marine Corps
(g) To promote and cultivate social intercourse and fellowship among Marines;
(h) And to hold meetings and social and fund-raising gatherings for the better realization of the above-named purposes.
The original directors and founders were John Cornelius, Robert Finney, Jim Collier, Stanley Shurstein, Phil Morell, Bob Heine, George Saunders, Bill Ayland and Nicholas Cappaletto. Because of the special relationship which has existed between “Tankers” , which first began as tanks were introduced as weaponry in the United States Marine Corps, the founders wanted to encourage and perpetuate the “Memory and the Spirit of Marine Tankers” with whom they had served as well as to provide scholastic aid to eligible individuals. As the years have passed by, the recognition of this special bond has been celebrated by each new generation of tankers. Despite technological development tanks are manned by marines. All marines no matter the generation or MOS (military occupational specialty) wear green. The track of a tank consists of individual blocks each connected by an “end connector.” The result of the individual contribution of each end connector creates the circle of track, a symbol of unity and infinity for our Association. In our Association as marine tankers we are all looked upon as “end connectors”, some rustier than others but all connected and functioning to promote the accomplishment of our common mission.
To better carry out the charitable missions of our Association and through the leadership of Foundation President Lt. Colonel ,Gene Berbaum, The Marine Corps Tankers Association Foundation was established on October 4th 2005. The Foundation is likewise organized under the laws of the State of California as a 501 (c)(3) charitable entity. We do a great deal of good. In January 2005 we dedicated a Marine Corps Tankers Monument at Punch Bowl cemetery In Honolulu Hawaii. The dedication engraved upon special lava rock provided by Sgt. Major Samuel Kaleleiki Jr. reads as follows:
“Dedicated in memory of our fallen comrades and to the eternal living spirit of all USMC Tankers. Their legacy of valor, loyalty, innovation and honor in war and peace continues to serve the vital interests of our nation and our Corps. Semper Fidelis. Dedicated January 2005.”
Our monument is intended to honor all marine tankers, living and dead, and those who served with them in combat or during the periods of time between conflicts as a force in readiness. The principles of “valor, loyalty, innovation and honor,” are the bed rock of our Association. We welcome into membership marine tankers and marines of any MOS as well as personnel of any other armed service who were or are members of, assigned or attached to, or have performed duties with any Marine tank unit.
Each year we have an annual reunion. Major Leo Gildersleeve, the poet laureate of our Association has written a poem remembering our annual reunion held at Coos Bay Oregon in the year 2000:
The old tankers are passing away
Those left are old and gray
Still they come to Coos Bay
to find a friend lost along the way
They still stand straight and tall
Head and shoulders above us all
But the spring is gone from their walk
Their eyes no longer those of the Hawk
These old Marines of iron and steel
never reveal what they really feel
It’s the look in the eye, the words from the heart
that sets these men above and apart
I come to see these Marines each year
for I know one day they won’t be here
The likes of Saunders, Martinez and Pappy Gore
GG Sweet, Carroll, Johnstone and many more
I come to stand and raise my glass
to drink a toast to tankers of the past
to Gashouse and Roughhouse I make my toast
to honor two men I admire the most
So come, raise a class with a brother Marine
to all who have drunk from the same canteen
There are tales to be told and songs to be sung
and for a brief time we’ll be forever young
Each year this poem provides inspiration for our membership to keep alive the eternal living spirit of our Association. What we all would give to once again in honor and respect “raise a glass with those brother marines with whom we have drunk from the same canteen.” It is a rare honor and privilege to be a member of the Marine Corps Tankers Association and to be in the company of our members.
- Robert M. Johnstone, President MCTA