Chapter History

The Central Florida Chapter of the 1st Marine Division Association was first founded in 1988. We are one of three chapters of the 1st Marine Division Association in Florida and have members spread across eight Florida Counties, including Brevard, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Orange, Pinellas, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia. A high point for the chapter was serving as the host chapter for the national reunion of the 1st Marine Division Association in 2001 at the Marriott World Resort.  Mike Galyean became president of the chapter in the summer of 2002 when failing health forced president Ralph Tulloch to resign. Active chapter membership has grown to a current roster of over seventy-five.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Central Florida Chapter is to support the activities of the First Marine Division Association in those counties located in Central Florida as a not-for-profit veterans organization, in fulfillment of the following purposes:

1. To foster, encourage, and perpetuate the memory and the spirit and comradeship of members of the First Marine Division Association, and to perpetuate incidents and memories of our Association.
2. To foster patriotism, love of country and our flag.
3. To perpetuate the spirit and traditions of the United States Marine Corps.
4. To promote and encourage social interaction and fellowship among members.
5. To hold regular meetings and social gatherings for the better realization of the purposes of our chapter.

About Mike Galyean, Chapter President

Galyean is a native of Corinth, Mississippi and a graduate of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) with a Masters in Education Degree from Rollins College. He attended Officer Candidate School in October of 1968 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon completion of OCS. After attending Recon Placement School at Camp Pendleton, he was assigned to A Company, 1st Bn, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam as a Platoon Commander. When 3rd Marines stood down in September 1969, he was transferred to C Company, 1st Bn, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division where he also served as a rifle platoon commander. In March of 1970, 1st Lt. Galyean was transferred to 3rd MP Bn where he served as III MAF POW commander and Company Commander of D Company, in charge of battalion security. At the conclusion of his tour in Vietnam he reported to Quantico, VA where he served on the staff of Officer Candidate School. Lt Galyean's personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (with "V" device).

Galyean is a Life Member of the 1st Marine Division Association and the Central Florida Chapter. He is Vice-Chairman of the Association's Scholarship Committee. He is also a Life Member of the VFW and the Vietnam Veterans of Central Florida and a member of the Marine Corps League. He is retired from Seminole County Schools, but still enjoys "subbing" in both Orange and Seminole Counties.