View the "Then and Now" photo album of Central Florida Marines
Click here to read updates from the President, Mike Galyean. You can view Mike's thoughts and comment on the articles he posts.
Interested in becoming a member? Click here to find out more about joining the First Marines Division Association.
Links
The 1st Marines Division Association
The North-East Florida Chapter of the 1st Marines Division Association
The 1/5 Vietnam Veterans Unit Chapter of the 1st Marines Division Association
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, Broward, Hillsborough, Lake, Orange, Pinellas,
Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia.
Mike Galyean became president of the chapter in
the summer of 2002 when failing health forced president Ralph
Tulloch to resign. Since that time active chapter membership
has grown from twenty-one 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:
- 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.
- To foster patriotism, love of country and our flag.
- To perpetuate the spirit and traditions of the United States Marine Corps.
- To promote and encourage social interaction and fellowship among members.
- To hold regular meetings and social gatherings for the better realization of the purposes of our chapter.
About Mike Galyean
Galyean is a native of Corinth,
Mississippi and a graduate of the University of Mike Gaylean
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.