Newsletter 1

MARINE CORP LEAGUE-DEPT OF Georgia

Volume 2, Issue 1 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER August 2012

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

National Convention

Detachment Quarterly News

VA News

Devil Dog News

Detachment Photos

From The Foxhole

From Commandant Michael Clark

Marines, I have just returned from our National Convention in Mobil Alabama. The convention was a success; the Department of Alabama should be congratulated for their efforts. The Department of Georgia should also be happy for our achievements. I have been too many National events; I believe this was our best showing in many areas of achievements, Numbers in attendance, Awards, both for individual, Detachment and Department. Several members from the Department were recognized by the National Commandant as well as the Executive Director. I also had outgoing; National Commandant Vic Voltaggio sign the charter application for the Columbus, Georgia Detachment. I look forward to giving you much more information at this weekend’s staff conference! Semper Fidelis, Michael A

AUBREY GILBERT DET.1312

This Detachment continues to establish procedures to insure retention in the MCL. When we receive the quarterly National Roster this Commandant personally works with the Jr.Vice Com in notifying members that their dues are soon to expire. I send a letter from myself and the Jr. Vice follows with emails and/or phone calls.

We continue to work with veterans in need with our grant from the Trinka Davis fund. We were granted $5000.00 to assist Veterans in need from the Carroll County area. Letters have been sent to nine local churches to advise them that we have this fund and are available for referrals. The Salvation Army has also been advised about our fund. We are currently working to establish the Eagle Scout program. We are also looking for a low income Boy Scout troop to assist them with their needs. We have contacted the JROTC Commanders of the two High Schools located in Carrollton to volunteer to assist them in any way that we can. We continue with our Sponsor program with new members. Recruiting is down for this year and emphasis has been announced at our monthly meetings about recruiting being all members’ responsibility.

We are raffling off an M1 Garand Rifle. This rifle was manufactured in 1954. It is in prestige condition. Every serial number on the parts; including the stock; are original. Only 400 tickets have been made available and no one person can purchase more than ten. This will help our treasury and provide us with funds to participate with programs in the community. (Cont on pg.2)

Newsletter 2

AUBREY GILBERT DET.1312 (Cont) Tickets are $10.00 each and we

should net $3000.00 from the sales. The Drawing will be on November 10, 2012 at our Marine Corps Birthday Celebration.

We participated in the 4th of July Parade in Carrollton with the Young Marines and several of us old Marines. The young Marines performed in the highest standards of the Marines and we are proud of them.

Greater Atlanta Detachment #647

Our Detachment continues to recruit new members while maintain our current membership. We now have 42 members with 27 of those life members.

Our past Commandant Big Al Meade continues to heal from knee replacement surgery in May. He has been in the A.G. Rhodes Rehab Center here in Marietta since May and hopes to be back home shortly.

Several members attended the National Conference just held in Mobile Alabama. Attending members report that the convention was a first class affair all the way.

Members participated in the City of Marietta July 4th. Parade for our 10th. year.

Our detachment is busy getting ready for our annual golf tournament that is to be held on September 26, 2012 at the beautiful Towne Hills East Golf and Country Club. All MCL members are invited to attend. Cost is just $100.00 per person and includes lunch, cart and a free adult beverage of one’s choice.

Our Detachment continues to meet on the first Saturday of each month at the Delkwood Grill at 11:00 am. If you’re in our area please feel free to join us. For more information contact us at marine82164@att.net

We held our Detachment elections. Our officers for the 2012-2013 terms are: Christian Roberts-Commandant, Richard Wakefield-Sr.Vice, Dave Hambrick- Jr. Vice, Bill Craig-Judge Advocate, Grady Nappier-Sgt.at Arms, Dean Prickett-Adjutant/ Paymaster and Ken Stadler- Chaplain.

Christian Roberts- Commandant

Unicoi Detachment #783

Unicoi Detachment meets on the third Monday of each month at 1830 hours at the VFW Post 7807, Sunnyside Road (GA Hwy 288), Hiawassee, GA.

On February 16th Towns County, represented by Commissioner Bill Kendall, presented one of our members, retired Navy QMC Bud Johnson with a proclamation declaring March 7, 2012 as QMC C. E. (Bud) Johnson Day. March 7th was Bud’s 90th birthday. Bud is a WW2 vet and had participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima. Unicoi Detachment Commandant Wayne Roshaven took part in the ceremonies, and the detachment was represented by 8 additional members, in addition to members of the local VFW. The ceremony was covered by local television and newspaper media. At that event, Commissioner Kendall expressed his desire to honor WWII veterans by making them the Grand Marshals of the annual Georgia Mountain Fair Parade on July 20th. Bud Johnson, with help from other members of the Unicoi Detachment, located 32 WWII veterans in Towns County alone. Through Bud’s efforts, and with the cooperation of the Commissioner’s office, 29 of those veterans were honored as Parade Grand Marshals, and treated to breakfast, lunch and a concert on July 20th. The day was declared World War II Veteran’s Day in Towns County by Commissioner Bill Kendall.

At age 90, Bud Johnson has shown us why he and his peers have been called “The Greatest Generation”.

We are in full swing preparing for our 16th annual Golf Tournament, to be held on October 11th at the Chatuge Golf Course in Hayesville, NC. Our golfers tell us that this is the best tournament of the year for them. Golfers, make your plans now to participate in the fun.

continued from page 1

Newsletter 3

C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S

SPECIAL EVENT

Annual Greater Atlanta Golf Tournament

PLACE: TOWNE HILL EAST COUNTRY & GOLF CLUB

WOODSTOCK GA

DATE: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

TIME: 0730AM

SPECIAL EVENT

UNICOI ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

PLACE: CHATUGE GOLF COURSE,

HAYNESVILLE NC

DATE: OCTOBER 11, 2012

.

Middle Georgia Detachment #970

Quarterly Report (August 2012) Membership: 1 April 2012 - 87 (10 unpaid) 30 June 2012 - 88 ( 9 unpaid)

We have had little change in our numbers during

this past Quarter. We have gotten new members

but due to death and transfers, our numbers

haven’t changed. We have a large number of

interest cards from Marines due to our recruitment

and my Jr. Vice Commandant will be forming his

committee to organize a program to get these

Marines to our meetings.

FALLEN MARINE PROGRAM: Our

Detachment continues performing this service for

our Marines who have past or from requested

from local Funeral Homes. As always, our Color

Guard and Honor Guard are on standby.

MARINE JROTC: During this past Quarter we

performed a ceremony to replace the Flag flying

over the grave sight of MOH recipient Sgt.

Rodney Davis USMC, Macon, Ga’s only Medal

of Honor recipient. The flag from this ceremony

was presented to the Marine JROTC Department

at Rutland High School, commanded by CWO3

DeWitt USMC (Retired).

Our annual big fundraiser for our Detachment

was completed on July 1, 2012. We raffled off an

AR – 15 Flat Top Rifle. After the air cleared and

all expenses were taken care of we raised

$4000.00 for our projects. The Detachment did a

fine job. (Cont.)

Middle Georgia Detachment #970

As a Detachment we do our best to continue to grow and handle our delinquencies. We keep striving to improve in all areas while doing what we do best, “Marines Helping Marines”! Our social events keep us a close knit unit while getting to know the Family Members of our Marines.

Respectfully Submitted, Joe W. Barbee Commandant

Currahee Mountain Detachment In April we presented a hands-free microphone to the Currahee Military Museum in Toccoa, Georgia. Here are a few of our members as we made the presentation.

Our Marines love getting together with each other and we love eating (see picture above). We usually have a Snack-and-Yak on the Saturday morning after our business meeting. On June 9th we held our Snack-and-Yak right in the middle of a quarterly Breakfast for Marines hosted by a few Habersham Marines. In other words, we crashed their breakfast. Suffice it to say we were welcomed with open arms and the only admonishment we received was that next time we should bring our own Tabasco. We are having discussions of doing our Snack-and-Yak in the surrounding counties to encourage those Marines and see if there may be a desire for future MCL Detachments. OOH-RAH!

Rich Crumley

Commandant

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Newsletter 4

PFC George Eiland Detachment, 1040 Taking office at the March 2012 meeting of the detachment were the following new officers: Commandant – Jim Hethcox; Sr. Vice Commandant – Al Yates; Jr. Vice Commandant – Joe Cameron; Judge Advocate – George Stefenelli. The appointed officers are; Chaplain – Johnny Griggs; Sergeant at Arms – Randy Dollar; Adjutant/Paymaster – Bernard Bledsoe. Also, Al Yates has agreed to be the editor of the detachment’s newsletter, Semper Fi. We wish him well in his new office and endeavors as newsletter editor. The following men received a Certificate of Appreciation for a job well done in their respective offices this past year : Sgt at Arms George Carpenter, Adjutant/Paymaster Bernard Bledsoe, Chaplain Dalton Hammock, Judge Advocate Grady Loveless, Jr. Vice Commandant Jim Hethcox, Senior Vice Commandant Johnny Griggs, and Jim Sexton Commandant. Certification of Appreciation was awarded to Charles Waller and Richard Brown for outstanding service in the Toys For Tots program this year, Emory Drinkard for Field Music, Johnny Griggs, Charles Koone, and A.J. Polk for Color Guard, and Grady Loveless for Birthday Planner. A Meritorious Commendation was also presented to Charles Koone and A.J. Poke for their outstanding continued service in the Color Guard in always making sure the Color Guard is the best it can be. Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Jim Hethcox and Johnny Griggs and Distinguished Citizen Awards were presented to Bernard Bledsoe, Dalton Hammock and Randy Dollar, and Jim Sexton. Chaplain Dalton Hammock was presented with a Special Plaque from the Detachment for his long and distinguished service to the Detachment, Department, Division, and National. He was the PFC George Eiland Detachment

Chaplain from 2000 to 2012,

PFC George Eiland Detachment, 1040 (Cont) the Department of Georgia Chaplain from 2003 to 2010, the SE Division Chaplain from 2005 to 2010, and the National Chaplain from 2010 to present. And last but certainly not least the Detachment

Marine of the Year went to Marine Randy Dollar for his outstanding service to the detachment and community. Randy displays the right spirit in his service in the Detachment in many ways. Marine Randy Dollar was presented with the Marine of the Year Medallion, Red Ribbon & FMF Device.

Marine Randy Dollar

Detachment Bar-B-Q was a big success The Detachment held a BBQ and Raffle on April 28th to raise funds for the detachment and it was a great success. The detachment had a great turn out and so did the public. Our Bar-B-Que was a success with about 25% more plates sold that expected. Total profits were $2,881.03. With 507 plates made and delivered the gross Bar-B-Que intake was $5,449.00. Expensed were $2,467.10 with $2,228.04 for food and $80.14 for tickets. Net profits for the Bar-B-Que were $2,147.90. The Raffle tickets for the Remington – Model 597, 22 caliber rifle brought in $834.00. The ticket expense was $100.87 for a net profit of $733.13. The rifle was won by Joe Fagundes.

MARINE CORP LEAGUE-D 5

From The National Convention by Jim Hethcox, Commandant- PFC George Eiland Detachment

RE: Hershel Woodrow Williams MOH

At the national Marine Corps League convention in Mobile, Alabama last week, I had the privilege of meeting one of our nation's Medal of Honor recipients. This one is special to me because he received his MOH for action on Iwo Jima back in 1945. He is one of the most likeable men you'd ever meet. I pasted his MOH citation below and it is quite impressive, even for Iwo Jima warriors. He truly is a hero. I was honored to have my photo made with him. I have a personal project of getting my photo made with every WWII veteran I come in contact with. I didn't have my camera with this one but my cell phone made a fair photo. Another of the WWII veterans I had my photo made with, in the past, was Major Dutch Van Kirk, the navigator of the Enola Gay that dropped the first atomic bomb in history. Dutch was the last surviving crew member but he is now deceased. He too was a very likeable fellow. These men had real character and selfless dedication to duty, honor and country. They will be missed when they are all gone. God bless them all. There is one WWII veteran that I really miss and that is my Daddy. He's a hero in my eyes. He too fought the Japanese on New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago. They truly are the greatest generation. Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division. Place and date: Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Entered service at: West Virginia. Born: 2 October 1923, Quiet Dell, W. Va. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d

Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machinegun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by 4 riflemen, he fought desperately for 4 hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out 1 position after another. On 1 occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon. His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strong points encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective. Cpl. Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

MARINE CORP LEAGUE-D 6

Photos from the May State Convention in Peachtree City

Linda Clark, Mickey Gosnell and Christy Robert

Everett Stewart, Bernard Bledsoe, Christian Roberts, Al Meade, Hal Gosnell All former Department Marines of the Year honor Michael Clark as the 2012 Marine of the Year

Big Al Meade shares a moment with MOY Michael Clark

Michael Clark, MOY, who, for the first time ever was left speechless, receiving the Marine of the Year Award. The Departments highest award.

Bernard Bledsoe and Christian Roberts sharing breakfast.

MARINE CORP LEAGUE-D 7

MCL National Jr. Vice John Kovalcik, Always a man of few (thousand) words, addresses the troops.

MCL National Commandant Vic Voltaggio addresses the members.

Michael Clark gets 3 BIG bones from the National Jr. Vice John Kovalcik

More big bones being collected during the Devil Dog Growl.

MARINE CORP LEAGUE-D 8

Upper Chattahoochee Det. 665

May was a busy month for 665. We held a growl on the 1st and installed 5 new pups. On the 3rd-5th and 10th-12th we provided security for races at Commerce and Road Atlanta to raise funds.

Our elections were held in April so newly elected officers were installed during our regular meeting on the 12th. We then proceeded to attend the Department convention, and to provide a Color Guard for a wounded Marine returning home, we also presented colors at a member’s church and participated in the local Memorial Day parade all the while maintaining our 3 day a week schedule working on hangers.

We took June off.

July highlights include the rededication of a flag pole at an agriculture center and attending a car show, proceeds to benefit Toys for Tots.

Our latest roster shows 83 members and our paymaster report indicates 20K in the bank.

Semper Fi Charles R.(Chuck) Bryant Commandant

Sgt. Clyde Thomason, M.O.H.

Detachment 1325

I took over as the Boy Scout Coordinator after the Department State Convention in May and immediately began gathering the information for the report due for the National Convention. Trying to contact all the Detachment and gather the information was difficult. I sent out an email to all Detachments and those that did not reply I tried to contact by phone, sometime unsuccessfully. Of the twenty-six detachments in Georgia, only fifteen have a Boy Scout recognition program, we need to do better. The National Boy Scout Coordinator wrote me after receiving our

report, that ONLY slightly over 2,000 Eagle Scouts were recognized nationally by the Marine Corps League. Detachments in the Department presented 158 certificates this past year, that’s almost 13% of the national total. While we did a good job, let’s do a great job and everyone get involved. The quarterly report is due to me by the 10th day of the month after the end of the quarter. Any questions about Scouting or the reports please email or call me. mvforan@mindspring.com 404-403-3876 (c) Michael Foran Department of Georgia Boy Scout Coordinator Sr. Vice Commandant Sgt. Clyde Thomason, M.O.H. Detachment 1325

MARINE CORP LEAGUE-D 9

MajGen Warren Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament

Wednesday September 26, 2012

Towne Lake Hills Golf Club

0900-Shotgun Start

1003 Towne Lake Hills East

Best Ball Tournament

Woodstock, GA. 30189

Entry Fee: $100.00 per person

Tel: 770-592-9969

Golf Cart, Lunch & 1 Beverage included

18 holes of Championship Golf, Prizes for 1st

. 2nd

.

3rd

. Places,

Closest to the Pin & Longest Drive, Putting Contest

, “Mulligan’s” for sale, Raffle Prizes

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Platinum Sponsor: $1,000.00

Paid fees for two teams (8 players-sponsors

choice) You or your company name on our

sponsor’s board. Plus sponsorship, with signage,

on any three holes of your choice. Includes 8 free

beverages of your choice.

Gold Sponsor: $ 500.00

Paid fees for your team (4 players sponsors

choice) You or your company name on our

sponsor’s board plus your name or company name

on a sign at any two holes of your choice.

Includes 4 free beverages of your choice.

Silver Sponsor: $ 250.00

You or your company name on our sponsor’s

board plus you or your company name on a sign at

any one hole of your choice.

Bronze Sponsor: $ 125.00

You or your company name on our sponsor’s

board

Marine Sponsor: $100.00 per player- Can’t make

the tournament? Sponsor a Marine to

play in your place.

You or your company name on our sponsor’s

board

Make Checks Payable To: Marine Corps League Mail Registration & Checks To Marine Corps League C/O Christian Roberts,

8010 Sumit Wood Drive,

Kennesaw GA. 30152

Once A Marine…Always A Marine

MARINE CORP LEAGUE-D 10

QUARTERLY REPORT OF DET 1196 Stephen .W. Pless

To date we have three (3) new associate members and have five (5) dual members from the McDonough Detachment 1339. We also have three (3) new regular members.

Community Service - three (3) Eagle Scout Awards were given to Ronald Miller Kelly, Mathew Edward Moore and to Maximillian Eshutoki Lawrence on June 2, 2012.

Izel Clemons’ grandson, Robert Andrews, who was an Associate Member, passed away on June 7, 2012. There were seven (7) members present at Mr. Andrews’ funeral.

We had six (6) funerals - Total hours were 86.5.

We had twelve (12) members who participated in the July 4, 2012, parade in Griffin, Georgia.

Rifle Detail and Flag folding practice – July 2012, a total of 129.5 hours. By doing all this work, we will be getting certified by the Department of Defense for us to be able to do this for any branch of service.

We are having a golf tournament on October 22, 2012, at Peachtree Sun City Cannongate Golf Course, for Toys for Tots. This concludes my report. Semper Fi Randy Barnes Commandant S.W. Pless Det 1196 Griffin, Georgia

Department of Georgia District 6 Quarterly Report

I was able to meet with all three Detachments in my district during the month of June. Detachment #1260 is the oldest Detachment in the District. They are following the Ritual and Order of Business and are involved with their community through several of the League Programs. I am able to conduct classes and discuss issues with its officers on a regular basis Detachment #1333 is improving with each meeting. They are following both the Ritual and Order of Business. They are involved in local parades and setting flags on Veteran’s

graves for Memorial Day. They are looking into the Toys-for-Tots, Boy Scout, and JROTC programs. I am able to conduct classes and discuss issues with its officers on a regular basis via my visits and email. Detachment #1373 just celebrated their first anniversary as a Detachment in April. They are following the Ritual and we are working on the Order of Business. This Detachment is heavily involved with their community via Poker runs, VA Stand downs and booths at different community functions. This Detachment regularly has guest speakers for their meetings.

A District 6 meeting was held in Tifton, Georgia on Saturday July 14th. All detachments were represented and a few of the Tifton Marines, who are interested in getting a Detachment formed, attended. Department Sr. Vice Commandant, Joe Barbee, also attended. All of the attendees participated in discussions and providing examples at one point or another. At the meeting we discussed the Delinquency Reports. We reviewed when to expect them, who should be looking at them, and how members end up on the report. We also discussed the process of submitting the Dues Transmittals forms. We discussed several recruiting techniques used by both Detachments 1260 and 1373. This seemed to help Detachment 1333 and the Tifton Marines. We attempted to cover Lesson 1 and 2 of the Professional Development Program. Due to time constraints we only made it to the duties of the Sergeant- at-Arms position and duties. The group discussed that the duties of all the officers would be better presented closer to the elections for the Detachments. All detachments will have completed their elections by April of 2013. The group agreed that a February meeting would be best. Our next District meeting will be Saturday, February 2, 2013.

Recruiting new detachments is my issue at this time. Over the next several months I plan to visit Marines in Valdosta, Cordele, and Americus Georgia. Semper Fi, Tom Newton, Dept. of GA, District 6 Vice Commandant

MARINE CORP LEAGUE-D 11

Detachment 1333 Waycross GA

1st Annual Family Day April 2012 What a wonderful day for our Marines, friends and family. We were invited to use the facilities at Shrine Lake. It was a full day of fun, food and fellowship. I can’t wait until next year.

CHAPLAINS CORNER Our prayers are with Commandant Kevin Metts as he journeys to Honduras on a mission trip. Kevin and other members of Blackshear First Baptist Church are going to make obtaining drinkable water possible in an area that might get fresh water every 4 or 5 days. Just like the word of God everything is there for us but sometimes we need help to find it. God be with them. Always faithful to GOD, Corps and Country. Thanks to all members that participated in putting flags on the grave sites of our fallen

warriors . Welcome Aboard John Story New Associate Member

DETACHMENT OFFICERS

Commandant Kevin Metts Sr. Vice Commandant Paul Guyer Jr. Vice Commandant Larry Baker Judge Advocate Joe Robertson Jr. Past Commandant Terry Hansford Chaplain Bobby Bryant Paymaster Jean Guyer Sgt-At-Arms Jim Craig Web Sgt Rick Turner