“MAIL CALL”

Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Detachment, Marine Corps League Overland Park, KS

Commandant Patrick O’Malley Volume 8 Issue 4, April, 2009 Calendar Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 22nd, from 1900, at our usual meeting place at American Legion Post 370, 6521 Nieman Rd. in Shawnee. Several items will be raffled off after our meeting. Elections and Candidates for New Officer Slate Our annual election will be held at this Wednesday’s meeting. The candidates for our new officer slate are as follows: Commandant: Marine Mike DeBauche; Sr. Vice Commandant: Marines Catarino Gonzalez and Robert Patterson; Jr. Vice Commandant: Marine John Byrnes; Chaplain: Marine Gonzalo Reyes; Judge Advocate: Marines Max Deweese and Lee Nelson; Adjutant/Paymaster: Marine Steve Yoakum; Sgt.-at-Arms: Marines Rick Hinrichs, Bob McFadden and Steve Thomas; The Nominating Committee consists of Marines Frank Begley, Chairman, Jim O’Connor, and Robert Patterson. Kudos to these Marines for a job well done! To be eligible to vote, members need to have their dues paid up; any member who is in arrears can take care of this just prior to the meeting.

Good of the League New members who were accepted into our Detachment at our March meeting were Marines Robert Chancellor (82’-86’) and Lee Atkeson (54’-56’). Welcome aboard, Marines! Marine Fred Miller spoke at the Missouri City School on March 30th, where he presented Certificates of Commendation from Col Huston of the 24th Marines to kindergarten,1st and 2nd grade students for their contributions during 2008 for Toys for Tots. The children collected over $240 in coins. After our Wednesday meeting, there will be a promotion party for Staff Sgt. Tracy Ball, upon his promotion to Gunnery Sgt. Wear your Marine Corps League Uniform. Photos will be taken at our Wednesday meeting for our historical archives and for our web site. Marine Dennis Armstrong is offering carpentry work for any Marine family in need. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Richard B. Myers (USAF, Ret.), will speak to a joint meeting of the Military Coalition of Greater Kansas City on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th, at DAV Chapter #2, 8787 Old Santa Fe Rd. in south Kansas City, MO. The social hours starts at 1700 and the dinner begins at 1800. The meal cost is $16/person. Contact Marine Deweese at 913/ 381-0831. The U.S. Troop Support Foundation (ustroopsupport.org), P.O. Box 782, Blue Springs, MO 64103 (816/224-4729), will assist with sending items to units in the Middle East.

The Midwest Division Spring Conference will be held on April 24-26, and hosted by the Air Capitol Detachment of the Department of KS. Department Cmdt. Reyes will provide handouts with the details, at our April meeting. Cmdt. Reyes will also provide details on the Midwest Division Fall Conference, to be held in Sioux City, IA October 16 – 18. The Turkey Creek Parade will be held on Saturday, May 16th in Merriam. Members of our Unit are asked to form up by 1015 hours on 69th Street, one block west of Antioch Rd. Marine Lee Roberts is the new owner of the White Haven Motor Lodge, 8039 Metcalf Ave. The phone there is 913/649-8200. Four active-duty Marines work on the night shift from 1800 – 0500. Stop by and say hello to Lee next time you’re in the area. Sick and Distressed Please remember all our sick and distressed members or family in your prayers. Marine Bob Patterson’s mom is in failing health and is now in a care facility. Marine Don Ingram’s eyesight is failing fast. Cards may be sent to Don at 4651 Oak Grove Ct., Kansas City, KS 66106-3666, or he may be called at 913/831-0243. Don has been receiving treatment at a VA facility in Nebraska.

Marine Hunt is at The Manor of Grace Gardens, Room 222, 5201 West 143rd St., Leawood, KS. 66224. Bob is doing very well, and cards may be sent to him here, or you may call the office at 913/685-4800, and ask to be transferred. Please feel free to visit Bob.

Marine Nancy Pendleton Spoor will greatly appreciate calls (913/381-1833) and cards sent to her at 7628 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66204. She now has someone who lives there and who can assist her with her shopping, etc. Nancy is doing much better. Marine Earl Alderson is getting around on a wheelchair and a walker at the Shawnee Gardens Nursing home, 6416 Long, Shawnee, KS 66216. Earl’s in room 118-A. Please send cards. Earl is doing OK.

Please convey info. on sick and distressed to Chaplain Reyes at 913/432-3688. Marines in Need Any member who is aware of someone in need is asked to first submit a request in writing to Marine Pat O’Malley of our Financial Assistance Review Committee, including a statement of the purpose, a cost estimate and the time period. Pat’s email is ksirish@yahoo.com, his address is 12412 Flint, Overland Park, KS 66213-2120. There were no Marines in need this past month. Fallen Marine Program There was neither a Fallen Marine ceremony nor a certificate mailed since our March meeting. Fund Raising Activities The next fund-raiser will be our Kansas Speedway activity the week-end of April 25- 26.

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation We are gearing up for our 2009 Tournament, which will be held on Monday, September 21st. A raffle is now in full swing to raise funds in support of scholarships with the MCSF. The grand prize is a trip for two to Ireland, 2nd prize – a 42 inch, HDTV, and 3rd prize – a Garmin GPS System. The raffle tickets will be available at our meeting; one ticket will be $5 and 5 tickets will be $20. The drawing will be held on Saturday, May 16th at Famous Sam’s in Shawnee. We have been having good success raising funds while having tables at various Irish pubs on weekends. Please go to www.woundedmarinecareers.org and www.woundedwarriorproject.org for information about these inspiring initiatives to assist severely wounded Marines and other Armed Forces members during the time between their active duty and transition to civilian life. The second site requires registration. Another site of interest to Marines is www.patriotfiles.com, where over 800 Marines from Kansas is listed. This is another excellent recruiting tool. Also, check out youngmarines.com. There are benefits for persons who served in the U.S. Military prior to January, 2002. These Social Security benefits are credited for the years of active duty through 2001. Up to $1200/yr. of earnings credit can be received. This is credited at the time when application is made; bring in your DD-214 to the Social Security office. You must ask for this benefit to receive it! See Socialsecurity.gov/retire2/military.htm. This benefit is not just for retirees. If any member wishes to consider being certified as a Veterans Service Officer, this certification can be done through the VFW, the VA and the VVA. Chaplain Reyes has completed 3 of these courses to date. Let us each strive to recruit a new MCL member by the April meeting. Commandant O’Malley has set a goal to increase our membership by 15% during our new calendar year. We’re on course with this goal at the present time. Marine Clinton will create a new roster from time to time. To look up fellow Marines from across the nation, go to www.militaryconnections.com. If you don’t have a computer, any of the area libraries can provide you with the opportunity to use the internet at these facilities. Thanks to Marine Hinrichs for the information on the above web site.

Other items To have items sewn on to your covers and shirts, contact Marsha Davey at 913/268-1017 (10409 W 53rd St. in Shawnee); to have alterations done on your dress blues, contact Louise Bland at 913/831-4647 (10149 Edelweiss Circle in Merriam – near 75th & Switzer). Marine Hinrichs is soliciting ideas to enhance our website – www.mclopks.org – Submit These to Rick at Rhinrichs@kc.rr.com, ph. 913/648-1029. Websites & Email The website of the Marine Corps League on the National level is http://www.mcleague.org and our Detachment’s website is www.mclopks.org. Anyone receiving a paper newsletter, but has email, please email our Adjutant at www.bdclint@sbcglobal.net with the subject of “email newsletter”. Thanks.

This newsletter was printed by Marines Clinton & Marsolek