“MAIL CALL”

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

Commandant Mike DeBauche Volume 8 Issue 6, June, 2009 Commandant’s Message Initially, I would like to thank the members of the Detachment in selecting me as your Commandant for the coming year. I am looking forward to the challenge of the position, and I will put every effort into ensuring I handle the responsibilities honorably. I also want to thank the Marines who attended the Shawnee Days Parade. There were nine of our members in attendance. Job well done Marines! Norman Vincent Peale said, “Change your thoughts and you change the world.” I hope that we, as members of the Marine Corps League, can make some changes that will change how we influence the world, or, at least on a smaller scale, our community. I would like to see a new Community Activity Committee formed in our Detachment, focused on community involvement and support. This three or four-person task force would initially look at what we do today, then what we USED to do, but have not done recently; and finally, how we can get more involved in the community. I hope to have a volunteer to chair this committee in the next month or so. Remember . . . . Our changes change others’ lives. Semper Fidelis. M. DeBauche Calendar Our next meeting is Wednesday, June 24th, from 1800, at the large shelter near the tennis courts at 103rd and Marty in Overland Park. This will be a short meeting, as we’ll have our annual Detachment family picnic at this time. This will be held, rain or shine. There is no charge for the picnic. Those of you who will come, but have not yet made this known, please let Marine John Byrnes know by this Thursday eve. June 18th, as the caterer will be going on vacation Friday and John needs to call in the numbers Friday a.m. John can be contacted at jj-byrnes@sbcglobal.net and 816/590-3249 (cell). Calling committee members, please let your members know also by Thursday afternoon. A silent auction and raffle will be held at the picnic Good of the League At the Turkey Creek Parade in Merriam on May 16th, 12 of our members participated. We had a good show of members, spouses and friends at our Installation Dinner on May 27th. On May 30th, 10 of our members took part in the tribute to Pvt. Henry E. Marquez, whose body was laid to rest, after having been recovered in the Hurtgen Forest in Germany. Pvt. Marquez was killed in action there on Nov. 4th, 1944. The members of our Detachment were right up near the gravesite, and there was good coverage on the evening news. Nine of our members attended the Shawnee Days Parade on June 6th. Two of our members also attended the Military Academy Send-Off of those young men and women appointed to our U.S. Military and Merchant Marine Academies. This was held at VFW Post 7397 on June 13th.

The grandson of Mrs. Romero, Cody Luis, has just signed up with the Marines! Marine Luis Romero was our Detachment’s Commandant a few years ago, and fell victim to agent orange. Lee Roberts is the new owner of the White Haven Motor Lodge, 8039 Metcalf Ave. The phone # is 649-8200. Stop by and say hello to Lee. One active duty Marine is working here. “The Last Stand of Fox Company”, the account of the heroic actions of 246 Marines vs. 6 – 10,000 Chinese, has recently been published. Look for it at amazon.com. 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. Let us each strive to recruit a new MCL member by the July meeting. 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. Sick and Distressed Please remember all our sick and distressed members or family in your prayers. Marine Maes will appreciate contact since the passing of his wife. Remy can be called at 816/322-4080, or visited at his home at 621 Meadow Lark Circle, Raymore, MO 64083-8197. 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. We have recently learned that Don has been passing out at times. Marine Dick Devine has had a knee replacement, but is getting around. Cards may be sent to Dick at 9328 Kessler Lane, Overland Park, KS 66212-3962, or you may call him at 913/579-2746 (cell). Marine Bob Callahan is at the Indian Creek Healthcare Center, Rm. 102 A, 6515 West 103rd St. in Overland Park, KS 66212. You may call 913/642-5545 and ask for his room. Bob will appreciate black jelly beans, orange slices and gum drops. Marine Jim Welchert is recovering from a bleeding ulcer. Cards may be sent to Jim at P.O. 154, Gardner, KS 66030-0154. He may be called at 913/856-8980 or sent an email at jamesw858@aol.com. Marine Ron Piersee was recently injured in an accident involving his motorcycle; Ron will be laid up for an additional 2-3 weeks. You may contact Ron at derouse2@aol.com, or at 913/299-0388. Cards may be sent to Ron at 7834 Sandusky Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66112.

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 One Fallen Marine Certificate of Appreciation was presented since our May meeting. Luis Romero Scholarships for 2009 This year, two $500 scholarships will be awarded to Derek Sands and to Bridget Audley. These scholarships will be presented at our picnic on Wednesday, June 24th, by Marine Clinton and Mrs. Aurora Romero. Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation The Bikers for Heroes Poker Run will be held on Sunday, July 19th and commence at 1100 at Famous Sam’s in Shawnee. The cost is $20/person, which includes a t-shirt and a meal. There will be prizes of $300, $200, and $100. We are also gearing up for our 2009 Golf Tournament, which will be held on Monday, September 21st at St. Andrews in Overland Park. Hole sponsorships are still needed. There will again be two flights, with the morning flight commencing at 0730 and the afternoon flight at 1330. Sponsors are also needed for the putting contest. 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