mail call september 2012

September 2012 Vol. 9Editor Joe Hughes

Meetings:

4th Wed. of the MonthVFW Post 73979550 Pflumm in Lenexa, KS 66215

http://www.mclopks.org

Officers:

Commandant:Marcia [email protected]

Senior Vice:Jim [email protected]

Junior Vice: John Byrnes [email protected]

J.A.G.: Rick Hinrichs [email protected]

PAY./ADJ.: Bill Clinton [email protected]

Chaplain: Joe [email protected]

SGT. at Arms: Dave [email protected]

It was with sadness that I learned that Jim Scott, one of our own members, had passed away on September 7th. His funeral was on September 17.

Jim will be missed.

Following are some upcoming activities:On Saturday, September 29th, we have the American Royal Parade at 1000. There will be more info at the meeting on September 26th.

We will be having a Tupperware Fundraiser Party/Open House on Sunday afternoon, October 14th. It will be at the Lenexa VFW, and will be from 1200-1500 (during the Chiefs game). Bring a friend and get a free piece of Tupperware! Look for more information in this issue of the Mail Call.

Toys for Tots will be starting soon. One event will be on October 13 at the American Legion Post in Gardner. Another will be the Rawhide Harley-Davidson Bike Ride on November 17. Volunteers are needed.

Our Marine Corps Birthday Dinner committee has been working on plans for the dinner on November 7th. The cost is $20.00 per person. Please plan to attend. This is an enjoyable way for Marines to celebrate our birthday with other Marines. We will be collecting at the next meeting.

Detachment Commandant’s Message

Mail CallMarine Corps League - Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025

Marine Corps League Mission Statement:Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

NOTICE:Due to a long standing commitment of VFW Post 7397, the hall that the detachment has their monthly meeting in, is booked for the 4th Wednesday, 24 October 2012.For the October meeting only the meeting night will be Thursday 25 October 2012 at1900.

mailto:[email protected]







http://www.mclopks.org/

SEPTEMBER 2012 Vol 09Mail Call

Semper Fi of 16Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025

"Come on, you s__ o_ b_____s, do you want to live forever?" Marine Corps legend has it that this saying originated during World War I in France. During the violent fighting in Belleau Wood, Sergeant Dan Daly's platoon, part of the 6th Marines, was pinned down by intense enemy fire. The gallant Daly, already possessor of two Congressional Medals of Honor (one for heroism during the China Relief Expedition in 1900 and the other received during the Haitian Campaign of 1915), raged up and down the line trying to get his troops moving. Finally, the story goes, he yelled "Come on, you s__ o_ b_____s, do you want to live forever?," as he leaped out of the trench, and led his men in the attack.

Lucy Brewer No compilation of legends would be complete without mention of Lucy Brewer. A farm girl from Massachusetts, Lucy Brewer was the legendary first woman Marine. The War of 1812 was raging when Lucy arrived at Boston.

Friendless in the strange city, she met a woman who seemed eager to take a stranger into her home. Lucy was surprised that one woman could have so many daughters, but she soon discovered that home was just a house.

Unsuited to a life of sin, Lucy fled her benefactress, donned men's clothing, and found refuge in the Marine Corps. No one discovered she was a woman, and as a member of the "Constitution's" Marine guard, she saw action in some of the bloodiest sea fights of the war.

Her exploits came to light when she published an autobiographical account of her experiences. She described her heroism in the major battles of the "Constitution" with such details as manning the fighting tops as a marksman, taking toll of the British with musket fire. True or not, the story of Lucy Brewer makes a wonderful addition to the colorful legends about the Marine Corps.

"Tell It to the Marines" This legend goes back to the London of 1664, when Charles II was King of England. A ship's master, returned from a long cruise, told him a sea story he couldn't believe.

"Fish that fly like birds?" the Merry Monarch exclaimed. "I have my doubts!"

"Nay, sire, it is true," said Sir William Killigren, colonel of the new British Marine regiment raised that year. "I have myself seen flying fish many a time in southern waters. I vouch for the truth of this strange tale, your Majesty."

The King thought it over. At last he turned to Samuel Pepys, the Secretary of the Admiralty.

"Mr. Pepys," he said, "no class of our subjects hath such knowledge of odd things on land and sea as our Marines. Hereafter, when we hear a yarn that lacketh likelihood, we will tell it to the Marines. If they believe it, then we shall know it is true."



This Month in Marine Corps History2 September 1945: The Japanese officially surrendered to the Allies on board the battleship MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay. With General Holland Smith transferred home in July 1945, the senior Marine Corps representative at the historic ceremony was LtGen Roy S. Geiger, who had succeeded Smith as Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

5 September 1956: Eleven Marines from the 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division, stationed near Naha, Okinawa, drowned while swimming, from an undercurrent caused by Typhoon Emma. The violent storm, with 140 mph winds, struck the Philippine Islands, Okinawa, Korea, and Japan, causing some 55 deaths and millions of dollars in property damage.

6 September 1983: Two Marines were killed and two were wounded when rockets hit their compound in Beirut, Lebanon. Heavy fighting continued for the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit peacekeeping force in the area near their positions around the Beirut International Airport.

8 September 1942: On Guadalcanal, the 1st Raider Battalion and the 1st Parachute Battalion, supported by planes of MAG-23 and two destroyer transports, landed east of Tasimboko, advanced west into the rear of Japanese positions, and carried out a successful raid on a Japanese supply base.

11 September 1992: Hurricane Iniki devastated the island of Kauai in Hawaii in one of the worst storms the islands had seen in over a century. Marines of the 1st Marine Brigade based at Kaneohe Bay, spearheaded Operation Garden Sweep, the massive cleanup effort.

15 September 1950: The 3d Battalion, 5th Marines landed on Wolmi-do Island in Inchon Harbor and secured it prior to the main landing. The 1st Marine Division under the command of Major General Oliver P. Smith landed at Inchon and began the Inchon-Seoul campaign.

16 September 1814: A detachment of Marines under Major Daniel Carmick from the Naval Station at New Orleans, together with an Army detachment, destroyed a pirate stronghold at Barataria, on the Island of Grande Terre, near New Orleans.

18 September 1990: A new 40-acre training facility for Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) was dedicated at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, by General Alfred M. Gray, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

20 September 1950: Marines of the 1st Marine Division crossed the Han River along a six-mile beachhead, eight miles northwest of Seoul, Korea. Five days later, the 1st and 5th Marines would attack Seoul and the city would be captured by 27 September.

24 September 1873: One hundred and ninety Marines and seamen from the USS PENSACOLA and BENICIA landed at the Bay of Panama, Columbia, to protect the railroad and American lives and property during the revolution.

27 September 1944: The American flag was raised over Peleliu, Palau Islands, at the 1st Marine Division Command Post. Although the flag raising symbolized that the island was secured, pockets of determined Japanese defenders continued to fight on. As late as 21 April 1947, 27 Japanese holdouts finally surrendered to the American naval commander on the scene.

30 September 1945: Marines of III Amphibious Corps, commanded by Major General Keller E. Rockey, began landing in North China to assist the Chinese Nationalist government in accepting the surrender of Japanese forces and repatriating Japanese soldiers and civilians.



Fr. Vincent Capodanno the “Grunt Padre”Burning napalm. Fleeing refugees. Soldiers slogging through rice paddies and jungle trails. Booby traps, snipers, ambushes, bloody firefights. The anguished faces of the wounded and dying, desperate for compassion and comfort. When we think of the Vietnam War, these are the images we see.What these searing images don’t reveal is that Jesus, too, was present in Vietnam. Alive in his followers—both the American and the Vietnamese Christians caught up in the conflict—he brought light and grace into a situation of horrible suffering. One person who reflected him in an extraordinary way was Fr. Vincent R. Capodanno. During his short stint as a Marine Corps chaplain, Capodanno gained an almost legendary reputation for selfless love and dedication.“I know and swear that there are living chapels in Vince’s name,” another chaplain said of Capodanno’s transforming impact on his fellow Marines. “Those ‘grunts’ saw Christ when they saw Vince.”

Born in Staten Island, New York, in 1929, Capodanno received an example of humble self-sacrifice from his parents, Italian-American immigrants who never stopped giving for their nine children. His father worked two jobs, getting up at three a.m. to stock his grocery store, then going to work at a ship-caulking company. His mother tended the store and the kids.It was a “close, healthy, loving world,” said Capodanno’s brother James. The family always did things together, and the dinner table was the center of family life. “We never started eating until everyone was there—including the dog.” The children played musical chairs in the living room, miniature golf in the back yard, and rode wagons made with skates, two-by-fours, and apple boxes.James characterized his brother as “pretty normal” with regard to his faith. Vince didn’t spend long hours in prayer, but like his parents and eight older siblings, he was close to the Church and devout. He was also very reserved. In 1949, during a retreat following his first year at Fordham University, he confided to his best friend that he wanted to be a priest and not a doctor, as he had originally thought.

“To Suffer With.” That same year, Capodanno entered the Maryknoll missionaries. Like many others who joined, he was attracted by the order’s commitment to spreading the gospel to remote lands. Two men in particular exemplified the Maryknoll spirit that Capodanno and his classmates admired. Bishop Francis Xavier Ford, who died in 1950 as a result of imprisonment by the Chinese Communists, took for his motto the words, “to suffer with.” Then there was also Bishop Patrick Byrne, who was captured by the North Korean Communists. He told his fellow priests as he was dying that he was glad to have “suffered together” with them.

Capodanno undoubtedly took these words to heart. Ordained in 1958, he was sent to the Hakka people of western Taiwan. For a meticulous person who loved cleanliness, this first assignment was a big adjustment; missionary life was often unstructured and chaotic, and conditions primitive. However, Capodanno took to all his duties with zeal. After seven years in Taiwan, Capodanno was transferred to the order’s high school in Hong Kong. He was not happy about the change—normally, a Maryknoll missionary stayed in the original country to which he was assigned. But as it turned out, the interruption was providential.

Unable to return to Taiwan, Capodanno asked to serve as a Marine chaplain in Vietnam. Permission was granted in August 1965. Five months later, he reported to the Navy Chaplain’s School in Newport, Rhode Island. Capodanno’s request surprised everyone, for his “spic-and-span” personality did not seem to fit the life of a Marine “grunt.” One possible explanation is that he knew other chaplains and was concerned about the welfare of American troops in Vietnam. Probably, too, he was simply following God’s call to go deeper, to give even more of himself to others.

Capodanno arrived in Vietnam during Holy Week of 1966. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, south of Da Nang, a city in eastern South Vietnam. The only Catholic chaplain in the region, he had



an enormous task. But as one who desired to empty himself and take on the likeness of Christ, he took it in stride, making himself as available as possible.The Marines quickly nicknamed Capodanno “the ‘grunt’ padre,” because he shared so much of their life. Whenever they needed him, he seemed to be there—praying with the wounded, comforting the dying, and encouraging those going into battle. But though the soldiers often thought of Capodanno as one of them, he was different. He never carried a weapon, except when obliged to do so: His weapons were spiritual.Fr. Capodanno accompanied the regiment on six combat operations and often risked his life for the men. Once, during a grenade attack, he held a flashlight for a corpsman who was tending the wounded. On another occasion, he ran seventy-five yards through heavy fire to reach a fallen Marine and carry him to safety. During battles, he moved among the wounded, saying a quick prayer or offering words of consolation. He never seemed worried about his own safety, though he once admitted that he was afraid, “like everybody else.”Capodanno never seemed to slow down either. He said Mass at least once a day, heard confessions, and was always available for counsel. When on patrol, he walked around and listened to the men instead of taking breaks.

On the morning of September 4, 1967, Fr. Capodanno volunteered to go out with Marine units that were being flown in to relieve a battalion in the hotly contested Que Son Valley. Knowing that an attack was imminent, he had spent most of the night praying for those who would lose their lives.

Soon after landing, Capodanno’s unit was hit hard by a force of nearly two thousand North Vietnamese. As the Marines came over the crest of a hill, they were bombarded with mortar shells and automatic weapons fire. “We’re being wiped out!” one platoon radioed back. “There are wounded and dying all around.” Hearing the message, the chaplain ran to their aid. He went back and forth, bringing in wounded men and giving Last Rites to the dying. Even though hit twice—once in the face and also in the right hand—he continued to look for wounded, telling them, “Jesus said, ‘Have faith. Jesus is the truth and the life.’” One of the men he helped was Ray Harton, who was bleeding heavily and feared that he was going to die. Then he looked up and saw Capodanno. “I can’t explain it, but when he touched me and I heard his voice, I had a calming feeling that I have never had before or since.” Capodanno reassured Harton that “God is with us all this day,” and blessed him with his still intact left hand. Then a wounded corpsman screamed in pain, and Capodanno ran to help. As he knelt there, a burst of machine-gun fire killed both men instantly. One of the soldiers who brought in Capodanno’s body hours later said, “He had a smile on his face, and his eyelids were closed as if asleep or in prayer.”

Fr. Vince Capodanno was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery that day.



Detachment FundraiserYou’re invited to a Tupperware Party/Open House!

Date: Sunday, October 14, 2012

Time: 12:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (during the Chiefs’ game)Where: Lenexa VFW at 9550 Pflumm Road, LenexaConsultant: Marcia Sands, email: [email protected]: (913) 206-2695

This is a fundraiser for our detachment. It is open to all. The more people who attend, the more money we can make. Please help out by coming to this event. Bring a friend or their order and receive a gift (contact Marcia Sands for a catalog or look on my website to see the catalog and sales flyer online – see below). If you want to place an order but cannot attend, please contact Marcia not later than October 18th.Book a party or a Girls’ Night Out and earn some free Tupperware. There are some REALLY good deals for hostesses in October! There will be demonstrations and taste testing, and you can watch the football game, too. There will be lots of Tupperware on display. There are many items that are great for gift-giving. And you can help out the Marine Corps League at the same time!

Attendance special: Quick Shake -- Set of 2 -- Buy 1 get 1 free -- $15.00 ($30.00 value) - limit 1 at a partyOn sale in October: Thatsa Bowl -- 8 Pc. Set -- $79.00 (168.00 value) in pink. This is less than half price! It is two sets of bowls, so you can buy one set for yourself, and give the other set as a gift. Or you can use one of the big bowls instead of a basket, and fill it with goodies to give away. Do you know anyone who is having a baby girl? Since these bowls are light pink, they would be perfect to fill with a variety of baby items to give at a baby shower.

To view the catalog online, go to:www.my.tupperware.com/marciasandsclick on “shop our product gallery” (across the top)click on “by catalog” (on the bottom, left)click on the catalog, the sales flyer, or the fundraiser flyer.

You can order from any of these to help our fundraiser.

Remember, Tupperware is guaranteed, so what you purchase now will likely still be around many years from now. If it is cracked or broken, contact me for a replacement.

http://www.my.tupperware.com/marciasands



MCL Meeting Survey Results

Statement Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

MeetingsAre you satisfied with the way the meetings are run 9 20 2 1 1Should the meetings start on time 26 5 2Should the meetings be one hour or less 15 8 6 4Should the meetings stick to the agenda 18 13 2

Calling Tree & E-mailShould members with E-Mails get a call 4 1 13 12 2Should just the members without E-Mail get a Call 13 9 7 3Should we call & E-mail to remind members of meetings 6 8 8 9 1Should we call & E-mail to remind members of activities 10 11 7 4

Would you be interested in an activity before or after the meetingsBefore 2 4 9 7 5After 1 6 7 8 4A guest speaker 7 10 7 4 2A movie 1 2 10 9 6Games 8 13 5Mix it up 1 1 8 6 5Additional Comments:



Please convey information on sick and distressed to Chaplain Joe Hughes at 913/ 894-2006 or email: [email protected]

Sick & Distressed

Fallen Marine (Reported by Ken Fain)

January 06, 2012 - Richard Karl Davis

January 20, 2012 - Maurice L. Gilchrist

February 12, 2012 - Chancey V. Meeks

February 27, 2012 - Dwayne L. Boice

February 29, 2012 - Orson R. Rau

March 01, 2012 - William T. Moore Jr.

March 03 2012 - William E. Studyvin

April 25,2012 - Fred E. Miller (a member of our detachment)

May 1, 2012 - Robert R. Friedman

May 3, 2012 - James S. Pipe

May 6, 2012 - George Walker (a member of our detachment)

June 6, 2012 - Paul R. Saylor

June 15, 2012 - John H. Knapp

June 20, 2012 - James H. Hendricks

June 25, 2012 - Donald L. Hoefer

June 26, 2012 - Chester D. Vance

August 16, 2012 - Curtis B. Stokes

August 28, 2012 - Damion G. Freeman

“There's no such thing as a former Marine. You're a Marine, just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life. But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego, or the hills of Quantico. So there's no such thing as a former Marine."

Veterans Affairs – KC VA HospitalPer Voluntary Services, the VA now needs women's hair products, disposable men's razors, and coffee along with the usual men's underwear & socks needs. Note, this is an ongoing need.

PLEASE BRING SOME ITEMS TO OUR MCL MEETING.

Thank you,Contact: Gonzalo Reyes




Wed Sept 26NO MEETING

Wed Oct 3Uniform inspection. Full uniform including ribbons.

Saturday Oct 6-Fund RaiserWe will be selling hotdogs/hamburgers/brats in front of Price Chopper in Gardner from 10-6. All will work at least a 2 hour shift. Full uniform with Red YM shirt. Work schedule will be made.

Sunday Oct 14 **THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION**Leavenworth Road Association Parade. Posting of ColorsMeet at 1:00 in front of Washington High School 7400 Leavenworth Road Full uniform, red shirts. Pry

Saturday Oct 20Maple Leaf Parade in Baldwin, Ks. Full details to follow

Saturday Oct 27We will be marching in the Neewollah Parade in Independence, Ks with Tornado Alley YM and participating in a camp out immediately following the parade. Dismissal from campout will be after lunch on Sunday. Full details to be announced as we get them.

Unit: www.ncymks.com/National: www.youngmarines.comMCL Contacts:Jim WelchertMarcia Sands

New Century Young Marines

http://www.youngmarines.com/

http://www.ncymks.com/



VA Volunteer Services Help in Clinics, Escort Patients, Bingo & Activities, Shuttle Drivers, etc….

Volunteer Orientation:Every Wed 9a.m-11a.m. RM M1-271816-922-2025 ext [email protected]: Mr. Art Peter at 816- 331-4622 (MCL Deputy VS at KC VA Med)

Detachment Calendar ******* PLEASE READ***********September 26, 2012 – MCL Meeting @ VFW – 1900 (07:00PM)

September 29, 2012 - "American Royal Parade". Military vehicles will be provided for our people. More info will be forthcoming at meeting.

October 10, 2012 – MCL Officers Meeting @ VFW 07:00PM

October 14, 2012 - Tupperware Party/Open House! @ VFW 12:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

CHANGE: Thursday, October 25, 2012 – MCL Meeting @ VFW 07:00PM

November – Toy’s for Tot’s begins - volunteers needed contact Bill Clinton.

November 7, 2012 – MCL - USMC Birthday dinner. Lenexa VFW. Committee volunteers needed contact John Byrnes

November 14, 2012 – MCL Officers Meeting @ VFW 07:00PM




I encourage submissions of any announcements, pictures, stories, to the editor from detachment members. Deadline for all submissions by the 10th of every month.

Remember, if you are involved in any community service work on behalf of our beloved Marine Corps, please send me a photo and some information for the Mail Call.

Email: Joe Hughes – [email protected], Phone: 913-894-2006

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE SHIRTS ON SALE AT MEETINGS

T-Shirts: $12.00 (S – XL), $16 (XXL – XXXL)

Sweat Shirts: $22.00 (S – XL), $24 (XXL – XXXL)

From the Desk of the Editor

Calling: Rick Hinrichs

Ceremonial: Marcia Sands (pro tem)

Community Affairs: Gonzalo Reyes

Donations: Bill Clinton

Facilities: Jim Denton

Fallen Marines: Ken Fain

Fundraising: Lee Nelson [email protected] (913) 217-7147

Historian: Lee Reynolds

Marines In Need: Bill Clinton

Mail Call: Joe Hughes

Supply: John Byrnes

Toy’s for Tot’s Bill Clinton

Veteran’s Affairs (VA): Gonzalo Reyes

Young Marines: Jim Welchert / Marcia Sands

Youth: Mike Swearingen

Standing Committees – Volunteers Needed





PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS



Bob Allen Ford

9239 Metcalf Ave.Overland Park, KS 66212

(913) 381-3000

“Toys for Tot’s Sponsor”

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2827197&id=530091603





413 Delaware

mail call september 2012

Documents

woman marine

marine corps legend

marine corps history2

story of lucy brewer

fleet marine force

d marine division

constitutions marine

mention of lucy brewer