michigan marine news - spring 2015 edition

SPRING EDITION 2015—5

The Magazine of the Department of Michigan Marine Corps League and Marine Corps League Auxiliary

2014-2015

A YEAR IN THE DEPARTMENT

www.michiganmarines.org

SPRING EDITION 2015 Edition 5

PAGE 2

NORMAN PFAFFNORMAN PFAFFNORMAN PFAFF

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT COMMANDANT

Marines :

We had a great Mid-Winter Rally and attendance was probably at an all-time high. Everything went off fine and the Hospitality room and food was great. We are finally having some good weather in lower Michigan but I talked to Art Menard and Mike King (U.P.), they are still using their snow shoes to get to the head.

All elections and installation should be complete and I would like all the Zone Commandants to visit or contact their Detachments and be sure all the paperwork is properly filled out including the 990N form. This is very important. This information needs to be forwarded to the Department Adjutant to keep all the records up to date. Do not contact the Department Adjutant and ask him who is delinquent this is your responsibility. This is a repeat request. Several Detachments need to update their websites and get the proper information on them. This is very important because if a new member wants to join the League, he has to have the right information. This is also important at the National Level. The following Detachments need to update their info. The following is a list of Detachments and last date they changed their status at the National level:

763 Branch 2006,149 Cascades 2012, 684 Davenport 2006, 163 G.P. Porta 2006, 550 Geo St. Martin 2009,841 H. R. Cooley 2007, 1182 Irish Hills 2011,879 Kalamazoo 2006, 1016 Keweenaw 2013, 764 Lake Superior 2006,677 Lenawee 2006, 157 Monroe 2006, 158 Montford Point 2010,570 N. Oakland 2009, 690 N. Michigan 2006, 162 Northwest 2006, 1027 Shoreline 2006, 444 Upper Peninsula 2010, 414 Washtenaw 2012, 165 Yagle Bros 2012.

Let's get this information brought up to date as soon as possible. See you in June.

Semper Fi

Norm Pfaff Commandant, [email protected] or 586-263-3448

mailto:[email protected]

SPRING EDITION 2015 Edition 5

The Editors Comments Hello everyone, Welcome to the Spring quarterly edition of the Michigan Marine News. The next few months will be very busy for all of us as we have the Central Division Conference in Madison. Wisconsin and then in June our own 75th Department of Michigan convention in Lansing hosted by the Capital Detachment #148. I know everyone always asks themselves “Why do I need to attend these meetings of the Department, Division and National?” Well you will never answer that question by staying home and not attending. These meetings are to inform your detachments all the new policies that may affect your detachments and to have a little fun at the same time and to meet some incredible Marine Corps League members; you meet these members and you start talking to them and hear some great ideas to take back to your detachments. If you have never been to a convention or if it’s been a while since your detachment has been represented at a convention, then this convention, “The 75th Department Convention”, is the one you need to attend in Lansing. This issue will have the forms to register for the June 2015 convention. While I’m at it, this issue will also have the Department Marine of the Year criteria (Sell that member to us with at least a page of accomplishments and not just a paragraph), Jr Vice award, scholarship info and the potential bylaw changes for the Department of Michigan. (Continued at bottom of next page)

PAGE 3

INDEX

Page 2 – Commandants Corner

– Editors comments & Index

Page 4 - Sr Vice Commandant

Page 5 - Jr Vice Commandant

Page 6 - Worthy Pack Leader

Page 7-10 Convention Info

Page 11-12 Jr Vice Award

Page 13 - Dept Marine of the Year

Page 14-16 Dept Scholarship Info

Page 17-20 Proposed Dept Bylaw

changes.

Page 21-23 VAVS

Page 24-25 MidWinter & Growl

Page 26-32 AROUND THE LEAGUE

Page 33 Toys for Tots

Page 34 MVAA

Page 35 MODD

Page 36-39 Stories & Ads

To submit a story to the Michigan Marine News,

send your detachments photo’s or send your

fundraising forms,

Send to: [email protected]

Submit ARTICLES by June 1, 2015 to be

included in the SUMMER 2015 edition

SR VICE COMMANDANT

WENDY L. ZAMORA

Wendy Zamora is also the

Department Scholarship chair

and Kennel Quartermaster for

the MODD

Marines, Corpsman and Associates:

First, It was great seeing all the members that showed up to the

Department Mid-Winter in Frankenmuth. I cannot remember the last

time that we had such a huge turnout and I met a lot of first timers to a

Department function, Thank You all that showed up.

This summer will be our Department’s annual convention and this

year it will be at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Lansing. We would

love to see a huge turnout for this convention, which will be our 75th

Department convention. I know the Capital Detachment is hard at

work getting ready for this convention so please support their efforts

by purchasing an ad in their convention booklet. They will have a ship store, items for purchase for

the 75th convention and other items for raffle.

The next few months please pay attention to the scholarship deadline and make sure all forms are

signed by the appropriate people and make sure the address (both home and email) is correct. If

we cannot contact you after the convention, then you will not be able to receive the scholarship, so

make sure all info is correct.

Lastly, I will be running for the position of Department Commandant at this convention and would

like to ask for your support in this new endeavor.

Hope to see all of you soon in June.

Semper Fi

Wendy Zamora

Sr. Vice Commandant

(Continued from page 3)

Last thing, keep the pictures, articles and comments coming, we will add the Michigan Marine

News to the National newsletter competition so watch where we place after the National

convention.

Take care and hope to see all of you in June.

Semper Fi

Phil Zamora - PDC

JR VICE COMMANDANT

DAVID MASUNAS

The Department and National Mid Winter conference has come and gone, they are calling for the temperature to be in the 40’s all week. I think it’s time to pop the cork and toast to the end of winter! I had a great time at the Department Mid Winter conference held in Frankenmuth this year and I would like to thank the Ladies Auxiliary for putting on a great conference. It was also great to see so many new faces at the conference. I hope that everyone enjoyed the weekend and were able to learn something in the meetings we had. If you have not attended a convention I would encourage you to do so it’s a great opportunity for you to meet new Marines and learn new ideas or share your ideas. We are all here to help Veterans and at the same time help each other and over come the issues that might arise in your Detachment.

At the Department Mid Winter I gave my report on the membership count. As of December 2014 the Department of Michigan had 2064 paid members and 340 unpaid members. We need to take a hard look at our unpaid members and try to figure out a way to get that 340 number down. At the Department Mid Winter I gave a class on recruitment and retention and I would like to again share with you some of the ideas I had on retention. I know that when we receive our membership reports from National they are not always current but that doesn’t mean that we don’t need to work on retention. The best thing that helps is personal contact with the members that need to pay their dues. Give them a phone call and see what is going on. We don’t know the answer to why they are not renewing their dues unless we take the time to reach out to them and find out the answer. Take the time to give recognition to the members in your Detachment for all there hard work, mail out reminder post cards, make a Detachment news letter and have a section for reminder of dues for members, if there is tension with in the Detachment try to resolve the issue and move on, start a sponsorship program and a member can help out another member that is having hardships in there life by paying there dues. All I ask from our members is to make some kind of attempt and reach out to your unpaid members and find out how your Detachment can help them.

I would like to take the time to recognize the Detachments that had 5 or less unpaid member’s Greater Michigan, Monroe County, Cpl Stanley Moore, G.P. Porta, Yagle Brothers, Geo Toggs St. Martin, Cpl. Jack A. Davenport, Muskegon, Wolverine, Branch Area, Harold R. Cooley, Iron Mountain, Alpena, Edson Kline Vanslyke.

This June at the Department Summer convention I will be running for the position of Department Senior Vice Commandant. I would like to ask the Detachments to support me by voting for me at the summer convention. If elected I will continue to do my best in making our Detachments and our Department successful in all that we try to accomplish. Thank you and we will see you in Lansing at the Summer Convention.

David Masunas

Junior Vice Commandant

Cell (231) 301-0950

E-mail ([email protected])

Dave Masunas is the

Eagle Scout coordinator

for the Department, a

member of the National

Boy Scout committee

and the Deputy Kennel

Quartermaster for the

MODD

MILITARY ORDER OF THE DEVILDOGS

WORTHY PACK LEADER

Woof! Woof! Devil dogs,

Mid – Winter in Frankenmuth, MI. we all had a howling good time at the Growl. I would like to congratulate all the Dogs that Advanced to Pup and to Devil Dog. If you missed the Growl you missed a great time.

In no time June will be here and with that our Department Convention and our Grand Growl of the Pack. Don’t forget your Nominations with a write up for the Pack of MI Dog of the Year. Because I was your 2014 Dog of the year, please send all nominations to me. Some dogs have already been nominated; the deadline for nominations is May 1, 2015.

I’d also like to remind you, we have a few Pack of MI “Challenge Coins” left, that I’m sure you are going to want to have in your paws for the Grand Growl.

Our 56th Chief Devil Dog mentioned at the National Mid - Winter Growl she would like to see us all using our DEVIL DOG’S CREED at the end of our Growls. (not meant to be a mandate)

DEVIL DOG’S CREED

By PDD George E. Williams, August 1989

(Modified, August 2008)

I am an American, I was born in France. I hold the title of United States

Marine, and understand the commitment of holding the title, Devil Dog. It is a

tradition born at Belleau Wood in the year 1918, of a force in readiness and the

“First to Fight.” As a Devil Dog, I ask no quarter and give no quarter. I will do

everything in my power to uphold the objectives of the Military Order of Devil

Dogs and to carry out my duties to a swift and satisfactory completion.

Our Chief Devil Dog also said for the fiscal year 2014 – 2015 we are working strong on our mission using the phrase “TEAM” to guide, inspire and drive us: Together Everyone Achieves More!

I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at our Grand Growl. Remember to keep all our fellow Marines with medical issues, our Troops in Harm’s Way and the United States of America in your prayers.

Woof, Woof

PDD Emil "Dutch" Franz

Worthy Pack Leader - MODD Michigan Pack

The Fun and Honor Society of the Marine Corps League

HOST: CAPITAL DETACHMENT #148

75th Department Convention info

JUNE 11 - 14, 2015

MCL Service Board Meeting - Thursday, JUNE 11th at 7PM in the Board Room.

___________________________

Place:

Radisson Hotel Lansing

111 North Grand Avenue

Lansing, Michigan 48933

Tel. # 1-517-482-0188

Reservation toll free number is: 1-800-333-3333

Please use promotional code: MCLA15 to

receive your discounted group rate.

Rate:

$91.00 per standard double room

$91.00 per king room

(all rooms are subject to 13% tax)

Hotel is located at Michigan Avenue and

Grand Avenue 2 blocks East of the State Capital

Check in time 4:00PM.

Check out time is 12:00PM

Cut off date for reservations is May 29, 2015

No pets permitted.

For questions, information or concerns please contact event chairperson:

PDC Phil Zamora

412 W Harris St

Charlotte, MI 48813

Tel. (517) 541-1501

[email protected]

HOST: Capital Detachment #148

75th Department Convention Info

Department of Michigan 75th Department Convention

June 11-14, 2015

Please use this form to pre-register for the 2015 Department Convention

Name: __________________________________ Title: ______________________

Det/Unit: ________________________________Tel # _______________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

Name: __________________________________ Title: ______________________

Det/Unit: ________________________________Tel # _______________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

Strip Ticket: $55.00

Registration: $5.00 # attending ___________$ _____________

Hospitality: $15.00 # attending ___________$ _____________

Buffet Banquet: $35.00 # attending _____________$ ____________

Total: $____________

Beef _______ Chicken ________ Vegetarian _______

Please return this form with payment to:

CAPITAL DETACHMENT #148

412 W Harris St

Charlotte, MI 48813

Make checks payable to: CAPITAL DETACHMENT #148

Deadline for reservations - June 2, 2015

You can still register at convention but may NOT be able to purchase

Banquet meal



Menu Selections

If attending Banquet please make your menu selections and send form

Along with check for strip ticket to:

Capital Detachment #148

Phil Zamora – Commandant

412 W. Harris St.

Charlotte, MI 48813

All entrees include a Fresh garden salad, selection of fresh vegetables, chef’s selection of Starch, rolls and butter, Chefs choice of Dessert and choice of beverage.

1. New York Strip Steak-with cognac sauce.

2. Grilled Chicken Breast-with wild mushroom sauce.

3. Dijon Pesto Ravioli - Cheese ravioli with Dijon Pesto Cream Sauce

Number attending _________

Menu Selections: 1. _______ 2.________ 3. ________

Selections must be received by June 2, 2015 in order to insure

your meal selection.



June 11-14, 2015

Ad details for Department of Michigan Convention

January 29 - February 1, 2015

We ask that you support our Summer Convention Program Book.

Please use this form and mail to the proper address listed below.

Book size: 8 1/2" X 11"

Full page - $100.00

Half page - $65.00

Quarter page - $30.00

Business Card - $20.00

Patron name only - $10.00

Outside Back Cover - $150.00

Inside Front Cover - $125.00

Inside Back Cover - 125.00

Please return this form with Ad and payment to:

Capital Detachment #148

412 W Harris St

Charlotte, MI 48813

Tel. # (517) 541-1501

email: [email protected]

Make checks payable to: Capital Detachment #148

Please submit Camera Ready Art

Deadline for entry:

June 1, 2015

DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

DEPARTMENT RECRUITMENT PROGRAM

From: David Masunas, Department Junior Vice Commandant

Subject: Membership Recruitment Program

Enclosure: (1) Department of Michigan Membership Recruitment Program Form

The Department will give recognition to the top three Marine Corps Leaguers that recruit the most new members.

These awards will be presented at the Department Convention in June. The awards that will be presented are:

1. First place Department Recruitment medal – Silver

2. Second place meritorious individual commendation - ribbon

3. Third place distinguished service award - certificate

4. Five new members (minimum) certificate of appreciation

The Department’s eligible dates are from the period of 1 June 2014 through 30 April 2015. Please feel free to

submit all members that have recruited at least five (5) new members. If you do, please submit a separate form for

each recruiter. I am requesting you send me the membership recruitment department form so I will have it no later

than 20 May 2015. List the registration date of the new members to the right of there name. Awards will be issued

at the department convention.

Please make sure that the signatures of the Detachment Commandant and the Detachment Adjutant are affixed on

the recruitment forms before forwarding it. Please insure that the Marine in your Detachment that work hard at

recruitment are rewarded for their efforts. Your Detachment should award the detachment recruiter medal-bronze.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Cell phone (231)301-0950

Email: [email protected]

Semper Fidelis!

Dave Masunas

Jr. Vice Commandant

Department of Michigan MCL

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

PAGE 11

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT PROGRAM - DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN

This is to certify that the following Marine Corps League member has met the criteria for awards by

recruiting the minimum of five (5) new members between 1 June 2014 through 30 April 2015

Detachment Name: Number:

Recruited by:____________________________________________ Membership Card #___________

Names of New Members

(1) (9)

(2) (10)

(3) (11)

(4) (12)

(5) (13)

(6) (14)

(7) (15)

(8) (16)

(List additional names on the back of this form)

Certified True and Correct:____________________________________________________________

Detachment Commandant

_________________________________________________________

Detachment Paymaster

All forms must be in by 20 May 2015

Mail to Dave Masunas

Department Jr. Vice Commandant

214 West Jackson Rd.

Hart, Michigan 49420

Please print legibly to ensure name on certificate is correct

PAGE 12

Fellow Marines:

Every year at the Department Convention in June one

League member is honored as the Department Marine of

the Year. Please consider nominating one of your fellow

Marines for this high honor. The winner receives a

Department of Michigan Marine of the Year Medallion, a

beautiful wall plaque and his/her name will be added to

the large and impressive trophy shown. (It’s over three

feet tall.) It’s our version of the Stanley Cup and the

winner gets to keep it for one year. The winner also

becomes a member of the Department of Michigan

Marine of the Year Society with the right to participate in

choosing the Marine of the Year every year thereafter.

You can submit by email (in fact, that is the preferred method) as well as through the mail.

The addresses are:

for email: Put “Department of Michigan MOTY” in the subject line.

Nominations are good for two years. If your nominee is not the winner in 2015 we will

consider it again in each of the next two years, subject to confirming with you that you

still want to make the nomination.

The award is presented at the Department Convention and the winner is not notified in

advance. It is hoped and expected (but not mandatory) that he or she will be present and

surprised.

THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS MAY 1, 2015.

THE NOMINATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY THAT DATE.

By email:

PHIL SMITH

[email protected]

By mail:

Phil Smith

7774 Patton Street,

Detroit, MI 48228-4625

PAGE 13

Dear Applicant:

Welcome to the 2015, Department of Michigan, Marine Corps League Scholarship information

letter.

Please be sure to read the Scholarship Purpose, Eligibility and Requirements for 2015. It is

your responsibility to make sure that all phases of the application are completed and signed

and that the Sponsorship Section is completed and signed with the proper Detachment / Unit

Identification and address enclosed. All scholarship applications are due by May 10, 2015.

Any postmarked after this date will not be considered.

Incomplete applications will not be considered and will not be returned.

If you are granted a scholarship, you will be notified by mail before June 30th. At this time,

you will be required to send proof of enrollment for 2014 - 2015 to the Scholarship Chairman

by September 30th. If all of your paperwork is in order, your name will be submitted to the

Department Paymaster to issue a check in your favor. The disbursement of awards will be

issued by the Department shortly afterward.

Be sure to use the address on your application that you want your check mailed to if awarded a

scholarship. It is your responsibility to notify the scholarship chairman of any change of

address.

On behalf of the Department of Michigan, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps League Ladies

Auxiliary and the Scholarship Committee, we wish you all the best of luck in your educational

pursuits.

Semper Fidelis,

Wendy Zamora Gil Dysarczyk Peggy Tuohy

Scholarship Committee Scholarship Committee Scholarship Committee

Chairman Member Auxiliary

Once a Marine, Always a Marine!

PAGE 14


MARINE CORPS LEAGUE and Auxiliary

SCHOLARSHIP PURPOSE, ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS FOR 2015

PURPOSE:

To grant Scholarships to qualified applicants who are pursuing full time undergraduate (twelve hours or more) or technical training at a full time

recognized institution. These may be awarded for four (4) years maximum (does not have to be consecutive years).

ELIGIBILITY:

(1) Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Step Children of a Marine Corps League or Auxiliary member in good standing. Honorary

members or their families do not qualify.

(2) Children of Marines who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

(3) Members of the Marine Corps League, or Auxiliary in good standing or honorably discharged Marines in need of rehabilitation training not provided

by government programs. Honorary members do not qualify.

DEFINITION: New Applicant – The applicant has never been awarded a Marine Corps League Scholarship on the Department level.

DEFINITION: Renewal Applicant – The applicant is a prior recipient of a Marine Corps League Scholarship on the Department level.

ALL APPLICANTS MUST SATISFY THE BELOW LIST REQUIREMENTS:

(1) Complete and sign the application and ensure the application is totally completed.

(2) Ensure that the Sponsor has completely filled out their section of the application and have affixed the required signatures. The application will not

be processed without this compliance.

(3) The application must be postmarked by May 10, 2015.

ALL SPONSORS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

(1) Ensure they are a member in good standing in the Marine Corps League or Auxiliary. Honorary members or their families do not qualify.

(2) Must provide all of the sponsor’s data on the application as required and noted.

(3) If the Commandant/President of the Detachment/Unit is the sponsor, the Detachment Senior Vice Commandant or the Unit Senior Vice President

must approve and sign the eligibility requirement.

(4) The Detachment Commandant and Paymaster or the Unit President and Treasurer must ensure that the sponsors are eligible. Signatures of the

Detachment Commandant and Paymaster or the Unit President and Treasurer are mandatory on the proper line.

(5) Provide the Detachment or Unit name and address.

ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

(1) If you are selected, you will be required to show proof of enrollment for 2015.

(2) Incomplete applications will not be considered nor will they be returned for completion.

(3) Letters of recommendation are not required nor will they be considered.

(4) Eligibility and compliance will be strictly observed by the Scholarship Committee.

(5) Decisions by the Scholarship Committee are final.

(6) Applicants will be notified of Award or Non-Award by the Committee Chairman by

June 30, 2015.

MAIL THE APPLICATION TO:

Scholarship Committee

Department of Michigan

Marine Corps League

412 W. Harris Street

Charlotte, MI 48813

PAGE 15

Marine Corps League & Auxiliary Department of Michigan Scholarship Application – 2015

Must Be Typed or Legibly Printed

1. Please Check One “New” ________ “Renewal” ________

2. Application Date ________________________

3. Name: Last ________________________________First___________________________MI___________

4. Date of Birth: _________________

5. Address: Number & Street ___________________________________________________Apt #_________

USE ADDRESS YOU WANT CHECK MAILED TO. IF THERE IS AN ADDRESS CHANGE, IT IS YOUR RESPONISIBILITY TO NOTIFY

SCHOLARSHIP CHAIRMAN OF NEW ADDRESS.

6. City: ______________________________ State: _________________ Zip + 4: ______________________

7. Telephone: ____________________________ Alternate Phone: __________________________________

8. Email address of applicant: ________________________________________________________________

9. Name of Accredited College, Technical School or University:_____________________________________

10. Year Starting Fall Semester: Circle One 1 2 3 4

11. Applicant’s Signature: ____________________________________________________________________

Applicant is Member of MCL _____MCLA_____

Sponsor Eligibility:

12. Sponsors relationship to Applicant – Please Check One, if applicable:

Father _____ Mother _____ Grandparent _____ Member _____

13. Sponsor’s Name: Last____________________________First____________________________MI______

14. Sponsor’s Membership Number: _____________________

15. Paid Life Member Number: _________________________

16. Sponsor’s Dues Expiration Date: _____________________

Detachment / Auxiliary Certification:

Detachment or Auxiliary Unit Certification (Must be signed by both officers)

This part is to be completed, verified and signed by the indicated Detachment or Unit Officer. In the event that the

applicant is related to the Commandant or President, then the Senior Vice Commandant or Senior Vice President

will sign in their place.

The Paymaster or Treasurer listed below certifies the applicant member or sponsor member is a member in good

standing and that their dues are up to date.

17. Detachment Paymaster/Unit Treasurer Name (print):_____________________________________________

18. Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: ______________________________

19. I, the Commandant or President (or Designee) of the Detachment or Unit, certify that the applicant member of sponsor is qualified to sponsor

the applicant named above for a Marine Corps League Department Scholarship.

20. Print Name of Commandant, Unit President or Designee:__________________________________________

21. Signature of Commandant, Unit President or Designee: ___________________________________________

22. Date: ____________________

23. Name of Detachment or Unit: _______________________________________________________________

24. Mailing Address of Detachment Commandant or Unit President:

PAGE 16

PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGES #1


PROPOSED BYLAW CHANGE #1

In accordance with Department Bylaws and Administration Procedures, Article Four Section 451, the following is submitted for consideration by the body assembled at the 2014 Department of Michigan June Convention.

BYLAWS, ARTICLE THREE DEPARTMENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES-ELECTED OFFICERS

SECTION 300, COMPOSITION

CURRENT

Administration and financial control of the Department of Michigan, Marine Corps League, shall be vested in a Department Board of Trustees, elected at a Department Convention, namely; The Department Commandant, Senior Vice Commandant, Junior Vice Commandant, seven (7) Zone Vice Commandants, Paymaster, Judge Advocate, Chaplin, and the Junior Past Commandant.

PROPOSED

Remove the Chaplin as an elected officer:

Administration and financial control of the Department of Michigan, Marine Corps League, shall be vested in a Department Board of Trustees, elected at a Department Convention, namely; The Department Commandant, Senior Vice Commandant, Junior Vice Commandant, seven (7) Zone Vice Commandants, Paymaster, Judge Advocate, and the Junior Past Commandant.

RATIONAL

This is an appointed position at the National and Detachment levels. By being an appointed office an Associate member could be appointed. This would allow them an additional office to hold at the Department level.

Respectfully submitted,

Jonathan S. VanTol




To: Robert Hencken, Department of Michigan Judge Advocate

From: Jonathan S. VanTol

Subject: Proposed Bylaw Change

In accordance with Department Bylaws and Administration Procedures, Article Four Section 451, the following is submitted for consideration by the body assembled at the 2014 Department of Michigan June Convention.

BYLAWS, ARTICLE FOUR DEPARTMENT STAFF

SECTION 405, APPOINTED STAFF

CURRENT

The Department Commandant, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, shall appoint the following Department Officers: Adjutant, Chief of Staff, Public Relations Officer, Sergeant-at-Arms, Legislative Officer, Liaison Officers, VAVS Director and such other Aides-de-camp and officers as he may deem necessary to the best transaction of the business of this Department. These Officers shall be known as the Appointed Staff.

PROPOSED

Insert the Chaplain as an appointed Officer:

The Department Commandant, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, shall appoint the following Department Officers: Adjutant, Chaplain, Chief of Staff, Public Relations Officer, Sergeant-at-Arms, Legislative Officer, Liaison Officers, VAVS Director and such other Aides-de-Camp and officers as he may deem necessary to the best transaction of the business of this Department. These Officers shall be known as the Appointed Staff.

RATIONAL

If this is no longer an elected office, it would have to become an appointed office.


Jonathan S. VanTol




Subject: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO DEPARTMENT BYLAW 325

Reference: Department of Michigan, Marine Corps League Bylaws and Administrative Procedures

Amend Bylaw 325 as follows:

1. Add the Saint Joseph Area Detachment #1401 to the Southern Zone;

2. Add the Sault Ste. Marie Detachment #1375 to the Upper Peninsula Zone;

3. Delete the Lapeer County #888 Detachment from the Central Zone.

4. Correct the name of Detachment # 1225 to be the Oceana/Brett Witteveen Detachment;

5. Correct the name of Detachment #1337 to be Staff Sergeant Bryan K. Burgess Detachment.

6. Add the Edson Kline VanSlyke #1423 to the Central Zone.

After the 2015 Department Convention this section shall be amended administratively by the Department Judge Advocate (i.e. without a vote to amend the Bylaws) to conform it to subsequent additions and deletions of detachments and changes in detachment names.

Effective:

Immediately upon adoption.

RATIONAL FOR AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSAL: To update Bylaw Section 325 to fully reflect current zone assignments and detachment names and to remove the requirement of amending the bylaws to reflect changes in detachments..


Robert L. Hencken

Department Judge Advocate

Kalamazoo Detachment 879




Subject: PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO DEPARTMENT BYLAW 640

Reference: Department of Michigan, Marine Corps League Bylaws and Administrative Procedures

Current Bylaw states:

SECTION 640, Time and Reporting of Elections Each detachment shall hold an election of officers between 1 October and 15 May.

Installation will be conducted no later than the last day of the subsequent month.

Amend Bylaw 640 to read as follows:

SECTION 640, Time and Reporting of Elections Each detachment shall hold an election of officers between 1 September and 15 May.

Installation will be conducted no later than the last day of the subsequent month.

Effective:

Immediately upon adoption.

RATIONAL FOR AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSAL: To conform to national MCL Bylaw 530.


Robert L. Hencken

Department Judge Advocate

Kalamazoo Detachment 879

Hello Marines,

As I mentioned in my last article, our Michigan Marine Corps League VAVS Volunteers shared the

joys of CHRISTmas with our hospitalized Veterans. Detachments and their Volunteers either

sponsored, volunteered or assisted in some sort of Holiday function showing our Veterans and the

World we Marines truly are a” Band of Brothers”. Here are a few pictures I captured from a couple of

the parties the Marine Corps League Dept. of MI sponsored:

The following Marines and Associates from the Fred Cochran Det. 151 (L-R) Dan Padilla, Sergeant-at-

Arms Fred Bishop, Sandy Early, Ellie Bishop (partially hidden), Adjutant Phil Stebbins, Past

Commandant Bill Peless, Pat Sanderson, John Rideout, Commandant Wayne Luznicky, Junior Vice

Commandant Mike Schultz. Started working at 8 am on December 15, 2014 making sure everything

was set up and ready for the Annual Christmas Party at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. They

also served the Veterans and passed out presents at the party as well.

L-R Western Zone Vice Commandant Al Pierson, Dept. Jr. Vice Dave Masunas, VAVS Director Dutch

Franz and Dept. Commandant Norm Pfaff served Veterans and passed out presents.


Saginaw’s Aleda E. Lutz Christmas Party

Members of John C. Rock Det. #902, (L-R) Mike Mullally, Tom “Doc” Linabury, Commandant Bob

Larson, VAVS Rep. Fred Gibas, Jon VanTol, VAVS Director Dutch Franz and Bob Gibas, Brought

Veteran Patients from their rooms to the Party and Distributed Gifts.

These are just a few of the parties that were held for our Veterans across Michigan, Many more of our

MI Detachments had Parties and worked very hard to make sure our Veterans were happier at

CHRISTmas. To all of you, Thank You! for caring about our Hospitalized Veterans.

Our National Convention is right around the corner. I wanted to remind all of you to get your

information in for the annual National Detachment VAVS Awards. The form used to submit your

Detachment for judging is the MCL VAVS_Ql_Rev13. Judging and selection for the awards is

completed prior to our arrival at each National Convention. That is why, as your National VAVS

Representative, I must receive the form by 15 June of each year. Recipients of the Award will be

recognized at the National Convention. MCL VAVS_Ql_Rev13 is available on the National MCL web

site www.mcleague.org under MCL Programs- VAVS Program -VAVS Questionnaire (Also read VAVS

Awards letter). Or send me an e-mail and I will send the form via an e-mail attachment.


Furthermore, on this same page of the site, you will find information and directions on how to

nominate a MCL Volunteer for the PNC VAVS Service Award.

The National VAVS Representative and Deputy Representatives will select, at the National

Convention, the recipients of the Detachment VAVS awards, as prescribed below in the following

categories:

Categorized by membership strength of the detachment as reflected on the current 30 June strength

report roster.

Category 1: 15 to 50 members. First, Second and Third Place Plaques.

Category 2: 51 to 100 members. First, Second and Third Place Plaques.

Category 3: 101 members and up. First, Second and Third Place Plaques.

I would also like to remind all of you the deadline to get your write up and Nominations in for the

Department of MI VAVS award is May 1, 2015. I know we have some great MCL Volunteers that

deserve this award from the Department.

If you would like to get involved as a VAVS Volunteer, Contact your Facilities VAVS Representative. If

you don’t know who he/she is e-mail me at [email protected] or call me at 989-245-9423.

God Bless all of you and I’m looking forward to seeing you in Lansing.

Please remember to pray for our Hospitalized Veterans and our Troops in harm’s way.

Semper Fidelis

Emil “Dutch” Franz

Department of Michigan VAVS Director

[email protected]

WANT TO ORDER YOUR M.O.D.D GEAR

CONTACT PDD WENDY ZAMORA AT

[email protected]

Or call (517) 541-1501

go to www.moddkennel.org/quartermaster

To order MODD items

From Top left clockwise:

Bavarian Inn hostesses sharing a moment

with the camera

PDC’s Tracey & Zamora with Heather Bauman

of Great Lakes Marketing

Judy Zehnder Keller, President & Owner of

the Bavarian Inn Welcoming the Marine

Corps League to her Inn

Ray Dailey - Central Division Vice

Commandant and Fiancee Linda LeMaster

Commandant Norm Pfaff and Jr Past

President Joan Pfaff

Ray Rowley & Darryl Payne before the

Banquet.

From Top left clockwise:

Washtenaw Detachment #414

Commandant Jolene Hardesty and

Department Sr Vice Wendy Zamora. This

was Jolene’s first Department function.

MODD Fire Hydrant

PDD Darryl Payne resting during the Growl

PDD Art Menard during the Growl

Pack Leader Emil “Dutch” Franz initiating

new pups and advancing pups to

DevilDogs

Marines

I had the honor of working with Marines from Bay County to reestablish a Detachment. With hard work

we were able to get permission from family members to honor their loved ones by naming the

Detachment after them. WWII Major General Edson, Vietnam LCPL Kline and Iraqi Freedom LCPL

VanSlyke. At National Mid Winter I was able to get the Charter signed by all the respective National

officers and the Department of Michigan Commandant.

On February 25, 2015 Commandant Norm Pfaff presented the Charter to the newest Detachment of

Michigan, the Edson Kline VanSlyke Bay County Detachment #1423. Commandant Pfaff then gave the

membership oath to new members of the league who are Charter members. Then the new officers took

their oath of office. After this as the new Commandant I gave the membership oath to 5 Marines and 3

Associate members. We were HONORED to have in attendance the parents of LCPL VanSlyke, Cindy and

William Fisher. There was an anonymous donation to pay Associate dues for Cindy and William Fisher.

We are blessed to have them as members.

In the pictures of the Charter signing you can see a wooden box holding down the Charter. Inside this

box is a Bible DONATED by the members of the John C Rock #902 Detachment. This is to symbolize

where this new Detachments "roots" are. These two Detachments are looking forward to continue a

close relationship both socially and working together when needed. In attendance to show their support

of this new Detachment were Commandant Bob Larson, Sr Vice Mike Mullally (dual member), Jr Vice

Roger Walker, Adjutant Dan Ashcraft and Paymaster Dutch Franz of the John C Rock Detachment.

On May 27 we will have a Charter presentation ceremony aboard the USS Edson in Bay City. At that time

we will present a copy of the Charter to be displayed at the ship. Once the time is decided on it will be

passed along to the Department.

Semper Fidelis/Always Faithful

Jonathan S. VanTol

Department of Michigan

Central Zone Vice Commandant

Commandant Edson Kline VanSlyke #1423

From Top Left Clockwise:

National Vice Commandant, Central

Division - Ray Dailey signs charter at

National Mid-Winter

New Detachment Commandant, Jon VanTol

signs charter

Jon VanTol with Department Commandant

Norm Pfaff giving oath of membership to

new members

Department Commandant Norm Pfaff

installing the officers of the Edson-Kline-

Vanslyke Detachment

Commandant Norm Pfaff presents the new

Detachment with their charter for signing


Charter of the Edson-Kline-

VanSlyke #1423 Detachment

Parents of LCpl VanSlyke,

Cindy and William Fisher

Member signing the charter

Jr Past President Joan Pfaff

recruiting a potential

auxiliary member

Downriver Detachment #153

Marine Corps Birthday Party

Life member Alfred Kimble contacted Marine Ray

Rowley about getting a ramp put in at his

home. Marine Kimble had just gotten out of the

hospital and had to use a walker and wheel chair to

get around. He did not have a way to get out of his

home to go to appointments and such. He was

basically confined to his home. Marine Rowley

made some call and rounded up some able bodied

marines from the detachment to get the ramp

built. We also had a young man that also

volunteered to help named Jeremy Crego. The

detachment members on the project were Marines

Jerry Havens, Mark Trayser, George Gibbs and Ray

Rowley. We all got the ramp built and Marine

Kimble is no longer confined to his Home.

Note: The detachment worked in the freezing rain

to put the ramp in for Marine Kimble

Veteran’s Day—2014 Grand Valley State University

Pew Campus Unveiling Of Sculpture

Sculpture of

PFC Dennis L Lobbezoo, U.S. Marine Corps

Echo 2/26 3rd Mar Div

KIA Quang Tri Province, RVN

6 June 1968

The sculpture is located outside of the Steelcase Library.

Dr Edward Byrd, Sculptor and veteran of the U.S. Navy Medical Corps, speaking of PFC Lobbezoo, who he met on the Hospital ship Repose when PFC Lobbezoo was being treated for wounds received in January 1968.

They became friends and the Doctor was heartbroken upon reading of PFC Lobbezoo’s death in the Stars and Stripes.

He became a sculptor after retiring from the medical profession and created “Homage To The Fallen” to honor PFC Lobbezoo’s memory.

Tim Lobbezoo, nephew of PFC Lobbezoo, giving an emotional speech about the loss of his uncle. The pain is still there after 46 years

The shadow box in front of the dais was donated by the Marine Corps League.

CONTINUED NEXT PAGE

CONTINUED BOTTOM NEXT PAGE

Wayne Luznicky, Commandant, Fred

Cochran Det 151, Grand Rapids, MI,

presenting the shadow box honoring PFC

Lobbezoo, to Grand Valley State

University.

The Shadow box was donated by the

Grand Rapids Fred Cochran Det 151,

Muskegon Det 703 and Oceana Brett

Witteveen Det 1225. It is on display at the

Allendale campus Veteran Center.

Left to right— Steve Hackney, Commandant, Muskegon Det 703; University

President Tom Haas, Dr. Edward Byrd, Tim Lobbezoo; Wayne Luznicky, Commandant, Fred

Cochran Det 151, holding the shadow box; Bill Peless, Past Commandant, Fred Cochran Det

151, holding an Honorary Marine Corps League membership for PFC Lobbezoo; Al Pearson,

Western Zone Commandant; Dave Masunas, Junior Vice Commandant, Department of

Michigan; State Representative Winnie Brinks.

Marines from 1st Battalion 24th Marines receiving toys from the Dearborn Figure Skating Club for the 2014

Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots campaign.

Dr. Byrd and the family of PFC Lobbezoo. These are the other casualties of war that we never read of.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

MVAA reaches 79 percent of veterans through Veterans Community Action Team expansion

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) is committed to making Michigan the most veteran-friendly state in the

nation, working with private, public and nonprofit groups to accomplish that goal.

Across the state, veterans service organizations like the Michigan Marine Corps League, Red Cross and county

veterans agencies are already helping Michigan veterans connect with health care services, education benefits and

more. But imagine what could be done if an entire network of these resources came together to address the problems

Michigan veterans face each day.

Now, more than 500,000 veterans are able to see what that system of organizations would look like, thanks to the

expansion of MVAA’s Veterans Community Action Team (VCAT) program. This year, the VCAT program will provide

veterans in 24 counties in and around Lansing, Flint, Saginaw and Ann Arbor with easier access to comprehensive

health, employment, education and quality-of-life opportunities through the expansion.

The VCAT project was introduced in 2013 with pilots in Metro Detroit and West Michigan. VCATs in these regions

focused on identifying solutions for gaps in veteran services, reducing duplication of efforts and simplifying connections

with local resources.

The program was so successful in these areas that MVAA is expanding the VCAT program to four more areas of the

state this year, bringing new resources and cooperation to veterans in the Capitol area, Mid-Michigan and Southeast

Michigan as well as the Great Lakes Bay Region and the Thumb.

In total, the VCAT program now serves nearly

523,000 veterans in Michigan – 79 percent of

the state’s veteran population.

“Each region’s VCAT will operate differently,

because each region’s veterans have their

own unique needs,” MVAA Director Jeff

Barnes said. “VCATs seek to answer the

question, ‘What more can we do to help

veterans succeed?’ This program is about

finding those opportunities and discovering

better solutions through collaboration.”

VCATs also work in conjunction with 800-

MICH-VET (800-642-4838) – MVAA’s 24/7

hotline that is integrated with Michigan 2-1-1

services – to connect veterans with services

at the federal, state and local levels.

The VCAT program is designed to make it

easier for veterans to find resources right

where they live and work, so that no matter

where a veteran starts looking for help, they

are able to find the assistance they need and

the respect they deserve.


Flint Dawgs Christmas party,

clowns making balloon toys for

kids

Clowns taking a break before the

kids invade the detachment hall

Santa bringing the kids some

presents

PDP Peggy Tuohy at the Hot Dog

table

PDP Peggy Tuohy with her new

hat

PAGE 35

Navy christens ship named for Marine legend Chesty Puller

One of the most decorated Marines in the history of the Corps has received another honor. On Saturday, the Navy chris-

tened the mobile landing platform afloat forward staging base Lewis B. Puller.Lt. Gen. Puller, well known as "Chesty",

had one of the most distinguished careers in the Corps. He served both as an enlisted Marine and officer and spent all

but 10 years of his 37 years in the service overseas, according to his official biography. Puller had 14 personal decora-

tions in combat, plus many campaign medals and unit commendations. He's the only Marine to earn the Navy Cross five

times."This ceremony not only honors a true Marine hero and legend, but also the men and women who have worked so

diligently to bring this first-of-its-kind ship from concept to reality," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said in a statement.The

ship is the Navy's third mobile landing platform, but the first afloat forward staging base variant. Compared to its prede-

cessors, the Puller has a flight deck, berthing for 250 personnel, fuel and equipment storage, and maintenance spaces.

It's designed for helicopter operations, but Marine Corps planning documents show that officials are determining whether

the MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft can operate from the ship as well.The Navy Department plans to build one more afloat

forward staging base. The amphibious transport dock ship Ponce was used as an interim AFSB before the Puller.Its

crew includes both uniformed sailors as well as civilian mariners that work under the Navy's Military Sealift Com-

mand.Martha Puller Downs, Puller's daughter, is the ship's sponsor, according to the release. The vessel was built by

the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, a subsidiary of General Dynamics. The christening ceremony was held at

NASSCO's San Diego shipyard.

Ms. Martha Puller Downs, daughter of Lt. Gen. Lewis "Chesty" Puller, christens the Navy's new ship named for her fa-

ther. The Puller was christened as the Corps plans to make greater use of its mobile landing platforms and maritime

prepositioning force ships. The vessels are floating warehouses loaded with gear and fuel can be offloaded to support

Marines ashore. The Puller and other AFSB variants are expected to support counter-piracy operations, maritime securi-

ty operations, humanitarian and disaster relief missions, and crisis response missions, Navy officials have said. Facing a

gap between the number of amphibious ships in the fleet and demands for Marines deployed on amphibious ships, the

Corps is looking to other vessels, including MLPs like the Puller, as alternative ways to launch missions from the

sea."Born from a long-standing request from U.S. Central Command, the AFSB is an effective option to deploy forces for

low-intensity operations without reducing the availability of amphibious warships required for other missions," Marine

Corps planning documents say.

Picture credits: US NAVY, NASSCO

Left: USNS Lewis B. Puller

Right: Ms. Martha Puller Downs, daughter of Lt. Gen. Lewis "Chesty" Puller, christens the Navy's new

ship named for her father.

Story By: Joshua Stewart

PAGE 36

Jonathan S VanTol FOR

JR VICE COMMANDANT

The focus of the Jr Vice is recruiting and member retention. They are a member of the fundraising committee. They also assist the Commandant whenever tasked with an assignment.

This position requires time and dedication. I am RETIRING May 1, 2015. I will be able to assist Detachments and the Department Commandant.

2014 Department Recruiter of the Year

Forming Commandant of the Edson-Kline-VanSlyke Bay County Detachment #1423, Charter presented on February 25, 2015

2014 acquired $1000 grant from Bay County for Department Mid-Winter

2014 received $300 grant for the Department from my employer for volunteering

2015 acquired $1000 grant from Saginaw County for Dept. Mid-Winter

Central Zone Vice Commandant 2013 Michigan Pack Dog of the Year

Commandant Edson-Kline-VanSlyke #1423 2014 Flint Dawgs Pound Dog of the Year

Pound Keeper Flint Dawgs Pound #288 2014 John C Rock #902 Marine of the Year

Jr Vice Pack Leader Michigan Pack 2014 awarded Pack Leader Commendation

Past Commandant John C Rock #902

National Americanism Committee Chairman provided by the Committee to elect Jonathan S VanTol

PAGE 37

PRESENTS

RUN TO THE NORTH WALL

XX

JOIN US SUNDAY June 28th, 2015 FOR THE ANNUAL RUN TO THE NORTH WALL, IN HONOR OF THE CANADIANS THAT SERVED WITH THE U.S.

MILITARY DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.

STAGING TAKES PLACE 9:30 A.M. AT R.C.L. BR. 594 - 5030 Howard Ave. Tecumseh, Ont.

There will be a breakfast served from 0900 hrs to 1100 hrs

RUN LEAVES R.C.L. Br. 594 AT 11:30 A.M. SHARP!

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE NORTH WALL FOR 12:00 P.M.

OPEN HOUSE AT

R.C.L. BR. 143 – 1570 Marentette Ave.

FOR MORE INFO

EMAIL: [email protected]

PHONE: (519) 256-6797

EVERYONE WELCOME

PAGE 38

mailto:[email protected]

Get the Registration packet in this edition of the Michigan Marine News

or go to the Department website at www.michiganmarines.org

michigan marine news - spring 2015 edition

Documents