The Chester County Marine
Volume XVI, Issue 2 Dave Buckta, editor Feb [email protected] www.chestercountymcl.com
Meetings: 4th Mondayof every month @1930
430 Acorn LaneEntrance on Chestnut St.Also park in rear of bldgDowningtown, Pa 19335
Next Regular Meeting-- Date: March 25, 2019 @ 1930
Chester County Detachment #286
P.O. Box 828, Downingtown, Pa 19335-0828Detachment HQ’s: 610-518-5375 (leave message)
Commandant Doug Forsythe
Board of Trustees (eff:2/1/2019)
Commandant Jerry Myers
610-721-2112
Sr. Vice Bob Strehl
215-421-2465
Junior Vice Bob Campagna
610-613-7426
Jr. Past Com Doug Forsythe
610 656 1389
Judge Adv Bill Stellfox215-823-9856
Trustees Pat Powell 610 952 5045
Lou Netta
Tom Tanner
Appointed Officers Adjutant Jack Meighan
484 888 2972
Service Officer Doug ForsythePaymaster Larry Samples
610-269-9067
Chaplain Dan Condron610-489-3756
Sgt. at Arms Leo Burke610 913 6212
Standing Committees Audit Bill Stellfox
215-823-9856
Membership Bob Strehl215-421-2465
Nominating Jim Copeland610-883-0283
Ways & Means Jerry Myers610-721-2112
From the Commandant’s Desk
Semper Fi – Jerry Myers
As we start a new year, I want to thank all the members for selecting
me as your new commandant. We have a great detachment and I am
honored to accept the position. I promise to continue our efforts to grow
our membership and make our detachment even stronger. I also want
to thank all of you for your service and all that you do for the Marine
Corps League. We are the few and the proud and each of you are an
important part in providing the help that many in our community need.
A few of the programs that we support are: Toys for Tots, Scholarships,
Eagle Scouts, Flag Retirement, Medal of Honor Grove, Color Guards,
Veterans in need and many more. To support these programs we
conduct several fundraising events. The following are some of the
campaigns in which we are involved to raise these funds to support our
efforts: Golf Outing, Bingo, WAWA donations, Chicken BBQ and more.
We need your continued support in these and other areas to continue
our good work. One way you can help is to VOLUNTEER for any one
or more of these programs. We have great support from our Auxiliary
for the Bingo events. Without their help this program would not exist!
They are in need of additional help. If you can lend a hand, please
contact JoAnne Brown, Leo Burke or Jim Copeland and VOLUNTEER
to help in any way you can. We need more SPONSORS for our Golf
Outing. If you work for or know a potential sponsor, please contact
Doug Forsythe or Bob Campagna. This is our largest fundraiser.
We are blessed to have Dave Buckta as our Newsletter editor. Dave
has done an outstanding job! Please continue to send Dave all event
reports along with pictures. Also, a special thanks to all Officers,
Associates and Trustees for their continued work and support. Please
continue to suggest guest speakers, and potential new members.
Associates and Auxiliary. We need your support.
I want to personally thank Doug Forsythe for his outstanding service.
Doug has gone above and beyond! THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO
DOUG!
In closing, please keep all our Marines, Sailors, Chaplains, Soldiers,
and Veterans, at home and overseas, in your prayers.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES (2018)Americanism Dan Condron 610-458-0797Budget Finance Bill Stellfox 610-823-9856Building Maintenance
Leo Burke 610-913-6212Bylaws Bill Stellfox 215-823-9856Chicken BBQ Doug Forsythe 610-827-9281Color Guard Jedi Burns 610-517-1107
Detachment DonationsDoug Forsythe 610-656-1389
Eagle Scouts Larry Samples 484-433-0086Fund Raising Larry Samples 484-433-0086Golf Outing Bob Campagna 610-613-7426Locker Box Doug Forsythe 610-656-1389
Marine Corps BallGerard (Jed)Burns 610-517-1107Marine Of The Year Doug ForsytheMemorial Day Jim Copeland 610-883-0283
Medal of Honor GroveDoug Forsythe 610-656-1389New Member PacketsJim Copeland 610-883-0283Bob Strehl 215-421-2465Kay Croll 610-696-7589 Scholarships Phil Murray 610-636-2204Flag RetirementLeo Burke 610-913-6212IT SergeantDave Buckta 610-827-1928
SPECIAL EVENTSBingo J. Copeland & L. Burke 610-913-6212Medal of Honor CemeteryDoug Forsythe 610-827-9281Toys For Tots Phil Murray 610-636-2204VAVS Dan Condron 610-458-0797
NEWSLETTER POLICYChester County Marine, the only publication paid for by Chester County Detachment MCL #286, is published monthly as a service to the membership and other interested organizations. We will reprint any article deemed to be newsworthy and not political. The editor reserves the right to modify any items selected for printing. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of National MCL, Inc., Pennsylvania MCL, Inc. or the Chester County Detachment. All members and other interested parties are invited to submit articles for publication.
LiaisonsAmerican Legion #475
Tom Logan 610-696-3323
Auxiliary Joanne Brown
Jim Copeland 610-518-3444
DAV #90 Ken Schweitzer 610-489-2703
Marksmanship Dennis Brown 610-692-4782
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Doug Forsythe 610-656-1389
Spring City Vets Home
Ken Schweitzer 610-489-2703
Viet Nam Veterans of America Chapter 436
Ken Schweitzer 610-489-2703
VFW #845 Jim Copeland 610-883-0283
W. Chester Veterans Council
Jim Copeland 610-883-0283
Doug Forsythe
WCU SVG Scholarship Fund
2/25/2019 Page 2CC MCL Newsletter
Dave Buckta is publishing the CC Marine Newsletter. Please send all of your newsworthy items, including photos and links to [email protected]
Winter Uniform
Winter uniform is effective 04 Nov, 2018 as follows:
• Red Cover
• Long Sleeve White Shirt with tie
• Black Trousers
• Black Shoes & Socks
• Red Satin Jacket when appropriate
Marine Corps League Uniforms available online:
https://www.mclnational.org/store.html
USMC Weapons Corner
M60 Machine Gun 7.62mm (The Pig)The M60 is a belt-fed machine gun that fires the
7.62×51mm NATO cartridge (similar to .308 Winchester).
It is generally used as a crew-served weapon and
operated by a team of two or three individuals.
The M60 was in
service from 1957
through the early
1990s, being replaced
by M240. Quite familiar
to our Vietnam Vets.
Newsletter editor Dave
Buckta recently fired
an M60E3 on the
range.VA Welcome Kithttps://www.va.gov/va_welcomekit_color.pdf
2/25/2019 CC MCL Newsletter 3
Minutes From Meeting on – January 28, 2019
Meeting Opened: 7:35 PM
Roll Call of Officers:
Officer Member Present
Commandant Doug Forsythe X
Sr. Vice-Commandant Jerry Myers X
Jr. Vice-Commandant Bob Strehl X
Judge Advocate Bill Stellfox
Jr. Past Commandant Jim Copeland X
Adjutant Jack Meighan X
Paymaster Larry Samples X
Chaplain Dan Condron X
Sergeant at Arms Leo Burke X
Service Officer Doug Forsythe X
Trustee Lou Netta X
Trustee Pat Powell X
Trustee Tom Tanner
10 officers present: Judge Advocate Stellfox, and Trustee Tom Tanner were excused. The
Commandant recognized the presence of District One Senior Vice-Commandant George Souder
and his wife.
Standing Committees:
Jim Copeland (Nominating): This is the third round of nominations. The following members
have been nominated and have said they will serve:
Commandant: Jerry Myers;
Senior Vice-Commandant: Bob Strehl;
2/25/2019 CC MCL Newsletter 4
Dennis Brown said he had nominated Jed Burns for Senior Vice-Commandant at the December
meeting. Jim Copeland explained that Jed had subsequently turned down the nomination because he
is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
Junior Vice-Commandant: Bob Campagna;
Judge Advocate: Open; Doug Forsythe nominated
Bill Stellfox for Judge Advocate, however, he has not committed to accepting the nomination at this
time;
Trustees: Lou Netta, Pat Powell, and Tom
Tanner.
There were no other nominations from the floor. Lee Beyer made a motion that the Adjutant cast one
unanimous ballot for all unopposed candidates, Dan Condron seconded the motion which passed.
Adjutant Jack Meighan cast one unanimous vote for all unopposed candidates: Jerry Myers for
Commandant; Bob Strehl for Senior Vice-Commandant; and Bob Campagna for Junior Vice-
Commandant.
The appointed positions of Adjutant, Chaplain, Paymaster, Sergeant-at-Arms, and Service Officer
will be held by Jack Meighan (Adjutant); Dan Condron (Chaplain); Larry Samples (Paymaster); and
Leo Burke (Sergeant-at-Arms). The position of Service Officer is open.
District One Senior Vice-Commandant George Souder presided over the installation of newly elected
officers and appointed officers; Doug Forsythe served as the Sergeant-at-Arms and Jonathan Gilbert
served as Chaplain for the installation.
New Members:
None.
Minutes from Previous Meeting:
The minutes from 12/17/2018 were provided to members. A motion to accept the minutes was made
by Hank Detering and seconded by Lou Netta. The motion passed.
Correspondence:
The detachment received a thank you note from Jonathan Gilbert and his family. The Freedoms
Foundation is having its Local Heroes Awards Dinner; our detachment has reserved ten seats at the
dinner.
Paymaster Report:
Paymaster Samples presented the paymaster’s report. A $6,000 contribution has been received from
the Applecross Country Club. A motion to receive the paymaster’s report subject to audit was made
by Ken Schweitzer and seconded by Dan Condron. The motion passed.
Members or Family Members Sick or in Distress:
Jed Burns is recovering from a knee replacement. Kathy Van Gorder is suffering from vertigo and is
home resting.
2/25/2019 CC MCL Newsletter 5
Report of Officers:
Bob Strehl (Membership): At present, our membership stands at 134 and we only lost one member last year
who chose not to renew his membership.
Special Committees:
Dennis Brown (Marksmanship): The first marksmanship meeting for 2019 was held yesterday. The February
meeting will also be at the detachment on 2/24/19. A live fire practice will be held at Kimberton on 3/3/2019.
Lee Beyer (Toys 4 Tots): Final numbers for the 2018 campaign were 46,000 toys distributed to more than
16,000 kids.
Lee Beyer (Marine of the Year): The banquet will be held on 3/30/2019 honoring Doug Forsythe. A work
party on 2/4/2019 will put together invitations to be sent out.
Bob Campagna (Golf Tournament): A deposit has been given to the Applecross Country Club and the menu
has been selected.
Unfinished Business:
None.
New Business:
None.
Good of the League:
Doug Forsythe presented the following awards and certificates of appreciatioin:
Meritorious Commendations: Joanne Brown, Bob Campagna, Hank Detering, Mike Rapp and Ken
Schweitzer. Kay Croll, Bill Kennedy, and Lisa Sundin were not present and will receive their commendations
at a subsequent date.
Distinguished Citizen Awards: Dan Condron, Lee Beyer and Dennis Brown.
Certificates of Appreciation (Appointed Officers): Leo Burke, Dan Condron, Jack Meighan and Larry
Samples. Joanne Brown of the Ladies Auxiliary also received a Certificate of Appreciation.
Certificates of Appreciation (Elected Officers): Jim Copeland, Jerry Myers, Lou Netta, Pat Powell and Bob
Strehl.
Distinguished Citizen Awards: Dave Buckta, Leo Burke, Jim Copeland, Jack Meighan, Jerry Myers, Lou
Netta, Pat Powell, Larry Samples, and Bob Strehl.
Jim Copeland presented Doug Forsythe a Distinguished Citizen Award.
2/25/2019 CC MCL Newsletter 6
The Commandant’s Trophy was awarded to Dave Buckta by Doug Forsythe. Doug said he hopes the
trophy will be presented annually to a deserving detachment member.
Dennis Brown said he heard that someone tripped on the broken sidewalk in front of the detachment
entrance. Doug Forsythe said a report on the condition of the sidewalk has been prepared and submitted
to Jaylo Property Management. Doug said the report also noted the cracks in the parking lot adjacent to
the entrance.
Dennis asked who would take over the responsibility of updating the plaques with the names of deceased
members since Kay Croll is moving. Dan Condron said Jed Burns has assumed this responsibility. Dennis
also asked if anyone knew what happened to the red cloth with a Marine Corps emblem, which covered
the table where the bible is placed. No one knew; Commandant Myers said another cloth would be
procured.
Announcements:
Invitations to the ceremony honoring the first Commandant of the Marine Corps Samuel Nicholas have
been sent out to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps League,
Department Commandant and other detachments.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart will have a banquet in February honoring the best male and
female high school athletes in Chester County.
The detachment has purchased ten seats for the Freedoms Foundation dinner honoring Local Heroes on
2/23/2019. Joe Crescenz will be honored.
Closing: 8:47 PM
EVENT: Freedoms Foundation Local Heroes Gala DATE: Feb 23, 2019
LOCATION: Valley Forge Freedoms Foundation, Valley Forge, PA
SUMMARY: Detachment personnel attended the annual Freedom Foundations Local Heroes
Gala where 3 individual and groups were recognized for their civic achievements. Doug
Forsythe assisted with Master of Ceremony duties on the stage.
MEMBERS: Jerry Myers (Martha), Doug Forsythe (Guest), Dan Fitzpatrick, Leo Burke and
Dave Buckta (Beverly).
SUBMITTED BY: Bev Buckta
2/25/2019 CC MCL Newsletter 7
EVENT: Detachment Bingo DATE: Feb 02 and 16, 2019
LOCATION: CC MCL Chestnut Street
MEMBERS: Leo Burke, Jim Copeland, Dave Mundy, Mike Rapp, Joanne Brown, Dennis Brown, Mario
Scherl, Pat Powell, Deb Allen Mundy, Doug Forsythe, and Della Scherl.
PURPOSE: Regularly scheduled Bingo operations were conducted in the CC MCL headquarters area.
Feb 02 had 48 participants and Feb 16 had 38 participants.
SUBMITTED BY: Leo Burke
EVENT: Monthly Bingo - Shut Ins DATE: Feb 13, 2019
LOCATION: VA Coatesville, Bldg 59A
MEMBERS: Bill Kennedy, Jim Copeland, Leo Burke, Tom Tanner, and Dan Condron
PURPOSE: Presented $175 in Canteen Books and Ice Cream & Tasty Cakes to 15 vets.
SUBMITTED BY: Leo Burke
EVENT: Color Guard Honoring Richard Hevner DATE: February 12, 2019
MEMBERS: Jerry Myers, Doug Forsyth, Jim Copeland and Bob Strehl
SUMMARY: Detachment personnel represented the marines Corps league and provided
color guard support at an event honoring Rick Hevner.
Rick is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Thomas Jefferson University. He served as
Trustee of Methodist Hospital since 1990. Becoming a trustee of Thomas Jefferson
University Hospital in 1996, and Trustee of Jefferson University in 2013. He served as
Chairman of Methodist Hospital Foundation, Trustee of Moore College of Art and Design since
1984.Trustee and Treasurer of Droposie College, Annenberg Research Institute, Board of
Overseers for the Center for Judaic Studies at Penn, and Chairman of the Methodist Home
for Children Foundation. Rick sponsors a therapeutic equestrian therapy program for
neurologically impaired children at his family farm in Chester County. He is a Partner in Elkins
& Company, and managing Director of Rajant Corporation. Rick Served in the United States
Marine Corps as 1st Lieutenant from 1966-1972 and in Vietnam from 1969-1970.
LOCATION: Rajant Corporation, Malvern, PA
SUBMITTED BY: Jerry Myers
EVENT: 2019 Installation of Officer and 2018 Awards DATE: Jan28, 2019
LOCATION: CC MCL HQ
MEMBERS: Detachment Personnel
PURPOSE: District One Senior Vice-Commandant George Souder presided over the installation of newly
elected officers and appointed officers; Doug Forsythe served as the Sergeant-at-Arms and Jonathan
Gilbert served as Chaplain for the installation. CC MCL Detachment members and friends were
recognized for 2018 achievements..
SUBMITTED BY: Bev Buckta
2/25/2019 CC MCL Newsletter 8
2/25/2019CC MCL Newsletter
Page 92/25/2019 Page 9CC MCL Newsletter
CC MCL Life Membership as of February 2019
USMC Fun Fact
The first American to orbit the Earth was a Marine
In 1962, aboard NASA’s Mercury capsule Friendship 7, a Marine named John Glenn became
the first American to orbit the Earth.
Glenn quickly shattered his own record and circled the Earth twice more. After the first orbit,
there was a mechanical problem with the automatic control system.
In true Marine fashion, Glenn assumed manual control of the craft for the final 2 revolutions of
the mission. During his orbit he was travelling at speeds greater than 17,000 miles per hour.
Lee C. Beyer Daniel V. Fitzpatrick Jr. James J. Miller Walter W. Simcox, Jr.
James C. Bradford, Sr. Rogers C. Flanigan Richard J. Morrow James G. Snyder
Dennis Brown Douglas R. Forsythe Dave Mundy Bob Spano
Daniel W. Bullock III Jamie W. Goncharoff Phillip Murray William E Stellfox
Leo Burke Donald Goodwin Jerry D. Myers Robert G. Stone
Gerard F. Burns Bob Gross Louis Stephen "Lou" Netta Robert L. "Bob" Strehl
John J. Ceschan Jr. Michael Guyer John F. O'Brien Peter R. Supplee
Daniel J. Condron Albert B. Harper Sr. Jay F. Patton Tom Tanner
James Copeland John E. Hinckley Mark A. Peterson Steven W. Talley
William J. Corcoran Leif Jacobsen Julius Pinter Kathy A. Van Gorder
Kay M. Croll Steven G. Jefferis Patrick B. Powell Elmer S. "Van" Van Gorder
Henry A. "Hank" Detering Joseph J. Kay Jack Ribble Mark A. Wahn
John DiMatteo William G. Keers Les Rouse Dennis P. Walsh
Dominic DiSciullo Walter Kutz Patrick Rundle Albert R. Wertz
James Donegan Fred LeClair Larry L Samples Charles T. Wertz Jr.
Robert F. Donovan Thomas M. Logan Jeff Sanders William E. Woodward
Robert L. Dormer Bill Mackey Mario M. Scherl James Yocum
Joseph E. Dulin Jr. Jim McIlhenney Kenneth Schweitzer
Craig S. Evans John "Jack" Meighan Raymond E. Sheldon
Gary N. Fay Donald W. Meyer William F. Shields
Any members in good standing desiring a Life membership refer to aged based rates are as follows:
Over 65 $200
51-65 $300
36-50 $400
35 and below $500
Please contact Larry Samples, Paymaster or Bob Campagna, Jr. Vice Commandant for more information.
2/25/2019 CC MCL Newsletter 10
Membership Scoop
Member Contact Information Confirmation:
By now you should have received either an email or for members without an active email address a
letter to confirm your individual personal contact information. If you haven’t done so already, please
respond so you don’t miss any future Detachment Scoop.
New Life Members:
The Detachment would like to recognize the following new Marine Corps League Life Members:
Bob Gross Bill Mackey Patrick Rundle
James Snyder Steve Talley Dennis Walsh
Anyone who may be interesting in becoming a Life Member, please contact Larry Samples or Bob Strehl.
New Members:
Our Detachment is always looking for new members. If you know of a veteran Marine, FMF Corpsman,
Chaplin or individual who wants to help veterans and their communities. Maybe a distant relative,
friend, neighbor or church contact. Please invite them to one of our events or meetings.
Volunteer’s Needed:
Members and friends of our Detachment are involved with numerous projects and programs which
support our fellow veterans & communities and an extra hand is always appreciated. If you are
interested in getting involved in any of the following initiatives, please reach out to the team lead. Also,
if you have any recommendation for program’s which may not be listed. Please contact any of the
Detachment officers.
VA Hospital: Dan Condron Eagle Scouts: Larry Samples Community Bingo: Leo Burke or Jim Copland Toys for Tots: Lee Beyer Scholarship Program: Larry Samples School Visits: Doug Forsythe Parades & Color Guards: Jed Burns Funeral Services: Dan Condron
Annual Golf Outing: Bob Campagna Competitive Marksmanship: Dennis Brown Birthday Ball: Jed Burns Fund Raising: Jerry Myers Advertising: Jeanne Rapp HQ Improvements: Leo Burke
League Auxiliary: Joanne Brown Newsletter or Websites: Dave Buckta Flag Retirements: Leo Burke Membership: Bob Strehl
2/25/2019 CC MCL Newsletter 11
Chester County Marine
March 2019 EVENT Calendar
March 2019Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2Bingo 5:30pm
Jim Copeland
3Pistol Team
Practice
Kimberton
0900
Dennis Brown
4 5 6 7 8 9VA Bingo
St. Patrick’s Day
Dan Condron
10MODD Growl
1430
Larry Samples
11 12 13VA Bingo
Dan Condron
CC MCL Staff
Meeting 7:30pm
Jerry Myers
14 15 16Bingo 5:30pm
Jim Copeland
17 18 19 20 21 22Flag Folding and
Colors
Brandywine Hall
Doug Forsythe
23
24Pistol Team
Practice
Uncle Bobby
Tentative
0900
Dennis Brown
25General
Membership Mtg
7:30pm
Jerry Myers
26
V.A.V.S
Popcorn &
Pretzels Sale
0900-1200
VA BDLG 9
Dan Condron
27 28 29 30MOY Banquet
4:00pm
Lee Beyer
31
2/25/2019 CC MCL Newsletter 12
Chester County Marine
April 2019 EVENT Calendar
April 2019Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6Pistol Team
Delaware
County
0800
Dennis Brown
Bingo
5:30pm
Jim Copeland
7Pistol Team
Practice
Kimberton
0900
Dennis Brown
8 9 10VA Bingo
Dan Condron
CC MCL Staff
Meeting 7:30pm
Jerry Myers
11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20Bingo
5:30pm
Jim Copeland
21 22General
Membership Mtg
7:30pm
Jerry Myers
23V.A.V.S
Popcorn &
Pretzels Sale
0900-1200
VA BDLG 9
Dan Condron
24 25 26 27
28Pistol Team
Practice
Uncle Bobby
Tentative
0900
Dennis Brown
29 30
End of Newsletter