The Chester County Marine

Volume XVI, Issue 2 Dave Buckta, editor Feb 2019CCMarineNews@Verizon.net 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 CCMarineNews@Verizon.net

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