volume iii june 2016 the wall that ... · vso’s and individuals that donated their time. it was...
TRANSCRIPT
1
The Official Newsletter of the Department of Alabama Marine Corps League
Dianna Grantham Editor
1240 Palmetto Ct
Mobile, AL 36695 251-377-9818
Commandant
Jerry Cherne 251-554-7676
Sr Vice Commandant
AB Grantham 251-680-0006
Jr Vice Commandant
Mike Walton 344-712-
6843
Judge Advocate
Don Fisher 334-221-
3175
Adjutant
Ed Mason 256-90-6729
Paymaster
Darrell Langford 334-805-
7335
Chaplain
John Burks, Jr. 205-587-8634
Sergeant at Arms
John Reid 251– 404-492
Jr. Past Commandant
Jack Hopping 205-983-
3138
Volume III June 2016 www.alabamamcl.org
The traveling Vietnam
wall came to Mobile
and was displayed May
18-22, 2016 at the USS
Alabama Battleship
Park. It was presented
by the Blue star Salute
Foundation and the
South Alabama Veter-
ans Council. With lots
of help from other
VSO’s and individuals
that donated their time.
It was estimated that
over 6,000 people came
to the wall. There was
177 register volunteers
with 30-40 extras that
showed up just to help.
All 3 lower Alabama
detachments, Jesse An-
drews, Joseph Whit-
head and PL Wilson
detachments were
among the many volunteers. Special thanks to our detachment members for their
extraordinary work in making this happen; Lou Thomas, Kenya Thomas, Herb
Cole, Jerry Cherne & AB
Grantham. There were
wonderful stories shared
about many of the brave
men and women listed
on the Wall. It was a
very moving experience
for all that attended.
The Wall that Heals came to Mobile
Some of the almost 200 volunteers that worked on the Blue Star Salute and the Wall that Heals.
2
Commandants Corner
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY DETACHMENT COMMANDANT TO HAVE MEASURES IN PLACE TO MONITOR AND MANAGE RETENTION. That includes timely payment of dues by members, timely and accurate submission of trans-mittal forms to the Department Paymaster, and just as importantly routine recon-ciliation and verification. It doesn’t matter what is on your internal roster, what matters is what is on National’s Roster. COMMANDANTS – YOU ARE RESPONISI-BLE. You may delegate but you are responsible. We will be glad to answer any questions.
As I write this many of us are preparing for our 31st Department of Alabama Con-vention. It is right around the corner. I hope to see you there. It is being jointly hosted by the P.L. Wilson and Jesse Andrews Jr. Detachments. It promises to be a great event. We have some important business and it is always a time to recon-nect with old friends and make new ones. No Marine is a stranger.
Our guest speaker at the banquet is Sgt.Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia. The Sergeant Ma-jor’s last assignment was as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joints Chief of Staff and to the Secretary of the Defense. Prior to that assignment he worked for General James Mattis. He and his lovely wife Lisa, also a Marine, re-cently joined the Joseph Whitehead Detachment in Foley, Alabama.
Please plan to attend our training Friday afternoon at 1430. There are three classes and all are open to any member. Commandant Training – this will focus primarily on the everyday challenges of a Detachment Commandant. We’ll also discuss the leadership challenges and share with each other some tools to help you be successful. We encourage Com-mandants, Sr. and Jr. Vice Commandants and anyone thinking about entering the officer ranks to attend.
Judge Advocate Training – Who could better head up this training then our National Judge Advocate Johnny Baker? He will be assisted by Department Judge Advocate Don Fisher. What does it mean to be a Detachment Judge Advo-cate? Johnny will cover what you need to know and how to do your job. All are invited but each Detachment Judge Ad-vocate should attend.
Paymaster Training – Department Paymaster Darrell Langford will organize this discussion. Of course transmittals will be discussed but so will basic bookkeeping, control of funds and audits. Obviously Paymaster should attend but we highly encourage every Detachment Commandant to have at least one person attend.
Lastly, I would like to address this Newsletter. We thank all the contributors. Each Detachment should have an article and a picture or two each month. Dianna Grantham does a fabulous job putting this newsletter together. It is a lot of work. We have a newsletter because many of you asked for one. It gets distributed via email to Detachment Commandants. I have asked members from around the state if they received their copy and too many say no, they haven’t seen it. Commandants and De-tachment Officers; it’s a simple task; forward the newsletter to all your members. Maybe print a couple to pass around at your meeting for those who don’t have email.
"Marines don't know how to spell the word defeat" (General James Mattis)
Commandant’s Corner
3
DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
31ST ANNUAL CONVENTION
JUNE 10-12, 2016
Jointly Hosted by Jesse Andrews Jr. Detachment
& P.L. Wilson Detachment
Location: The Ashbury Hotel & Suites Address 600 West Interstate 65 Service Rd N, Mobile, AL
36608
Phone (251) 344-8030. Ask for Marine Corps League rate. REGISTER NOW!!!
Room Rates: Regular Room $70+ tax; or motel type outside entrance (smoking available for
these) $60+ tax per night, includes hot breakfast/parking.
***Open Bar Hospitality Suite*** Friday
3 Training Classes at 1430, Paymaster, Judge Advocate, and Commandant’s Training. Any member may attend. Commandants Counsel: Friday 1800 red polo or equivalent and cover
Open Hospitality Room – 1500-2330
Raffle Room/Ship’s Store: 1300-1900 Saturday
Open session (members and guests welcome): Saturday 0830 undress blues preferred, or red polo w/cover
Business Meeting: 15 minutes after Open Session ends, undress blues/red polo w/cover
Raffle Room/Ship’s Store: 0700-0815
Guest/spouse trip 0915
Lunch 1145+-, on your own
Business Meeting re-convenes if needed 1300 – 1400
Devil Dog Growl at 1430
Raffle Room/Ship’s Store: end of business meeting until 1400
Cocktail Hour: 1700 – 1800 (Formal or red blazer uniform, suit/sport jacket, no cover)
Banquet: 1800 (Formal or red blazer uniform, suit/sport jacket, no cover) Hospitality re-opens after Banquet. Music by guest DJ, dancing
See you in Mobile! Semper Fidelis
Jerry Cherne ,
4
DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
31ST ANNUAL CONVENTION
10 - 12 June 2016
***Registration Form***
Name (print): _____________________________________________________________
Detachment: _______________________________________________________________
Department Office Currently Held: ______________________________________________
Detachment Office Currently Held: ______________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________State:____Zip_________Telephone_____________________
Email: ____________________________Spouse/Guest Name_________________________
Meals
Friday: on your own or Hospitality Room will be serving free fried catfish, fried shrimp, sides and snacks from 1700 till gone. Open Bar
Saturday: Free hot breakfast buffet with a room rental. Lunch is on your own.
Banquet: Choices include salad, rolls, tea/coffee, dessert, greens beans and baked potatoes.
Sunday: Free hot breakfast buffet with a room rental.
Saturday Activity 9:00AM: Tour of Mardi Gras Museum, The Cathedral Basilica, and lunch at “Spot of Tea” restaurant downtown Mobile. $35 per person min 30 people
Member Delegate Registration Fee ($10 per person): Qty:____ x $10 Total: $________
Guest Registration Fee ($5 per person): Qty:____ x $5 Total: $________
Saturday Activity (Mardi Gras museum & lunch) ($35 per person): Qty:____ x $35 Total: $________
Saturday Banquet Dinner
New York Strip: ($40 per person): Qty:____ x $40 Total: $________
Grilled Grouper: ($40 per person): Qty:____ x $40 Total: $________
Total $______________
Check payable to: Jesse Andrews Jr. Det. MCL
Mail to: Marine Corps League Committee Chair Contacts - questions:
6845 Hwy. 90 E A.B. Grantham, 251-680-0006, [email protected]
Suite. 105-314 Carl M. Jozaitis, 251-753-1081, [email protected]
Daphne, AL 36526
*******OPEN BAR HOSPITALITY *******
5
Department of Alabama’s Detachments and Commandants
Detachment Commandant Commandant’s Address
P. L. Wilson Det. #447 Bryan Dewberry
Mobile, AL [email protected] 251-533-4218
Meets 2nd Tues - 1800 (meal) & 1900 (meeting) hrs at American Legion Post 88 - 2663 Halls Mill Road, Mobile, AL
Howlin' Mad Smith Det. Joe Findley
Birmingham, AL [email protected] 205-680-1276
Meets 3rd Sat. - 0900 Hrs at American Legion Post 171 - 8325 1st Ave. N., Birmingham, AL
Wiregrass Det. #752 Darrell Langford
Dothan, AL [email protected] 334-805-7335
Meets 1st Thur. - 1800 hrs - Golden Corral - 3340 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL
Brandon Wilborn Det. #820 James Samuelson
Huntsville, AL [email protected] 256-509-0508 or 256-535-0857
Meets 2nd Tues. - 1900 hrs. - 725 Franklin St. S. E., Huntsville, AL 35801
Townsend Det. #920 Dan Newcomer
Montgomery, AL [email protected] 334-462-2503
Meets 3rd Sat. - 0830 hrs at American Legion Hdqtrs., 120 N. Jackson St., Montgomery, AL
Billy Stelpflug Det. #1064 Grady Jones
Auburn, AL [email protected] 334-821-5486
Meets 3rd Sat. - 0730 hrs. for B'fast (0830 Meeting) at Chappy's Deli - 754 E. Gleen Ave., Auburn, AL
McLaughlin Det. #1091 Mitchell Chastain
Gadsden, AL [email protected] H 256-543-7196 C 256-490-3960
Meets 3rd Sat.at 1000 Hrs at Elliot Community Center, 2829 W. Meighan Blvd. Gadsden, AL
Kenny E. Black Det. #1166 Bobby (Skip) Ferguson
Athens, AL [email protected] 256-529-5907
Meets 3rd Sat. - 1200 Hrs at Alabama Veterans Museum, 100 Pryor Street West, Athens, AL
Johnny M. Spann Det. #1272 Harold Battles
Tuscaloosa, AL comman-
[email protected] 205-331-9361
Meets @ 1800 hrs @ location noted @ www. Tuscaloosamarines.com
Allen Ray Chaffin Det. #1329 Dan Long
Anniston, AL [email protected] 256-310-6481
Meets 4th Tues. - 1900 hrs at Calhoun County Civil Defense Bldg. on Bynum-Leatherwood Road, Anniston, AL
6
Cpl. Joseph Whitehead Det.
#1370 Mike Graham
Gulf Shores, AL [email protected] 205-499-6628
Meets 4th Thurs. - 1800 hrs. -at Gulf Bowling Alley- 2881 S. Juniper St. Foley, AL 36535
Jesse Andrews Jr.Det. #1378 Lew Thomas
Daphne, AL [email protected] 251-454-0004
Meets 3rd Tues. -1830 hrs at Don Carlos Restaurant, 29669 Hwy 181, Daphne, AL 36526
N.E. Alabama Det. #1404 Robert Harrell
Ft. Payne, AL [email protected] 704-575-2114
Meets 2nd Sat. - 1000 hrs -MCL Meeting Hall - 659 Wallace Avenue, Ft. Payne, AL
Lr. Gen. Victor "Brute"
Krulak Det. #1415 Ed Smith, Jr.
Hoover, AL [email protected] H=205-661-9410 W-205-326-4389 C=205-966-3185
Meets 2nd Sat. - 1000 hrs at Hoover Tactical Firearms - 1561 Montgomery Hwy. Hoover, AL 35216
LCpl Jonathan L Smith Det. Loyd Potter
Decatur, AL [email protected] 256-560-5162
Meets 3rd Thur - 1900 hrs at American Legion Post 15 (Back Door) - 2607 US-31, Decatur, AL 35603
Department of Alabama’s Detachments and Commandants
Detachment Commandant Commandant’s Address
On the lighter side
7
CHAMPIONING
BECOME A CHAMPION BY CHAMPIONING THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
Why did you join the Marine Corps League? To meet other Marines? To render assistance to other Ma-rines? To hang out with people who have common interests? To relive days past? To celebrate our beloved Corps? To be part of something good and productive?
To some degree the answer is probably yes to all of these. So what are YOU doing to foster this? Have you stepped up to become an officer? To be an active member of a committee? To help organize a Detachment event?
You are a Marine (and this includes Corpsmen and Chaplains), act like one. Step up! Be part of something that is pretty damn good but can be great. To be great you need to champion the MCL. You need to do more than just be there. Step up! Champion the Corps and the MCL. Become an active player.
Are you happy just being a member and not really being involved? Imagine how you’ll feel if you step up and become a champion. You can make a difference. Collectively we can make a big difference. There is nothing that can stop a group of Marines from accomplishing their mission as long as every member does their part. Do something! Become a positive influence. It is there for the taking.
You wore the uniform. You took the oath to serve your country as a United State Marine. You took another oath when you joined the MCL. Have you ever truly listened to the words of the oath and the meaning behind those words?
When you become an active player, a champion; you further the MCL cause. Your fellow members see it, your community sees it, and more importantly – you’ll see it. You’ll feel it. Nothing feels better than accomplishing the mission or task to the best of your ability. Nothing feels better than helping someone else. You know it’s in you; it became part of you in Boot Camp or OCS. All you have to do now is act on it.
It’s easy to have an excuse, they are a dime a dozen. I work, my wife or husband keeps me busy, I have to cut the grass, etc. etc. Yes, it is the easy way out. We all know it is just that, an excuse. We all have them, and yes, they do smell.
Take a pledge to become a champion by championing the Marine Corps League. Do that by becoming ac-tive. Volunteer to become an officer, head committee or organize an event. Take it and own it. Get in-volved. Sitting on your hands accomplishes nothing. Marines don’t like to hear excuses.
We know you love our Corps and would do anything for it. Apply that to the Marine Corps League. You’ll feel good about it and together we can do great things. After all, we are MARINES and we will not be stopped. So jump in with both feet. OORAH
Jerry Cherne & A.B. Grantham
8
Senior Vice Commandant A.B. Grantham
This is usually a very busy time for most of us so I’ll keep this brief.
The Department Convention is right around the corner and the committee is feverishly working to get ready. There will be lots of meetings and activities to indulge in but there will also be time to fellowship with our friends and meet new friends. The hospitality will be “Mobile Style” and most of you know what that means. Those of you that don’t will want to come find out. Trust me, if you don’t enjoy hanging out in our hospitality room have someone check your pulse. There will be some very important training and meetings to attend. The training classes are a new concept from the brain storming of Jerry Cherne and myself. He provided the brains and I provided the storm. As an inaugural session, we may experience a few hiccups so bear with us and be part of the solutions and progress, not a part of the problem and complaining. We are doing this for you so you can become
more familiar with what it takes to do the job you have agreed to do or that you may want to do in the future. Saturday will be a full day with some important issues being brought up in the regular session and also a Devil Dog Growl will be conduct-ed by our own Pack Leader PDD Jack Hopping. We expect to have fun all weekend and get a lot accomplished at the same time. I hope you will also.
We have a signed contract now for the Southeast Division Conference 2017 to be held in Mobile at the Mobile Mar-riott. This is not the one downtown where the National Convention was held. This one is next door to the Bell Air Mall on Airport Blvd. approximately 1 mile east of Interstate 65 and Airport Blvd intersection. You can find the information on the Department website at www.alabamamcl.org or the P.L. Wilson Detachment website at www.mobilemarines.org. Elections will be held for the National Vice Commandant of the Southeast Division nominee that will be elected at the National Con-vention in St. Louis in August of 2017. It is very important for you to come cast your votes. This election is not conducted by delegate voting. It is done by a majority of the eligible members present that vote. Credentials will be check and veri-fied that all voting are qualified and a member in good standing. If your dues are past due, you are not in good standing and will not be permitted to vote. So please make sure your dues are current and be present so your voice and vote can be counted. See you all (I Hope) in Mobile in June
A.B. Grantham
Recruiting and retention are some words we hear all the time. In order to keep our numbers up not only do we have to get out and look for new members but we have to keep them coming back to our meetings. How are you doing on this issue? Do you take the time to talk to others that come to the meetings and make them feel welcome? Do you make your meetings fun as well as informative? I am sure you have heard of the “GOOD OLE BOYS running the show” or “It is their way or no way”. If this is the feeling at your meetings this has to change. Don’t be a follower and do what they want stand up and be counted. Run for an office when the time comes and make the necessary changes. Don’t sit back and go with the flow or give up and quit. We joined the Marine Corps because we wanted to be one of the best. Isn’t this why we joined the league too? I am going to challenge each and every one of you to stop and take a good look at your meetings. Ask yourself if there are any changes that would improve them and then start doing it. Then and only then can we be successful in bring in new members and retaining them.
Junior Vice’s Commandants take a look at your rosters and see how many are delinquent and reach out to them. Find out why they aren’t paying their dues and if there is anything you can do to help. Let your members know a month in advance when their due date is. I know the National sends it out but like so many times it is put on the back burner. A call will let them know that you are thinking about them.
Semper Fi (Words to live by) Mike Walton
Senior Vice Commandant—AB Grantham
Jr Vice Commandant— Mike Walton
9
DEPARTMENT JUDGE ADVOCATE
Along with your other Detachment and Department officers I
want to encourage all MCL members to attend the Depart-
ment Convention to be held in Mobile June 10 - 12. On Fri-
day, the 10th, several officer training sessions will be held in-
cluding one for Judge Advocates. This is an information pro-
gram for all members not just those sitting detachment judge
advocates. MCL National Judge Advocate Johnny Baker will
lead the JA training.
Whether you intend to take in the JA training or not, I sug-
gest you maintain a copy of the complete MCL National By-
laws, updated through 2015. You can download a copy from
MCL National’s website at: www.mclnational.org/ or pur-
chase a copy at National’s Semper Fi On Line Store at sem-
perfistore.org/ for $10.00. My preference is having both, es-
pecially for those of you who are Detachment officers. The
importance of having National’s Bylaws readily available is
noted in National’s Bylaws Sections 400 and 505 which state that local bylaws cannot be
“inconsistent with the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures”.
Department Bylaws will be an important part of the upcoming Convention. The Bylaws Commit-
tee, with input from members across the State, are proposing several enhancements to the Bylaws
that were voted in at the January 2016 Quarterly meeting. The proposed changes are up on the
Department website, www.alabamamcl.org/ and have also been sent to your Detachment Com-
mandants for distribution. If you have questions about these proposed amendments prior to the
Convention, call me or one of the other elected Department officers.
See you in Mobile!
Don Fisher
Don Fisher
Judge Advocate
Department of Alabama
334-221-3175
Judge Advocate—Don Fisher
10
On April 22 for the Department of Alabama Marine Corps League, Department Jun-ior Vice Mike Walton (2nd from R) and Department Paymaster Darrell Langford pre-sented the 2016 Marion Military Institute Scholarship check ($3,000.00) to Col. Da-vid J. Mollahan (MMI President). Also pictured is Justin Muscat the 2015 MMI schol-arship recipient. Justin is from Mobile and will be attending Auburn University after graduating MMI with his Associate’s Degree.
Respectfully,
Darrell Langford
Department of Alabama Paymaster
Department Chaplain—John Burks Jr.
Department Paymaster—Darrell Langford
I am excited about our annual convention in a few days, in Mobile. As we gather for this event, let us pray for
unity within the Department of Alabama. All of us have different opinions and mindsets, but we must never
forget that we have one thing in common: We are all Marines, and we know the importance of sticking togeth-
er. I ask that we all pray for and encourage one another, and pray for our Department officers. George Her-
mansen of the Wiregrass detachment passed away. Let us keep his family and his detachment in our prayers.
Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Amos 3:3
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were
called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3
11
WOOF WOOF!! Just returned from Jackson Miss. and the Dept. of Mississippi con-vention. No growl because there are no Dawgs, but we, with a whole lot of help from the Mobile litter are working on a Pound in Hatties-burg. Next up is the Georgia gathering. Naturally, the Bama Pack will out-shine the crackers in all respects (bring extra bones in case of unfair rulings). Dog Robbers--be sure that any DD'S going up to PDD are properly licensed and that passports and dog tags are correctly filled out. The Kennel is a stickler for details! Tulsa is shaping up as quite a gather-ing; try to attend. Lastly but most important of all--- do not miss the Grand Growl in Mobile in June. We expect a big turnout and a bigger time! Until then, be good Dawgs, avoid the company of gamblers and loose civilians and uncover when indoors. Jack Hopping Commodore of the Cahaba, Head Dawg, Bane of Dog Catchers
Woof Woof to all of you mangy Mutts!!
Worthy Alabama Pack Leader of the Devil Dogs — PDD Jack Hopping
Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They're aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat. RAdm. "Jay" R. Stark, USN; 10 November 1995
12
2016 Department of Alabama Retention Statistics
30-Mar-16
Detachment Name Det # City Reg. Paid
Reg. Unpaid
Assoc Paid
Assoc Unpaid
% Unpaid
Dept of Alabama (per roster) 844 154 176 55 17.00%
Detachments
P.L. Wilson 447 Mobile 115 24 40 17 20.90%
Howlin'Mad Smith 592 Birmingham 169 14 36 6 8.90%
Wiregrass 752 Dothan 72 9 9 3 12.90%
Brandon-Wilbourn 820 Huntsville 39 11 2 3 25.50%
Townsend 920 Montgomery 79 13 8 1 13.90%
Billy Stepflug 1064 Auburn 43 5 1 0 10.20%
McLaughlin 1091 Gadsden 46 4 13 1 7.80%
Kenney E. Black 1166 Athens 2 11 0 0 84.60%
Johnny M. Spann 1272 Tuscaloosa 41 16 2 3 30.60%
Allen Ray Chaffin 1329 Anniston 21 7 9 2 23.10%
Cpl Joseph Whitehead 1370 Gulf Shores 44 3 13 4 10.90%
Jesse Andrews Jr. 1378 Daphne 37 1 16 0 1.90%
NE Alabama 1404 Fort Payne 30 5 10 2 14.90%
Lt.Gen. Victor Krulak 1415 Hoover 67 31 11 13 36.10%
L/Cpl Jonathan L. Smith 1427 Decatur 39 0 6 0 0.00%
Totals, All Detachment
844 154 176 55 17.00%
Total Paid Members 1,020
Total Unpaid Members 209
Note: Members listed on the National Roster as Multiple, are included in the "Regular" Members column
We feel these numbers will be a lot better with more members showing paid on this next re-
port that will be out the end of June. Lots of catch-up has been done by National and by
many detachments.
13
Web Sergent Report WWW.alabamaMCL.org
This is the web site address. Keep yourself informed and visit the site. To look at the latest news go to
the Documents tab then you’ll see sections for:
Minutes (from the last meeting)
Current By-Laws
Proposed By-Law Changes
Paymaster Responsibilities and guide
Recruiting and Retention guide
Transfer notice form
Transmittal form
Death notice form
We keep the website current so Please go to the site and especially read the proposed By-Law Changes that
we will be voting on at the Convention in June.
You can also select Newsletters and read prior newsletters.
AB Grantham Web Sergeant
From your Editor First of all I’d like to thank each of you that took the time to submit an article and or a Picture. With that said, I’d
like to see more input. Let everyone know about your upcoming big events. Maybe you’ll get some participation
from other detachments.
Secondly, give me some feedback. Tell me what you like and what you don’t like.
What else you’d like to see included. Let me know that you have read the news-
letter. Feedback is what motivates me.
To keep my life a little simpler I created a new email address just for this newsletter.
Share it with everyone and maybe we can get some more input and feedback.
Please include your name and detachment name in your communications with me,
as I’m still trying to learn everyone’s name and League affiliation. It keeps me from
getting too confused and making mistakes.
Hope each of you enjoy this edition. And hope to meet many more of you at our
Department convention.
Dianna S. Grantham
Phone: 251-377-9818
14
2017 Mid Winter National Conference
The mid-winter conference will be held March 2-4th 2017
2016 Marine Corps League National Convention
The 2016 National Convention will be August 7th - thru August 13th, 2016 in the Hyatt Regency hotel in
downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. It will be hosted by the Albert E. Schwab, Detachment #857
To make reservations now you can go online at http://www.mclschwabdet857.com/2016-national-convention and
click the link or you can call Hyatt Regency Tulsa 888-591-1234
They have lots of fun activities planned and it should be a really great convention so plan to attend if you can.
2017 Conference will be held in Mobile, Alabama in March 30 through April 1, 2017
Mobile Marriott, 3101 Airport Blvd. Mobile Alabama 251-476-6400
Rooms are $99 plus tax per night and includes breakfast.
The Department of Alabama State Convention 2016
This year’s convention will held in Mobile, June 10-12, 2016. Jointly Hosted by the Jessie
Andrews Jr. detachment and the P.L. Wilson detachment. Go to Mobilemarines.org un-
der the convention tab to make your reservations.
National
Around the Marine Corps League
Department of Alabama
Southeast Division
15
Department of Alabama new members for the year
New Department of Alabama Marine Corps League Members since 1 July 2015
PL Wilson Detachment 447 Mobile, AL
N Averette II, Paul D N Keller, John R N Barber, Peter J. NAM McIntire, Megan R. NAM Brooks, Jeremy G N Myers IV, Claiborne C. NAM Freeman, Daniel A. NAM Saxon, Ronald NAM Hellman, Misty NAM Saxon, Theresa N Huckabee, Arthur D. N Sundbeck, William D. NAM James, Amanda R. N Wagner, Galen M. Howlin’ Mad Smith Detachment 592 Birmingham, AL NAM Cannon, Frank R. NAM Kennedy, Charles C. N Carsen, Donald N Marrow, Jeremy NAM Crawford, Daniel C. N Pullum, Ignacio NAM Crosby, Anthony R. NAM Rooks, Barbara N Dunn, Douglas C. NAM Ryan, Peter A. NAM Gilbert, Roger A. NAM Star, Cheryl NAM Hopping, Kaaren N Thompson, George Wiregrass Detachment 752 Dothan, AL N Atwell, Bryan NAM Weeks, Donna N Bonnette, James B. N Weeks, Tommy E. N Green, Timothy B. Brandon-Wilbourn Detachment 820 Huntsville, AL N Rau, James R. Townsend Detachment 920 Montgomery, AL N Fulks, James H. N Hodge, William J. Billy Stelpflug Detachment 1064 Auburn, AL N Cipperly, Donald N Sohuh, Kevin S. N Humphrey, William R. N Whealdon, Edwin P. N Kolwaite, Alan D. McLaughlin Detachment 1091 Gadsden, AL N Kirkland, Andrew NAM Roach, Delores H. N McLlendon, Jackie H. N Roberson, Bobby G. NAM Pitts, Angie NAM Smith, Jean M. N Pitts, Ricky R. Kenny Black Detachment 1166 Athens, AL N Thompson, George C. N Wanbaugh, Ronald J. Johnny M. Spann Detachment 1272 Tuscaloosa, AL N Gray, Grant D. Allen Ray Chaffin Detachment 1329 Anniston, AL NAM Barker, Paul R. NAM Griffith, Kimberly NAM Galvan, Cathie D. NAM Griffith, Ronald W. N Good, Cheyenne C. N Zeid, Mark A. NAM Good, Dena J.
Continued on page 16
16
Department of Alabama new members for the year
New Department of Alabama Marine Corps League Members since 1 July 2015
Cpl. Joseph Whitehead Detachment 1370 Gulf Shores, AL N Blaker, Chance NAM Meadows II, Marlin A. NAM Bridges, Cynthia NAM Predrickson, Meredith M. N Little, Albert L. N Reecer II, William P. NAM Meadows, Cleo L. Jesse Andrews Jr. Detachment 1378 Daphne, AL NAM Jeffries, Amy P. N Kerzic, Robert L. NAM Kline, Robert R. NAM Rudicell, James P. Northeast Alabama Detachment 1404 Ft. Payne, AL N Davis, Edgar E. NAM Goolesby, Tony E. N Dornhecker, Robert G. N Ham, Jon R. N Furlong, Daniel B. N Handy, Danny L. Lt. Gen. Victor “Brute” Krulak Detachment 1415 Hoover, AL N Blevins, Todd A. NAM Hill, Tim N Bigos, Mark NDM Kelley, Victor N Blue, Jason NAM Landier, David L. N Bryan, Charles G. N Sayers, Richard A. N Clecker, John N Simmons, John M. NAM Crawford, James D. N Snell, Charles S. N Garrett, Cameron J. N Tatum Jr., Robert M. NAM Garrett, Darrell N Topping, Daniel C. N Herren, Matthew N Wood Jr., Vernon M. Lcpl Jonathan L. Smith Detachment 1427 Decatur, AL NAM Copeland, Susan B. N McVay, Krystal NAM Darnell, Candra N Sandlin, Donnie N Galloway, Patrick L. N Tucker, John G. N Gettler, Raymond N Tucker, Roger D. N Heflin, Samuel I. N Wilson, Frank L. N McVay, Jeremy
We welcome aboard to all these new members to the
Marine Corps League Department of Alabama
17
Detachment Reports—P.L. Wilson Detachment #447 Report
Where to start with the P.L. Wilson Detachment’s activ-
ities since the year began?
We have had quite a bit going on this quarter, and here
is a quick rundown:
We have been able to assist 5 Marines in need of assis-
tance, two of which suffered life altering wounds dur-
ing traffic crashes resulting in loss of limbs.
We have successfully carried out three fundraising ac-
tivities to contribute to our Marines Helping Marines
program and fund some local charities.
Some of our members have been heavily involved in the
planning of the Department Convention in conjunction with the Jesse Andrews Jr. Detachment.
We have also been regular visitors to the William F. Greene Veterans Home and the Mulherin Custodial Home, who
also reaped the benefits from our golf tournament. We
have been able to fit in a spirit night event that allowed
us to meet away from the detachments business and en-
joy a meal and camaraderie, and plan on these events
becoming regular occasions. Our annual detachment pic-
nic/ horseshoe tournament was well attended and much
food and fellowship was shared. Our bereavement com-
mittee and color/honor guard have been quite active and all
indications show it to continue for the remainder of
the year. Most recently our members were fortunate
enough to participate in the Traveling Vietnam “Wall
That Heals” as wall volunteers and coordinators and as
the closing ceremony honor guard providing the Rifle
Salute. All in all it is a large accomplishment that our
members should feel proud to have achieved. The de-
tachments tireless efforts do not go unnoticed by the com-
munity-at-large and we are thankful to our supporters in the community.
Residents of the Green Veterans Home entertained by members of
our detachment with music and dancing even those in wheel chairs.
Registering golfers for the tournament and handing out goody bags.
Dianna Grantham, Libby Davis, Becky Rice, Becca Fosnight & AB Gran-
tham
Alabama Dept Members at the Southeastern Conference in March
P.L. Wilson Color Guard at the closing ceremony of the Wall
18
Detachment Reports—Howlin’ Mad Smith #592
The 2016 Celebrate Hoover Day at Veterans Park was on Saturday, April 30.
The day started with the dedication of memorial pavers that had been bought in the last year to honor veterans in the Veterans Plaza.
The dedication included a re-enactment of the famous 1945 raising of the U.S. flag on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II.
The re-enactment was carried out by the “Howlin’ Mad” Smith Detachment #592 Marine Corps League Birmingham,
19
Detachment Reports—Wiregrass Det #752
Wiregrass 752 has long been partnered with Wiregrass Area United Way 211. 211 has been an invaluable help
with Wiregrass 752’s Toys-for-Tots program. In turn 752 supports 211 in its endeavor to improve the lives of the
needy in the Wiregrass area. Here 752 Commandant Mike Garnett (right) and Mike Walton are helping Wire-
grass 211 Director David Duke at the Columbia Town fair. This also serves as a good recruiting tool for 752 by
making the public aware of our detachment.
On May14, 2016, Big Bend Wildlife Sanctuary (BBWS)
held their 3rd Annual "Wild About Art" Fundraiser.
BBWS takes in orphaned, abandoned, sick, and injured
wildlife, raises and heals them, then releases them
back into the wild.
Cheryl Hyde, MCL Det 752 Jr. Vice Commandant and
BBWS volunteer, is presenting John Morse
(Owner of BBWS) a check in the amount of $100.
20
Detachment Reports—McLaughlin Det #1091
Our Detachment has a very busy summer planned. On Tuesday, May 24, 2016 our Detachment will be in-volved as one of the sponsors and will be in both direct and general support of the Ride To The Wall. We will be setting up our tent and trailer in the grassy area in front of the Piggly Wiggly in Ashville, Alabama at around 1130 hours. We will be providing water and snacks to the motorcycle riders as they stop over on their way to Washing-ton, D.C. and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. On Saturday, May 28, 2016 one of our own, Keith Mayo, has been invited to play taps in Montgomery at the memorial of a fallen Marine. This will be a chance for a "field trip" for our Detachment. Our Detachment will be hosting an area Devil Dog Growl May 26th at 1800 hours at our meeting room inside the Elliott Community Center. As in past years our Detachment will once again be in both direct and general support of the Gadsden-Etowah Patriots Association during the Memorial Day celebration at Patriots Park in the area of Noccalula Falls. Our Detachment will be providing water and snacks to the attendee's at the event. At 1100 hours we will travel across the parking lot to the outside pavilion that is attached to the Kiwanis Pavilion. There we will meet for our pic-nic. Your family is welcome and members of our sister Detachment in Fort Payne will also be joining with us.
The Bingo Games at the Pell City VA Home hosted by our detachment continue to be a great success with
more veterans participating each month. These guys and ladies are so appreciative of us for coming out each
month. We have a McLaughlin Detachment member who lives there, Mr. John Weaver.
Our ladies (associate members and Marine wives) had another great luncheon on April 15th. We went to a
fantastic restaurant in Lincoln called Magnolias. The food was great and the company was even better!
Our detachment had a team in the Patriots annual golf tournament on April 25th. Congratulations
to them for playing a good game and representing our detachment well. After the golf tournament, we had our
monthly friends and family dinner which was very well attended.
21
Detachment Reports—Cpl Joseph Whitehead Det # 1370
Greetings from the Joseph Whitehead Detachment
Spring 2016 has been very busy for our Detachment. Twelve (12) new members have been sworn in and
four (4) reinstated. We have made significant strides in clearing up our delinquents; we are down to two (2).
April 23, we participated in a military memorabilia show at the Foley Public Library.
April 30, found us at the Pirates Cove Annual Wood Boat Show where we set up our ship’s store and did quite well.
The Detachment will conduct a road block in Orange Beach, May 14 th . Several of our members are signed up to
help with the travelling wall scheduled for May 18 –23, at the USS Alabama Battleship Parkway.
We hope to see many of our friends at the upcoming State Convention in Mobile
Semper fidelis,
Mike Graham
Just for Fun
22
The Jesse Andrews Jr Detachment has finished up their Toys for Tots campaign and it was a success. This is the first year that the Jesse Andrews Jr detachment has solely taken on the task. With the help of the community and local business, we collected over 11, 000 toys and gave a better Christmas to over 1500 children. Co-Committee Chairpersons, Coordinator Kenya Thomas and Herb Cole, headed up the campaign, getting bus- inesses, community and private organizations, and members together to make this worthwhile event run as smooth as possible. We would also like to thank the US Sports Academy for allowing us to utilize their workforce and facility for the main drop off point and staging area. We have bigger plans for next year and we are looking forward to the challenge. Sometimes you have to make it fun, and that is what we did! On Febru ary 27th, the Jesse Andrews Jr Detachment participated in the Fair hope Chili Cook off, with some excellent chili made by our own Rich Rydin. Although we didn’t win the big Chili prize we did win in the people we met and the stories we heard. Our main goal with an event like this is to let Veterans and the general public know that we are here, we are local, and we are here to help fellow Marines and veterans. The Chili Cook off was an event to help the Ecumenical Ministries a faith based social services organization, which we also partner with during the Toys for Tots campaign. And then there are somber events. Members of the Jesse Andrews Jr detachment volunteered much for their time during the Blue Star recognition day and Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund “The Wall that Heals” event in late May. Members volun-teered their time to help locate names for those sought out service members, drove carts to shuttle visitors to and from the Wall, and stood security late into the night. A most fulfilling duty for sure, and we were proud to do it. Lew Thomas Commandant Jesse Andrews Jr Detachment Marine Corps League
Detachment Reports—Jessee Andrews Jr Det. #1378
23
Detachment Reports—Gen. Victor “Brute” Krulak Det #1415
Three Hots & A Cot Cookout, Birmingham Donald Lehman, USMC (retired) Recently the Krulak detachment hosted its first ever cookout for the Three Hots and A Cot (TH&AC) organization in Bir-mingham. Fun was had by all and the grilled burgers and dogs were a big hit with the house residents. TH&AC is a non-profit organization that provides housing for over 50 needy veterans per night in 9 different resident homes in the Bir-mingham area. Two of the houses are “transition” houses, where the residents are required to go through a VA spon-sored rehab program. The other houses are for more independently living residents. They pay a small rent fee while TH&AC maintains the property, pay the utilities and provides board. TH&AC is a great organization, started in 2010 and led by its founder Jerome Simpson. They recently were recognized as one of only 25 veteran groups in the country to be presented with the prestigious George W. Bush Institute award, being considered from over 46,000 other veterans groups. This is a great testimony to the how this organization is run (over 95% of their funds go to veteran needs). If you would like more information and to see how you may be able to help TH&AC, please check out their website at www.cotsforvets.org. And yes, there will be more cookouts to come!
Brutes Landier and Lehman at work while Having fun before dinner someone takes a nap.
Vets enjoying some comradery. Brute Brooks with a Winslow House resident.
24
Vietnam War veterans rekindle friendship through social media
Our Department Sr. Vice, A.B. Grantham, had a story on the local news. He had a tough time of it in Vietnam and in April re-
united with another Marine medi-vac’d on the same tank in Hue City. He traveled from California to hook up with A.B. in
MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) Social media is often thought of as a frivolous place, filled with passionate opinions and sensational
viral videos, but every now and then, something meaningful happens. Old friendships are rekindled and important connec-
tions are made through the use of social media. That's exactly what happened on Facebook, with two Vietnam War vets. One
in Mobile, the other in California.
Marines in iconic photo together meet for first time in Mobile
With “two broken ribs and a hole” in his chest, Mobilian Alvin “A.B.” Grantham didn’t have time for pleasantries while he rode on a medevac tank during the Battle of Hue. That’s why when he met a former Marine whom he appeared with in one of the most iconic photos of the Vietnam War, it was technically for the first time.
From left, Richard Hill reacts as Alvin "A.B." Grantham shows him an iconic photo from the Vietnam War that features both men.
Both Grantham and Richard Hill are featured in a photo published in several periodicals — including Life magazine in 1969 — that helps capture the carnage of one of the war’s longest and bloodiest battles. The men recounted the story behind the photo during a meeting at Wintzell’s Oyster House on Airport Boulevard Wednesday after-noon. “It was a bad day,” Grantham said. For him it started at 5 a.m. when a rocket round exploded through the window of a room he and four others occupied. “All hell broke loose,” Grantham said. “We did the best we could.” When Grantham stepped to the window to fire his machine gun, he took an AK-47 round to the chest. “That was about it for me,” Grantham said. “I just tried to stay alive the rest of the time.” Hill, from California, was injured after a six-hour fight in which troops got “overwhelmed” by the enemy. He was shot in one leg, he said, and was hit with shrapnel in another. This was in addition to suffering from malaria and trichinosis. “I had just about given up,” Hill said. “But you don’t give up, you just keep going.” Both men recall the tank taking enemy fire and the troops on board returning shots. “I had the thousand-hour look,” Hill said looking at the photo. “That’s when you’re just
done.” The men met initially on Facebook, as both commented on a Together We Served post featuring the classic photo. “I read his comment where he said he was the one with the bleeding leg and I told him I was the one without a shirt,” Grantham said. The two started chatting on Facebook before sharing phone numbers and email addresses. “As soon as we started talking I knew we’d be friends for the rest of our lives,” Hill said. The men decided to meet face to face when Hill and his wife traveled to Florida this week for a cruise. Grantham is a regular at Wintzell’s and owner Bob Omainsky said he’d be happy to host the reunion.“It’s like another homecoming,” Grantham said of the meeting. “It’s like seeing a long lost broth-er after all this time.” Hill said he felt the same way and called Grantham a hero. “He gave as much as he possibly could give,” Hill said. “It’s an honor to be here and to be in his presence.”
25
Great story about Alabama Marine Corps League member working in Ukraine.
MISSION TO UKRAINE I am thankful to be home with my family after an amazing trip to Ukraine. My time with the won-derful people at the Odessa Counseling Center, refugees, and combat Veterans was amazing. It was hum-bling to experience their culture and to hear their stories. This ancient culture and people have been the silent witness to the rise and fall of empire after empire throughout Europe and Asia. Today they fight to remain their own nation rather than be apart of anyone’s empire. Their first generation born under inde-pendence has come of age, and they intend to keep it. Odessa was beautiful; Catherine the Great built this amazing city to rival Paris, and the architecture re-flects a successful conclusion to that endeavor. Many of these amazing buildings have been returned to their original glory in the last few years. Block by block, one can see new life being breathed into a build-ing left in decay and neglect during the Soviet era, and the subsequent years of corruption and incompe-tence. Tom Saxon of Cahaba Park Church accompanied me on this trip, and we got right to work. I gave a seminar on Monday to the counselors and was pleased to see several military Chaplains in attendance. I prayed that the Lord would make this less of a lecture style and more of a conversation. He answered that prayer and we had an amazing time with a genuine connection. The day ended with prayers of thanks and an invitation to return to Ukraine to address their entire Chaplaincy corps at their bi-annual convocation. Lord willing, I will return with a team of ministry partners in early December for this event. Please pray that the timing and calendar will allow this trip to happen. On Tuesday we visited a local sanitarium situated on the Black Sea. Sanitarium has a different con-notation in Europe, and means something closer to resort or retreat. This is one of the places that the Ukrainian government has been using to house refugees from Donetsk and Luhansk where most of the fighting has taken place. The conditions of this building are far from adequate as the water is only on for four hours a day and the power goes out regularly. Despite this, some of these sweet people had such light in their eyes and were trying to hold fast to hope in God. We met a woman from Donetsk that fled with her 89-year-old (blind) mother. She talked about how they have to take turns (and pay) to use the cooking facilities for meals among other things; but was so pleased to show us the view of the Black sea she had from her window. For her aged mother, this was the third war she had fled in her lifetime; WWII, Azerbaijan, and now eastern Ukraine. These sweet women, with their husbands and loved ones gone, were alone in this world; except for their joy in Christ and a desire to rejoice in Him, come what may. Many of the other refugees struggle to find hope in God and their future. Their help from the government is waning and many Ukrainians are indifferent to their plight. Many refugees have profound medical is-sues that leave them with very little options. The hallways of the building were littered with broken down wheel chairs. There is so much darkness here, but like the shafts of light that breaks through the trees of an otherwise dark forest, the light of Christ is shining into this place. Please pray for the work of these counselors and this small church. Pray for their endurance, for the advancement of the gospel, and for hope to be brought to these people. They need doctors, job training, better housing, full-time water and electricity, and above all they need Christ! On Wednesday we went to a place called the Dream Center for another seminar. It is a school in Odessa that ministers to orphans and children with special needs. They asked me to come and help them understand the emotional issues these children may face as a result of trauma and loss of parents in war. This is not fully my area, but two of my ministry partners, Eric Fort and John Murphy, were a tremendous help as they both lost their fathers to war. Again, our time was a blessing and there will be more work with these sweet people in developing a short book that will equip adoptive parents to love and minister
Continued on page 25
26
to the children they will bring into their homes. On Thursday we visited the local military hospital. Far from being Bethesda, this place was packed with wounded soldiers. We visited a room where eight soldiers lived in various states of re-covery. I was able to witness to two of them one on one for a bit, and was soon addressing the en-tire group. I was able to assure them that they were not crazy; that their struggles were a normal, healthy brain’s response to the trauma of war. Even though Leo was translating for me, we are speaking the same language; the language of soldiers. Just as I began to transition to the gospel, the director of the hospital came in and asked us to leave. He told us that he did not oppose missionar-ies coming in, but that we needed to follow a procedure. I understand his position as any military hospital in America would want the same thing. On Friday we traveled south to Belgrod where we met with a group of Veterans and some family members. In the Slavic mindset, pragmatism guides their way of thinking. Many want to hear me give them a formula; “if you see this, do this or that…” Unfortunately, trauma and recovery are as subjective as the people who bear it. They seemed, at first, to be a bit disappointed that I didn’t offer a step-by-step program guide for them. There isn’t one, praise God… But after talking with them for a while, I was able to show that the Bible is their manual, and it is no 12-step guide. Fancy programs and how-to processes work as a conversation starter, but they have no soul. We did dis-cuss some basic coping techniques, but it was mostly about understanding the need for heart change. I was then able to give a full gospel presentation. Many of these men had, in the past, gotten up and left at the first mention of God, but praise the Lord they stayed… and lis-tened. The meeting ended with the Veter-ans asking me to come back. I promised to re-turn again, and we agreed to begin Skype meetings in the near future to continue the work with them. Our trip culminated, on Saturday, with a return trip to Belgrod for a wedding between two refugees! It was a wonderful day and I got to help (MTW missionary) Bob Burnham photograph the wedding. It was a blessing to see a new birth, of sorts, come out the death and destruction of war. Tom introduced the American tradition of clinking glasses for the bride and groom to kiss through-out the reception. It was a joyful day full of renewed hope (and a little mischief on Tom’s part). I’d like to ask you to pray for the on-going work in Ukraine with the Odessa Counseling Cen-ter. They have a God-sized task ahead of them ministering to refugees, Veterans, and Veteran’s families. Please consider how you may support their work and the future work of Soldier’s Heart Ministry in Ukraine. I look forward to updating you soon on the work here in Birmingham. There is some exciting news around the corner, as-well-as some very good prospects for new team mem-bers! Semper Curatio, Chris Gill—Missionary Krulak Detachment
27
Marine Corps History highlights June
This Month in History
Selected June Dates of Marine Corps Historical Significance
2 June 1918: At dawn on this date, the crack German 28th Division attacked along the axis of the Paris-Metz road hitting the
American 2d Division, including the 4th Marine Brigade. The Marines opened with deadly rifle fire and helped hand the German troops a setback which set the stage for Marine victory at Belleau Wood which would soon follow, although at great cost.
8 June 1995: A Marine tactical recovery team from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stationed on board the
USS Kearsarge rescued a downed U.S. pilot, Captain Scott O'Grady, USAF, from Bosnian-Serb territory in Bosnia.
10 June 1898: The First Marine Battalion, commanded by LtCol Robert W. Huntington, landed on the eastern side of Guantana-
mo Bay, Cuba. The next day, Lt Herbert L. Draper hoisted the American flag on a flag pole at Camp McCalla where it flew during the next eleven days. LtCol Huntington later sent the flag with an accompanying letter to Colonel Commandant Charles Heywood noting that "when bullets were flying, ...the sight of the flag upon the midnight sky has thrilled our hearts."
12 June 1961: President John F. Kennedy signed a Presidential Proclamation calling for the American flag to be flown at the Ma-
rine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, "at all times during the day and night." Discussions between the Attorney General's office and Marine Corps officials earlier in 1961 on improving the visibility and appearance of the monument led to the proposal to fly the Flag continuously, which by law could only be done by Congressional legislation or by Presidential proclamation.
15 June 1944: Preceded by naval gunfire and carrier air strikes, the V Amphibious Corps assaulted the west coast of Saipan,
Marianas Islands. By nightfall, the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions, moving against heavy opposition, had established a beachhead 10,000 yards wide and 1,500 yards deep.
20 June 1993: The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Mogadishu, Somalia, to stand ready to assist United Nations forc-
es in maintaining peace in the war-torn country. Earlier that month, the 24th MEU had been ordered to cut short Exercise Eager Mace 93-2 in Kuwait to respond to possible contingency operations in Somalia.
25 June 1950: Shortly before dawn, eight divisions of the North Korean People's Army crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded the
Republic of Korea. Within three days, the South Korean capital city of Seoul had been captured. On 30 June, President Harry S. Truman ordered a naval blockade of the Korean coast and authorized the sending of U.S. ground troops to Korea. Two days later, General Douglas MacArthur, the Commander in Chief Far East, formally requested that a Marine regimental combat team be de-ployed to the Far East.
25 June 1966: In Vietnam, Operation Jay began about 30 kilometers northwest of Hue, and lasted nine days. The 2d Battalion,
4th Marines landed north of the North Vietnamese 812th Main Force Battalion, and the 2d Battalion, 1st Marines landed south of the enemy's position. Caught in between the two Marine units, the enemy suffered over 80 dead in nine days of fighting.
26 June 1918: BGen James G. Harbord, the Commanding General of the 4th Marine Brigade, notified American Expeditionary
Force Headquarters that Belleau Wood was "now U.S. Marine Corps entirely." After 20 days of combat, and at a cost of over 4,000 casualties, the 4th Brigade of Marines had proven its fighting heart. The grateful Commander of the French Sixth Army would soon decree that in all official correspondence, Belleau Wood would henceforth bear the name, "Bois de la Brigade de Ma-rine."
28
Let us remember in our prayers the families of the following members who have answered our heavenly Father’s call this year:
Laeman J. Butcher, -Billy Stelpflug Detachment, 30 June, 2015
Sidney C. Phillips, -P.L. Wilson Detachment, 26 September, 2015
Donald Maxwell Beabout, -McLaughlin Detachment, 3 October, 2015
Deborah A. Lewis, -Allan Ray Chaffin Detachment, 14 October, 2015
Terry D. Harrison, -Howlin Mad Smith Detachment, 17 October, 2015
Willie Searcy, -Wiregrass Detachment, 7 November, 2015
Christopher Edwin Hand -N.E. AL Detachment 12 November 2015.
Robert M. Gilleland -Jesse Andrews Det., 11 December 2015.
Sara Hann -Jesse Andrews, Jr. Detachment 18 December 2015.
William B. Carpenter -P.L. Wilson Detachment 20 December 2015.
Norman S. Gerald -P.L. Wilson Detachment 26 December 2015
Frank Bell —Howlin Mad Smith Detachment 18 January 2016.
Carl Murdock - Townsend Detachment 12 February 2016
George Hermansen - Wiregrass detachment
Ezel Walker - P.L. Wilson Detachment May 2016
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in
the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of
God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the
heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor
of God, that you may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13
For additions to the Chaplain’s Report contact :John
Burks, Jr. [email protected] 205-587-8634
Chaplain’s Report—Final Farwell