mail call august 2009
DESCRIPTION
Let’s continue participating in events that will not only create an awareness of the Marine Corps League, but also show our concern for our communities. This was another eventful month for our detachment. Unfortunately, we lost one of our own with the passing of Marine Spaulding. The family deeply appreciated the number of our members who attended the Fallen Marine Ceremony for Russell. Commandant’s Message Calendar Good of the League Semper FiTRANSCRIPT
“MAIL CALL”
Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Detachment, Marine Corps League Overland Park, KS
Commandant Mike DeBauche Volume 8 Issue 8, August, 2009 Commandant’s Message This was another eventful month for our detachment. Unfortunately, we lost one of our own with the passing of Marine Spaulding. The family deeply appreciated the number of our members who attended the Fallen Marine Ceremony for Russell. We also participated in the Johnson County Fair Parade in Gardner. Again, we were well represented, despite the heat. Thanks to the members who attended. Upcoming in September, we have the ceremony for LCpl LaPlant at the Lenexa VFW on the 19th and the Young Marines Fund Raiser at Bass Pro Shop in Olathe on the 12th. Marine Reyes represented our detachment and the Department of Kansas at the National Convention. Let’s continue participating in events that will not only create an awareness of the Marine Corps League, but also show our concern for our communities. Semper Fi Calendar Our next meeting is Wednesday, August 26th, from 1900, at our usual meeting place: American Legion Post 370, 6521 Nieman Rd. in Shawnee. Good of the League MSgt Sammy Chung (USMC Ret.) has submitted an application for membership and is expected to be present at our meeting. Marine Byrnes will have a sample of our detachment’s new polo shirt on hand, at our meeting. It will have the MCL logo on it, and they’ll sell for $20. Orders will be taken at the meeting. A Vietnam Veterans Town Hall Appreciation Event held be held on Saturday, Sept. 12th from 1400 on the front lawn of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum & Library in Independence, MO. If you’re able to be there, please extend an invitation to your family and friends. Forms for Vietnam vets will be available at our meeting; these are needed so that Vietnam vets can be presented a certificate of appreciation at the event. Forms will also be available for families of deceased Vietnam veterans. All members of our detachment are invited to participate in the ceremony honoring Marine LCpl Kurt Elton La Plant. A headstone will be erected to his memory, on the grounds of VFW Post 7397 at 95th & Pflumm in Lenexa. The ceremony begins at 1000. LCpl La Plant was KIA in Vietnam on June 6, 1968, and his remains were recovered in 2007. The Midwest Division 2009 Fall Conference will be held from Oct. 16 – 18 at Sioux City, IA. Reg-
istration forms will be available at our meeting. Another site of interest to Marines is www.patriotfiles.com, where over 800 Marines from Kansas is listed. This is another excellent recruiting tool. Also, check out youngmarines.com. Sick and Distressed Please remember all our sick and distressed members or family in your prayers. Marine Don Ingram’s eyesight is failing fast. Cards may be sent to Don at 4651 Oak Grove Ct., Kansas City, KS 66106-3666, or he may be called at 913/831-0243. Don has been receiving treatment at a VA facility in Nebraska. We have recently learned that Don has been passing out at times. Marine Bob Callahan is at the Indian Creek Healthcare Center, Rm. 102 A, 6515 West 103rd St. in Overland Park, KS 66212. You may call 913/642-5545 and ask for his room. Bob will appreciate black jelly beans, orange slices and gum drops. Marine Hunt is at The Manor of Grace Gardens, Room 222, 5201 West 143rd St., Leawood, KS. 66224. Bob is doing very well, and cards may be sent to him here, or you may call the office at 913/685-4800, and ask to be transferred. Please feel free to visit Bob.
Marine Nancy Pendleton Spoor will greatly appreciate calls (913/381-1833) and cards sent to her at 7628 Conser, Overland Park, KS 66204. Marine Earl Alderson is getting around on a wheelchair and a walker at the Shawnee Gardens Nursing home, 6416 Long, Shawnee, KS 66216. Earl’s in room 118-A. Please send cards. Earl is doing OK.
Please convey info. on sick and distressed to Chaplain Reyes at 913/432-3688. Marines in Need Any member who is aware of someone in need is asked to first submit a request in writing to Marine Pat O’Malley of our Financial Assistance Review Committee, including a statement of the purpose, a cost estimate and the time period. Pat’s email is [email protected], his address is 12412 Flint, Overland Park, KS 66213-2120. There were no Marines in need this past month. Fallen Marine Program A Marine Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the family of Marine and member Russell Spaulding. A full ceremony was held. Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation The Bikers for Heroes Poker Run netted about $2750 or more. Thanks to all who helped to make this a big success. We are in full gear-up for our 2009 Golf Tournament, which will be held on Monday, September 21st at St. Andrews in Overland Park. Hole sponsorships are still needed. There will again be two flights, with
the morning flight commencing at 0730 and the afternoon flight at 1330. Sponsors are also needed for the putting contest. We’re still in need of gift certificate of $25 and more from restaurants and stores. New Century Young Marines On Saturday, Sept. 12th, we’ll set up a concession stand from 0900 at the Bass Pro Shop, and we’ll be selling hamburgers, hotdogs, etc. from 1000 – 1400. On Saturday, Sept. 19th, we’ll meet at 0915 at the VFW at 95th & Pflumm, for our participation in the ceremony honoring LCpl La Plant. On Sat- urday, Sept. 26th, we’ll be doing a fundraiser for TO Howe in Ottawa. More details will follow later. Parades, Ceremonies, and our Color Guard We will NOT be marching in the Olathe Old Settler’s Day Parade. Our Color Guard will form up at 0900 for the ceremony honoring LCpl La Plant, on Saturday. Sept. 19th, at the VFW Post at 95th & Pflumm. The ceremony begins at 1000. Our Color Guard will assemble for the March of Dimes Bikers for Babies at 0730 on Sunday, Sept. 20th, at the Kansas Speedway. The ceremony begins from 0915. Our Color Guard and detachment will form up for the Maple Leaf Festival Parade in Baldwin City, KS from 1000 on Saturday, Oct. 17th. The parade begins at 1100. Details will be presented at the meeting. Any member who can devote time to the Color Guard, please contact Steve at 913/764-3901, or at [email protected]. Other items To have items sewn on to your covers and shirts, contact Marsha Davey at 913/268-1017 (10409 W 53rd St. in Shawnee); to have alterations done on your dress blues, contact Louise Bland at 913/831-4647 (10149 Edelweiss Circle in Merriam – near 75th & Switzer). Uniform items may be ordered from the Navy/Marine Corps Support Center in Chesapeake, VA by faxing 800/551-6289, or calling Tanya at 800/368-4088, ext. 3512, between 1100 – 2000 EDT, from Mon. through Fri. Prices (2007 list, so these may be higher now) for dress blue trousers w/NCO red stripes = $30.50 + $1.80. Belts are $2.60 and $6.50. An alternative source for white aviator shirts is Executive Apparel of New York; please call 518/966-4424, with your size requirements. Please NOTE: Due to the decision made at the recent MCL Nat’l Convention, Khaki shirts are NOT to be worn at ANY time, even for ceremonies. A more complete report will be given at our meeting. Marine Hinrichs is soliciting ideas to enhance our website – www.mclopks.org – Submit These to Rick at [email protected], ph. 913/648-1029. Websites & Email The website of the Marine Corps League on the National level is http://www.mcleague.org and our Detachment’s website is www.mclopks.org. Anyone receiving a paper newsletter, but has email, please email our Adjutant at [email protected] with the subject of “email newsletter”. Thanks.
This newsletter was printed by Marines Clinton & Marsolek