major lawrence desjardines detachment #1260mclalbanyga.org/docs/newsletters/2015/january...
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Major Lawrence DesJardines Detachment #1260
Post Office Box 70971, Albany, Georgia 31708-0971
January 2015 http://www.mclalbanyga.org Volume 6, Issue 01
Bob Breton
Melba Harrell
Commandant Tim McClelland
[email protected] (229) 436-4539
Sr. Vice Commandant
Roger Paulin [email protected]
(229) 669-6957
Jr. Vice Commandant
Vacant
Judge Advocate Carl Wilcox
[email protected] (229) 435-1086
Jr. Past Commandant
Ron Kirstatter [email protected]
(229) 809-0084
Adjutant Melba Harrell
[email protected] (229) 846-5944
Chaplain Bob Breton
[email protected] (229) 434-1169
Paymaster Dave Aldrich
[email protected] (229) 435-0800
Sgt-At-Arms Richard Chaffin
[email protected] (229) 446-4528
Special Staff
Newsletter Editor Sheila Kirstatter
Boy Scout Coordinator Dan Gillan
Fallen Marine Coordinator Bob Breton
JROTC/Young Marines Coordinator
Kelly Fisk
Patriotism Committee Dave Aldrich
Veterans Service Affairs Nick Nicholson
Quartermaster Larry Olson
Historian Kathy Fazekas
Web Sergeant Ron Kirstatter
2014
National Newsletter Competition
Battalion Level First Place Winner
MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT
Marines,
I hope all had a very merry Christmas and that those who traveled to visit family members had
a safe and uneventful travel.
As we come to the end of another year, I want to thank all those who helped to make this year’s awards banquet a great success. The entertainment provided by Marilyn McClelland and Loraine Wessels was a big hit. The Detachment continues to go the extra mile in service to the
community as shown by the number of awards that were presented. Congratulations to Bob Breton who is this year’s Marine of the Year. Bob has gone the extra mile as the Detachment Chaplain providing comfort to so many fallen Marines family members. Congratulations also go out to Melba Harrell, the Associate of the Year. Melba has done an outstanding job as the Detachment’s Adjutant for the last two years and is stepping down at the end of the year. A big thank you for all your efforts. At our next meeting we will be receiving recommendations for officers who will serve the detachment in the coming year. Nominations for officers can also be received from the floor. The past three months have been quite an experience for me filling the remaining term for our former Commandant, Ernie Elmore. I owe a lot of thanks to so many members of the Detachment for all the help I have gotten. Hopefully, as I
continue to “learn the ropes”, I will add credit to the Detachment. I’m looking forward to the New Year and growth for the Detachment. A reminder: Do not forget the Southeast Division Conference taking place in Altamonte Springs, FL (Orlando, FL area). The dates are March 26th thru the 29th 2015. Those interested in attending, can contact me for further information. Semper Fi,
Tim McClelland Commandant
CORNER Prayer Request for Marines and Families that are Ill:
Roger Paulin’s Mother-in-law Alice Conibear, 91, in Lakeland FL. Our former Commandant Ernie Elmore, diagnosed with acute lung problems. Marine Jerry Smith requests prayer for his wife. Fallen Marine Program: The following Marines passed away in the month of December. Marine Staff Sergeant Donald J. Friebohle, Retired, Passed on 5 Dec. A Letter of Condolence and Certificate was presented to the family on the 7th. Marine Gunnery Sergeant John W. Paynter, Retired, Passed on 11 Dec. A Letter of Condolence and Certificate was presented to the family on the 15th. Marine Gunnery Sergeant Henry W. Rutledge, Sr., Passed on 12 Dec. A Letter of Condolence and Certificate was presented to the family on the 15th. Let us remember our Detachment fallen Brothers, LtCol Joseph Smith, MGySgt Nick Retza, GySgt Billy Stewart and SSgt’s Sam Tucker and Sherman Braden. Devotion: Soaring above the Storm (Galatians 6:7-10) Don’t get tired of doing what is good, (Galatians 6:9) Imagine your ten year old daughter or granddaughter goes outside just after a snowstorm to shovel the sidewalk and
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER
FROM THE COMMANDANT
Marilyn McClelland
driveway for the elderly neighbor next door. She does it not to get paid but because the person cannot do it and even cannot afford it. A Twelve year old student has a school requirement to tutor 2nd graders in reading. He does it not because of the requirement, but because he has seen that a couple of the students can read because of his efforts. Maybe you’re looking for an outstanding way to show your love for others and Christ. There’s a simple way to start, that probably won’t make you squirm with nervousness: DO GOOD to others. All through the Bible we can spot instructions to do for others what is right and good:
• “If we do what helps (others), we will build them up in the Lord” (Romans 15:2)
• “Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially our Christian brother and sisters” (Galatians 6:10)
• “Never tire of doing what is right” (2 Thessalonians
3:13 NIV)
• “Let us not become weary of doing good” (Galatians 6:9)
When we do good for others, they have the chance to see the Savior in us Just because you’re working for someone else doesn’t mean you can go at it halfheartedly. People see God acting through us when we do good things. They also see God in us when we jump on every situation as an opportunity to do our best. Paul challenged the Galatian Christians, for example, “Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.” (Galatians 6:4). Doing your best for other’s peels people’s eyes of your actions and lets them see God in your actions. Prayer: God, Open our eyes to the opportunities all around us to do good for others. AMEN
Hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas and a very
Prosperous New Year. Bob Breton Det. Chaplain
Chaplain Bob Breton can be reached at 434-1169 or
[email protected] to report sickness, injury or for spiritual needs.
No minutes were kept for the December meeting. The following awards were presented during our Annual Awards Banquet held on December 16, 2014.
Commandant McClelland presented a Certificate of Appreciation
Award to (L-R) Ruthie Breton, Chuck Bushnell, Dan Gillan, and Larry Olson.
The Community Service Award was presented to (3rd L-R) Dave Aldrich, Bob Adams, Bob Askey, Bob Breton, Denzil Harrell, Dan
Gillan, Ray Murphy, Henry Jackson, & Gerald Wessels.
Commandant McClelland presented the Distinguished Service
Award to (L-R) Dave Aldrich, Bob Adams, Bob Breton, Ron Kirstatter, Sheila Kirstatter, Carl Wilcox, Nick Nicholson, and
Roger Paulin.
MUSTER HIGHLIGHTS
Commandant McClelland presented the Individual Meritorious
Commendation Award to Sheila Kirstatter.
Roger Paulin receives Recruiter of The Year Award from
Commandant McClelland.
Commandant McClelland presents the Distinguished Citizen
Award to Bob Breton
Transition Readiness Seminar
Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany
We need Volunteers
All it takes is 10-15 minutes of your time to talk about the opportunities and assistance the Marine Corps League offers to Marines transitioning out of the Corps. Pick your date and contact Carl Wilcox at [email protected] or (229) 435-1086. Tentative dates and times are as followings:
VETERANS COALITION
We need volunteers to assist in burial, rifle,
and flag folding ceremonies. Please
contact Marvin Mixon @ (229) 435-5450.
January 9th @1030 February 6th @ 1030
March 6th @1030 April 10th @1030 May 8th @1030 June 5th @1030
July – No Seminar August 7th @1030
September 11th @1030 October 9th @1030
November 6th@1030 December - TBD
GET INVOLVED
RIVER WALK CLEAN- UP AT COX LANDING
NEXT CLEAN- UP COMING IN MARCH
Check February’s Dispatch for date and time.
Flag of the United States of America
Flag of the United
States Army
Flag of the United
States Marine Corps
Flag of the United
States Navy
Flag of the United
States Air Force
Flag of the United
States Coast Guard
We are starting a new year and it’s time to mark your 2015 Calendar with the special days of the year to Fly “Old Glory”! Use the list below to help you decide what “Official” days you would like to honor our Flag! There are twenty-one (21) days each year designated as “Official” flag flying days by the U.S. Flag Code. The list has evolved over the years to include newer holidays, but this is the official list. (*) The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on …
• New Year’s Day, January 1 • Inauguration Day, January 20 • Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, third Monday in
January • Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12 • Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February • Easter Sunday (variable) • Mother’s Day, second Sunday in May • Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15 (half-staff all
day) • Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May
• Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May
• Flag Day, June 14 • Independence Day, July 4 • Labor Day, first Monday in September • Patriot Day, September 11 (half-staff all day) • Constitution Day, September 17 • Columbus Day, second Monday in October • Navy Day, October 27 • Veterans Day, November 11 • Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November • National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December
7 (half-staff all day) • Christmas Day, December 25 • and such other days as may be proclaimed by the
President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.
I’m looking forward to another successful and Happy New Year! Hope you all will join me and fly our GREAT National Colors on the above dates! Semper Fi Dave Aldrich, Chairman, Patriotic Committee
Marine Joe Najjar, scouts, and leaders of Boy Scout Troop 3 and Cub Scouts of Pack 3 at St. Teresa’s Church 22 November where working to trim and remove overgrown shrubs around the parking lot. This was a service project that was much appreciated by the Pastor and the parishioners of St. Teresa’s.
PATRIOT CORNER
BOY SCOUTS
(L-R) Scout Leader Dr. Jay Williams and Marine Joe Najjar presenting the Good Citizenship award to Eagle Scout John Waller of Boy Scout Troop 1. On 13 December 2014 John Waller of Boy Scout Troop 1 was presented with his Eagle Scout rank at a Court of Honor conducted at First United Methodist Church of Albany. Marine Joe Najjar was on hand to present the Marine Corps League Good Citizenship Award and of course John Waller’s fellow scouts and family were present. Proud moment for Eagle Scout John Waller and a great example for other scouts with their sights set on Eagle Scout in the future.
Day One of Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) was Saturday, December 6th for the already enlisted Young Marines and Recruits. They started at 7:45 am. In attendance to help the Young Marines and Recruits get ready for their graduation (December 20th @ 10 am, Base Theatre)
requirements were some of our newcomers to the Marine Corp Logistic Base (MCLB): Sgt Greg Rieder, HN Ben Rogeboom, HMC Denise Gawan, and HMZ Kurtis Glenn.
The enlisted Young Marines also had to take classes on maps and compasses, YM
Military Terms/Customs & Courtesies, and grooming and personal appearance standards. While the
Recruits took classes on basic first aid, YM uniform regulations, and YM rank structure to prepare them for what it means as they move up in rank once they meet the requirements. These tests and classes are required in order for the YM and Recruits to graduate from recruits to enlisted Young Marines or to a higher rank structure in the program.
Young Marines of Albany Georgia graduation on December 20th from 10 till 1130 at the base theater photo with a portion of the 300 plus canned goods they collected to donate to the Salvation Army
The Young Marines program would like to say thanks to the young men and women soldiers for coming and taking the time to help our young boys and girls of the program train and see how important it is to stay focused on reaching his or her potential.
YOUNG MARINES
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2014/nov/23/lee-county-vet-gets-help-repairing-home/
On November 22, 2014 Marine Dan Gillan was on hand to support the Brush With Kindness event working to paint and spruce up a veteran’s home in Leesburg. This effort included the Lee County Chamber of Commerce, Lee Family Connection, Lee County High School, Flint River Habitat For Humanity, and of course the YMCA.
Monthly Retiree Breakfast Wednesday, January 7, 2014 6:00 a.m.
The Monthly Retiree Breakfast will be held at the Town and Country Restaurant. The event is open to all retirees regardless of service or rank. Please join us!
National Salute to Veteran Patients
The purpose of the National Salute to Veteran Patients Program is to: • pay tribute and express appreciation to Veterans;
• increase community awareness of the role of the VA
medical center;
• encourage citizens to visit hospitalized Veterans and to
become involved as volunteers. The week of February 14 each year is your opportunity to say thank you to a special group of men and women, more than 98,000 Veterans of the U.S. armed services who are cared for every day in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, outpatient clinics, domiciliaries, and nursing homes. During the National Salute, VA invites individuals, Veterans groups, military personnel, civic organizations, businesses, schools, local media, celebrities and sports stars to participate in a variety of activities at the VA medical centers. The activities and events include special ward visits and valentine distributions; photo opportunities; school essay contests; special recreation activities and Veteran recognition programs. The week also provides an opportunity for the community to become acquainted with the volunteer opportunities within the medical center. Also during National Salute week, selected cities host concerts that are free to Veterans and their families. The concert schedule is usually available around the first of January. Please check back then for a list of the cities that will be hosting the events. Many thanks to the organizational donors that make these concerts a success! Contact your nearest VA Medical Center and ask for Voluntary Service to discover the wonderful things you, your group or organization can do to salute America’s Heroes. Locate the facility nearest you. http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isflash=1 Read Secretary of the VA’s letter http://www.volunteer.va.gov/docs/2014_SecVA_NSVP.pdf
Check out next month’s Dispatch for more information as it becomes available.
GOOD OF THE LEAGUE
Mid-Winter Meeting February 12-14 Fairview Park Marriott Falls Church, VA
Please make your room reservations direct to the hotel no later than January 12, 2015 @ (703) 849-9400
http://www.mcleague.com/mdp/pdf/2015_Midwinter.pdf
Regular Associate18 270 17
Regular Associate7 3
95 22
MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING
MEMBERSHIP STATISTICS
DELINQUENT
LIFE MEMBERSHIPS
SUB-TOTALSTOTAL 117
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS
TYPE
TYPEANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCHAlex Fazekas Bob BrooksAndrea Gillan Donald DallyDaniel Gillan James Johnson
Alexander Hart Dawaine LakeHarold Hart Patrick O'Lear
Billy Hill James ValentineDavid Lee Tom Voth
Gregory Maine Jane WilcoxHarry McDoleGale Rodgers
James RodgersRichard Roe
Bobby SandersBurton Sutherland
MEMBERSHIPS UP FOR RENEWAL
INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM NATIONALS' LATEST QUARTERLY REPORT
Department of Georgia
Staff Meeting February 28, 2015
1000 American Legion
Post 105 “Old Log Cabin” Fayetteville, GA
http://americanlegionpost105ga.org/index.php?id=11
(See link above for direction)
Saturday February 28, 2015
Lee County Courthouse, Leesburg, GA Race Starts: 3pm
5K & 1M
Members needed to hand out water and promote membership.
(Contact Chuck Bushnell @ [email protected])
ONLINE REGISTRATIONS IS OPEN http://www.travismanion.org/tmf_911run_race/911-
heroes-run-leesburg-ga/ PROCEEDS BENEFIT
9/11 Heroes Run Race Series Sponsors
69TH SOUTHEAST DIVISION CONFERENCE
March 26-29 2015
Location: Hilton Hotels & Resorts 350 Northlake Blvd. Altamonte Springs, FL
Hosted By: Morris F. Dixon Jr.
Detachment #054 Largo, FL
http://www.mclfl.org/UpComingEvents/2015-SED-
Conference/SE_Division_2015_Conference_packet.pdf
CRITICAL EVENTS
FEBRUARY No Later than 02/15
Deadline for receipt of proposed changes to the Department bylaws and/or Administrative Procedures in writing to the Department Judge Advocate
1 January 1920: The Leatherneck became an official Marine Corps publication.
7 January 1969: The Medal of Honor was posthumously awarded to 1st Marine Chaplain Lt. V. R. Capodanno, USN, killed in action Quang Tin Province Vietnam on 4 September 1967. 10 January 1861: Captain Joshua Watson and 38 Marines surrendered with Navy Yard Pensacola, FL during Civil War.
12 January 1991: The 5th MEB arrived in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield. 15 January 1943: Captain Joe Foss bagged three Japanese planes for a record total of 26 kills. 23 January 1730: Marines participated in the capture of a British brigantine by USS Providence and USS Ranger off the coast of Charleston, SC.
24 January 1968: The 26th Marine Regiment held the Khe Sanh combat base.
27 January 1778: Marines landed at New Providence, Bahamas, the American flag flew over foreign soil for the first time. 31 January 1944: The American flag was first raised over Japanese soil by B/1/25 in the Marshal Islands.
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
12 – Karolyn Sutherland 13 – Lawrence Simpson 20 – Robert Jarrett 21 – James Reilly 25 – Dan Gillan 26 – Bobbie Elmore 27 – David Aldrich 27 – Bob Brooks
DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA
Marine Corps Officers’ Spouses Club
Auction
When: February 28, 2015 6:00 pm (tentative) Where: Doublegate Country Club 3800 Old Dawson Road
Albany, GA
Theme: “The Great Gatsby”
Contact Andrea Gillan for additional information and cost for tickets @
Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany December 23 at 5:14am
Effective January 5, 2015, the Marine Corps Exchange store hours will change to the following: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, Sunday & holidays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
As cyberthreats rise, push for intelligence, heightened
USA Today, Dec. 24, Pg. A3 | Erin Kelly
In a small hotel meeting room a few blocks from the White House, employees from power plants, factories, airports and oil refineries hunched over laptops working frantically to stop cyberterrorists from firing a rocket launcher into the heart of a picturesque American town.
It was just a training drill with pretend hackers and a model "cybercity" made of plastic and wood. But, for the participants, the lesson zeroed in on a threat becoming increasingly real.
While the nation has focused on the dramatic cyberattack against Sony Pictures and the recent hackings of Target and Home Depot, cybersecurity experts say the greater danger is that terrorists will go after the nation's critical infrastructure -- airports, water treatment plants, power companies, oil refineries and chemical plants.
Cyberterrorists could turn off the lights for millions of Americans by attacking power grids, shut down the nation's airports by seizing control of air-traffic control systems or blow up an oil pipeline from thousands of miles away, experts say.
"This is a much bigger threat over time than losing some credit cards to cybercriminals," said Derek Harp, lead instructor at the recent training conference run by SANS Institute, which provides cybersecurity education and certification for people who run industrial control systems. Members of Congress agree.
Maryland Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said cyberattacks will be "the warfare of the future."
"Just think what could happen down the future if North Korea wanted to knock out a grid system, an energy system, knock out air- traffic control," he said in an interview Monday on CNN.
The House passed a bill in early December to help protect the U.S. against electromagnetic pulse weapons, which terrorists could conceivably develop to disrupt or destroy computer systems controlling the electrical grid.
However, the Senate did not take up the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, which requires the U.S. government to make plans to prevent and recover from a large-scale blackout. Bill proponents say they plan to reintroduce it after the new Congress convenes in January.
"Our electric grid is a key target to exploit not only for its inherent vulnerability, but because we are so vitally dependent on it," said Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the lead sponsor of the bipartisan bill.
IN THE NEWS
FYI
President Obama also urged the incoming Congress to pass "stronger cybersecurity laws that allow for information sharing" in the wake of the cyberattack against Sony.
A bill to pave the way for increased information-sharing about cyberattacks between private companies and the Department of Homeland Security stalled in the Senate this year, but supporters plan to try again.
"We must pass an information-sharing bill as quickly as possible next year," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., lead sponsor of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act.
The bill encourages businesses to voluntarily share information about cyberattacks with the government by giving them protection from lawsuits and antitrust actions if they disclose when they've been hacked and provide details of the attacks.
It failed to pass this year in part because privacy rights groups say companies are protected even if they inadvertently share their customers' personal data with DHS, which may go on to share it with the National Security Agency or Defense Department. Supporters of the bill say those fears are unfounded.
Industrial control systems that enable pipelines to flow, nuclear power to be generated and factories to make products have been switching from old, analog electronics to digital, Web-accessible structures since the 1990s. The switch boosts efficiency and saves money but opens these crucial systems to cyberattacks.
In the power sector alone, an estimated 10,000 more employees need training to defend against cyberattacks, according to the SANS Institute. "Workforces generally are undertrained to defend their companies," said Michael Assante, a SANS Institute project leader.
During the recent training drill here, one team of participants beat back the make-believe terrorists and seized
control of the rocket launcher, firing the mock weapon into open space away from the model city. The victory drew enthusiastic applause.
But in real life, Harp said, "we've got a long way to go to defend ourselves.”
ANSWERS PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY’ ISSUE
ANSWERS TO DECEMBERS’ PUZZLE 1a OTTAWA, 5a FEAST, 6a EXERT, 7a REASON,
1d, OFFEND, 2d TRAPEZE, 3d, WITNESS, 4d, PHOTON “HARRISON FORD”
For more information on sponsorship please visit www.mclalbanyga.org, click on Publications and download the Program
Sponsorship Form.
OUR SPONSORS DESERVE YOUR BUSINESS
Marine Corps League Major Lawrence DesJardines Detachment #1260
Up Coming Events
January
7th 0600 Retirees Breakfast, Crossroads Restaurant, MCLB Albany, GA
9th 1030 Transition Readiness Seminar; Carl Wilcox at [email protected] or (229) 435-1086
20th 1830 Detachment Meeting, River Pointe Golf Club, 801 River Pointe Drive, Albany, GA
February
4th 0600 Retirees Breakfast, Crossroads Restaurant, MCLB Albany, GA
6th 1030 Transition Readiness Seminar; Carl Wilcox at [email protected] or (229) 435-1086
12th – 14th Mid-Winter Conference http://www.mcleague.com/mdp/pdf/2015_Midwinter.pdf
17th 1830 Detachment Meeting, River Pointe Golf Club, 801 River Pointe Drive, Albany, GA
28th 1000 Department Staff Meeting, American Legion Post #105 180 S. Glynn St. Fayettevile, GA
28th 1500 9/11 Heroes Run, Leesburg, GA