From the Commandant
Although there may be some desire to hunker down and just stay warm for the next couple of months, we have a lot going on and are staying active. One of the earmarks of the Marine Corps is the strong connection of Marines to the past. Generations of Marines stayed spiritually connected to each other. Most of us have been at social events and other activities where we have made a connection with another Marine who arrived as a stranger and left as a brother. The privilege of sharing a” Semper Fi” with a comrade has often been hard earned. We study and cherish our history and the accomplishments of the Corps. The recent loss of twelve Marines in a training accident in Hawaii reinforces that it is often a dangerous endeavor to be a Marine, yet young people continue to step up..
In February, we will commemorate the anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima. Those Marines carried on the legacy of those who struggled in the Argonne Forest and Belleau Wood. They passed on an example that the next wave of Marine carried forward in Inchon and other Korean outposts. The next generation of Marines preserved this trail of courage in Hue City and many other hills and valleys in Viet Nam. Today’s Marines have fought house to house in Fallujah and the hills of Afghanistan, carrying forward the example of their predecessors. At one point, we raised our hand to take an oath that made us different, stronger, and distinct. You can keep your connection with this proud lineage active with Marine Corps League involvement. We welcome all and encourage you to reach out to others who may have interest.
We demonstrate our connection with the past and our community when we visit veterans who are confined to nursing homes and similar facilities. Tom Foley is one of our newer members who stepped up to take on getting this initiative off the ground. In a few weeks, Tom has made inroads with local facilities and has arranged for detachment members to visit on February 3rd and February 29th. This is an opportunity to expand our portfolio of service. These visits are greatly appreciated by patients and typically very rewarding for those doing the visiting.
The anniversary observation for the battle of Iwo Jima gives us opportunity to reflect on the valor of a prior generation. The Marine Corps League will be a major contributor to this event.
Our cookouts at Fort Devens serve the dual purpose of helping to raise funds to defer the cost of the Marine Corps Ball but to interact with today’s Marines. It can be hard to believe that we were all that young at one time and the connection is a nice opportunity.
We are approaching the point when we will transition our leadership team through elections. If you have considered pursuing a role in setting the direction of the detachment, this will be your chance. Please feel free to contact any of the current officers with questions or to get more information on what is involved in each role.
January Meeting Notes
The meeting was convened at 7:30 PM on January 20 as scheduled. There were 12 members in attendance. Roll call of officers was conducted. The Chaplain was excused for family issues. The Junior Vice Commandant was absent. The Paymaster report was read and accepted. The financial condition of the detachment continues to be good. The normal order of business was conducted.
Iwo Jima Day Observation:
On February 19, the battle for Iwo Jima will be remembered in a ceremony at the Hall of Flags at the State House. The ceremony will be held at 11:00 with collation to follow. Note that there will not be a parade as in the past due to concerns about the impact that the weather can pose. This is the 71st anniversary of this landmark 1945 battle.
Nursing Home/Assisted Living Visitation:
Member Tom Foley has made numerous inroads on arranging for visits to local area veterans who are confined to nursing homes and other similar facilities. A group visitation has been arranged for February 1 (note corrected date) at 3:30 at a 15 Holliston Street in Medway. Members are encouraged to attend in uniform. If it is permitted by the facility, refreshments will be provided for the veterans. A second visitation has been scheduled for February 29 at 10:30 at the Maples Rehab in Wrentham.
We commend Tom Foley for his effort in starting this initiative.
Fort Devens Cookouts:
Senior Vice Commandant Jim Hastings announced that the monthly cookouts at Fort Devens will resume on February 27. These events raise funds to defer the cost of the Marine Corps Ball for the Marines of 25th Marines. The event will begin at 10:30 and should be completed by 2:00. These events are a good way to deal with the Marines and to see the equipment that is used today.
Correspondence and Donations:
A donation of $5000 to the Semper Fi Injured Marines Fund was proposed and approved. A trip will be arranged to present this check in person. The date of the trip TBD to Quantico will be in early April. Plans are to stay for two nights in Quantico, with visits to the Museum, we will be presenting a check to the Semper Fi Fund and we will be in uniform for this event. Please contact Jim Hastings. @ 508-369-6227 or snopymike@aol.com if interested in going. Depending on how many want to go, we might rent a large passenger van and share the cost. Rooms at Liversedge Hall are around $50.00 a night. Head count by March 1st is desired.
We received a thank you letter for a donation to the planned Gold Star Family Memorial that is slated to be built in Fall River.
The family of Jim Kidd sent a note of thanks for the firing detail that was at Jim’s funeral in November.
The Marine Corps University sent thanks for our recent donation. These funds go to provide courses for company grade officers (Captains).
A $200 donation to Huntington House in Boston was proposed and approved.
We will meet again on February 16 at 7:30 at the AMVETS in Natick.