Scuttlebutt 1037

NOTE THE NEXT MEETING IS ON MARCH 15.  NOMINATIONS FOR OFFICERS WILL BE CONDUCTED

A Message from the Commandant:

We are progressing on a number of activities, some of which are mainstays, others that are new.  Cookouts to benefit the 25^th Marines are resuming this month after a winter hiatus.  These are a fun event and provide the opportunity to interact with today’s Marines and to see current equipment.  The scholarship committee is continuing to assess applications and wards scholarships to local area students.  This has been a long standing activity that has been a big value-add to the community.   The newly initiated program of visitation to area nursing homes is progressing well with visits already on the calendar and branded materials being purchased.  VA Bingo is continuing on schedule and is always appreciated by the patients.  The early planning for the golf tournament is in place and will continue through August, offering our primary source of funding.  We have finished another successful year of Toys for Tots collection and donations.  The detachment is present as desired at funerals and burials.  Mac MacEntegart provides strong stewardship of the ceremonial rifles, enabling us to provide firing details when requested.

In my tenure as Commandant, I have seen the benefits of each of these activities.  The Battalion Command at Fort Devens gratefully acknowledges our presence and the financial contribution that these cookout provide to the Marine Corps Ball.  Scholarship recipients have sent letters of thanks for the contribution to their education.   Family members have expressed gratitude for the dignified presence of the detachment at funerals, knowing how much it would have meant to their departed loved ones to have their service commemorated.  The VA patients always go out of their way to say how much they enjoy Bingo and the break that it gives them in their routine.   

None of these activities is possible without the commitment and participation of detachment members.  We are blessed to have a core of Marines who step up to initiate and lead these events.  We have a solid cadre of Marines who contribute as much time and energy as they can and help to enable our activities.  We are not the longest standing detachment, but we are one of the most active.

In March, we will accept nominations for the detachment leadership positions.  I recall when I was first approached that I had some reservations about being able to commit the time and effort.  My experience has been that it is not overly challenging, even while working full time and navigating an active family life.  There are Marines and Corpsmen out there who have the talent and motivation to bring the detachment further.  Each member should consider what they could bring to one of the leadership roles. This is the time to step up and be part of bringing the detachment forward. Please give serious consideration to who your leaders should be and consider what you as an individual can do

Semper Fi       Dave Gentes  Commandant

 February Meeting Notes:

Due to an unexpected power outage at the AMVETS, the February meeting was not conducted.  Our next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, March 15, at 7:30 PM at the Natick AMVETS.

Iwo Jima Day Observation

The 71st anniversary of this pivotal World War II battle was observed at the State House on February 19^th.   This ceremony is heavily supported by the Marine Corps League.

Nursing Home/Assisted Living Visitation 

The first of these visits was held on February 3 at 3:30 at a 15 Holliston Street in Medway.  Members engaged with confined veterans and provided them with gifts from the detachment. The next  visitation is on February 29 at 10:30 at the Maples Rehab in Wrentham. A supply of gifts with the detachment log and information has been purchased to support these  visits.Members who are interested in assisting in these events can contact Tom Foley for more detail.

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 25^th 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.

Donations and Correspondence:

Due to the cancellation of the meeting, correspondence was not discussed.

Please plan to attend the March 15 meeting to participate in nominations of officers.

NOTE:  THE PRIOR MARCH 22 DATE WAS AN ERROR.  UNLESS THERE IS FORMAL NOTICE OTHERWISE, ALL MEETINGS ARE ON THE 3rd TUESDAY OF THE MONTH.