Scuttlebutt 1037

Commandant's Message

We have been saddened by the death of Ed Jolley, one of the detachment's original members and a former Commandant.  Ed held numerous elected and appointed offices in the detachment.  With Tom Potenza, he was one of the mainstays behind the golf tournament that is still our primary fundraiser.  After Tom's passing, Ed continued to lead the effort.  This year he maintained a high level of involvement despite his sickness.  The tournament was played a few short weeks before Ed's death
Throughout his membership in the detachment, Ed was a dependable resource.   He saw what needed to be done and he did it.  He was a primary contributor to our VA visitation and Bingo.   His involvement was not limited to MCL activities.  Ed was a respected member of the Natick Veterans Council where he was instrumental in planning and arranging the visit of the moving Viet Nam Memorial to Natick.  He was also an active member of the Natick Elks, contributing to their outreach.  We will miss Ed's steady presence and we extend our condolences to his family.
Ed's passing gives us an opportunity to consider our individual vision for the Metrowest Detachment.  Ed and others have built a solid past leaving us to develop the future.  The MCL charter states:

Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Navy Chaplains and former Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Navy Chaplains and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

 
 Going forward, we can consider how we, as individuals, can be part of that mission.  We welcome your attendance at meetings to raise your ideas or concerns.  We encourage you to participate or contribute to the activities that the detachment conducts.  We are blessed to have a number of active and engaged members who, like Ed Jolley,give of their time and energy to make the detachment successful.  There is always room for more.  My own involvement has bee fairly recent and I have found that it is rewarding.  With fewer Americans choosing to serve in uniform, those of who have can have a role in insuring that the interests of veterans, especially Marines and FMF Corpsmen and Chaplains, are met.  Please feel free to contact me at any time with ideas, questions, or concerns.

Bellingham Veterans Monument Rededication

Under the leadership of Sr. Vice Commandant Jim Hastings, the detachment provided a firing detail and bugler for the re-dedication  of two veterans monuments in Bellingham.  Recognizing the service of a Viet Nam veteran and a WWII veteran with roots in Bellingham, the firing detail executed honors for the attending family members and the public.  Members who are able to participate in firing details are encouraged to come forward.  Family members were appreciative of the attendance of the detail.  Mac MacEntegart, Mike Whalen, and Warren Griffin assisted Jim Hastings in this effort.

Toys for Tots Planning  

The time for the Toys for Tots Campaign is approaching.  Richard Douglas has attended the initial planning meeting.  While detailed plans are still ongoing, it is a good idea to contact collection points and to begin arrangements.  The detachment is usually one of the leading participating units in this worthwhile venture.  This is a good opportunity to expand your involvement

Framingham Farm Pond Festival

Marine Ed Carr was able to arrange for the detachment to have a table at the Farm Pond Festival on October 5th.  Marines provided Marine Corps Band CD's and roses in exchange for donations.  There was opportunity for discussion with youth considering the Corps.  Overall the opportunity to publicize the detachment and to hear good, live music was fruitful.

VA Visitation and Bingo

Visitation and Bingo at the VA in Jamaica Plain has resumed after a hiatus.  Warren Griffin led the activities, calling the numbers ably.  Jim Delaney and Paul Carew were on hand to assist with questions and payouts.  This is an activity that is truly appreciated by the VA clients.  On the first Wednesday of the month, this a good opportunity to participate in a detachment activity that only takes about two hours and is fun to attend.  The winner  October donated his winnings back to the detachment charitable outreach. Next scheduled date is 5 November.

Fort Devens Cookouts

On October 18, the final cookout at Fort Devens will be held.  These have been well received by the Marines of 1/25 and have been a good source of funds to defer the cost of the Marine Corps Ball.  Jim Hastings and Mac MacEntagert have led this effort and have put in extra duty to purchase, store,and transport the food.  This event will go from 10:00 to about 2:00.  This is a good chance to meet the Marines and to see the latest equipment.


As a final tribute to Ed Jolley, I am including an article that was written about him when he was awarded the Marine of the Year for the Detachment.

We Salute You, Marine of the Year

Each year, Marine Corps League detachments elect one of their members as the detachment Marine of the Year.   This is often a difficult decision as many members go far beyond expectations on a regular basis.  The following article is to recognize one of these Marine Corps League members who have been chosen by their peers as having truly exhibited the commitment and values of the Marine Corps League. We are honored to salute these members

Ed Jolley, Metro-west Detachment #1037

Ed Jolley receives the Marine of the Year Award from Commandant Mike Whalen

When Ed Jolley saw the newspaper announcement in 1999 that a group of Marine Corps veterans was interested in starting a Marine Corps League detachment in the metro-west area of Boston, he decided to take a look.  Although he did not know anyone at the meeting and had been out the Marine Corps since 1957, Ed was curious and attended the meeting.  That meeting led to the charter of Metro-west Detachment #1037 with Ed Jolley as a charter member and first Senior Vice Commandant.  Since then, there has been a record of commitment and accomplishment that is not rivaled by many.

Since his initial stint as the inaugural Senior Vice Commandant, Ed has held a number of elected and appointed roles, including Commandant.  Currently serving as the detachment Adjutant, Ed is best known in the detachment for his quiet but effective presence in everything he does.   Early on,  when someone was needed to start up and manage the detachment Toys for Tots effort, Ed stepped up and stayed involved for a number of years.   When discussion began about running a golf tournament to raise funds, Ed was there to get the effort off the ground.  When Tom Potenza, the longtime leader of the golf tournament passed away two years ago, Ed quietly assumed the lead and kept the tournament operating smoothly without interruption.   One of his early initiatives in the beginning days of the detachment was to get involved with visitation at VA facilities in Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury.  Fourteen years later, Ed is still a weekly presence at the VA, coordinating Bingo games and sharing conversation with patients.  He has been active in arranging field trips and cookouts for patients and is known by VA staff as a dependable resource who can be contacted when help is needed.  Jim Hastings, another charter member of Detachment #1037 recalls, “ Ed is always there to help and do what needs to be done. This honor is long overdue”.

Ed Jolley’s contributions and involvement go beyond his participation the MCL Detachment.   As the President of the Natick Veterans Council, Ed leads coordination of the activities of the local veterans’ organizations.  In this role, which Ed has held for 8 years, he has been instrumental in working with the town’s Veterans Services Officer to plan and execute observations for Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.  Ed has been a prime mover in organizing a veterans’ luncheon to observe Armed Forces Day.  A high point of his service in the Veterans Council was his leadership role in bringing the Viet Nam Memorial Moving Wall to Natick for a recent Memorial Day weekend.  Taking oversight of a team of 25 volunteers, Ed engineered all of the scheduling, logistics, facilities, installation, and removal of this portable display that was open to the public for 24 hours a day from Friday to Tuesday of the holiday weekend.  This was a large effort that created a sensitive and worthy observation of the sacrifice made by veterans of the Viet Nam War.  Harry Seaholm, longtime leader of the Natick VFW states, “Ed is a quiet, steady hand who can always be counted on.”  Ed is also active in the local chapter of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.  In that organization he is also known as a leader and a person who gets things done.

Ed Jolley’s military service started in the Navy Reserve in 1951.  Although his initial desire was to be in the Marine Corps, staffing limitations and the relocation of the local reserve unit prevented Ed from going in at that time.  After two years in the Navy Reserve, Ed transitioned to active duty in the Marine Corps.  He served in the motor transportation field before separating in 1957.

Returning to the local area, Ed settled into working and starting life as a civilian. In 1960, he began a career at Boston Edison working as a cable splicer and system troubleshooter.  His Edison career lasted 35 years, when he finally retired.  His spouse, Mary Jolley, is very familiar with Ed’s unassuming approach to everything he does.  As she puts it, “ If you are there for a pat on the back, someone will knock you out of the way.  Ed just tries to help”

It is truly good fortune for the Marine Corps League that Ed Jolley saw the newspaper article that led to the start of Metro-west Detachment #1037.  The League is better off for having Marines like Ed Jolley in the ranks and we are pleased to salute him.