We welcome your interest in membership.  More information on the Marine Corps League and the Metrowest  Detachment #1037 can be found here Membership Information

May Meeting Notes:

The meeting was convened at 7:00 with all officers present.  With the lack of a quorum, the meeting was conducted informally, following usual format.

The report of the Paymaster was read and accepted.   The detachment is in good financial shape and the tax status has been correctly updated. Note that dues must be paid in full prior to
1 September.  Please insure that this is attended to as the national system is date sensitive.

Golf Committee:

Planning for the golf tournament continues.  Sign up for teams is progressing.  All members are encouraged to seek prizes and advertisements, recognizing that many merchants and vendors will be hard pressed to contribute due to COVID impacts on business.  Regular golf committee meetings will begin in June and continue until the tournament.  
It was decided to sponsor a tee sign for the Shutt Detachment golf tournament that is upcoming.

Eagle Scout Support:

Al Schiff reports that activity has been slow due to the impact of COVID on the ability of troops to hold meetings.  Al's grandson will be awarded the Eagle Scout rank and it was approved that he be recognized by the detachment.

Upcoming Events:

Commandant MacEntegart has arranged for attendance at the Armor Museum in Stowe.  Details will be forthcoming.

The 25th Marines will be conducting a battalion sized event on 17 June for which the MCL has been asked to provide refreshments.  There is connection with a vendor who will provide pulled pork sandwiches and associated dishes.  Funding will be sought to provide side dishes and condiments.

Upcoming Memorial Day events were discussed.  Natick, Framingham, and Bellingham observations were discussed.  

The next meeting will be on 16 June at 7:00 PM at the Natick Amvets.  Members are encouraged to attend and to work at identifying and inviting new members.  

A Message from the Commandant:

Greetings Marines:

We had our elections last month and I am back as your Commandant.   All we did was switch seats as a result of this election.  The current group of officers is basically the same group in different positions. We have one new face at the front desk. Steve Stephan was elected Judge Advocate. Thank you, Steve for stepping up.  He hope that we can increase participation and membership to bring in new ideas and energy.

The Detachment needs to thank our Past Commandant Gerry Blanchette for an outstanding job this past year.  Gerry guided us through the Pandemic. During this difficult time, Gerry conducted Zoom meetings to keep us together and informed. Then he was able to get us back to the AMVETS when live meetings were again permitted.  Additionally,  Gerry took on the role of the Paymaster after the passing of Paymaster Bill Costello.  A special note Gerry and Paul Carew did all the paperwork necessary for the Detachment to be compliant with the IRS and National requirements. This is an essential task for us, a huge thank you is extended on behalf of the detachment. 

Despite COVID, the Detachment had a successful Christmas Toys for Tots. Thanks to all who collected toys and to Richard Douglas and Chip Fagan who coordinated the event.  This is a major project that requires a lot of coordination and communication.  Richard and Chip played a key role in keeping this long standing and valuable program going.

Golf is Back! August 16 ! We need prizes and people to help. This is the major fundraiser for the Detachment.  Jim Hastings will again serve as the event point person.  Jim will be able to handle questions and will welcome help from all who have interest. 

The detachment  Rose Program is this month. Call Warren Griffin if you need roses.  Participating in this program can be done in just a few hours of arranging to be at a high traffic location and soliciting donations.  This is an effective fund raising activity and can be an enjoyable way to meet people and let them know what we do. 

The Scholarship committee met last week. We chose five very deserving seniors from Metrowest area High Schools to receive $1000 for their upcoming freshman year in college.  This is the type of activity that we provide using the funds raised from the Golf Tournament and the Rose Program. 

The Detachment needs to recruit new members.. This past year we lost five Marines.  Every time you meet a Marine or FMF Corpsman, it is an opportunity to encourage him or her to check us out and join the detachment.  We have a new brochure printed to describe our activities. If you need a copy call Dave Gentes. The brochure is also online. 

This will be the final printed newsletter for the Detachment. Future newsletters will be posted on the Scuttlebutt website.  Going online with detachment communications will save time and cost. If you don’t have any electronic devices or are unable to access the website, call me and I will send you a printed copy on request. 

Semper Fi, 

 Mac 

The following is a list of detachment officers with current contact information:

Commandant: John McEntegart:  judy5mc@yahoo.com : 22 Potter Rd., Framingham
 508-877-5255
Sr. Vice Commandant:  Dave Gentes davegentes@comcast.net: 11 Evergreen Ave Wellesley 02482
H: 781-235-8085  Cell: 781 223 1546
Jr. Vice Commandant:  Jim Hastings  snopymike@aol.com:100 Plymouth Rd Bellingham 02019
H 508-966-0364 C 508-369-6227
Adjutant: Warren Griffin  griffcher@juno.com:  54 Shaw Farm Rd. Holliston
W 617-720-0414 H 508-429-3002
Chaplain: Michael Whalen whalen.michael@comcast.net: 262 Wood St. Hopkinton
H 508-435-2397
Sergeant-At-Arms: David Barth:  19 Irving St. Waltham 02451
H 781-899-0436
Judge Advocate: Steve Stephan: 81 Oxbow Rd. Framingham
H: 617-306-8057
Paymaster: Jerry Blanchette jerryblanch@verizon.net 149 Summer St. Framingham 01701
Cell: 508-383-5787

Detachment meetings are held at the Natick AMVETS on Superior Drive in Natick at 7:00 PM on the third Tuesday of the month; Next meeting will be 18 May 2021