From the Commandant:

Scuttlebutt March 2024

The March meeting was held as scheduled on 19 March.  All officers were present.

In keeping with the detachment by-laws, nominations for the roster of 2024 officers were held at the meeting.  All officers were re-elected for another year.  They will be sworn in at the April meeting by National Commandant Warren Griffin.

The detachment can offer two in house scholarships for 2024.  Any member can apply for consideration. One scholarship is left for this year.  Application information has been posted previously and can be viewed at this site.

A request for donation to the Assabet Valley High School Marine Junior ROTC program was received.  After discussion, the request was put to vote and approval to donate $1000.00 was passed.

Natick Boy Scout Troop #1775 will promote two Eagle Scouts in April.  As part of detachment support to the Boy Scouts, each new Eagle Scout will receive $100 and a certificate of recognition.  

The Department of Massachusetts state meeting will be held on 28 April at 11:30 A.M. at the Worcester Detachment.  Members and prospective members are encouraged to attend.

The next detachment meeting will be held on 16 April at 7:00 PM.  All members are welcome as are persons who have interest in participating in supporting the Marine Corps and the community through Associate Membership.

In-House Scholarship Application

From the Commandant:

The following is a link the application form for the detachment scholarship program. The text of the application is posted here also.  Relatives of members in good standing can be considered for scholarship awards.

In-House Scholarship Application

In-house Scholarship Application for Members
MCL Metrowest Detachment #1037

Student Information:  (Please print or type information)

 

__________________        ________________          ___________

Last Name                                      First Name                    Middle Initial

____________________________________________________

Street Address                          City                     State             Zip Code

Educational Background:

High School Name: ______________________Telephone Number:__________

High School Address:

 

Street Address                           City                              State                             Zip Code

Graduation Date: _________                         Grade Point Average: _________       

Class Ranking:  __________                                    Class Size: ____________

List Honors and Distinctions: (attach separate sheet if necessary)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

College/University Name:_____________________  Telephone Number:________

 

Mail completed application to:

John McEntegart, Commandant

22 Potter Road Framingham, MA 01701

 

 From the Commandant:

The next scheduled meeting will be on 20 February at 7:00 PM at the Natick AMVETS.  We hope to increase attendance at meetings as this is where we can get ideas and insights from members and prospective members.  Please attend as you are able and invite any potential members to join you.  As a reminder, voting membership is open to honorably discharged Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and Chaplains.  Associate membership is open to all interested parties with the limitation that they cannot vote. Associate members often bring energy and contributions that are valued.

In January, a number of detachment activities were addressed.

Mike Whelan represented the detachment at a Hopkinton Eagle Scout award ceremony.  A certificate of recognition and a check for $100 was presented.  Natick Troop 1775 will recognize two Eagle Scouts in March.  The detachment plans to participate in presenting MCL recognition.  We thank Mike Whelan for his effort in this program.

Scholarship checks were sent to three student recipients.  Scholarships are awarded to relatives of detachment members.  For criteria and application, please contact Mike Whelan or Mac McEntegart.  The amount for detachment scholarships is currently $1000.00.

The detachment maintains a number of rifles that are used for ceremonial purposes such as parades and funeral firing detachments.  The proper inventory and reporting have been completed for the current period.

The Massachusetts State Legislature will commemorate the Battle of Iwo Jima with a ceremony on 26 February at noon in the Massachusetts State House.   This battle was one of the turning points of WWII and Massachusetts has enacted legislation to annually recognize what was achieved on Iwo Jima is 1945, All are invited to attend.   

We hope to see you on 20 February at the next scheduled meeting.  For nearly 250 years, Marines have served when called.  Your Marine Corps League participation is a way to continue your service and comradery.

Semper Fi,

Mac McEntegart

 

 From the Commandant:

The December meeting was conducted as scheduled.  All officers were present and accounted for.

The Chaplain reported the passing of George MacGillivray.  George had emigrated to Australia.  He and his two brothers were all Marines.  
Past Detachment Commandant Davis Berry passed away after a long illness.  Dave was a strong contributor to Toys for Tots.  
We send the condolences of the detachment to the MacGillivray and Berry families.  

Chip Fagan reported that the Blackstone Valley Young Marines is seeing a notable decline in participation that is impacting the future of the unit.  This is a circumstance that is being seen among many organizations.

There was discussion of the continued decline in detachment membership. At one point, there were over 150 active members.  Today there are 77 registered members of which very few are active.  Current members are generally from the Korea and Vietnam era.  Time is marching on and that era of Marines are aging.   Vietnam veterans sometimes felt that veterans of prior eras were not receptive to their ideas and objectives.  If that is the case today, we want to invite all current veterans to come and discuss their ideas for the future state of the detachment.  We are open to all ideas that can lead to more members.  Since its creation, this detachment has achieved and contributed a lot.  We are open to all ideas that will bring that record into the future.  Today's Marines have continued the proud record of the Corps.  We invite them to continue the proud record of the MCL We are open to all ideas that can lead to more members.  Two Masschusetts Detachments have ceased to operate this year.  We want to avoid that fate.

  The Toys for Tots Program recap was discussed.  Two Pods were filled during this drive.  Program Coordinator Rich Douglas will provide a full report on the program at the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. The next meeting will be on 16 January at 7:00PM at the Natick AMVETS at 1 Superior Drive in Natick.  All are encouraged to attend.

Semper FI  

 From the Commandant:

On behalf of the Metrowest Detachment, I hope that everyone had a peaceful holiday season and we wish a happy new year to all.  One good resolution is to increase participation in Marine Corps League events during this year.  We will welcome your ideas and energy.

We start the new year on a sad note with notice of the death of Dave Berry.  Dave was a long-time member and was very active in collecting toys for the Toys for Tots Drive.  He put a lot of effort into supporting Toys for Tots in the Sudbury area and was instrumental in obtaining donations of bicycles and other items for children in need.   Dave attended Boston University after serving in the Corps and worked a long career with Ford Motor Company.  The schedule for services is as follows:

Dave Berry's wake will be at The Duckett Funeral Home on Thursday 4 January 2024 from 4-7pm, 
Funeral will be held on Friday 5 January 2024 at 10am followed immediately by burial at the Wadsworth Cemetery in Sudbury.

Duckett  Funeral: 656 Boston Post Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776: Tel  978-443-5777

Cemetery: Wadsworth 74 Concord Road  Sudbury, MA.

Semper Fi, Marine.  We extend our condolence to the Berry family.