Thames River Detachment #1334

Transcription

1 August 2018 Vol. 2, Issue 8 Thames River Detachment #1334 Commandant s Corner Commandant Tom Peters dp90daopt@aol.com (860) Greetings Marines, FMF Corpsman, Associates, and Families: I have recently returned from Buffalo, no it did not snow, where the MCL National Convention and the Supreme Growl of the Military Order of the Devil Dogs was held. Six detachment members: Joe Balint, Pat McMahon, Rob Montminy, Bob Pierce, Frank Poitras, and myself earned our PDD degree. I know that I speak for all of us when I say that it was a once in a lifetime experience. IN THIS ISSUE Member Spotlight Joe Gardiner Awards The National Marine Corps League Convention Young Marines This week I attended the Korean War Vets Ceremony in Norwich. It was an honor for me to stand in for Corny Banta and accept his certificate for him. Watching Don Porter and other Korean Vets receive their awards was very humbling. While I keep stating that we need to get more and younger members in the detachment, we are very fortunate that members like Corny and Don are with us and continue to contribute to the betterment of Thames River Detachment #1334. Semper Fi New Members Upcoming Events

2 Member Spotlight Joe Gardiner Joe Gardiner was born in the Bronx on October 27, 1946, the first child of Joseph and Violet Gardiner. He was the oldest of six children. At 8 1/2 his family moved to East Northport on Long Island. Joe was interested in joining the Navy after graduating high school. He already was an apprentice plumber and wanted to join the Seabees. But Joe received a draft notice. There were eight others that attended a meeting after receiving their drafts and Joe was the only one that volunteered for the Marine Corps. March 14, 1966 Joe started bootcamp at Parris Island, Platoon 155. On May 10 th 2 Page graduation occurred after only eight weeks. He was promoted to PFC out of boot camp. Additional training occurred for anti tanks. Joe was trained as a rocket launcher, flame thrower and demolition. He enjoyed this specialized training. This training provided him a safe place in the column as it was in the middle, not bringing up the rear or the front line. Joe served active duty for two years with a six year commitment. The other four years were in the reserves. After receiving specialized training he went to Lejuene and was there for five weeks and volunteered for the weapons platoon. Next he went to California for more training then got on a ship for Vietnam. It took 19 days to get to Okinawa. The first night they had liberty. The very next day they went on land to Vietnam. Joe spent his 20 th birthday when he landed in Vietnam. He spent about three months there doing basic patrols. The last six months were spent in Caisson. After his time in Vietnam Joe went back to Lejeune. There he was a driver of the Ontos (monster anti tank vehicles.) After his two years Joe decided not to stay in as he could make more money as a plumber. Minimum wage in

3 1964 was $1.10. He left March 13 th and got his ticket to go back to New York. Joe met his wonderful bride, Mary and have been married 46 years. They have six children and six grandchildren. Following his plumbing career he went on to be a union plumber and worked in power plants and worked at Millstone, which is what brought him to Connecticut. He also worked at Electric Boat for 12 years. Joe recently retired and for the last 10 years has spent the winters in Florida as he was tired of driving in snow and ice. The Ontos anti tank vehicle. Awards Don Porter and his daughter Sandy at the Korean War Veterans ceremony in Norwich, CT. MaryLynne Pulaski Page received a certificate of appreciation. 3 Page

4 National Marine Corps League Convention Buffalo, New York Some of our Detachment members attended the National Convention in Buffalo, NY and earned Pedigree in the Military Order of Devil Dogs (MODD). Frank Poitras, Pat McMahon, Tom Peters, Rob Montminy, Joe Balint, Bob Pearce and William Lee. Also pictured are Doug Fisk and Bill Taylor (center.) 4 Page Buffalo or Bust!

5 Three Rivers Young Marines Patrick McMahon, Unit Commander By YM/SGT A. DeGunia Recently I attended the National Leadership School in Oregon. While attending this leadership school I learned how to become a better leader and role model for other Young Marines. At the school, we had to hold specific billets and in order to obtain a good score, we had to fulfill all the requirements of this billets. These requirements include making sure your squad is squared away and fulfilling their duties as well. At the Leadership Academy, you had to be able to be independent and have exceptional time management. This helped me for being staff at my Southern New England Regimental encampment this summer by teaching me how to be independent and I was able to make quick decisions when needed. I was able to be confident and loud, At the leadership academy this was one of the skills they focused on and I was able to accel at both at this encampment. The leadership academy has helped me become a better Young Marine and has helped me become more confident. Without going to Oregon I wouldn't be where I am today. I was put as the admin section chief for the encampment and I was confident in my role and I was able to get what I needed to be done. I'm am so very grateful I had the opportunity to attend the national leadership school in Oregon and that I was able to serve as staff. 5 Page

6 New Members Welcome to Jim and Laura Parent, new associate members that were inducted at the August business/ planning meeting.. Upcoming Events November 10, 2018 September 12-15, 2019 Marine Corps Birthday Ball Port N Starboard, Ocean Beach Park Group trip to Washington DC Check the detachment calendar for location, times and additional details. Marine Corps League Thames River Detachment #1334 PO Box 462 Uncasville, CT Page