John Basilone Detachment Marine Corps League Detachment Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Transcription

1 John Basilone Detachment Marine Corps League Detachment Bi-Monthly Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 2 March 1st, 2011 Douglas J. Rattazzi Commandant Detachment Web Site: Detachment johnbasilonedetachment@gmail.com NJ MCL Web Site: njmcl.org National MCL Web Site: MEETINGS ARE HELD THE FIRST (1ST) MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH AMERICAN LEGION POST 25, MILLTOWN, NEW Newsletter Editor: Doug Rattazzi Membership Dues Our members range in age from the early 20 s to early 90 s and many have not taken advantage of the Marine Corps League Life Membership Plan option for dues. All New Members pay a $36.00 initial entrance fee followed by an annual renewal fee of $ The life program is open to all current active paid up members as follows: Age $ Age $ Age $ Age 65 + $ Members pay a one time fee for life membership in the John Basilone Detachment Call John Heacock for info: At the present time we are mailing late notices to members who s annual membership dues are out standing! Fund Raising Dates For 2011 April 15, 2011 Friday, Hamilton Shop Rite May 21st 2011 Saturday, June 5th 2011 Sunday, August 5th,, 2011 Friday, Spotswood Shop Rite Branchburg Shop Rite Hamilton Shop Rite September 11, 2011 Sunday, Spotswood Shop Rite October 15th, 2011 Saturday, Branchburg Shop Rite 1

2 Officers and Staff November November 2011 John Basilone Challenge Coin Commandant:.. Doug Rattazzi Chief of Staff: Rosemary Fleming Sr. Vice Com:... Ed Sphatt Jr. Vice Com:. Milt Fischer Judge Advocate:. Louis Goldstein Adjutant:... Ray Skarzynski Paymaster:. John Heacock Chaplain:.. George Coyle Sgt. At Arms:. Mel Meszaros Food For The Needy: Harriet Sosley Membership:.John Heacock Historian:...Milt Fischer Honor Guard:. Mel Meszaros Service Officer:... John Heacock Fund Drives:.. Stan Szumel Phone Squad.Joe Duh Quartermaster:.. Norm Bloomfield Aide De Camp: Ruth Lincoln Menlo Park Eagle Scouts.Ray Skarzynski Web Sergeant:. Cliff Walling Newsletter:. Doug Rattazzi Paymaster Our bank has requested that ALL CHECKS to be deposited in the John Basilone Detachments checking account be made payable to the following: John Basilone Detachment #190 We can no longer accept checks made payable to Marine Corps League or John Basilone Det. MCL, We are the John Basilone Detachment #190 Renewal dues are $31.00 per year. John Basilone Detachment Challenge Coins are for sale to our members at $5.00 each. The coins are available at regular meetings. These coins are a great way to show your pride in Our Marine Corps, Marine Corps League and the John Basilone Detachment. John Loftus, March 1 Cpl. Randy Crotzer, March 6 Richard Rydstrom, March 8 Charles Myers March 9 John Pfeiffer March 14 Tim Braden, March 17 John Ryan, March 27 John Kuhlthau, March 28 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY Tim & Anne Braden, March 2 Ray Skarzynski, March 28 Rose Mary Fleming, March 30 Nicholas Koval, March 31 Joseph Piccoli, April 2 Dennis Mansour, April 4 Ken Osterman, April 9 Joseph Duh, April 21 Charles Kelly, April 29 George & Katherine Anderson, April 4 Richard & Divasila Manser, April 12 John & Rose Ann Martinez, April 20 John & Marge Heacock, April 23 Robert & Eileen Imbriaco, April 26 Ralph & Barbara Meade, April 28 2

3 Basilone Detachment Scouting Program In the early 70 s my troop was fortunate to be invited to The West Point Military Academy Boy Scout Camporee. This is a prestigious camporee and it is considered an honor to be invited. Because over 1600 scouts are invited, space is limited for the campsite, but being a Marine we adapted to the situation. Before revile was sounded on the first morning, we had our boys up and running around the other campsites, ending with calisthenics. The Cadets laid out a course consisting with a variety of challenges that they face during their training, such as editable plants, building survivor huts, provide drinking water by making solar stills, making and setting animal traps, first aid in the field, communications etc. It didn t take too long to realize how good the Boy Scout program was. I could plainly see the advantage a Cadet has if he was a former boy scout. The Cadets also gained by this camporee because being future officers and military leaders they had to organize and cover every logistic problem from transportation, security, food, medical, sanitary needs, communications and every thing else a military movement would consist of. The highlight of the camporee was a mock battle set up on a knoll overlooking a distant tree line. Being a Marine I quickly spotted movement along the tree line but the boys were unaware of the activity. The audience was seated directly in back of the good guy s. When the battle began there was a lot of noise from simulated artillery, grenades and of course small arms fire. The bad guys were cadets dressed as V.C. At the end of the battle, prisoners were taken and the good cadets asked the scouts what should we do with the prisoners? Most of the boys responded kill them, at which time the lead cadet clarified that Americans have to follow protocol according to the rules of war, even though the enemy sometimes do not. It ended when the lead cadet introduced himself as a N.J. Middlesex County resident and that he was a graduate of the last ALL Male class in the history of the Point. At the end we were given a tour of the Academy and presented with a West Point neckerchief. One interesting point is that along with other levels of intelligence, physical health and character, they look for someone who was a team captain in high school, president of their student council or an Eagle Scout. It is needless to say that we were all proud of OUR Cadets and the quality of leadership that is produced from the West Point Academy program. Since the department convention the Basilone Detachment has honored 28 Eagle Scouts. Semper Fi, YIS, Ray Skarzynski PC Detachment/Department Scouting Chairman Menlo Park Veterans Home On Friday evening January 14th 2011 the John Basilone Detachment, hosted a Wine and Cheese party for the residents at Menlo Park Home for Veterans. It was well received by 25 to 30 of the residents, and was fun for our members that showed up to help. Music was provided by J J Melodies, a local disc jockey. Of course the wine was non-alcoholic so the party did not get out of control! We hope to host another party in the Future. Semper Fi, John & Marge Heacock Stan & Joy Szumel Doug & Carol Rattazzi Applications on following pages 3

4 2011 Marine Corps League Scholarship Application 4

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8 Corporate Sponsors for John Basilone Detachment MCL SCHIAVONE CONSTRUCTION CO. CONSTRUCTORS & ENGINEERS 150 MEADOWLANDS PARKWAY SECAUCUS, NJ (201) Ironworkers Local 373 (201) FAX (201) Frog Hollow Swim & Tennis Club, So. Amboy Docs Corner We have 1 Corpsman in our detachment, you can contact Doc Dimitriou at Phone: navydoc_marine@yahoo.com Dedicated to the memory of our Fallen Marines M.A. Maliszewski Funeral Home 218 Whitehead Ave., South River, NJ Carmen F. Spezzi, Manager Our Current strength is 185 members. REMEMBER: We are always looking for a Few Good Marines to join our ranks. If you would like information about helping in our recruiting program, contact Ed Sphatt (Sr. Vice Commandant) at : Maliszewski Memorial Home Main Street, Sayreville, NJ Carmen F. Spezzi, Manager Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home 15 Cherry Lane Parlin, NJ Christine O. Spezzi, Manger. 8