Department of Wisconsin Commandant Vern Riedle presents the Marine of the Year Awards for 2007 and 2008 to Kettle Moraine Detachment Marines

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1 April 2009 Serving the Kettle Moraine area since 2005 Vol V Issue Marine of the Year Carl Heiman 2008 Marine of the Year John Stern Department of Wisconsin Commandant Vern Riedle presents the Marine of the Year Awards for 2007 and 2008 to Kettle Moraine Detachment Marines Our next Meeting is at 9am Saturday April 18th, 2009 at the Trenton Town Hall. Located at 1071 State Hwy 33 East, West Bend WI

2 2009 Detachment Officers Commandant Jim Ramage (262) Sr. Vice Commandant Danny O Toole (262) Jr. Vice Commandant Paul Bollmann (262) Judge Advocate Sean Rodriguez (262) Adjutant Jason Waier (262) Paymaster Roger Cross (262) Chaplain George Wujcik (262) Sgt at Arms Tim Bertram (262) Historian Jason Waier (262) Public Affairs Jason Waier (262) John Fleischman (262) Honor Guard Cmdr John Stern (262) Color Guard Cmdr Bill Wallace (262) Newsletter Highlights Cover: Congratulations to the Marines of the Year! Page 3: Minutes Page 4: In the Highest Tradition Page 5: Reclaiming Our Heritage-Flyer Page 6: KetMorDet in Action Page 7: Officer and Committe Reports Page 10: Letter from Eric Shinseki UPCOMING DETACHMENT EVENTS (Subject to change) Apr National Marine Corps League, Central Division, Conference in Neenah Apr 18 Sat 0900 Regular Monthly Meeting, Trenton Town Hall, 1071 Hwy 33 East. West Bend Apr 24 Fri 1330 FHP Wayne Elementary School, Town of Wayne, CTH H Apr 25 Sat Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to WWII Memorial in Washington DC May 3 Sun 1500 Fox Co 2/24 War Memorial Re-Dedication. War Memorial Park, Milwaukee May 9 Sat American Legion/North Shore Pasta Dinner Fundraiser American Legion Hall, Cedarburg May Marine Week-Chicago IL. Events to be announced soon May 16 Armed Forces Day May 16 Sat 0900 Regular Monthly Meeting, Trenton Town Hall, 1071 Hwy 33 East. West Bend May 27 Wed 0900 FHP Farmington Elementary School, Hwy 144 North, to CTH H East, to Boltonville Rd. May 30 Sat 1000 Reclaiming Our Heritage- Parade at the Zablocki Medical Center Grounds. May Fox Co 2/24 Marines and their weapons at the ROH Event Jun 14 Sun Noon "Action in Jackson" Parade. NEWSLETTER INFO THE KETTLE MORAINE MARINE Newsletter, copyright 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 by Kettle Moraine Detachment #1203, Marine Corps League, PO Box 1163, West Bend, WI All rights reserved. THE KETTLE MORAINE MARINE is not an official publication of either the U. S. Marine Corps or the Marine Corps League. Opinions expressed do not imply official endorsement by any agency of the U. S. Government or the Marine Corps League, and remain the sole opinion of the writer. Unless otherwise specified, articles not accompanied with a by-line have been inserted by the Editor and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Officers or Members of Kettle Moraine Detachment #1203. Copies of all past Newsletters since March 2005 can be viewed in the Reference Section of the West Bend Library or at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. THE KETTLE MORAINE MARINE Newsletter is normally published prior to monthly scheduled meetings for the information and use of Detachment Members. Articles and letters are invited but the Editor retains the right to edit any submission. Submit typed materials or photographs marked for the Newsletter to the Editor by the first Monday of the month using either jwaier@charter.net or snail mail to 2235 Sylvan Way Apt #6 West Bend, WI Annual donation for ads is $100 for a single block and $175 for a double. Half or full page ads are also available. Editor: Jason Waier (262) See the Newsletter and other Detachment info at Newsletter Editor Jason Waier (262) Flag History Team Jim Krudwig (262)

3 Kettle Moraine Detachment 1203, Marine Corps League Minutes of Meeting Held on March 21st, Members present The Meeting was held at the Trenton Town Hall in West Bend, WI. The Commandant called the meeting to order at The Sgt at Arms presented the Colors, and the Chaplain said the opening prayer. Roll Call of Officers Commandant: John Stern present Paymaster: Roger Cross ex Sr. Vice Commandant: Glen Brewer present Chaplain: Paul Bollmann present Jr. Vice Commandant: Danny O'Toole present Sgt at Arms: Tim Bertram present Adjutant: Jason Waier present Historian: Jason Waier present Judge Advocate: Sean Rodriguez ex " : Jim Krudwig present Other Members in Attendance Chantelois, Steve Fleischman, John Heiman, Carl Kaczmarek, George Montag, Fritz Oelerich, Barry Ramage, Jim Schleif, Paul Straub, Hugo Unertl, Ken Wallace Bill Wujcik, George Erdman, Don (ex) New Members/Guests Dept of Wisconsin, Marine Corps League, Commandant Vern Riedle was on hand for the Officer Installation Ceremony. Mike Parr, the South East Division Asst. Commandant was also on hand. Kyle Turk, and Ashley Appazeller from the West Bend High Schools were on hand to see how different organizations conduct business meetings for their class on Government Law. Reading of the Minutes Without any corrections or comments to the Minutes as posted in the March Newsletter Paul Schlief made a motion to accept them as written. Seconded by Barry Oelerich. Motion passed. Paymaster's Report The Adjutant passed out the Paymasters Report and briefly went over it, as the Paymaster was excused from the Meeting. Tim Bertram made a motion to accept it as written. Seconded by Hugo Straub. Motion passed. Chaplain's Report The Chaplain stated several get well cards had been sent out this month. He also noted James Dorfner, a Marine from Slinger that had been battling cancer, has passed away and that the Det Honor Guard would be providing him with an Honor Guard immediately following the meeting. The Chaplain went on to say that his sister in law is battling cancer also. He asked that the Membership keep these families in their prayers. Correspondence Received/Delivered A copy of the Minutes from the last Council on Veterans Programs, Wisconsin Dept of Veterans Affairs has been received. A copy of the Wisconsin Dept of Veterans Newsletter has also been received and has been posted on the ketmordet website if anyone would like to read it online. Other detachment newsletters include one from Waukesha County Det, and North Shore Marine. If anyone would like to like read any of the above please contact Jason Waier. A copy of the Dept of Wisconsin, Marine Corps League proposed bylaw changes have also been received. These are the changes that were brought up following the Winter Conference in Neenah. Report of Standing Committees Commandant: The new Commandant Jim Ramage stated he will work hard to do right by the Detachment, and had several Marines offer their support to him as he takes on his new responsibilities. Senior Vice Commandant: Newly installed Sr Vice Danny O'Toole asked that all Det members work to recruit new members and help the Det grow, and pledged his support to the Commandant. He also had the Savings Bonds for the four new Eagle Scouts that recently had their Court of Honor. Continued on page 8

4 In the Highest Tradition! Marine officials said his actions allowed his comrades to escape a second heavily-armored vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. The Marine Corps News described his battalion as "the hardest-hit battalion in the Corps in 2008 with at least 20 Marines and sailors lost in combat." LCpl Brady Gustafson was awarded the Navy's highest decoration, the Navy Cross on March 27th, While on patrol in the town of Shewan in the Farah province of Afghanistan July 21st, 2008 LCpl Gustafson and other members of 2nd Batallion, 7th Marines were ambushed. LCpl Gustafson, a machine gunner from Eagan, Minnesota was wounded after a rocket-propelled grenade hit his mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle, piercing the armor. A second MRAP also was hit, but Gustafson scrambled to his turret, firing more than 400 rounds at the enemy, while reloading twice. His actions allowed the burning MRAP to escape. It was not until after which he allowed himself to be pulled from his gun turret for medical treatment. "Despite sustaining a severe traumatic injury to his right leg, Gustafson identified the enemy positions and engaged them with machine-gun fire and thus afforded the Marines involved time to escape the 'kill zone'" said a statement released by the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms. March 27, 2009 Taken from the Internet Corpsmen Up! CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan Not every battle can be won. Not every Marine comes out of the fight unscathed. When a Marine finds one of his brethren down on the battlefield, he lets loose a call that has been sounded for decades. "Corpsmen up!" It was no different for two Navy corpsmen with 3rd Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, who were awarded medals for their actions while deployed with Marines in Afghanistan. Seaman Russel Crabb, a corpsman with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Medical Bn., received a Navy Achievement Medal with a combat distinguishing device for his quick reaction following an improvised explosive device attack. Seaman Michael Bergeron, a corpsman with Company C, 3rd Medical Bn., was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his efforts to provide medical services to Coalition and Afghan forces while attached to an embedded training team during combat operations. Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph, which depicts five Marines and a corpsman working together to raise a flag on Iwo Jima, captures the spirit and bond that forms between the corpsmen and Marines in combat.

5 KetMorDet Color Guard scheduled to perform May 30th at 10am Also see the weapons and Marines of fox co 2/24 all weekend

6 Kettle Moraine Detachment in ACTION! Dept Of Wisconsin Commandant Vern Reidle presents KetMorDet Commandant Jim Ramage the gavel after swearing in the Detachment Officers. Congratulations to: Jim Ramage, Danny O Toole, Tim Bertram, George Wujcik, and Paul Bollmann. Sean Rodriguez, Roger Cross, and Jason Waier were not included in the picture. Above and to the right are Danny O Toole, Glen Brewer, and John Stern as they perform a flag folding ceremony during the Cub/Boy Scout Blue and Gold Dinner in Ferbruary at Badger Middle School in West Bend.

7 Report of Officers and Committee Chairs In order to expedite the regular monthly meeting, all Officers and standing committee chairs are afforded the opportunity to provide their input to the Newsletter by the first Monday of each month. Members are also welcome to submit something. This will enable all Members to review items of interest and reduce discussion at the meetings. Additionally, it provides any Member who is unable to make it to a regular meeting, the opportunity to remain abreast of current Detachment activities. Any submission may be edited and use depends on available space Commandant - Jim Ramage: I don't have much for my first report. I will be presenting to the officers and to the membership of changing our meeting time to at night during the week instead of Saturday mornings. It was mentioned that many would like Thursday evenings about 6:00 PM. I would like some input from the membership - constructive input only, yes or no will suffice. It is only an idea that some members have brought up. Sr Vice Commandant - Danny O Toole: Hello Marines & FMF Corpsman, We are starting a new year for the KetMorDet. This is an opportunity for each of us to rededicate ourselves to participating in some manner or form during this new year. Participation can come in the form of (1) attending KetMorDet meetings, (2) working one of the fund raisers during the year, (3) being a member of the firing squad and burial ritual detail, (4) marching with the color guard, (5) becoming a member of the flag history presentation team, (6) representing the KetMorDet at Boy Scout Eagle Scout Courts of Honor,(7) visiting the sick & wounded at Woods or the State Vet's hospital at King & Union Grove, (8) assisting in packing the boxes that we send to the troops, (9) volunteering to be an officer in KetMorDet in future years, (10) working as a recruiter for KetMorDet (this is one of the easiest programs). The programs listed above are just those that I can think of while getting a few words to Jason Waier for the newsletter. I'm sure that other Marines & FMF Corpman in KetMorDet can think of other ways we can all participate. Without participating we will become stagnant and that is the first step in the decline of any organization. I am grateful to those Marines that have stepped forward to conduct our programs in the past and have always appreciated the time & effort expended by our Officers since the inception of KetMorDet. I hope that I can be worthy of their efforts by conducting myself with honor and dedication during my term as Senior Vice Commandant. Semper FI Marines, we can all make this a great year. Danny O'Toole Judge Advocate - Sean Rodriguez: Nothing new to report at this time. Adjutant - Jason Waier: Marines, I am happy to say that someone has come forward to fill the position of Adjutant. It has been my honor be your Adjutant for the past couple of years, and I am sure that this Marine will also come to find that it is a very rewarding job. As you have seen the last few months I have been doing a lot of other things which I have found to be refreshing and enjoyable and hope I am passing on this new enthusiasm to you. There is a lot of good that the Detachment has done and will continue doing. There several members with anniversaries coming up. Please watch you mail for your renewals and submit them to the Paymaster. Tim Bertram, Glen Brewer, Michael Fusek, James Korth, Russell Petranech, Tom Timblim. Gil DeLauier and Brian Rahn are past due. Chaplain - George Wujcik: Thanks for your prayers. My Sister in law passed away on the 21st of Mar. Honor Guard Commander - John Stern: In the month of March the detachment's Honor guard participated in one funeral standing at the foot and head of the casket during visitation, rendering taps, as well as the traditional rifle volley. Three polished casings as well as a "challenge coin" were presented to the immediate family. 21 March 2009 Marine James Dorfner. Marines Heiman, Montag, O'Toole Schlief, Stern, Straub, and Wallace participating. Since its inception the detachment's Honor Guard has rendered military honors to 22 veterans throughout Ozaukee and Washington counties. Support the Troops Packages: There were no names submitted therefore no packages mailed during the month of March. Marines, remember I need ALL of the following information before sending packages. Name and full address of recipient. Name of the person and relationship submitting the request. And finally an Continued on page 9

8 Continued from Minutes on page 3 Junior Vice Commandant: Nothing new to report. Adjutant: I was able to go the North Shore Marine Det Meeting again and was able to pick up some good info. The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund is one item. The Semper Fi Fund provides financial assistance and quality of life solutions to OIF/OEF Marines and Sailors injured in combat, or with life threatening illnesses and their families, or service members injured while in direct support of Marine units and their families. Since 2004 they have raised over $28 million dollars and have consistently used 92% or higher on their programs, and kept fundraising expenses at 2 cents per dollar raised! For more info please see the link on the VAVS tab on the ketmordet website. As noted in the March Newsletter there are some organizations that rate some very poor ratings for how much money actually gets to the intended people, this one is not of them. It is headed by former Commandant of the Marine Corps, Al Grey. The USS Green Bay was launched in January and is only the 2nd United States ship to carry the cities namesake. Sgt Schroeder from the West Bend Marine corps Recruiting Office re-enlisted at the North Shore Marine meeting. Capt Clifton of RS Milwaukee was on hand and performed the honors. Honor Guard: The Honor Guard was in full uniform during the Meeting as they were going to provide honors for Marine Dorfner immediately following the Meeting. Flag History Presentation Team: There are three upcoming FHP events. Signup sheets were on hand. If you have any questions please contact Jim Krudwig. Jim thanked everyone for the cards and get well wishes he received following his surgery. Care Packages: A request for a care package has been received, but without all the proper info. A reply has been sent asking for all the pertinent info. A package can then be sent. VAVS: Please be sure to see the notes under Correspondence Received and be sure to stay up to date with Veterans Affairs by clicking the VAVS tab on the ketmordet website. PAO: The recruiting ad that was approved during the Feb 21st meeting has been placed. The first of five ads has also already run. They will run the 2nd Sunday of every other month. Following the delivery of the first ad "hits" on the ketmordet website increased significantly so someone was checking us out. Paul Bollmann stated he has received a call directly linked to the ad also. Hopefully this will pay off as a good recruitment tool. More handouts have been printed for both fundraising and recruiting. Be sure to pick up a couple from Jason Waier. Stickers that can be placed on your older issues of the Semper Fi magazines have also been printed up and are ready. They can then be dropped off at local businesses and used as recruiting tools also. Color Guard: The Det has been invited to perform in several local upcoming events. Bill Wallace will be contacting Color Guard members to see if he will be able to muster enough Marines to tackle these events. Quartermaster: Nothing new to report. Fundraising: Signup sheets for the April fundraiser at Miller Park were on hand. If you were not able to participate during the first ones be sure to sign up for the Sept game. Newsletter: Jason Waier will be taking over the Newsletter from Jim Krudwig. He knows he has large shoes to fill but hopes to carry the torch well and take the Newsletter to the next level. Input deadlines remain the same (first Monday of the month). Members are asked to secure new advertisers. There has been a few that have decided to not renew this year so there is room for some new advertisers. If you have any questions or need ad agreement contracts please contact Jason Waier. Building: Jason Waier has inquired with the City of West Bend about permits and such if the Det could find a suitable store front to use as its headquarters. The only fees would be if a sign would be placed on the outside of the store. The only problem has been finding a suitable locale at this point. He has looked at several different places, along with Glen Brewer, and other than the spot in Barton has not found anything reasonably priced. The spot on Barton however is small and would not have enough parking and is not acceptable for those reasons. At this point Jason would like to keep looking and will report if something is found. Old Business Danny O'Toole has continued attempting to contact Ozaukee County CVSO Ken Brown in regards to the Honor Flights. The next flight is scheduled to depart on April 25th. The Detachment has previously voted to sponsor a Marine or Corpsmen from Washington and Ozaukee County and only ask that the Det be given the names of those that would be sponsored. As of the March 21st Meeting Ken Brown has not returned any of Danny's calls. Be sure to check out the Camp Lejeune Water Study website link on the ketmordet website and get registered. MCAS El Toro, CA is also being looked at Continued on page 9

9 From page 8 as a possible future groundwater contamination site. John Stern has reviewed the uniforms section in the National Bylaws and the Detachment can put the Det name on the right side on the red MCL cover if they so choose. Prices were discussed. New Business Dept of Wisconsin Commandant Vern Riedle installed the new Officers and wished them the best. He also presented John Stern and Carl Heiman their Marine of the Year medals they earned for being the 2007 and 2008 Kettle Moraine Det Marines of the Year. He spoke briefly and then had to leave as he had other Detachments to visit. Mike Parr discussed several topics. Including: Make sure to have someone verify prospective new members DD214's. Don't get burned by someone wishing to be a Marine and joining our Detachment. Have your Paymaster verify your 501 c XX number. Tax laws have changed and the Det status may have changed, a good source of info is IRS Publication He also noted that there are no ranks in the Marine Corps League, but that proper respect should be given to all. The fastest way to destroy a Detachment is from fighting within. He suggested a copy of Roberts Rules of Order should also be on hand to answer any questions as to the rules of order for a meeting. John Fleischman asked if there was interest in hosting a blood drive. Many Members thought this was a good idea, but needed more info. John stated he would find out what he can and report back later. Good of the League Jim Krudwig had received some free chewing tobacco and brought it in for Detachment care packages. He also has a Jim Beam Devil Dog decanter that he would be willing to sell with the proceeds going to fund the purchase of a rifle safe if ever needed. North Shore Marine and the American Legion Post in Cedarburg are hosting a spaghetti fundraiser on Sat May 9th from 11am-3pm. I would encourage all to attend. KetMorDet, and 2/24 Fox Co Marine Andrew Moericke is heading back out on deployment. He has volunteered along with several other Marines from Fox Co to do a Far East tour. Flying to Japan and then hoping aboard ships and traveling to Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei. There they will be conducting peace mission support operations, urban and jungle warfare training, counter insurgency training, and martial arts training. In addition to joint forces training and all the other fun things that Marines do while on float. We wish him and his fellow Marines a safe journey. The Spring Dept of WI, MCL conference is to be held on March All were encouraged to go. Meeting Closed With no further business to be conducted, the Commandant gave the order to close the Meeting at The Sgt at Arms retired the Colors, and the acting Chaplain gave the closing prayer. The Sr Vice Commandant thanked all for attending and asked that they secure new members. The Marine Hymn was sung and the Meeting was closed. Respectfully Submitted, Jason Waier, Adjutant Continued from Officer/Commitee Chair Comments page 7 address to determine rotation date and any personal needs Respectfully submitted, John W. Stern Color Guard Commander - Bill Wallace: The Color Guard has committed to the Reclaiming Our Heritage event at the Zablocki Medical Center on May 30th, and the Action in Jackson Parade on June 14th. Jr. Vice Commandant - Paul Bollmann: Nothing Reported Paymaster - Roger Cross: Nothing Reported Sgt at Arms - Tim Bertram: Nothing Reported Flag History Presentation Team - Jim Krudwig: Nothing Reported. PAO/Newsletter/VAVS - Jason Waier: Marines and Corpsmen of Kettle Moraine Det. please be sure to or call me with any events you would like to get included in the Newsletter. I would also like to get bio s of those that have not had it done yet. I was not able to include all the VAVS info that I would have liked to in this edition of the newsletter so be sure to check out the VAVS tab at for the latest info. There are several KetMorDet events coming up. If you are unable to participate please show your support for the Detachment by at least stopping by while wearing some Detachment gear: I.E. hat, t-shirt, jacket. Let the public see us.

10 An Open Letter to Veterans From Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki March 13, 2009 WASHINGTON Following is an open letter to Veterans from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki: My name is Ric Shinseki, and I am a Veteran. For me, serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a noble calling. It provides me the opportunity to give back to those who served with and for me during my 38 years in uniform and those on whose shoulders we all stood as we grew up in the profession of arms. The Department of Veterans Affairs has a solemn responsibility to all of you, today and in the future, as more Veterans join our ranks and enroll to secure the benefits and services they have earned. I am fully committed to fulfilling President Obama s vision for transforming our department so that it will be well-positioned to perform this duty even better during the 21st Century. We welcome the assistance and advice of our Veterans Service Organizations, other government and agencies, Congress, and all VA stakeholders as we move forward, ethically and transparently, so that Veterans and citizens can understand our efforts. Creating that vision for transforming the VA into a 21st Century organization requires a comprehensive review of our department. We approach that review understanding that Veterans are central to everything VA does. We know that results count, that the department will be measured by what we do, not what we promise, and that our best days as an organization supporting Veterans are ahead of us. We will fulfill President Lincoln s charge to care for... him, who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan... by redesigning and reengineering ourselves for the future. Transforming any institution is supremely challenging; I know this from my own experience in leading large, proud, complex, and high-performing organizations through change. But the best organizations must be prepared to meet the challenging times, evolving technology and, most importantly, evolving needs of clients. Historically, organizations that are unwilling or unable to change soon find themselves irrelevant. You and your needs are not irrelevant. Veterans are our clients, and delivering the highest quality care and services in a timely, consistent and fair manner is a VA responsibility. I take that responsibility seriously and have charged all of the department s employees for their best efforts and support every day to meet our obligations to you. Our path forward is challenging, but the President and Congress support us. They have asked us to do this well for you. Veterans are our sole reason for existence and our number one priority bar none. I look forward to working together with all VA employees to transform our department into an organization that reflects the change and commitment our country expects and our Veterans deserve. Thank you, and God bless our military, our Veterans, and our Nation. Signed: Eric K. Shinseki And there you have it! I hope you have enjoyed the new look and feel to The Kettle Moraine Marine. As the new Editor I have made a lot of changes to the Newsletter, and admit there still may be a tweak here and there. Overall though I am very happy with the finished product, and hope you are also. You may be asking yourself...what's up with the new look? Well, it comes with a new attitude. You can see it right away in the title. It is bolder, and the angled letters suggests moving forward, as all Marines do. I also wanted to incorporate something from today's Marine Corps, that will help keep us in touch with our current brothers in arms. To that end I added the MARPAT (MARINE PATTERN) camouflage pattern as seen on the current cammie uniform. This pattern will change as the Marine Corps changes from the desert pattern in the summer to the woodland pattern in the winter. It is not just a cosmetic change. My energy and enthusiasm carries into the articles and stories inside its cover. Since the inception of this newsletter I have worked with Jim Krudwig, and appreciate everything he has taught me. The true test of what I have learned will come from you, the reader and your feedback. So as you sit back and look through the newsletter again, I hope you like the changes and continue to enjoy reading The Kettle Moraine Marine. If so I have done my job. Semper Fidelis Jason Waier