Department of Massachusetts Marine Corps League

Transcription

1 Department of Massachusetts Marine Corps League The State Department meeting was held at the Honorable Few Detachment #1302, Peabody/Elks Lodge #1409, 40 Oak Street, Peabody, MA Opening: As directed by the Commandant, Fran Curnow, the Sergeant-at-Arms Richard Broadnax, posted the colors and lead the Marines in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Roger Hoffman was then asked to read the blessing prior to the Sergeant-at-Arms being asked to declare the meeting open for official business. Roll Call, Elected Officers: Commandant Fran Curnow-Present Sr. Vice John Murray-Present Jr. Vice David Porter-Present Judge Advocate Jack Hines-Present Financial Chairman Joe Messina-Present Financial Officer Don Rivette-Excused Financial Officer Dan Bishop-Present Roll Call, Appointed Officers: All appointed officers present or excused with the exception to the liaison to the MODD, Bill Taylor Other Committee Members: POW/MIA (Tony Garro [Inspector General];) Young Marines (Jim Laskey, Jim Hastings;) and Eagle Scouts (John Verrier, represented.)

2 District Vice Commandants: Four absent and not represented-cape Cod, North Central, South Shore and the Western District. All others present. Detachments, Roll Call: The following Detachments were present: Cape & Islands, Greater New Bedford (represented,) Honorable Few (represented,) Metro South, Norfolk County, Pequoig, Ware, Westfield River Valley (represented,) Recognition of Dignitaries: Commandant Curnow recognized special members that were present. They were: Past National Commandants Jim Laskey and Bernie Heaney; and Past Marines-of-the-Year Bernie Heaney, Jim Hastings, Roger Hoffman, and Tony Garro. TOTAL MEMBERS PRESENT: 18 The Commandant commented that we were light on attendance. There was an exchange of suggestions to encourage attendance from that of a monetary penalty to that of letter of appeal reminding the Detachment Commandants of their responsibility to honor their position of responsibility by showing up for the fouronly Department meetings held annually. The purpose of these meetings is being lost to too many Detachments if the information provided is not getting out to members via their commandants. It was decided to table this important discussion but to put it on the agenda for the Convention. Minutes from Previous Meeting: No member present questioned minutes of previous meeting Motion made by Roger to accept, 2d by John Murray and unanimously approved.

3 Paymaster: We re doing very well as quoted by Paymaster Jim Laskey. Jim s financial records have been reviewed, audited and observed to be in order by Finance Officers Joe Messina and Dan Bishop. Jim read off the balances of the Citizens checking a/c, Special Raffle a/c, Special Operations a/c, and the Viet Nam 40 th - year parade a/c--mentioning that all moneys in the Nam a/c will be transferred to the General Fund a/c. He further commented on the balance of the delinquent Burke a/c. Motion made to accept the report by John Murray, 2d by Dave Porter and unanimously approved. Sick of/in Distress: Tony Garro said that his sister just got out of the hospital with CA of the lung operation, and that his brother-in-law is in Stage IV CA treatment. It was reported that Mike Chouinard is doing better and was seen serving at church. There was mention of Gerry Boutin s funeral a couple weeks ago and the appreciation of the family of the good turnout provided by the Essex Detachment. Correspondence: (1.) Vice Commandant John read letter from Department of Veterans Affairs in appreciation for the 10-guest passes ($500.00) to be used at the Huntington House on round trips via the T. (FYI: Last month, Roger had mentioned that he had received a thank you card from the Hunting House also.) And (2.), Vice Commandant John is the Vice President of the fund-raising committee for the Vietnam War Memorial. This memorial will be located at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Cost will be approximately $25, and will be in the perpetual custody of our Marine Corps league Detachment 1306, Plymouth, MA. John had made a motion an asked for a Department donation of $ which was 2d by Jim Laskey and unanimously approved. Report of Officers:

4 Commandant Fran Curnow---(1.) Attended the Shutt pre-race dinner and we gave them another donation of $1, for the Shepherd men s runner, Atlanta, Ga.; (he also thanked Jim Hastings for coordinating his schedule.) (2.) Attended three installations Metro South, Pequoig, and Blackstone; (3.) attended April Pack growl; and (4.) attended the wake and funeral for Gerry Boutin. Vice Commandant John Murray---(1.) Attended Dept. meeting Caddy Detachment, 3/20; (2.) On 4/6, attended and he spoke to the upcoming 100 th Anniversary of the USMC Reserves to be held in Boston. John, representing the State, attended his first meeting and was joined by Tom Lyons (SemperFi Society and coordinator of the annual, reputable SemperFi Luncheon,) a delegation from Mayor Walsh s office, and a number of active-duty Marines. There is a full-bird colonel who is in charge of this celebration scheduled to take place November 12-24, On the Saturday, 11/12, there are to be static displays of an Osprey, Black Hawk helicopter, tanks, artillery pieces, etc. There will also be cyber technology assimilating virtual reality of DI s barking out orders. And, also on hand will be the Marine Corps band which will be divided up around the Boston area (Fenway, So. Station, maybe Fanuel Park to Pier.) On Sunday, 11/13, there is to be a concert at the Convention. The 25 th Marines will be running in the Viet Nam Memorial celebration in So. Boston. They are considering a Harbor Cruise for families, Warren Griffin is expected to attend, thoughts on involving the Young Marines and ROTC, and firming up plans for the 25 th Marines annual Ball. John had mentioned that Tommy Lyons pulled us all in because he wants all Detachments to recruit for this celebration. We will be expected to wear our uniforms if we attend. More to follow; (3.) MODD Growl, 4/10, at Worcester Detachment; and (4.) Installation at Uxbridge. Jr. Vice Commandant---Dave Porter reported nothing to report. A short month.

5 Judge Advocate General--- (1.) JAG Jack Hines has completed the administrative bylaws procedures for the Marine of the Year; (2.) Attended the Quad State Convention in May; (3.) Finished the grievance for The Honorable Few Detachment; (4.) Took part in the Metro South and Blackstone Valley installations; and, (5.) Also took a spelling lesson at his local High School. Chaplain---Chaplain Roger Hoffman reported that he, (1.) Coordinated the MCL participation in the Never to be Forgotten Service, 3/31; Blackstone installation, 4/14; Burger burn, 4/16; Attended re-dedication of the 1 st Lt. Brian M. McPhillips Baseball Field, 4/25; and 4/29, he participated in the MCL Honor Guard at the church, Hingham, for the memorial service of Christopher Orlando, USMC. This was not a good experience for Roger. The State Police had taken charge, as per the request of the family, and Roger felt his role was not treated with the respect that would be warranted for our group representation, the MCL, having come the distance to honor this fallen Marine. There had been a lengthy discussion and it is not yet resolved, but there are plans to make contact with a State policeman known to both Fran and Grif. It was mentioned, too, that Grif knows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and that he might talk with him about this as well. The idea is to have an open discussion to ask that when we, the MCL, go the distance to attend a function that we should always be made to feel welcome an appreciated. It was felt that this would be the best approach and that we will, most importantly, always want to retain a rapport with the State Police and not compromise our Good Will which we value as paramount of importance. To summarize Roger s activities: Five (5) wakes, two (2) Marine Corps rituals, four (4) funerals, four (4) burials, four Marine motor-cycle escorts, Chaplain at a Bourne cemetery service, four (4) certificates of remembrance, three (3) installations, four (4) deceased MCL members, two (2) memorial services, seventeen (17) voluntary services, and one (1) Dept. meeting. Oorah! Standing Committees:

6 CONVENTION---Bernie Heaney, Chairman of the Convention Committee, reported that the Convention, so far, is small. He mentioned that he has received only six of the twenty-eight Detachments returning their Delegate Forms (Burlington, Cape & Islands, Metro West, Van Guyzen, W. River Valley, and Worcester.) Only nine people have registered as of the 1 st of May, and that the guest list has changed a lot. Some of those not attending include Colonel Samarov, Paul Hastings, Richard Harrington, and Donna Summers. Bernie does have some follow ups to check. The Army General who attended last year has not responded but is not yet removed. We have gone from 19 invitations and their guest down to 13 and their guest. Eagle Scouts and Toys4Tots---Tony Garro gave out awards to 213 New England Eagle Scout recipients. He also presented a plaque and a Letter of Appreciation to Donna Gay for her allowing us to warehouse our Toys4Tots, at no cost, at the Easy Storage, Salem, Ma. He also had mentioned that Essex Detachment does an excellent job with wakes and funerals, and that the The Honorable Few Detachment attends 14 fund raisers and, if needed, to give them a call. Ads for Convention Catalog---Chief of Staff Jim Hastings said that he s taking all ads to the printer on the 4 th of May, Wednesday. Scholarship Committee---Today, May 1 st, is the cut-off date for Scholarship applications. Scholarships Chairman, Dave Epps, said that the committee would be meeting at the Convention and making a decision on three winners of the ten applications received. Unfinished Business:

7 Nothing to report at this time. New Business: Bernie Heaney Bernie said he received a formal letter which was sent out to all Marines from Commandant Gore outlining what has been going on at Headquarters. The letter is meant to assure all League members that, although there are many changes taking place, there is no cause to think that the changes are unfavorable. And that, in fact, the changes are for the greater good. As will happen under new management, there will be resignations. And, as of the date of this letter, Headquarters had accepted resignations from the Adjutant, the Paymaster, Membership clerk, and a 3 rd -senior person at National. These resignations were all welcomed. To repeat, although the letter appears to paint a negative climate, it is felt to be favorable. It also explains why the Convention emcee, Comptroller Paul Hastings, will not be attending our Convention. However; Paul T. O Reilly, the National Budget and Finance Chairman, will be stepping up as the emcee. Good of the League: Bourne Ceremony---On the Sunday before Memorial Day, 5/29, there is to be a memorial celebration at the Bourne National Cemetery. Time asked to be there is for 11:30 AM. There will be a parade lead by the State Commandant and color guard. We should purchase a wreath and a stand, preferably artificial flowers to be used again. The Commandant s participation will be to place the wreath at the foot of the flag pole. We will need a color guard (?) Vice Commandant John Murray had commented that he had made a few attempts to join the planning

8 board at the cemetery, as they had requested. However; to date, he said he left his contact information but they have never reached out to him. Commissioned Officer---On 5/14 at Woburn, Marine/Police Officer is to be commissioned. If planning on attending, suggest contacting Woburn Leatherneck Detachment, Dave Epps, Disabled Limbless Vets---On 5/30 at the Bedford VA Medical Center, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA., and in commemoration of the 50 th Anniversary of the Viet Nam War, there is to be a Wheelin with a Feelin -police-escorted run, followed by a barbeque, live bands, and vendors. It is their 5 th Annual Support Our Vets Run. For more information, contact Mike at (WheelinwithaFeelin.org) Ceremony Guard Ribbon---Quartermaster John McEntegart introduced a new MCL ribbon. To qualify, a Marine must participate in ten (10) events. According to Mac, there is a back log and no ribbons are available at this time. Deutsche Bank Golf Tournament scheduled for early September. Usually free for active-duty Marines, reserve Marines, and retired military. Pay for parking only. We can expect to hear more on this. Motion to close:

9 There being nothing further, Commandant Curnow asked the Sgt.-at-Arms to retire the colors, followed by the Chaplain leading us in prayer and the Vice Commandant performing the last duties of his post. The commandant then asked the Sgt.-at-Arms to declare the meeting closed. Meeting adjourned at Respectfully submitted, Frank Serra Department Adjutant