MARINE CORPS LEAGUE. slattery detachment newsletter V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 3 D E C E M B E R 3 1,

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1 MARINE CORPS LEAGUE slattery detachment newsletter HONOR COURAGE COMMITMENT V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 3 D E C E M B E R 3 1, OFFICERS: Commandant John W. Andrews Senior Vice Commandant William E. Freeman Junior Vice Commandant Jimmy L. Heien Judge Advocate Stephen P. Bliss Adjutant/ Paymaster Arthur Bowie Chaplain Daniel Danzi Sergeant at Arms Anthony Oszmianski NEXT MEETING: ANNUAL SOCIAL MEETING 6 JANUARY Hrs Location: American Legion Post 155 Whippany, New Jersey Join Your Fellow Marines the First Wednesday of Every Month Reported by Bill Freeman Slattery Members Visit The Commandant Approximately 40 Members and Guests of the Slattery Detachment boarded a chartered bus in Hanover, NJ at 1230 on 16 December to make a trip they won t forget. They were among the honored guests in what Commandant James T. Conway and Mrs. Conway declared as a Holiday Reception for Military Supporters. Commandant Conway, a Marine s Marine and his wife, Annette, proved to be most gracious hosts. Attendees enjoyed a magnificent buffet dinner and mingled with a list of military and Washington dignitaries too long to list. We were honored to be accompanied by Retired USMC Col. Peter O Hagan and Mrs. O Hagan. Famed Military Artist and Combat Veteran Tom Miller, a member of The Slattery Detachment presented paintings to both Commandant Conway and Mrs. Conway. We all enjoyed a great time and made important contacts with other Military Supporters. Two Commandants Meet: Slattery Detachment Commandant John W. Andrews (L) and U.S. Marine Corps Commandant James T. Conway Please see more photos from the visit with the Commandant on Pages 4 and 5 of this issue. Special Guests Invited for Detachment Social Night The year s first monthly meeting on 6 January 2010 will be an abbreviated one. As has been the tradition, the detachment will hold a very short meeting and then adjourn for The Slattery Detachment s Annual Holiday Social Event. While many member s spouses and other family members will be in attendance this year s Special Invited Guests include: Captain Ted Schroeder, USMC, I&I Staff, Picatinny; 1stSgt Kevin MacCheyne, Mrs. MacCheyne and their children; Kathy and Bob Sturla of The Family & Friends For Freedom Fund; Louise and Pete Bonnett, Middle Forge Chapter Picatinny, Association United States Army. Louise is the President of the Picatinny Chapter; Brian Pillion, Commander of Whippanong Post 155, American Legion and his wife, Tracey; Veronica Thomas, mother of Army Specialist Bradley Thomas, formerly Stryker Brigade, WIA and Ryanne Noss, wife of Army Ranger Sgt. Scot Noss, WIA. Both soldiers are now at Kessler Rehabilitation Hospital in West Orange undergoing advanced therapy treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury under the supervision of Dr. Philip A. DeFina and his Staff. LtCol Anthony Lanza, USMC CO, 2ndBtn, 7 th Marines has sent his regrets as he will be in Norway on Marine Corps business. We are awaiting word as to whether Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen and Mrs. Frelinghuysen will be attending. The membership looks forward to this annual get-together and to sharing this first event of The New Year with our Special and Distinguished Guests.

2 P A G E 2 Upcoming Events:

3 V O L U M E I, I S S U E 3 Walter Reed & Bethesda Medical Center December Trip Report See related story (November Trip Report) on Page 7 Reported by SgtMaj Eddie Neas, USMCR (Ret) Our December trip to visit the wounded was Thursday, 10 December Six of us from the Slattery Detachment made the trip. We all met at Newark Penn Station and left for Washington at Here are the Slattery Detachment members who made this month s trip: Marc Purcelli, Eddie Neas, Chris Holleran, Father Mike Hanly, Jerry Gallicchio and Steve Bliss. We arrived at Bethesda Naval Hospital around 1130 and had lunch with a few of the Occupational Therapists who work at Bethesda and who take care of the wounded men and women we visit. After chow we headed up to the fifth floor to start our visit. We wanted to make a December visit early in the month as I know that the Hospital tries to encourage all to who are able head home for the holidays. This helps the wounded and their families enjoy the holidays at home with their families around them. It also has to work wonders on the hospital staff who work day in and day out to ensure the wounded receive the best patient care possible. So we at the Slattery Detachment wish a Happy Holiday to all of the staff at Bethesda Naval and Walter Reed Army hospitals. We split into two groups and Chris, Father Mike and Steve took one side of the floor and Jerry, Marc and I took the other side. We were able to see four or five Marines that we had seen during November s visit. They all looked good and were in better spirits, and they did remember us, so we felt good about that. Marc, Jerry and I were able to visit three Marines from the following units, 1 st Battalion, 5 th Marines, 2 nd Battalion, 2 nd Marines, 3 rd Battalion, 10 th Marines and one from the Marine Special Operations unit. All three had been wounded in Afghanistan and were on the road to recovery. We talked at length to the L/Cpl of 2/2 and his mother and all of us passed on a few of our own OLD War Stories and got them to smile. I told him I was a retired Marine Corps Reserve SgtMaj and a Viet Nam Combat Vet and that my favorite rank was L/Cpl. He looked at me funny like I was trying to BS him. But then I told him why I liked L/Cpl the best. I said, I like it so much I was a L/Cpl twice.i said, When you do something wrong, you pay. He laughed and we all smiled with him. We were told he could use an extra dose of Ooh Rah so that s what I came up with. We shook hands and said Semper Fi, Ooh Rah and told him we would see him in January if he was still there. We also walked into a room where a gentleman was sitting on a chair Thank You for all who have contributed to the Marines Helping Marines program. It s because of all you that we can do things like this. with no one in the bed. We introduced ourselves and told him who we were and what we do. He is retired Army and his wife was in for surgery. We gave him a Detachment brochure, coin and a gift card and a Marine Teddy Bear for his wife. He could not believe we were doing this and wanted to know where he could make a donation to help others. I pointed out the address on the brochure and told him he did not need to make a donation. He said, I know, but it will help out someone else in the future like me. I said OOH RAH and gave him an Army OOH AH, we all shook hands and wished each other a happy holiday. On the other side of the floor, Father Mike, Steve and Chris were able to visit a Marine 1 st Lt wounded by an IED, an Army Soldier from the 25 th Infantry Division wounded in Iraq, and two other Marines, one from 3 rd Battalion, 4 th Marines and one from 2 nd Battalion, 2 nd Marines. When Marc, Jerry and I finished visiting all that we could on our side of the floor, we headed over to the other side to catch up with the other three. We walked into a room with a Marine from 2/2. In the room was his father, P A G E 3 mother and sister. His girlfriend was walking around so we did not get to meet her. Don Patterson had joined us earlier and gave him one of the Marine Corps Leather jackets that he passes out to all he visits. Now this Marine was just lying in bed and looked a little annoyed that he was there and had a tube in his nose. He gets the jacket from Don and sits up looks at it, gets out of bed, puts it on and walks over to the mirror by the bathroom. He turns so he can see the Marine Corps Emblem on his back and shakes his head and said something to the effect like, Oh Yea, (I look good). Now you have to remember he has been wounded, most likely not feeling well and all it takes is a few Marines from the Slattery Detachment to walk in and say hello, puts on a Marine Corps jacket and he gets pumped up and feels better. You all should be proud of what we get to do at the hospital during our visits whether you are with us or at home. Again, I have said this before, it s because of what WE all do that makes this happen. So thank you and OOH RAH. We also told him that there was another Marine from 2/2 on the other side of the floor. We told him the Marines name and he said I know him; He was wounded before I was. The whole family said they would walk over and say hello. To us this is a great way to end a visit. All of the wounded Marines received a Marine Corps blanket, the Soldier and Army blanket and we did give out one Navy Blanket to a Navy Corpsman. They also received the detachment brochure, coin and a few of the gifts cards along with an application from the Family & Friends for Freedom Fund. It was a great visit, as usual, and I look forward to the next one. With the Holidays coming up in the next few weeks and things heating up in Afghanistan it could be a tough holiday season for some. Let s all look to do all we can to make things a little easier for the men and women and their families during the upcoming holiday season, both at home in New Jersey, and at the hospitals we visit. Say a prayer or two in the coming Story continued on Page 11

4 P A G E 4 Photos from Slattery Detachment s Visit to the Commandant s House Slattery Detachment Members with Commandant Conway: L to R: Tom Miller, Frank Gargano, Commandant Conway, Bob Stalzer, and Joe Ollerenshaw Slattery Detachment Member and Artist, Tom Miller presenting one of his original paintings to Comm. Conway. SMMC Carlton W. Kent and Father Mike Hanly look on. Tom Miller with Mrs. Annette Conway and the original painting he presented to her as a gift. Don Patterson (L) greeted by Commandant Conway and his wife, Annette. L to R: Sgt Dom Monaco, SMMC Carlton Kent, and GySgt Mario Monaco, USMCR-Ret. L to R: Commandant Conway with Col. and Mrs. O Hagan and Frank Gargano Commandant James T. Conway and Assistant Commandant James F. Amos Bill Freeman and Suzy Becker with Commandant Conway Photos on Page 1, 4, and 5 Courtesy of Don Patterson, Cpl. Erin Kirk-Cuomo, Gy Sgt Mario Monaco, and Andrea Freeman

5 V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 3 P A G E 5 Near Right: GySgt Mario Monaco presents an award to Roy and Georgette Frank of the Heart of a Marine Foundation Far Right: Father Mike Hanly, Dave Katz, and Commandant Conway Tom Miller, Jimmy Heien and Bill Freeman Tony Oszmianski and Comm. Conway Commandant Conway with Elisa Neas and her father, SgtMaj Eddie Neas (USMCR-Ret) Eddie Neas, Tony Oszmianski, Frank Gargano, and Ken Rohlff Bill Freeman and his daughter, Andrea, with Commandant Conway. Far right is Father La Sikorski At Right: The Whole Group: Slattery Detachment Members and Their Guests in Front of the Marine Corps Commandant s Comm. Conway and Art Williams Dan Danzi and his wife, Angie, with Commandant Conway M A R I N E C O R P S L E A G U E S L A T T E R Y D E T A C H M E N T N E W S L E T T E R

6 P A G E 6 Slattery Detachment Rallies Support For Wounded Warriors Birthday Ball Members of The Slattery Detachment made a significant contribution and contacted other Military Support Groups asking for their support for The 2009 Wounded Warriors Birthday Ball. Our detachment joined with these and other contributors to finance this event. The following members were in attendance: SgtMaj Eddie Neas USMCR-Ret (in picture below at left with Garrett McKenzie), Marc Puricelli, and Corpsman Hetal Doc Patel, Fmr Sgt Dom Monaco, and GySgt Mario Monaco USMCR-Ret (in picture below at right from L to R). Photos Courtesy of Don Patterson Slattery Detachment Receives Letter of Appreciation for Support of Birthday Ball The following Letter of Appreciation addressed to Marine Corps League, Slattery Detachment #206, was received from LtCol. Joseph Fagan, Officer in Charge of Wounded Warriors BN-East National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. On behalf of the Marine Corps Liaison Office, a grateful and heartfelt thanks goes to you, the Marine Corps League, Slattery Detachment #206, for your generous support in providing funds for our detachment Marine Corps Ball for our Wounded Warrior Marines. The road to recovery is an arduous and long one. Your organization s generous and thoughtful support helps our wounded Marines keep their minds off the physical and mental wounds suffered in war. Support from the local communities and organizations like yours, play a critical role in sustaining morale and enabling our military forces to be successful in the global war on terrorism. Freedom is not free, and the United States Marines make great personal sacrifices, as previous generations have done, to serve and protect our great Nation and its patriotic citizens. We greatly appreciate your exemplary support. On behalf of the United States Marine Corps and our wounded Marines, thank you again for all of your support. J. M. FAGAN M A R I N E C O R P S L E A G U E S L A T T E R Y D E T A C H M E N T N E W S L E T T E R

7 V O L U M E I, I S S U E 3 P A G E 7 Walter Reed & Bethesda Medical Center November Trip Report Reported by SgtMaj Eddie Neas, USMCR (Ret) Our November trip to visit the wounded was Wednesday, 18 November. Six of us from the Slattery Detachment made the trip. We all met at Newark Penn Station and left for Washington at The Slattery Detachment members who made this month s trip; Marc Purcelli, Eddie Neas, Doug Huber, Father Mike Hanly, Bob Stalzer and Steve Bliss. We arrived at Bethesda Naval Hospital around 1130 and met with Don Patterson and grabbed a bite to eat before we started our visit. We also invited Kristin Perilli an Occupational Therapist at the Naval Hospital to join us. She and her husband Bill are the Co-Founders of Thomas Jerome House. This is an organization that looks to help the men and women who have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. For your interest, their website is: They are having a Fund Raiser December 4 th and we, the Slattery Detachment, have been invited to attend. This is another example of people doing good to help make things better for the men and women and their families who are serving in our Armed Forces. There is power in numbers. After chow we headed up to the fifth floor to start our visit. We met up with Mike, JR and two others from the Maryland Marine Corps League, so the Marine Corps League was well represented. The floor was almost full as far as the numbers go, but a few were either walking around outside or in surgery so we tried to see everyone who were in their rooms. Before we headed up to the fifth floor, we met a Marine who is a double amputee in a wheel chair who we had met months earlier. He remembered a few of us especially Father Mike. He was back at the hospital for an evaluation by the Medical Board. We shook his hand and we were on our way. We split into two groups and the first room Marc, Father Mike and I visited there was a Navy Seal Corpsman lying in the bed. His buddy was in the next room and the door was closed. We were told he had a TBI so I assumed we would not be able to see him. But lo and behold about 5 minutes later he walked into the room of his buddy. This Navy Seal was, let s just say wounded a little more seriously. I guess he heard there were Marines in his buddy s room and wanted to see for himself. These two have been together since BUDS training and were both wounded together in the same fire fight. The last thing I asked both of them is what is on the horizon for you two? Without skipping a beat, they both said, To get back to Afghanistan with our Team. In the [When I asked the injured Marines what was on their horizon,] they both said, To get back to Afghanstan with our Team. next room we visited were a Marine and a Navy Corpsman from MARSOC (Marine Special Operations) at Camp Lejeune). These two were also wounded in the same fire fight. I asked the Marine what happened to them and he proceeded to tell the Corpsman to tell us what happened as he had just spent the last hour or so in an interview. The Corpsman, without skipping a beat, gave us a detailed SITREP like he was the Squad Leader or Platoon Sergeant. He heard the yell for Corpsman Up from his buddy and assumed that a few others needed his help. He gets to the room and sees his buddy tying a tourniquet onto his leg and at the same time giving orders out to his men. SO he bends down to treat the Marine and assumes he is in a covered position and takes one in the shoulder. Now you have to remember this is a Corpsman whose main focus is to treat the wounded Marines of the unit he is assigned to. Leaders always stress to all members of the unit that they must know the mission in detail and be able to take over in case they lose their Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader. or Platoon Sergeant. The Corpsman is a perfect example of a unit being well trained. We gave them each a Detach- ment coin and gift card. I asked the Corpsman if he wanted a Navy or Marine blanket and without hesitating, he said I ll take a Marine blanket. A Loud Ooh Rah and a job well done from this Viet Nam veteran to the Marine Special Operations unit at Camp Lejeune.We also visited a mother and wife of a Marine who was in surgery. We introduced ourselves and gave them a Marine Corps blanket, teddy bear for each of them and a Detachment coin along with a few get well cards from local schools in New Jersey. I also gave them an application from the Family and Friends for Freedom Fund. The look on both of their faces, told me they could not believe what we were doing and their eyes told me, Thank You. I feel good about what we are doing and I am proud to be a member of this Marine Corps League Detachment. BTW, Father Mike was passing out cookies that were made or donated by the kids in his Parish to all who we visited. NO, I did not eat any We also saw two Marines on the floor who we visited last month. They were both walking around and doing well. Steve, Doug and Bob made visits on the other side of the floor and they visited a young Army Soldier who had been deployed and was in the hospital for surgery to remove a tumor on his back. He had been experiencing back pain during his first tour. They also visited an Army Crew Chief of an Army Blackhawk who had been injured. They gave him an Army Blanket, gift card and our Detachment coin. They gave out Marine Corps blankets and all of the other stuff that we give out during our visits. They were able to visit with two Marines from 1 st Battalion, 5 th Marines and one from 2 nd Battalion, 8 th Marines. As we were getting ready to leave and picked up our gear from the Marine Corps Liaison Office we met the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. He thanked us for what we do and I gave him and all in his party a Detachment Coin. He then coined a few of us and we all shook hands and left to catch the train. I forgot to mention this a few Story continued on Page 2

8 P A G E 8 NEWS IN BRIEF Reported by Bill Freeman Marine Corps Rose Program Report The Detachment concluded a very successful Fall Marine Rose Campaign which resulted in raising approximately $13,000. We wish to thank the Shop-Rite Supermarkets located in West Caldwell, Arlington Plaza Parsippany, and Chester, New Jersey, King s Supermarket in Boonton, NJ, Pathmark in Parsippany, NJ, and Stop and Shop of Madison, NJ for their cooperation in allowing us to solicit contributions in front of their stores. The Detachment wishes to acknowledge the following dedicated volunteers who worked long and hard hours to achieve record results: Suzy Becker, John Andrews, Art Bowie, Keith Butler, Jim Crupi, Dan Danzi, Michael Dougherty, Frank Gargano, Father Mike Hanly, Jimmy Heien, Doug Huber, Steve Bliss, Bob Stalzer, Jim Loizides, Dave Katz, Ed Moscariello, Judy Iradi, Ken Rohlff, Bruce Jensen, Nancy Slattery Grochowski, her husband, Paul, and their sons Mike and AJ Grochowski, Tom Miller, Jim Ward, and Bill Freeman. Special thanks also to Robin Freeman, Shirley Freeman, Andrea Freeman and Nicholas Henn, all members of my family who worked for many hours assembling roses and cards for these events. A salute to Team Captains Steve Bliss, Ben Tucker and Suzy Becker and their teams for achieving individual store outing record contributions. Note of Thanks from BAE Systems/Operation Noble Cause Member Keith Butler, passed along a note of thanks received from Vincent Frascella, Lead Organizer, BAE Systems Operation Noble Cause which read, Just an extra thanks to you and your comrades, Keith. The gift cards that were donated by the Marines really helped us to assure that we fulfilled as many military children s holiday wishes as possible. As our posting said, we got so close to covering them all that United Way stepped in to take care of the last few. Please pass along our thanks to those Marines. Letter from Congressman Frelinghuysen Reinforces His Support of Navy Seals Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen, a Vietnam Veteran, in a letter addressed to Dear Veteran Leader, dated December 17, 2009 and originally published in The Daily Record, reported his support of the three Navy Seals criminally charged with the alleged abuse of a detainee in Iraq in early September. His letter read in part: I also want you to know that I have come to the defense of three Navy Seals criminally charged in connection with the alleged abuse of a detainee in Iraq in early September. The U.S. Special Warfare Operators Command in October charged three Seals - special Warfare Operators 2nd Class Matthew McCabe and Jonathan Keefe, and SO1 Julio Huertas with various violations after the early September capture of Ahmed Hashim Abed, whom the military suspects planned the 2004 ambush of four U.S. contractors in Fallujah, Iraq. The three seals have all refused non-judicial punishment and face arraignment on charges this month. McCabe s special courtmartial is expected to begin in January. I have joined many of my House colleagues in writing Defense Secretary Gates, telling him that prosecution of these men is not warranted. While all members of our armed forces must be held to the highest standards of conduct, we must not allow the creation of an environment wherein our warfighters feel compelled to hire an attorney before launching a mission. M A R I N E C O R P S L E A G U E S L A T T E R Y D E T A C H M E N T N E W S L E T T E R

9 V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 3 P A G E 9 NEWS IN BRIEF Keys To New Home Turned Over To Wounded Marine On November 10, 2009, Members of the Slattery Detachment, Ben Tucker, Dave Katz, Phil Doyle, and Bill Freeman attended the Key Ceremony for Cpl. Visnu Gonzalez during which Cpl. Gonzalez was presented with the keys to his new home. Cpl. Gonzalez was wounded during service in Iraq; his wounds left him a paraplegic. Slattery Detachment member, Gunnery Sgt Mario Monaco, helped Cpl. Gonzalez prepare for the ceremony which was well attended. The Slattery Detachment, along with a number of other Marine Corps League Detachments and sponsors, made contributions to help Homes for Our Troops construct a specially adapted home for Cpl Gonzalez in Hillsdale, New Jersey. Students Hand-made Christmas Cards Delivered to Wounded Warriors Rachel Butler, daughter of Slattery Detachment Member Keith Butler, a third grade teacher at Fredon Township School in Newton, NJ arranged for her students and those from other classes in kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, and sixth grades, to make Christmas cards for wounded veterans at Bethesda Naval Center. These cards were delivered to wounded warriors at Bethesda Naval Center by several members of the Slattery Detachment. Pictured at Left: Members of the Slattery Detachment pose with Rachel Butler and the Christmas Cards made by her students. \\ Photo Courtesy of Keith Butler Thomas Jerome House, Inc Thanks Slattery Detachment for Their Support The Slattery Detachment received a letter of thanks from Kristin Perilli, Director of Thomas Jerome House, Inc which read: On behalf of the Board of Directors of Thomas Jerome House, I am grateful for your very generous donation of $1000. Your contribution is essential in providing quality homes for America s Wounded Warriors who have sacrificed so much for us. Thank you for your generosity. Program Update The Slattery Detachment once again participated in supporting G Company USMCR in soliciting for toys, picking up toys and packing orders at the toy warehouse at Picatinny Arsenal. Volunteers this year included, Ken Rohlff, Steve Bliss and his wife Nancy, Frank Gargano and his wife, Cecilia, Dan Danzi, Bill Freeman and his daughter, Andrea, Father Mike Hanly, Jim Loizides, Tom Miller and Bob Stalzer. First Sgt Kevin Mac Cheyne, I & I Staff, Picatinny, was in charge. All agreed that knowing we helped put smiles on many children s faces on Christmas morning made all the work worthwhile.

10 P A G E 1 0 Slattery Detachment Disbursement Report Reported by Pete Gallo We report the revenue inflow regularly at monthly meetings. Most is spent on gifts we contribute to Wounded Warriors hospitalized at Walter Reed, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, VA Hospitals and recently, Kessler Institute For Rehabilitation. Here s the latest snapshot of how we ve helped others with our fundraising efforts: Marine, Army, Navy and Air Force Blankets (Afghans) (105) $2730 Original Art by Tom Miller to Wounded Warriors (75) Priceless Original Art by Tom Miller to G Co. 2nd Battalion 25th Marines Returning From Iraq (150) Priceless USMC Mini Teddy Bears (124) 310 Cash Gift Cards (109) 2725 USMC Watches 497 Detachment Challenge Coins ( 81) 243 DC Metro Subway Cards ( 18) 450 Mattress & Box Springs Donated to Returning OIF-OEF Female Soldier 255 Visa & ShopRite Gift Cards For Baby Born to Deployed G Co. Marine 250 Auto Batteries For Two Returning Deployed G Co. Marines 155 Round Trip Travel to Washington D.C./Marine Corps Museum Quantico to Three Marine Families Recently Returned From Iraq 3195 Donation to Hardware City MCL, CT for C Co., 2/ Military Appreciation Night (Picatinny) at Skylands Baseball Park 600 Sponsorship of 10 Family Nights, Bethesda (Naval Hosp.) Care Givers 3000 Utility Bills Paid For Needy Returning Marine and Family 800 Contribution towards medical bills not covered by insurance for daughter of U.S. Army Recruiter based at Picatinny Arsenal 2000 U.S. Marine Wounded Warriors Birthday Ball, Bethesda Naval Medical Center 1000 Family & Friends For Freedom Fund For Financial Assistance to Wounded Warriors and their Families 3000 Heart of Marine Foundation for Orthopedic Canes for Wounded Warriors 1000 Thomas Jerome Foundation to provide home for TBI patients 1000 Sgt Eddie Ryan For Healthcare Aids 2000 Homes For Our Troops U.S. Army Sgt. Double Amputee Mike Minard 2000 Homes For Our Troops Cpl. Visnu Gonzalez USMC and Gift Certificate for Dining Room Furniture/Exterior Doors 2000 An Alpha Uniform (Greens) for Cpl. Visnu Gonzalez L/Cpl Chris Cosgrove III Scholarship Fund, Whippany Park High School ,000 lbs of Miscellaneous Items Donated to Operation Jersey Cares Marine Corps League Apparel Available For Sale The following Marine Corps League Apparel and accessories are available for sale. Contact Ben Tucker, Quartermaster, at bentucker55@comcast.net or make your purchases at any of our monthly meetings. Show your spirit and support our cause! Available items include: Marine T-Shirts (grey, red, green). Sizes: Kids M through Adult XXL: $10.00 Marine Hats (black, red, dessert tan). Adjustable, One Size Fits All: $10.00 or Two for $15.00 MCL Detachment Collared Shirts. Sizes: Adult S-XXL. $20.00 Marine Fleece Pullover (red). Sizes: Adult S-XL: $30.00 Blankets (Army, Navy, Marine, Iwo Jima): $40.00 MCL Coins: $5.00 Marine Corps Flag Pin: $2.00 MCL Stickers: $2.00

11 V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 3 P A G E 1 1 Walter Reed & Bethesda Medical Center December Trip Report Story continued from Page 3. Reported by SgtMaj Eddie Neas, USMCR (Ret.) months for all the men and women who are over in Iraq and Afghanistan serving our country and away from their families and loved ones. Three of us from the Slattery Detachment attended the first fund raiser for the Thomas Jerome House on 4 December. At the event I presented a check for $1000 to this organization on behalf of the Slattery Detachment. It was greatly appreciated, so I pass on a well earned Thank You for all who have contributed to the Marines Helping Marines program. It s because of all you that we can do things like this. So if you are reading this report for the first time and want to know what we do with the money we collect and where it goes, well now you know. If you want to make a donation, please do so. It will be greatly appreciated by the men and women we get to visit. All it takes for us to make these visits is the time of day. We don t have to drive; we enjoy good company on the ride to and from and meet a lot of GREAT people It s a great way to spend a day with the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces who have given so much of themselves to protect our freedom and to ensure the freedom of others. OOH RAH No winning Lottery yet, but we purchased some more lottery tickets as we returned to Union Station prior to getting the AMTRAK train back to New Jersey. We all put in $5 each and got Powerball Lottery tickets. I just could not imagine what we could do for the Marines Helping Marines program if we hit.yes, there have been a few small nibbles, but the big one has eluded us so far. I will keep you posted. When things are going badly in battle the best tonic is to take one s mind off one s own troubles by considering what a rotten time one s opponent must be having. Field Marshall Sir Archibald P Wavell Other Men s Flowers 1944 That s it for this months visit. The next visit is scheduled in January 2010, the week of January 11th, exact date to be determined. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. Enjoy the day and hope all is well on your side of the FEBA Semper Fidelis, Eddie Neas SgtMaj/ USMCR/RET Alpha 1/1, Viet Nam Officer Contact Information: John W. Andrews,* Commandant johnwandrews@verizon.net (973) Bill Freeman,* Senior Vice Commandant wraf@comcast..net (980) Jimmy Heien,* Junior Vice Commandant jheien@verizon.net (973) Steve Bliss,* Judge Advocate sbatbrsx@gmail.com (973) Art Bowie, Adjutant/Paymaster artbowie@aol.com (973) Tony Oszmianski, Sergeant at Arms (973) Dan Danzi, Chaplain bmwtd524@aol.com (973) Frank Gargano,,* Past Junior Commandant fwgargano@aol.com (973) * Trustees Please Note: This newsletter is provided in full color via . Mailed copies are only available in black and white. To receive your full color copy via , please provide your address to Bill Freeman at wraf@comcast.net Newsletter: Please send any news, photos, or upcoming event information to: Bill Freeman wraf@comcast.net (908) Deadline for Submission for the March 31, 2010 Issue of this Newsletter is March 10, M A R I N E C O R P S L E A G U E S L A T T E R Y D E T A C H M E N T N E W S L E T T E R

12 Marine Corps League Slattery Detachment #206 P.O. Box 306 Whippany, New Jersey