MARINE CORPS LEAGUE Delaware Department Minutes of Department Meeting 12 May 2018 Department Commandant Charles Landon called the meeting to order at 1000. LtCol David Smith led the MJROTC Color Guard in the posting of the Colors. Acting Sgt-at-Arms Ray Snyder provided the music for colors and led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the opening prayer by Commandant Charles Landon. The Acting Sgt-at-Arms Ray Snyder declared the meeting was open for official business. The Marine Hymn was sung by all in attendance. Attendance 31 Roll Call of Department Officers: Commandant Landon SVC Mathers JVC Beach JA Farley Adj Flood Paymaster George Chaplain Beckford SAA Willis Historian Fitzgerald Boy Scout Coord. Willis Jr. Past Commandant Snyder Excused Excused All Officers are present and accounted for. - 1 -
Commandant Landon recognized the National Vice Commandant Bruce R. Rakfeldt from North Carolina, Past Department Commandants, Past Department Marines of the Year, Past Division Marines of the Year and Past National Marines of the Year. Commandant Landon asked to dispense with the reading of the Minutes. The minutes from the last Quarterly Meeting have been distributed electronically. Reports Adjutant Flood informed the Marines that all Reports, Department and Detachment Listings, and Past Minutes are available on the Table behind the American Flag. Commandant Landon asked for the Paymaster s Report. Copies were passed out to all in attendance. Paymaster Diane George read the Report. A motion was made and seconded to accept the report subject to audit, seconded and passed unanimously. Department Officer Reports Commandant Landon made a note of the Homeless Rate in Delaware, an update of Virginia s Past Commandant, Roy Smith and his wife s medical condition and that a Retired Naval Officer is the Officer in Charge of the VA s Asbestos Program. An estimated one third of all Claims are related to Asbestos. Commandant Landon asked Bruce Rahfeldt if he had an update on his condition of Marine Smith, who lost a leg, and his wife. Marine Smith is in rehab and expects to be home in one week or so. Marine Smith has said he expects to be at the Virginia Convention next week. Commandant Landon attended the First State Military Academy Awards Banquet along with the Judge Advocate Bill Farley and Sgt of Arms and Past Commandant of the Central Detachment, Ralph Willis. We presented the Department Scholarship Check and a Certificate of Achievement to a Cadet 1st Lt Destiny Marshall who was very grateful. Commandant of the Academy is Patrick Gallucci, a Marine. Col Robert Wallace and Mr. Gallucci thanked us for the Scholarship presentation and invited us to the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in November. Commandant Landon asked the Senior Vice Commandant, Frank Mathers if he had a Report. Frank Mathers informed all in attendance of the importance of Communication for our Goals and Objectives. Marine Mathers had previously - 2 -
sent out the Minutes of the Mid Winter Conference. The minutes are on the Division Web Site. Junior Vice Commandant, Everett Beach, had no Report. Judge Advocate, Bill Farley who also serves as the Chairman of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs. Marine Farley informs the Governor on matters involving Veterans. Marine Farley gave an informed update on what is being done to aid Veterans. Veterans Homelessness was estimated in Delaware to be around 1,000 in 2014. Marine Farley reached out to the Federal and all State agencies to involve them in this Program. Outside organizations were also involved in this effort. A Roster was developed by name, all Veterans that needed help. Housing, along with support groups, by 2016 effect fully ended Homelessness. Housing for 762 Veterans has been established to date. We now know who the remaining Homelessness Veterans are. They number 60 at this date. Fifty-three are now in shelters and are working with a Case Manager. The remaining seven are reluctant to work with the Case Managers. A Veterans Trust Fund exists to aid Dishonorably Discharged Veterans in need. The Fund pays the needed expense direct to the billing agency, not the Veteran. Marine Farley updated the process of getting Health Care in Delaware. Commandant Landon and Ralph Willis had a breakfast meeting in Harrington with a disgruntled Marine from the Central Detachment regarding a T4T s problem. The problem originated with a telephone call to MCL Headquarters that was temporarily resolved. Commandant Landon still has to get back in touch with the Marine after I meet with Bill Ertle. The Marine renewed his lapsed MCL Membership at the Meeting. Commandant Landon then asked Mike Wessels, an Eagle Scout, to speak on the Boy Scout Eagle Ceremony just held in Paris, France at the American Embassy. Mike is also a Proud Son of a Marine, who was a Drill Instructor. Marine Mike Fleetwood met Mike while raising Golf Tournament Sponsors. Mike Wessels has a 15 year old nephew who lives in Paris, France. The Eagle Scout Award of Honor Ceremony was held at the Embassy. The Marine at the Embassy that escorted Mike received his Eagle Award eight years ago. Mike gave a very informing talk about how the Marines obtained the title Devil Dogs from a past battle held in France during World War I. Mike had passed out the Devil Dogs Detachment Challenge Coins. Mike received Challenge Coins from the Eagle Scouts at the Embassy and proceeded to pass out to Dave Jacobs and Mike Fleetwood. - 3 -
Detachment Reports Commandant Landon remarked that the Detachment Reports had been electronically sent out and additional copies are on the table. If any additions are to be added at this time, each Detachment will make them now. First State Detachment Nothing additional at this time. Diamond State Detachment Nothing additional at this time. Central Detachment Nothing additional at this time. Devil Dogs Detachment Nothing additional at this time. Holcomb Detachment The Blue Rocks, which is our major sponsor, has 62 games which we man the concession. Commandant Landon requested from First State to inform everyone about their upcoming Golf Tournament to be held on 7 June at the Newport Bay course in Berlin, Maryland. The Devil Dogs will be having their Annual Golf Tournament on 22 June at Heritage Shores in Bridgeville, Delaware. Flyers are available on the table if interested. Commandant Landon then introduced the new Central Detachment Commandant, Robert Sly. Good of the League Commandant Landon called on Senior Vice Frank Mathers to report on the upcoming Mid East Conference to be held at the Turf Valley Resort on 15-17 June in Ellicott City, Maryland. Also, pay attention to all announcements that are sent out from the Department. Adjutant, Jack Flood, in the absence of Bill Ertle, said that the Toys for Tots Report given at the last Quarterly Meeting was still current. Bill Farley added that the National By-Laws that are under review, once voted on, will require that the Department of Delaware make the needed changes. Neil - 4 -
Corley informed us that no hard copies will be available, but must be downloaded from the Web Site. Also Marine Farley spoke about the Leadership School just held in Maryland, was very informative and the Manual received covers everything that might take place. Ray Snyder gave an update on the Young Marines that recently attended Parris Island, SC and Quantico, VA on Field Trips. The Program is in Good Hands. The General Holcomb Toys for Tots Program in New Castle County participates with the I & I Reserve Center in Wilmington. At a meeting held with the I & I Reserve Center s Commander, discussed the League s assistance with Marine funerals in the State. Bruce Rakfeldt remarked what an honor it was to be here today. Next week Virginia s Convention will be held at Virginia Beach followed by North Carolina s later in June. The Mid Winter Conference was well attended this year. The MCL Library is an excellent tool to be used. Communication is a Key to our Future. Marine South was just held and all went well. Bruce Rakfeldt and Dennis Tobin both ran the Battle Challenge Course and both survived. Mike McLain is back on the road after a series of setbacks last year. Mike was a Drill Instructor as a Young Marine. Neil Corley informed all in attendance of the Upcoming National Convention that will be held in Buffalo, New York on 12-18 August. Neil attended the Change of Command at Quantico, Virginia for the Sergeant Major who is from Sussex County. Senior Vice Frank Mathers said that this year s National Convention, being held in Buffalo, New York on12-18 August is the closest to us that will ever be. If you are planning to attend, make sure you have the proper ID s if going into Canada. Please keep your Adjutants informed of any changes to Rosters. Dave Jacobs informed us that we have three Eagle Scouts Honor Courts so far this year. Jodi Beckford informed us that the Young Marines had 15 Recruits just graduate. - 5 -
Election of Officers Commandant Landon announced that all Officers and Appointed except for Adjutant are standing for reelection. Commandant Landon thanked Adjutant Jack Flood, Jr. for his excellent support during his year as Commandant. The Adjutant, Jack Flood, Jr. nominated the Slate and received an affirmative from each to serve for the next year. A second was received. The motion passed unanimously. Commandant Landon announced that the Paymaster, Diane George; Chaplain Jodi Beckford, and Sgt. of Arms, Ralph Willis are being reappointed by the Commandant. The new Adjutant from the First State Detachment, Richard Pounsberry, has also accepted appointment. Bruce Rakfeldt, National Vice Commandant, performed the swearing in Ceremony. Jack Flood, Jr. will handle the Chaplains duties and Neil Corley as Sgt-at-Arms. Neil Corley escorted the Officers to their posts. Jack Flood, Jr. then performed the Chaplains Duties. All in attendance applauded the New Officers. Our newly elected Commandant, Charles Landon thanked Bruce, Neil and Jack for their role in the Election of Officers. Commandant Landon asked all five Detachment Commandants to come forward. Each Commandant received a Certificate of Appreciation for their support during the last year. Commandant Landon also recognized Judge Advocate Bill Farley with a Certificate of Appreciation. Past Adjutant Jack Flood, Jr. also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Commandant. Commandant Landon then presented the Department Marine of the Year Award to Marine Frank Conlon from the First State Detachment. Commandant Landon then read the Citation. Old Business Commandant Landon announced that the next two Quarterly Meetings will be held at the Armory in Dover. The dates to be announced. - 6 -
The Position of Historian is still vacant. We need someone to step up for this position from the Detachments. Frank Mathers is updating our records listing Past Commandants and Marines of the Year. The Birthday Ball in 2019 is under consideration for a Joint Ball at Dover Downs. Commandant Landon has been working on this along with Frank Mathers. A Meeting will be held in the near future with the Staff at Dover Downs. The Reimbursement of Officer Expenses is only for the Commandant or a Department Officer in his or her place for attendance at Mideast Division, National, MCL Mid Winter, Marine Expo and other MCL meeting expenses that are brought before the Department s elected and appointed officer staff (the Board of Directors). This will be deferred until the next Quarterly Meeting. New Business Commandant Landon remarked about the First State Detachment doing a T Shirt. Adjutant Pounsberry explained what the shirt might say and possible costs. Chaplain Beckford has been working on Death Notices that were not processed the past two years. A POW Traveling Flag Tour is ongoing to all States. On 19 May, next Saturday, the POW Traveling Flag will be returning to Virginia after the Ceremony. Anyone interested, see Department Chaplain Beckford. Jack Flood, Jr. announced that Marine Bob Horesky has died. His wife, Judy was a Officer in the Women s Auxiliary. Sam Mellin, a WWII Veteran, a former Department of Delaware Commandant and Marine of the Year and Detachment Marine of the Year is having health issues. Frank Mathers announced that the Speaker at our Department of Delaware Convention, Col. David Cahn, has lost his wife Lorna to Cancer after a long battle. She was also involved in the Auxiliary. - 7 -
Closing Commandant Landon then proceeded to close. The Acting Sgt-at-Arms retired the Colors. The Chaplain closed with a prayer. The Sr. Vice Commandant then read the closing remarks. The Acting Sgt-at-Arms closed the Meeting. The next Department Annual Meeting will be held 12 May 2019 at Heritage Shores. The meeting closed at 1158. - 8 -