Corps Values I S S U E 1 1 S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8 S P E C I A L I N S T A L L A T I O N EDI T I O N Page 1; Our Commandants Message Page 2; Commandant-Ed Modla, Joe Mendoza Jr. Vice Commandant and Len Kolpak 3 year Trustee Page 3; Front and Center, Photos of past Events Page 4; Ladies Auxiliary President Mary Ann Kuchta, Judge Advocate Bruce Blackmer and Detch. Adj. Rick Nolan Page 5; Paymaster Joe Purpura, and Sr. Vice Jason Torres, New Trustee Darnell Myatt and Terry Ryan Chaplain Page 6 New elected Officers Page 7; Good of the League Commandants Message Michael J. Haas Commandant (outgoing) I want to thank all of you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your Commandant for Burbank Detachment over the past two years. As I look back, I see both triumph s and failures, yet a successful tenure none-the-less. During my time as Commandant, we ve contacted all our absentee members; reaching out to you for wellbeing needs, and inspirations. Many of you responded and reconnected. We held four very successful fundraisers, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our members and Marine Corps League Auxiliary. We added a secondary fundraiser site, thanks to the insight and Esprit de Corps of Detachment Member Joe Donafrio, and his Gung-Ho band of travelling members. I set out to increase our membership rolls and aide in retention. Although I fell very short in this area, we set forth some processes that are working today. Together we took a stance against the NFL for the disrespect shown to our Flag, National Anthem and Veterans at large. We suffered a few setbacks with loss of officers yet, filled the roles quickly and effectively due to the quality of our membership. We took steps toward new Fundraising efforts that will set the stage for more social activity and recruitment efforts. Although these are still Works-in- Progress, I m sure our New Commandant and Staff will continue in its development. The one thing all Marines have in common is our ability overcome and adapt to any given situation. When I assumed this office, I pledged to you, the members of Burbank Detachment, and the Marine Corps League, that I would honor my post by employing forward thinking, integrity, stability, sound leadership and humility. I believe I succeeded in that. Serving as your Commandant was an honor. As I look to the future of our Detachment, and Marine Corps League, I know you are in good hands. I hereby welcome Ed Modla our New Commandant and the entire Staff of Officers being installed today. This Staff is by far the most knowledgeable and formidable Staff we have ever elected. Semper Fidelis.
Ed Modla- Commandant (Incoming) P A G E 2 First of all - I want to thank the Burbank Detachment membership for electing me to be their Commandant for the coming 2018-2019 year. Next I want to thank Commandant Mike Haas for the leadership he gave our Detachment over the past two years. I also want to congratulate him and his fellow Officers for doing an outstanding job and for the vari ous accomplishments they were able to achieve during their stay in office. I will do my best to uphold the leadership standards that Mike Haas has so ably demonstrated during his term as Commandant. I want to congratulate this year s newly elected and appointed officers. I m looking forward to working with each one of you. I know that each officer has the ambition and confidence to do an outstanding job. This Detachment is successful because of the membership that support it. I welcome the comments and suggestions from every member. I will need a lot of help and support from our officers and members as I work through my term as Commandant. Let us all make it our goal, to work together and make our Detachment bigger and better. Semper Fi Edward G. Modla - Newly Elected Commandant I would like to thank the Burbank Detachment Marine Corps League, for selecting me as Jr. Vice. I was proud to serve as the Sgt. at Arms, and now I will be looking forward to serving as Jr. Vice. I know that if I have any questions, I can reach within the League for guidance, Thank you again for your confidence in me. Joe Mendoza, Semper Fi. Joe Mendoza Jr. Vice Commandant Len Kolpak 3 Year Trustee The organization has run very well for the last two years under the direction of Mike Haas. I would like to thank him for all of his excellent leadership and work ethic. I am sorry I missed the the Birthday Ball, But I had an emergency that I had to attend to first. I m glad that my sons and their wives were able to attend the ball. They had a great time and they enjoyed the food and music.so let s have another good year under Ed Modla. I know that we will. See you at the Installation. Semper Fi., Len Kolpak
I S S U E 1 1 P A G E 3 FRONT & CENTER! Marines and Volunteers from MCL Burbank in action! John Buckley - Sr. Vice Commandant (outgoing) My report is in the form of a Thank You. First for electing me to this office and secondly to my fellow Marines who stepped forth during my restricted mobility who stepped in and performed my duties. I especially want to thank Ed Modla, Bruce Blackmer and Mike Haas. Thanks guys! John
Page 4 Mary Ann Kuchta Ladies Auxiliary President Once again, it is my privilege to be the MCL Burbank Detachment Auxiliary President. My term is only as good as my officers. I cannot thank them enough for their guidance and help through the years. They truly are the backbone of the Burbank Unit. So, my heartfelt thanks to Pat Buckley, Judy Blackmer, Vi Tolsky, Sharon Durkin and Cathy Nolan. I am looking forward to another year of working shoulder to shoulder with them. Mary Ann Kuchta, President Bruce Blackmer Judge Advocate Marines, Auxiliary Members, Associate Members and guests, Welcome to the Burbank Detachment, M.C.L. and Burbank Unit, M.C.L.A. Joint Installation of Officers. Installation time is a time of change. Several of our officers are changing billets. Good luck and Godspeed! This is a transitional time for our detachment and aux. unit. Ed Modla will be our new Det. Commandant. A two-time past commandant, Ed will have little difficulty. Congratulations, Ed! We may soon be getting an influx of new members in our receiving barracks. You are the Old Salty Marines, help them when you can! Joe Mendoza will be taking on a greater leadership role in the Detachment Color Guard this coming term. Joe will be the detachments next Color Guard Commander! Ooh Rah! Thank you to those leaving office, those changing offices and those newly elected or appointed into office. Congratulations, new Aux. Officers and good luck in the coming term. Semper Fidelis, Bruce Blackmer Congrats and Best Wishes to all the newly elected and appointed Officers! It has been an Honor to serve as the Detachment Adjutant the past two years under Commandant Mike Haas. Kudos to Mike for a job well done. I wish to thank him for his continued friendship and support. Also, many thanks for the friendship and guidance to the other Officer s that I have worked with this past year; John, Jason, Bruce, Dan, Joe P., Joe M., Terry, Len, Pat, and Vic. I have been appointed to a fifth consecutive term as Detachment Adjutant. I am looking forward to serving under Commandant Ed Modla. Ed has always provided me friendship, guidance and support. God Bless America! Rick Nolan Rick Nolan Detachment Adjutant
Page 5 Joe Purpura Paymaster Welcome Fellow Marines, Family and MCL friends. As we prepare to install our 2018 Officers and Trustees, let us give thanks for the commendable service of those who have served their terms and also the new and continuing service of those who will take this great organization forward in the coming year. As a junior member of Burbank 072, I have come to observe the value of all members of this team. When I first joined, I thought of it as social organization, a fraternity that I was eligible to join. A chance to get together with old and young, men, and women, who shared the common experience of service. However, what I found was a new definition of SERVICE. All of us have been thanked for our service. In my mind it was always, thanks for your service, years ago, in a different time, as in Service to Our Country. But I have come to learn is that it is not about the past. It is about SERVING. It s serving those who served in the past and their families who need help now!! It is seeking and finding our brothers and families in need today! It s not Service, but Serving. That is the legacy of how WE have been trained! To continue to reach out and leave no one behind! Here is my challenge to ALL of us. Attend a meeting, and then ONE more. Attend a fundraiser, and then ONE more. Attend a Color Guard event, and then ONE more. Attend a Hines and Manteno event, and then ONE more. You will be thanked for serving by those who you pledged to help. Those who now really need your Service. Let us serve with pride, those folks in the present, who now need our service!!! Paymaster, Joe Purpura Jason Torres Sr. Vice Commandant (Incoming) Hello Marines Family and Friends, As we gather today to recognize changes in our command structure I would like to thank all the officers, trustees, elected and appointed members that stepped up to keep our league running smoothly. Thank you to the officers who are re-appointed to positions for your continued service. Your knowledge and prior experience will be a valuable recourses to others moving up the ranks. Thank you to the newly appointed officers and good luck in your new position. The past two years as junior vice commandant have been an eye opening experience and I expect the next year as senior vice to be just as challenging and rewarding and I am looking forward to every minute. Semper Fi and enjoy. Sr. Vice, Jason F. Torres CPL USMC Darnell E. Myatt - 2nd Year Trustee Greetings Marines, I hope you are settling in to a wonderful new year. I am looking forward to serving as Trustee#2. Thanks again for your confidence and consideration. May 2018 be our best year yet of brotherhood and service. Simper Fidelis, Darnell E. Myatt It s been an honor to be appointed the Chaplain for a full term instead of taking over for someone that is leaving. I will do my best to keep honor and tranquility during the meetings, also taking part in giving the blessings at all of the various functions, keeping Christ in mind at all times during these proceedings. Semper Fi, And God Bless Your Chaplain, Terry Ryan Terry Ryan - Chaplain
Page 6 WELCOME Aboard! New League Officers 2018-19 NEW ELECTED OFFICERS Commandant: Edward G. Modla edmodla@yahoo.com Jr. Past Comm. Mike Haas mjh72mc@att.net Sr Vice: Jason Torres jasontorres07@comcast.net Jr Vice: Joeseph Mendoza jm5854034@gmail.com Judge Advocate: Bruce D. Blackmer jbmarines_81@yahoo.com Paymaster: Joesph Purpura joepfs@att.net Chaplain: Terry Ryan rynmarine@comcast.net Adjutant: Richard J. Nolan rnolan106@att.net Sgt. At Arms: Vic Mugica vicmugica@hotmail.com Quartermaster: John L. Buckley Jr. colbuckley@aol.com Historian/Web Sgt: Patrick O'Malley pwomalley7@gmail.com Public Relations Charlie Luhan Jr. 3rdmardivcl@sbcglobal.net Color Guard Cmd Bruce Blackmer jbmarines_81@yahoo.com Trustee 1 year Patrick O Malley Trustee 2 year Darnell Myatt Trustee 3 year Len Kolpak President Mary Ann Kuchta Sr. Vice-President Pat Buckley Jr. Vice-President Michelle Maloney Judge Advocate Judy Blackmer Treasurer Violet Tolsky Secretary Sharon Durkin Chaplain Kathy Obrzut Auditors Cathy Nolan, Lorraine Kolpak, Helen Kolpak
Page 7 Good of the League Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines. Mission Statement of the Marine Corps League March 22nd @ 7:30 pm, Monthly meeting @ VFW April 15, Bingo at Ill Vets Home, Manteno April 26th at 7:30 pm Monthly meeting at VFW April 29, Bingo at Hines Hospital May 18 & 19, Fund Raiser, (Fairplay 111th St. Worth) May 24th at 7:30 pm Monthly meeting at VFW June 28th at 7:30 pm Monthly meeting at VFW July 26th at 7:30 pm Monthly Meeting at VFW August 26th -Monthly meeting at VFW Sept. 27th-Monthly meeting at VFW October 21, Bingo at Ill Vets Home, Manteno October 25th -Monthly meeting at VFW Marine Birthday Ball Nov. 10th location TBA December 20th Monthly meeting at VFW Dates subject to change due to circumstance's
Marine Corps League Burbank Detachment P.O. Box 777 Worth, IL 60482-0777 Marine Corps LeagueVFW Post 1777, McDonoald-Linn 10537 South Ridgeland, Chicago Ridge, Illinois, 60415-1832 Phone: 773-424-2714 E-mail: mclburbankdetachment72@gmail.com Website: mclburbankdetachment72.webs.com Facebook link: BurbankDetachmentMarineCorpsLeague Once a Marine! Always a Marine!