Welcome to Marine Corps League, Thames River Detachment #1334 Information, Calendar & Events Newsletter MCLTRD #1334 NEWSLETTER Volume I, No. 1 Honor! Courage! Commitment! The Few! The Proud! The Marines! Meeting dates and times: Monthly Detachment meeting the 2 nd Tuesday of each month at the Montville VFW Post 10060, 91 Raymond Hill Road, Uncasville, CT at 7:00 P.M. (1900 hours). Monthly Planning Meetings are at 7:00 P.M. on the 4 th Tuesday of each month: odd months at VFW Post 594 30 Connecticut Ave., Norwich, CT even months at the American Legion Post 128 16 York Ave., Niantic, CT DEPARTMENT OF CONNECTICUT CONVENTION 2015 On June 12-14, 2015 the 74th Annual Marine Corps League Department Of Connecticut State Convention will be held at the Groton Inn And Suites. For the first time in its five-year history, New London County's Thames River Detachment #1334 will host this convention in lovely, scenic, and historic southeastern Connecticut. An ad form is available from Bob Murphy (see contact info. below). By placing an ad in our 2015 State Convention Ad Book, your generosity will be sincerely appreciated, and your support of the Marine Corps League's mission will be seen throughout the state of Connecticut and beyond. MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO THAMES RIVER DETACHMENT #1334 MAIL TO: Robert A. Murphy 50 Sullivan Road Lisbon, CT 06351 For additional info, call (860) 917-6313 or E-Mail: mcladbook2015@yahoo.com WE WILL BE HOSTING THE STATE CONVENTION ON JUNE 12-13. SINCE WE ARE THE HOSTING DE- TACHMENT I WOULD EXPECT A GOOD TURNOUT FOR THE DINNER. WITH THAT IN MIND, YOU MUST REGISTER. THERE IS A FEE OF $5.00 IF YOU PRE-REGISTER AND A FEE $7.00 IF YOU DON'T. I HAVE TO SUBMIT A LIST OF NAMES TO DEPT. AS TO WHO WILL BE ATTENDING. THAT LIST IS DUE ON JUNE 6. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED ALREADY THAT YOU DO SO AT OUR PLAN- NING MEETING ON TUESDAY, MAY 26 AT THE NORWICH VFW.
Portraits of Our Officers: Page 2 Commandant Sr. Vice- Jr. Vice-Commandant Judge Advocate Adjutant/ Chaplain Sgt. At Arms Pat McMahon Commandant Mike Warren Tom Callinan Paymaster Joe Balint Bill Sullivan Rob Montminy Tom Peters Please Join Us For A Great Time Contact Tom Peters: <Dp90daopt@aol.com> Young Marines: The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Young Marines is the focal point for the U.S. Marine Corps' youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts. 2015 marks the 50 th Anniversary of the establishment of The Young Marines in Connecticut. The Three Rivers Young Marines is our TRD connection to this fine program, led by Pat McMahon, Bob Murphy, and Bill Shishmanian.
A Salute To Admiral Stosz: Page 3 Rear Admiral Sandra L. Stosz, superintendent of the United States Coast Guard Academy, is the first woman ever to lead a U.S. military academy when she began her tour at the academy in New London in 2011. Superintendents of the academy usually retire after completing their time in that post, but Rear Admiral Stosz has been selected for continuation as a Three Star Admiral in the Coast Guard. The Thames River Detachment of the Marine Corps League held a Thank You/Good Luck dinner for Admiral Stosz and her husband Bob at the Norwich, CT VFW last night. Admiral Stosz (the USCG Academy Superintendentt has been very supportive of the TRD and all that we do. Admiral Stosz has been reassigned to her new position in DC and has been nominated to receive a third star as Vice Admiral and be promoted to second in command of the USCG. Congrats and good luck to Admiral Stosz and her family.." Toys For Tots/SailFest: The TRD will again participate at SailFest in New London, CT July 11 th and 12 th. This year we will be collecting donations for "Toys for Tots", a great cause. Breakfasts At Various Venues: Breakfasts are periodically held at various VFW s and restaurants in Southeastern Connecticut. This month abreakfast will be held at Billy Wilsons in Norwich on May 17th from 9-11. Three members are needed to make this a successful breakfast. Note that a committee head is needed to focus, plan and work toward the next dinner.
240th Marine Corps Birthday Ball The Thames River Detachment holds a Marine Corps Birthday Ball each year at local venues in Southeastern Connecticut. This year the TRD will hold a Ball at the Port and Starboard located at Ocean Beach in New London, CT. Semper Fidelis!! We Marines are truly blessed. We get to enjoy the sweet taste of freedom because we know its price. Marine veteran John Chipura, survivor of the 1983 Beirut bombing, a NY Fireman, who wrote the above for the 225th Marine Corps birthday, 2000. He was later killed while responding to the terrorist attack, Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center, Tower 2. Important excerpts from the this months Newsletter: Pat McMahon advised that at the New England Division meeting of the Young Marines that he was named Young Marine New England Division Liaison. Mikes famous will be the Toys for Tots production center again this year. Thanks To Mike Shultz Jim Reid was chosen as Marine of the Year for 2014 and Tom Peters was selected for 2015. Tom will chair the committee for the 2016 recipient. At a Young Marine meeting in Las Vegas, Bob Murphy received the Distinguished Order of Merit from the Young Marines National Director. The DOM is the highest award given in the Young Marine program. Bob was given a round of applause. At a recent gathering at the Norwich VFW, a Quilt of Valor was presented to Frank Poitras by the Quilts of Valor Stitch Chicks group. Frank received hearty congratulations from the detachment
Notes/Quick Look At Upcoming & Completed Events: Breakfast at Billy Wilsons.. The Detachment held another fundraiser breakfast at Billy Wilsons on May 17, 2015. Hopefully the word gets out because we did not get the customers we expected. We did take in some money but it would be nice if we increased the take at the next breakfast. Thanks to the members who worked! We just need to promote this endeavor more to help our bottom line and we need to increase our bank roll in order to enjoy more activates. SF Input by Rob Montminy edited by Jim reid.. Marine Of The Year Award: At the last Marine Corps League Thames River Detachment meeting, two members received the Marine Of The Year award. Marine Tom Peters who lives in Old Lyme with his wife Donna received the 2015 award and Marine Jim Reid who lives in Waterford with his wife Paula received the 2014 award. The meritorious award is presented to the Detachment Marine who during the period of consideration has demonstrated by leadership and performance an extraordinary contribution to the Detachment, Marine Corps League, Community and Nation. Whose personal conduct has reflected favorably on and has brought credit to the Detachment, Marine Corps League and the United States Marine Corps New Membership Drive: If you are a Marine, FMF Corpsman or FMF Navy Chaplain and are interested in joining please join us at our Detachment meeting at 7:00 pm. You may also join the Detachment as an associate... If you are interested in joining our Detachment please call Jim Reid at 860-961-0634 or email me at jreid43@att.net. Important Note: WE WILL BE HOSTING THE STATE CONVENTION ON JUNE 12-13. SINCE WE ARE THE HOSTING DE- TACHMENT I WOULD EXPECT A GOOD TURNOUT FOR THE DINNER. WITH THAT IN MIND, YOU MUST REGISTER. THERE IS A FEE OF $5.00 IF YOU PRE-REGISTER AND A FEE $7.00 IF YOU DON'T. I HAVE TO SUBMIT A LIST OF NAMES TO DEPT. AS TO WHO WILL BE ATTENDING. THAT LIST IS DUE ON JUNE 6. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED ALREADY THAT YOU DO SO AT OUR PLANNING MEETING ON TUESDAY, MAY 26 AT THE NORWICH VFW. Quote of the edition: "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." Attributed to President Ronald Reagan Newsletter Co-editors: Jim Reid <jreid43@att.net> (860) 961-0634 Tom Callinan <crackerbrl@comcast.net> (860) 889-6648