MARINE CORPS LEAGUE Delaware Department Minutes of Department Meeting 13 May 2017 Department Commandant Snyder called the meeting to order at 1000. Acting Sergeant at Arms Dave Jacobs posted the colors and led the membership in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the opening prayer by Acting Chaplain Frank Mathers. The meeting was declared open for official business. The Marine Hymn was song by all in attendance. Attendance 27 Roll Call of Department Officers: Commandant Snyder SVC Landon JVC Mathers JA Wise Adj Flood Paymaster George Chaplain Vacant SAA Tulley Historian Fitzgerald Boy Scout Coord. Willis Jr. Past Commandant Wise Excused All Officers are present and accounted for. Commandant Snyder informed us that the National Commandant, Richard Gore is with us today to swear in the new Officers. - 1 -
Commandant Snyder recognized former National Marines of the Year Bud Raines, Roger Ware and Neil Corley. Commandant Snyder requested the other Division Officers to stand and be recognized. Mike McLain, National Vice Commandant of the Mid East Division; Fred Wise, Paymaster of the Mid East Division; Guy Hall, Ambassador Mid East Division; and Bud Raines, Jr., Past National Vice Commandant Mid East Division. Commandant Snyder asked for the reading of the Minutes. The minutes from the last Quarterly Meeting have been distributed electronically. Copies are also available on the table. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as published. The motion passed unanimously. Reports Adjutant Flood had no report. Commandant Snyder asked for the Paymaster s Report. Copies were distributed to all in attendance. A motion was made to accept the report subject to audit, seconded and passed unanimously. Commandant Snyder requested of anyone that is sick or in distress be brought up at this time. The wife of Capt. Jim Thompson is not well. Diamond State Detachment Life Member Tony Ciuba is not doing well. First State Detachment Wallace Stevenson, a former FMF Corpsman, fell and is on the road to recovery. The Holcomb Detachment has couple on members recovering, Neil Greenstein and John Bailey. Commandant Snyder introduced a Guest Speaker from the First State Military Academy, Colonel Robert Wallace, Senior Military Instructor. They have been in existence just two years. They have full freshman and Sophomore Classes and a small Junior Class. Two Hundred and seventy five Students are currently enrolled in the School. They expect to grow to 400 Students next year. When the School is fully completed, it s expected to be at 500 Students. Next year a total of five Instructors will be on staff. Colonel Wallace informed us of the Study Program and Obstacle Course. - 2 -
Commandant Snyder reminded every one of the upcoming Mid East Division Conference on June 23-25 hosted by the Department of North Carolina. Department Officer Reports Senior Vice Chuck Landon has no report. Junior Vice Frank Mathers, Jr. remarked that National sent out a Report to every Detachment to get their Membership List in order. The Adjutant provided a copy of each Detachments Roster to review. So far only the Devil Dogs, First State and Diamond State have reviewed its Roster. Judge Advocate Fred Wise congratulated Diamond State on a By-Law amendment that was properly prepared. Sgt. at Arms Frank Tulley was not in attendance so no Report was given. Detachment Reports Commandant Snyder said that Department Reports had been circulated for all to review and copies were also on the table. A motion was requested to accept the Reports. A motion was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Commandant Snyder then made a number of Meritorious Commendation Awards to the following Marines: Fred Wise, Frank Mathers, Charles Chuck Landon, David L. Jacobs, John F. Jack Flood, Jr., Ralph E. Willis, William Ertle, Frank Tulley, Joseph Fitzgerald, Jr., and Diane L. George. Commandant Snyder then presented the Marine of the Year Award to Frank Mathers, Department of Delaware Junior Vice Commandant. Frank was recognized for his outstanding service, dedication, and enthusiastic performance of his duties outside of his job requirements. Commandant Snyder then introduced our National Commandant, Richard Gore, who addressed all in attendance. He said this would be his last tour before becoming the Jr Past Commandant. An update on the National Headquarters as it has moved from Fairfax, Virginia to Quantico, Virginia. It s has 13,000 square feet of space. The profit from the sale of the building in Fairfax was $1.3 million and was put in a fund at Morgan Stanley for a future state of the art Building. He was impressed with our acting Sgt. at Arms, David Jacobs s performance at the - 3 -
opening of the Meeting. He requested that we continue to ask Marines to be a member of the Marine Corps League. As we age it is very important that we continue to recruit new members. He closed with a Thank You for inviting him to attend our Department of Delaware Annual Meeting. Judge Advocate Fred Wise proceeded to move to the election of Officers. The slate is Charles Landon, Commandant; Frank Mathers, Sr. Vice Commandant; and Judge Advocate, Bill Farley. This was read three times. It was requested for any additional nominations at this time. With no other nominations, the nominations are closed. The Adjutant, Jack Flood, Jr., cast a vote for the slate. A request for a nomination for Jr. Vice Commandant was made three times. No nominations were made so it will remain unfilled until the next Quarterly Meeting. The Acting Sgt. at Arms, Dave Jacobs, was requested to bring the Candidates to the front of the room. The candidate for Commandant, Chuck Landon announced his appointments for the following positions: Diane George, Paymaster; Jack Flood, Jr., Adjutant; Ralph Willis, Sgt. at Arms; with the Chaplains position still vacant at this time. The National Commandant Richard Gore commenced to the swearing in of all Officers. The Acting Sgt. at Arms, Dave Jacobs, declared the Department of Delaware duly sworn and to take their posts. Newly elected Commandant, Chuck Landon, requested National Vice Commandant, Mike McLain to come forward and give a few words. The Mid Winter Conference was moved from Falls Church, Va. to Fredericksburg, Va. The attendance was the highest to date. The National Executive Director, Thomas W. Hazlett, Sr. of the Marine Corps League will be stepping down to take a position as the Chief Devil Dog. Four applicants have applied for the Position. A Conference call will be made next week to interview all four candidates by the National Staff. Mike McLain asked if attendees are receiving the Mid East Bulletin sent out by Adjutant Roger Ware. A positive response was received. A wealth of information is in this document that applies to all Marines. The Division Marine of the Year cutoff is Monday, 15 May. Please send nominees in before that date. The National Convention is scheduled for 13-18 August 2017 in Overland Park, Kansas. The Modern Day Marine Expo at Quantico, Va. will be held 19-21 September 2017. Neil Corley is always looking for volunteers to help at the tents to meet and great attendees. The 2018 National Convention is in Buffalo, NY in August. Mike McLain thanked all of us for the support he received the last four years as National Vice Commandant. It was an honor and pleasure to serve during his term. Mike McLain then presented a Board of Trustees Commendation, Victor T. Fisher Certificate to Department of Delaware Past Commandant, Ray Snyder. - 4 -
Good of the League Mike Fleetwood, Commandant of the Devil Dogs, distributed the Devil Dogs Challenge Coin to our Honored Guests and outgoing Commandant, Ray Snyder. Neil Corley discussed the changing of the 501.c3 to 501.c4. Richard Gore had comments on this. The By Laws will change during the upcoming Convention. Hold off any changes until after the Convention. The Eagle Scout coins are going thru some changes. Detachments should try to combine orders to save die charges. If 300 are ordered, no die charges are applied. Some combined orders might be in order. Roger Ware remarked about the new anniversary date for dues. With the 31 August date, some that paid dues late will have extra time this year, but not next. All dues will be due by 31 August 2018. Ray Snyder of the Holcomb Detachment informed us about the successful Young Marines and Eagle Scout Programs. They don t always get information about Scouts Board of Review. Dave Jacobs suggested they contact Tom Roth of the Boy Scouts. Tom is in charge of the Board of Review. Neil Corley reported a problem getting the numbers with how many Boy Scouts have been awarded Certificates by the Marine Corps League to National. Ralph Willis remarked about activity with the Eagle Scout Program. Joe Fitzgerald asked if anyone was aware of the High School Leadership Award that is given out by the Marines to High School Students. Commandant Landon thanked and excused the National Officers to drive back to Maryland for their Convention. Commandant Landon requested Bill Farley to give his Veterans Report. Bill was asked by the Mayor of Dover three years ago to help with Veterans Homelessness in Dover. Bill found out that nobody in the State had any idea how many Veterans or where they were. As of 14 November 2016, Delaware is one of three States that have aided Veterans homelessness. On 31 March 2017, 611 Homeless Veterans were identified and 514 have been housed and the balance in programs that will aid them as necessary. Bill and the Mayor of Dover went to - 5 -
the White House in November for recognition on being one of three States that have ended Veterans homelessness. What this means is that all Homeless Veterans are in programs that will establish they won t be Homeless much longer. Bill gave an example of an event just two weeks ago. In 2013, the General Assembly established a Trust Fund for Veterans in case of emergency. Other than the $50,000 seed money, all other funds must be privately donated. A form was developed for the Veterans Affairs to collect information on the applicant. If approved, money will be paid direct to the utility, rent, food needs. This is a onetime expenditure. Assistance will be provided to help in budgeting, and any other efforts in job placement, etc. The average grant is $500 to $1,000. The fund balance is just under $50,000 as of the end of March. A fundraiser is the Freedom Run in October. Bill asked that the Department consider the Trust Fund for donations. Bill would like to see each county institute a Freedom Run in the future. Bill has placed Pamphlets on the table about the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund for all to take. Bill will be asking all other Veterans Organizations to assist in this effort. All donations are Tax Deductable. Neil Corley offered a suggestion to Bill Farley to create a check off on license renewable. Bill will look into this. Old Business Commandant Landon asked for the status of the Brick for Captain Jim Thompson. The Brick was ordered by the Adjutant Jack Flood, Jr. in January. As the checks came in, they were deposited. The Department received acknowledgment from the Marine Corps Museum and was sent to Central Detachment to give to the Family. Commandant Landon has some ideas for future meeting locations. Chuck will look at various options throughout the State and report later. Commandant Landon requested assistance for filling the Chaplain vacancy from the Commandants. This is an extremely important position in tracking illnesses and deaths. Diamond State and Holcomb Detachments have no representation as Officers in the Department of Delaware. The Commandant would like someone to serve from each Detachment. We still need a Jr. Vice Commandant and a Chaplain. We need to get these filled ASAP. Joe Fitzgerald would also like to step down as Historian. Commandant Landon up dated us on the status of the Young Marines in Seaford. The Devil Dogs have supported them since they were formed four years ago. They - 6 -
have temporarily have stepped down due to a serious illness of its Commandant, Liza Morrison. They have received much recognition for their work. So far, no one else has stepped up in her place. Commandant Landon said he looks forward to working with his Officers in the coming year. Chuck plans to travel up and down the State to attend meetings of all Detachments. Chuck thanked both Diane George and Jack Flood, Jr. for staying on in their positions. Chuck thanked Marine Sam Mellin, a WWII Veteran who introduced him to the Marine Corps League. Rudy Swanson was also introduced as a WWII Veteran. New Business None. Commandant Landon then proceeded to close. Taps were then played by Jr. Past Commandant Ray Snyder. The Acting Sgt of Arms retired the Colors. The Acting Chaplain closed with a prayer. The Sr. Vice Commandant then read the closing remarks. The Acting Sgt. of Arms closed the Meeting. Our Next Quarterly Meeting Date and Place will be disclosed in the near future. The meeting closed at Noon. - 7 -