John Basilone Detachment Marine Corps League Detachment Bi-Monthly Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 2 March 1st, 2011 Douglas J. Rattazzi Commandant Detachment Web Site: www.johnbasilonedetachment.org Detachment E-Mail: johnbasilonedetachment@gmail.com NJ MCL Web Site: njmcl.org National MCL Web Site: www.mcleague.com MEETINGS ARE HELD THE FIRST (1ST) MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH AMERICAN LEGION POST 25, MILLTOWN, NEW JERSEY @1930 Newsletter Editor: Doug Rattazzi 732-690-7100 Membership Dues Our members range in age from the early 20 s to early 90 s and many have not taken advantage of the Marine Corps League Life Membership Plan option for dues. All New Members pay a $36.00 initial entrance fee followed by an annual renewal fee of $31.00. The life program is open to all current active paid up members as follows: Age 17-35 $500.00 Age 36-50 $400.00 Age 51-64 $300.00 Age 65 + $150.00 Members pay a one time fee for life membership in the John Basilone Detachment Call John Heacock for info: 609-924-0074 At the present time we are mailing late notices to members who s annual membership dues are out standing! Fund Raising Dates For 2011 April 15, 2011 Friday, Hamilton Shop Rite May 21st 2011 Saturday, June 5th 2011 Sunday, August 5th,, 2011 Friday, Spotswood Shop Rite Branchburg Shop Rite Hamilton Shop Rite September 11, 2011 Sunday, Spotswood Shop Rite October 15th, 2011 Saturday, Branchburg Shop Rite 1
Officers and Staff November 2010 - November 2011 John Basilone Challenge Coin Commandant:.. Doug Rattazzi 732-690-7100 Chief of Staff: Rosemary Fleming 908-526-9089 Sr. Vice Com:... Ed Sphatt 732-247-5792 Jr. Vice Com:. Milt Fischer 732-238-0005 Judge Advocate:. Louis Goldstein 609-409-9280 Adjutant:... Ray Skarzynski 732-257-4582 Paymaster:. John Heacock 609-924-0074 Chaplain:.. George Coyle 732-254-6646 Sgt. At Arms:. Mel Meszaros 732-718-6460 Food For The Needy: Harriet Sosley 732-469-0005 Membership:.John Heacock 609-924-0074 Historian:...Milt Fischer 732-238-0005 Honor Guard:. Mel Meszaros 732-718-6460 Service Officer:... John Heacock 609-924-0074 Fund Drives:.. Stan Szumel 732-752-3846 Phone Squad.Joe Duh 732-885-5135 Quartermaster:.. Norm Bloomfield 609-409-1110 Aide De Camp: Ruth Lincoln Menlo Park Eagle Scouts.Ray Skarzynski 732-257-4582 Web Sergeant:. Cliff Walling 732-613-0441 Newsletter:. Doug Rattazzi 732-690-7100 Paymaster Our bank has requested that ALL CHECKS to be deposited in the John Basilone Detachments checking account be made payable to the following: John Basilone Detachment #190 We can no longer accept checks made payable to Marine Corps League or John Basilone Det. MCL, We are the John Basilone Detachment #190 Renewal dues are $31.00 per year. John Basilone Detachment Challenge Coins are for sale to our members at $5.00 each. The coins are available at regular meetings. These coins are a great way to show your pride in Our Marine Corps, Marine Corps League and the John Basilone Detachment. John Loftus, March 1 Cpl. Randy Crotzer, March 6 Richard Rydstrom, March 8 Charles Myers March 9 John Pfeiffer March 14 Tim Braden, March 17 John Ryan, March 27 John Kuhlthau, March 28 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY Tim & Anne Braden, March 2 Ray Skarzynski, March 28 Rose Mary Fleming, March 30 Nicholas Koval, March 31 Joseph Piccoli, April 2 Dennis Mansour, April 4 Ken Osterman, April 9 Joseph Duh, April 21 Charles Kelly, April 29 George & Katherine Anderson, April 4 Richard & Divasila Manser, April 12 John & Rose Ann Martinez, April 20 John & Marge Heacock, April 23 Robert & Eileen Imbriaco, April 26 Ralph & Barbara Meade, April 28 2
Basilone Detachment Scouting Program In the early 70 s my troop was fortunate to be invited to The West Point Military Academy Boy Scout Camporee. This is a prestigious camporee and it is considered an honor to be invited. Because over 1600 scouts are invited, space is limited for the campsite, but being a Marine we adapted to the situation. Before revile was sounded on the first morning, we had our boys up and running around the other campsites, ending with calisthenics. The Cadets laid out a course consisting with a variety of challenges that they face during their training, such as editable plants, building survivor huts, provide drinking water by making solar stills, making and setting animal traps, first aid in the field, communications etc. It didn t take too long to realize how good the Boy Scout program was. I could plainly see the advantage a Cadet has if he was a former boy scout. The Cadets also gained by this camporee because being future officers and military leaders they had to organize and cover every logistic problem from transportation, security, food, medical, sanitary needs, communications and every thing else a military movement would consist of. The highlight of the camporee was a mock battle set up on a knoll overlooking a distant tree line. Being a Marine I quickly spotted movement along the tree line but the boys were unaware of the activity. The audience was seated directly in back of the good guy s. When the battle began there was a lot of noise from simulated artillery, grenades and of course small arms fire. The bad guys were cadets dressed as V.C. At the end of the battle, prisoners were taken and the good cadets asked the scouts what should we do with the prisoners? Most of the boys responded kill them, at which time the lead cadet clarified that Americans have to follow protocol according to the rules of war, even though the enemy sometimes do not. It ended when the lead cadet introduced himself as a N.J. Middlesex County resident and that he was a graduate of the last ALL Male class in the history of the Point. At the end we were given a tour of the Academy and presented with a West Point neckerchief. One interesting point is that along with other levels of intelligence, physical health and character, they look for someone who was a team captain in high school, president of their student council or an Eagle Scout. It is needless to say that we were all proud of OUR Cadets and the quality of leadership that is produced from the West Point Academy program. Since the department convention the Basilone Detachment has honored 28 Eagle Scouts. Semper Fi, YIS, Ray Skarzynski PC Detachment/Department Scouting Chairman Menlo Park Veterans Home On Friday evening January 14th 2011 the John Basilone Detachment, hosted a Wine and Cheese party for the residents at Menlo Park Home for Veterans. It was well received by 25 to 30 of the residents, and was fun for our members that showed up to help. Music was provided by J J Melodies, a local disc jockey. Of course the wine was non-alcoholic so the party did not get out of control! We hope to host another party in the Future. Semper Fi, John & Marge Heacock Stan & Joy Szumel Doug & Carol Rattazzi Applications on following pages 3
2011 Marine Corps League Scholarship Application 4
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Corporate Sponsors for John Basilone Detachment MCL SCHIAVONE CONSTRUCTION CO. CONSTRUCTORS & ENGINEERS 150 MEADOWLANDS PARKWAY SECAUCUS, NJ 07094-1589 (201) 867-5070 Ironworkers Local 373 (201) 867-5070 FAX (201) 864-3196 Frog Hollow Swim & Tennis Club, So. Amboy Docs Corner We have 1 Corpsman in our detachment, you can contact Doc Dimitriou at Phone: 917-447-6257 email: navydoc_marine@yahoo.com Dedicated to the memory of our Fallen Marines M.A. Maliszewski Funeral Home 218 Whitehead Ave., South River, NJ 732-254-0428 Carmen F. Spezzi, Manager Our Current strength is 185 members. REMEMBER: We are always looking for a Few Good Marines to join our ranks. If you would like information about helping in our recruiting program, contact Ed Sphatt (Sr. Vice Commandant) at : 732-407-1503 Maliszewski Memorial Home 121-123 Main Street, Sayreville, NJ 732-254-1458 Carmen F. Spezzi, Manager Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home 15 Cherry Lane Parlin, NJ 08859 732-721-1290 Christine O. Spezzi, Manger. 8