Scuttlebutt 1

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 Commandant’s Report

2 Boosters; Birthdays; Officers & Committee Chairmen

3 Looking Ahead; Sick Call

4 & 5 September Meeting Minutes

6 Message from our Sr. Vice and 2015 HUHO schedule

7 DELCO Young Marines photos

8 & 9 Various pics including 1st Lt. Bonnyman’s return home

General Smedley D. Butler DetachmentIncorporated 1991

1914 1915

P.O. Box 184 • Newtown Square, PA19073Website • www.genbutlerdet.org

Commandant Paul FergusonEmail: aphimself@verizon.net

Scuttlebutt

Volume XXV, Issue 10 Dan Luty, editor October 2015 dan.luty@genbutlerdet.org

Commandant’s Report October 2015 As the Detachment is closing in on the last quarter of the year, there are several upcoming events that can be emphasized. The first, although not a Detachment event, is the Fall Review of the NROTC unit at Villanova University. This event is scheduled for 6 October 2015, beginning at 1500, at Mendel Field at Villanova University. This year's Fall Review will include the changing of command of the NROTC unit from Colonel A.G. Wilcox to Colonel Kenneth DeTruex. November has two important events. The first is the Detachment's annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball, scheduled for 6 November 2015, beginning at 1800. The cost is $45.00 per person, and all Leaguers are encouraged to attend. Contact John Cook for seating arrangements, and payment may be made to Paymaster Bob Spano. The second event, again not a Detachment event, but still

important is the Second Annual Freedom Medal Dinner, arranged by the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association. This event will be held at the Springfield Country Club on 12 November 2015, and our Detachment member John Cook will be among the honorees that evening. As mentioned in the last Scuttlebutt issue, in the October, November, and December general meetings we will be conducting the nomination of Detachment officers for next year. Junior Past Commandant Jim Herbst will be conducting the nomination process, and all regular members of the Detachment are eligible, although there are a few eligibility requirements that Jim Herbst will explain. As mentioned in the past newsletter, some officers have served for a number of years, so it may be a good time for some new blood among the officer positions. We encourage all regular members to consider running for office in some capacity, as it proves to be a valuable experience in a member's time in the Detachment. The election of officers will take place at the December general meeting, after the nomination process has been closed for that meeting. One last thing for consideration is the election of the Marine of the Year for 2015. Begin thinking of who has made the most valuable contribution to the Detachment this year. Nominations will be made and an election by secret ballot will take place at the December meeting, and the person elected will be announced in the January general meeting.

Semper Fi,

Paul Ferguson Commandant

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General Smedley D. Butler Detachment Officers Commandant Paul Ferguson Sr. Vice Commandant Dominic D’Alessandro Jr. Vice Commandant Jack McLeod Adjutant Jack Kelly Paymaster Bob Spano Judge Advocate Bernie McGinley Sergeant-At-Arms Charles (Bud) Davis Chaplain Christopher Bush Service Officer Con McGinley Director Bill Kinney Director Ed Seidl Director Paul Donohue Jr. Past Commandant James Herbst

General Smedley D. Butler Detachment Committee Chairmen Adopt-A-Highway John Burfete Americanism Team J.Mulhern, E. Drake,

D. Fitzpatrick and L. Spangler

Auxiliary Liaison Tony Fusto Awards James Herbst Ceremonies Charles (Bud) Davis Color Guard Wayne Williams Flag Collection Dominic D’AlessandroHistorian Jack Gallagher Home Association Tom Kerrigan Honor Guard Ben Sides Honor Guard Assistant Joe Blees Locker Box Paul Ferguson Marksmanship Paul Drinkard Membership James Herbst Newsletter (Scuttlebutt) Dan Luty Newtown Twp Vets Park Bill Kinney Nominations James Herbst Property Bob Spano Communications John Burfete Scholarships Wayne Williams Scouting John Gingras/Ed SeidlToys-For-Tots Dan Luty V.A.V.S. Con McGinley Young Marines GySgt Melendrez and Dan Luty Web Master Dan Luty

“ S C U T T L E B U T T ” B O O S T E R C L U B

Any monetary contribution helps offset the cost of publication and mailing. We wish to thank our current boosters. With their assistance, we are able to continue our award-winning newsletter!

OCTOBER BOOSTERS John Burfete Bud Davis Joe Direso Jeanne & Tom Falgiatore Jack Kelly Rosemarie & Tony Fusto Steve Kusner Con McGinley Jerry McGuckin Florence & Bob Spano Thank you boosters!

Bob Spano Paymaster If you are interested in being a “Scuttlebutt” Booster, please see Bob Spano.

Birthday Greetings for October The Detachment staff sends best wishes to the following members who are celebrating a birthday this month: Richard Bortner Charles Coombs Aaron Cubbage James Flynn James Friel James Herbst Leon Huzzard Frank Mayer Lewis Neumann Edgar Speer Happy Birthday…and many, many more!

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS General & Healthcare Benefits VA Hotline 800-827-1000 Veterans’ Healthcare 877-222-8387 Education 888-442-4551 Grave Markers 800-697-6947 Life Insurance 800-669-8477 Website www.va.gov

Help support our award winning newsletter and become a member of the Booster Club!

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Looking Ahead D E T A C H M E N T E V E N T S October

6 General Meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Start time is 1930.

10 2nd Annual Central Bucks Det. Service/Open Pistol

Match in Palmerton. Report & check in time is 0700. 11 Adopt-a-Highway. Contact John Burfete for more info. 15 VAVS Bingo @ Coatesville, VA Center. Contact Con

McGinley for information. 16-17 2015 Fall PA Department Staff Meeting at Ft.

Indiantown Gap. Meeting starts at 0800 on 17 Oct.

25 Beirut Memorial Ceremonies at Penn’s Landing,

report time 0930. Place something “Marine” on your dashboard to identify your participation, or be ticketed.

27 Staff Meeting at American Legion Post 805 on West

Chester Pike. Start time is 1930.

November 2 General Meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Start time is 1930. *THIS IS A MONDAY*

O T H E R O R G A N I Z A T I O N S ’ E V E N T S

OTHER VETERANS’ & FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS’

REGULAR EVENTS AmVets: Harold P. Saks Post #118, 211 N. Morton Ave., Morton, PA 19070. Meetings the first Wednesday of every month at 1930. American Legion: Broomall Post #805, 2340 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA. Meetings the second Wednesday of every month, at 1930. American Legion Nunan-Slook Post #338, Meets the second Tuesday at 7:30 PM of every month at the corner of Ralston & Graslynn Avenues, Havertown,PA. Upper Darby Detachment #884 MCL, 3rd Tuesday of the month at 2000, 1026 Providence Rd.Secane, Pa. 19018

Other Organizations’ Events (Cont’d.) Disabled American Veterans, Delaware County Chapter 113, meets the second Monday of the month at 7:30PM. Meetings are held at the Nunan-Slook American Legion Post #338. The Post is located at the corner of Ralston & Graslynn Avenues in Havertown, PA. Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 67, AmVets, Harold P. Saks Post #118, 211 N. Morton Ave. in Morton, PA meeting is 2nd Tuesday at 7:30 PM - no meetings July or August. Delaware County Detachment MCL, Third Sunday of the month: Breakfast: 0800-1130, $10.00/person. Delaware County Detachment at detachment home, Upland, PA. Every Month except: June-July-August. M.O.D.D. “Devil Dogs” Triboro Pound #19, Pack of Penna., Growls (meetings) are the second Wednesday of the month at 1930. Growls are held at the Herbert W. Best Post # 928, VFW. Located at MacDade Blvd. and Sutton Avenue, Folsom, PA. Veterans of Foreign Wars: Broomall Post #7390, Meetings the second Thursday of the month at 1930. Meetings are held at the Marple Twp. Municipal Building, Sproul & Springfield Roads, Broomall, PA. Veterans of Foreign Wars: Herbert W. Best Post # 928, Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month except in September, it will be the day after Labor Day, the 2nd (Tuesday and the 3rd Monday) Meetings are held at Herbert W. Best Post # 928, VFW, MacDade Blvd. and Sutton Avenue, Folsom, PA. Knights Of Columbus: Mater Dei Council #4129, 327 N. Newtown Street Rd., Newtown Square, PA. Meetings the first Thursday of the month at 2000.

S I C K C A L L

Joe Mensack Jack Gingrich

Joe Conigliaro Frank Grisier

Please remember to notify Chaplain Chris Bush (610.353.5569) of an illness, or of a member or family member passing away.

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A statue of William “WIld Bill” Guarnere will be unveiled at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial in Newtown Square and the Detachment’s Color Guard and Honor Guard will be participating. Chaplain: Chris Bush mentioned that it was good to see Joe Conigliaro at the meeting, after a couple of stays in the hospital. Chris Bush also mentioned that Ollie McGraw was dealing with some health issues. Paymaster: Bob Spano gave the paymaster’s report as of 31 August 2015, reviewing both income and expenses for the month. He also suggested that the members review the suggested list of organizations that would be considered for donations later in the meeting. Those organizations were listed on the back of the agenda. One organization that was mentioned was the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Coatesville, PA. Although the Detachment has donated funds to this organization in the past, it has been awhile since the Detachment has donated funds to this organization. It will be considered along with the other organizations later in the meeting. George Boyajian made a motion to accept the paymaster’s report as received. Bernie McGinley seconded the motion and the motion passed. Service Officer: Con McGinley mentioned that the next bingo game at the Coatesville Medical Center is scheduled for 10 September 2015. He also mentioned that a picnic is scheduled there for 12 September 2015. Director Kinney: Bill Kinney asked if there were any activities planned for the Delaware County Veterans Memorial on 11 September 2015. No requests had been received from the DCVM Committee, so at this point, no plans are being made. Bill Kinney mentioned that there would be a flag ceremony on Sunday, 13 September 2015, honoring the late Steve Neri as well as Jason Scott McClay, a local shopkeeper who had been killed in a robbery attempt. A report time for this ceremony is 1730 and the ceremony is at 1800. Bill Kinney also mentioned that the second annual Delaware County Veterans Memorial Dinner is scheduled for 12 November 2015 at the Springfield Country Club. Bill Kinney reminded the membership that the Detachment has purchased two tables at this event, and that John Cook will be among the honorees that evening. Committee Reports: Adopt-a-Highway: John Burfete mentioned that the recent Adopt-a-Highway event was successful. He mentioned that eleven individuals came out, including several members of the Tony Coladonato family. Americanism: Earle Drake provided information on several topics. He first mentioned that Jim Mulhern, Dan Fitzpatrick, and Earle had presented a program to the Newtown Square Rotary Club on 27 August 2015 . The program was based on the General Smedley D. Butler Detachment, explaining who we are and what we do. An abbreviated flag history program was also provided, and it was reported that there was some good publicity on this presentation. In the last few days of August, the Banana Wars Exhibit was removed from the Paper Mill House Museum. This was the last exhibit for this year.

General Smedley D. Butler Detachment #741

Marine Corps League General Meeting Minutes – 1 September 2015

Commandant: Commandant Paul Ferguson called the meeting to order at 1930. The regular opening ceremonies were conducted. Officers present were Commandant Paul Ferguson, Sr. Vice Commandant Dominic D’Alessandro, Jr. Vice Commandant Jack McLeod, Judge Advocate Bernie McGinley, Paymaster Bob Spano, Adjutant Jack Kelly, Chaplain Chris Bush, Service Officer Con McGinley, Director Bill Kinney, and Director Ed Seidl. Minutes: George Boyajian made a motion to accept the minutes of the 4 August 2015 general meeting as published in the Scuttlebutt. Bob Spano seconded the motion and the motion passed. Officer Reports: Sr. Vice Commandant: Dominic D’Alessandro reported that the annual Combined Veterans Alliance picnic went well, but he also mentioned that twenty-four individuals who signed up for the picnic did not attend. This represents an expense to the Detachment. He requested that in the future if anyone signs up for an event and then later determines that they cannot attend, to please advise Dominic D’Alessandro beforehand. Dominic D’Alessandro also mentioned that the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball is scheduled for 6 November 2015 and it will be held at the Paxon Hollow Country Club. The cost per person is $45.00, and payment can be remitted to Paymaster Bob Spano. Seating arrangements can be made by contacting John Cook. Dominic D’Alessandro closed by thanking those who assisted with the picnic, including the Auxiliary, and he was given a round of applause. Jr. Vice Commandant: Jack McLeod reported that more than $6,500.00 had been collected in the prior weekend’s Help Us Help Others (HUHO) Campaign. This included about $1,700.00 that was collected at Booth’s Corner, in addition to the amount collected at the Acme Markets in Devon and Paoli. On a year-to-date basis, more than $127,000.00 has been collected, compared to $106,000.00 in 2014 at a similar date. There are about ten more weeks of collection activity, plus one event at a Wawa store. Jack McLeod mentioned that the upcoming weekend was the Labor Day weekend and there would be three days of collection activity in the HUHO Campaign. Adjutant: Jack Kelly reported that two letters of appreciation for donations made by the Detachment had been received. Letters were received from the Semper Fi Fund in Oceanside, California, and from the Fisher House Foundation in Rockville, Maryland. Notes of thanks for scholarships received from the Detachment were received from Kelly Bergh, a junior at Elizabethtown College and from Dan Lane, a sophomore at West Chester University. Two cards of thanks were received from family members of deceased military members, noting appreciation for the members of the Honor Guard for participating in the funerals for their deceased military veterans. Jack Kelly also provided information on an upcoming event scheduled for 19 September 2015.

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Earle Drake mentioned that he is stepping aside from this responsibility, so if anyone is willing to take over this program, contact Earle Drake for details. Earle Drake also mentioned that Gene Kern is taking charge of the Marksmanship Program. Paul Drinkard’s father-in-law, Frank Greiser, has moved in with him and needs care. Paul Drinkard will remain part of the team but is stepping away from the administrative duties. Earle Drake mentioned that the next MCL pistol match is being held at the Palmerton Rod and Gun Club on 10 October 2015, beginning at 0700. Registration must be completed by 28 September 2015. Contact Earle Drake for details. Color Guard: Wayne Williams mentioned that he would be recovering from eye surgery and he would not be available for the Color Guard needed for the DCVM event on 19 September 2015. Historian: Jack Gallagher reported that progress is being made on the History book. Honor Guard: Ben Sides reported that the Honor Guard participated in fifteen funerals for deceased military veterans during the month of August. The year-to-date total for the Honor Guard is now at 110 funerals for veterans. He also mentioned that two more funerals were scheduled for the current week. Ben Sides mentioned that at the August general meeting, a number of members were awarded the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Funerals Honors Ribbon. Ben wanted to provide information on the dedication of some of the members who received the ribbon, with John Cook serving at more than 1,000 funerals, Tom Kerrigan with more than 400 funerals served, Bill Kinney with more than 600 funerals served, Tom McGovern with more than 1,000 funerals served, Con McGinley with more than 400 funerals served, and Ben Sides with more than 1,000 funerals served. Ben Sides mentioned that these records are for the years beginning in 2007 and up to the present. These members received a round of applause for their tremendous dedication to the Honor Guard program. Property: Bon Spano mentioned that new red table cloths have been ordered. Scouting: Ed Seidl mentioned that the Eagle Scout program has been quiet through the summer months. Additional Report from Jr. Vice Commandant Jack McLeod: Jack McLeod mentioned that Bob Spano had sent a report to him from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in which it was reported that a “Historic Success for Veterans Service” had been reached. It was reported that the number of disability claims backlog had been reduced to 98,535 claims, “an 84% reduction from its peak and a historic low.” Jack McLeod mentioned that this is not the entire story. In addition to these claims, Jack McLeod explained that the VA allows a claim to exist for 125 days (during processing) before it is considered a backlogged claim. With these figures in mind, the claims pending figure is closer to 362,000. In addition, there are additional claims on appeal, bringing the total claims pending closer to 675,000. These figures demonstrate that the figures are actually higher than last year, not lower. George Boyajian, Jim Donegan, and Ben Sides also made comments on this report. Jack McLeod mentioned that the status can be reviewed on a computer by checking the Monday Morning Workload Report.

Minutes continued from page 5

Commandant: Paul Ferguson mentioned that the government has approved a 1.3% pay raise for the military for 2016. Unfinished Business: No items of unfinished business were raised. New Business: John Burfete raised a question concerning how the Detachment is contacted in reference to the Eagle Scout program. Ed Siedl mentioned that he has a program that he presents to the Boy Scout leadership from time to time, and they in turn can get the information to individual troops. Ed Seidl can be contacted for additional information. Charitable Contributions: Bob Spano discussed the list of organizations that were being suggested for charitable contributions this month. These organizations, listed on the back of the agenda, were discussed at a recent officers’ staff meeting and were being suggested to the membership for consideration. George Boyajian made a motion to donate the funds as outlined. The organizations and the amounts to be donated shown in parentheses are: (1) The Coatesville VA Medical Center, Coatesville, PA ($2,000.00); (2) Fisher House Foundation, Rockville, MD ($2,000.00); (3) The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, Oceanside, CA ($2,000.00); (4) Operation First Response, Inc., Culpeper, VA ($2,000.00); and (5) The USO, Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia, PA ($2,000.00). Bernie McGinley seconded the motion and the motion passed. Good of the League: Jim Donegan mentioned that he had noticed a number of stones, coins, flags, and other mementos being left at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial, and he asked if there was any program in place to deal with these items. Bill Kinney mentioned that the items left behind are periodically removed but he did not know the frequency. He mentioned that at some time in the future the items collected will be placed in some sort of storage bin. Earle Drake mentioned that the Upper Darby Detachment is having its eleventh annual Jack Reilly Memorial golf outing. Earle Drake made a motion to sponsor a hole in this classic for $150.00. Bill Kinney seconded the motion and the motion passed. George Boyajian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jim Donegan seconded the motion and the motion passed. After the regular closing ceremonies, the meeting was adjourned at 2020. Paul Ferguson won the 50/50. Thirty-three members signed the logbook. Respectfully submitted,

Jack Kelly Adjutant

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Hi Members! Our 2015 HUHO fund raising Campaign is now underway. Our fundraising is to help others in need! Among those are needy individuals and families from over 450,000 Veterans waiting several months for action on their disability/compensation claims! We regularly inquire of those organizations through which we send our financial support as to whether they are adequately funded. Invariably, we are told that they have more requests for financial assistance than can be supplied! Therefore, even though the amount of financial assistance that we individually and collectively give may seem modest, it is not so to the person whom our support is given! Scheduling of our HUHO Store Events has been completed by delivering confirmation letters to Store Managements confirming their prior verbal approvals. One thing we can be sure of is that the Schedule will change: corporate cancellations double booking by Store Management action and JR. Vice errors will take its toll. Please keep our Schedule information confidential, within our Detachment Family! Our Schedule is contained in this month’s Scuttlebutt. Copies of the Schedule will have been emailed or USPS mailed to active HUHO participants and to new Members who have expressed interest in participating. Other Members, who are interested in participating, please contact me at 610 356 8893. During our Campaign, active participants will be called during the early part of each week in order to staff that week’s scheduled event. We want to emphasize that this is not an obligation of our Members. Please feel free to opt out of a given week’s event because of weather, health, personal commitments, fatigue, etc. An email will be sent by Thursday evening that contains the roster for to those Members who have volunteered to participate in that week’s scheduled event. Please feel free to opt out of a given week’s event because of weather, health, personal commitments, fatigue, etc. You will not be judged or questioned for declining to participate! It’s never too late to express appreciation to our participants, spouses and friends for the outstanding results achieved in our past Campaigns! Here’s to a similar, successful Campaign in 2015! Respectively submitted,

Jack McLeod

2015“Help Us Help Others”Store Schedule

Date Store/Event Address 10/3 Boothwyn Walmart 605 Conchester Hwy 610-494-2535 Boothwyn, PA Eddystone Walmart 1570 Chester Pike 610-447-1860 Eddystone, PA 10/4 Boothwyn Walmart 605 Conchester Hwy Eddystone Walmart 1570 Chester Pike 610-353-8018 Newtown Sq., PA 10/10 Brookhaven Pathmark 5005 Edgemont Ave 610-872-8855 Brookhaven, PA Chichester Pathmark 643 Conchester Ave 610-859-8920 Boothwyn, PA 10/11 Brookhaven Pathmark 5005 Edgemont Ave Chichester Pathmark 643 Conchester Ave Ridley Acme 124 Morton Ave 10/17 Havertown SuperFresh 1305 W. Chester Pike 610-446-4516 Havertown, PA Shoprite of W. Chester 115 W. Chester Pike 610-696-4066 W. Chester, PA 10/18 Havertown SuperFresh 1305 W. Chester Pike Shoprite of W. Chester 115 W. Chester Pike 10/24 Boothwyn Walmart 605 Conchester Hwy 610-494-2535 Boothwyn, PA Springfield Walmart 400 S. State Rd 610-605-3154 Springfield, PA 10/25 Boothwyn Walmart 605 Conchester Hwy Springfield Walmart 400 S. State Rd 10/31 Folsom Pathmark 420 N. MacDade Blvd 610-586-8660 Folsom, PA Eddystone Walmart 1570 Chester Pike 610-447-1860 Eddystone, PA 11/01 Folsom Pathmark 420 N. MacDade Blvd Eddystone Walmart 1570 Chester Pike 11/07 Chichester Pathmark 643 Conchester Hwy 610-859-8920 Boothwyn, PA Glenolden Walmart 50 N. MacDade Blvd 610-583-2682 Glenolden, PA 11/08 Chichester Pathmark 643 Conchester Hwy Glenolden Walmart 50 N. MacDade Blvd

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DELCO Young Marines Kyle Erato, Michael Sorrentino & Joseph Mellon being promoted by Y/M Commander GySgt Melendrez

Lorraine Porter was presented a plaque and a certificate for her dedication and commitment to the DELCO Young Marines

DELCO Young Marines 2015 camping trip at Ridley Creek State Park

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The Unveiling of “Wild Bill” Guarnere Statue

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Chapel of the Four Chaplains Annual Picnic and Flag Raising

Rotary Club Flag HistoryAmericanism presentation given by Jim Mulhern, Dan Fitzpatrick and Earle Drake

MOH recipient (posthumously), 1st Lt. Alexander “Sandy” Bonnyman Jr. was finally laid to rest in his home town of Knoxville, TN, 72 years after dying while fighting on Tarawa during WWII. Bonnyman’s remains were discovered on Tarawa in May of 2015. The

Knoxville Marine Corps League Detachment bears his name.

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