Marine Corps League

Baltimore Detachment #565

Marian James.* Commandant

November - December 2019 * Vol. 23, No. 6 * Stuart Blair Editor

25 Years #17 Firehouse * Happy Anniversary #17 Firehouse originally opened as Engine #17 on 15 March 1895 with horse drawn fire wagons. The firehouse served the Locust Point community until the late 20th century and left abandon when a new fire station opened on Fort Avenue. Since 27 October 1994 we will have occupied our home, #17 Firehouse. When we first opened the doors the place was a disaster. Many hours were spent in the clean up process, along with several years of reconstruction of the building. With the skilled effort of many Marine veterans. Much was accomplished over several years. We acquired most of supplies for the renovation from an old VA.hospital. , just about everything we needed through years most of the items were used for the task at hand. Today we continue to maintain and update renovations our Firehouse. On Friday 25 October 2019 the MCL 565 Detachment members and guests celebrated the 25th year of #17 Firehouse ownership with food, drink, and especially an Anniversary Cake. Three of the original 1994 members were present; Jack Colleran, Don Rollette, and John Davis.

Happy Anniversary !

1426 East Fort Avenue (#17 Fire House) Baltimore, Maryland 21230-5247 Phone: 410-547-7699 http://www.mclbaltimore.org email: mclbaltimore@hotmail.com

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Commandant’s Message

Greetings,

I had an opportunity to meet with a Disabled Air Force Veteran and a non-veteran member of her church. This non-veteran young lady volunteers her time to help the veteran put on programs because there is not enough money to promote her assigned program in the manner that she would like. Looking back on our conversation and how well we enjoyed each other’s company, I pondered over why we have so much turmoil within our city when there are many other dedicated individuals as these two. Some of our young and old neighbors, friends and family members are leaving us because of violence or drugs which may result in the inability to relate or communicate because of our differences. Too many troubled or unhappy people are committing suicide. My own niece took her life by hanging herself in her mother’s garage and my family is still asking why. There are many organizations that deal with these types of problems. However, many of us may not have the strength or ability to volunteer with organizations that provide assistance such as suicide prevention or drug counseling but we can speak a kind word and offer encouragement when we encounter someone who has a problem. It is my hope that we can understand each other better and learn to live peacefully with one another. as we fast approach the holiday season and a New Year. Mindful of our differences, it is our hope that our Jewish Marines and their families were blessed as they celebrated Sukkot and we wish them a Happy Hanukkah; to our Muslim Marines and their families we say Happy Mawlid al-Nabi.

Our Toys for Tots Program is well underway and we hope that you have determined whether you will be making a monetary donation, donating a toy or doing both. Whatever you decide to do to make our Detachment Program a success will be greatly appreciated. This year, we hope to increase both our monetary donations and toy donations. We have again been invited to attend the toy drive sponsored by Rockin Good Times, LLC at Towson Post Number 22 on December 14, 2019 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and if you are interested volunteering, please contact me 410-358-5727 or ehpierce@comcast.net. It is a long enjoyable evening where you get an opportunity to meet and greet a lot of friendly people who bring toys & money.

Join us as we celebrate our 244th Marine Corps Birthday at the

Detachment from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on November 9th and

remember to bring your special dish. We will police the Latrobe Park area on November 7, 2019 and volunteers are asked arrive around 0900. bring work tools and lots of energy. Veteran’s Day will be celebrated at Latrobe Park on November 11, 2019 and members are asked to arrive at the Det.@ 08:30.

“We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.”—Max de Pree

Respectfully submitted,

Marian C. James,

Sr. Vice Commandant’s Message

Greetings Marines,

It looks like fall has arrived and I hope everyone is gearing up for the cooler weather and preparing for the colder weather to follow. There haven’t been many activities these past months; I was able to represent the detachment at a crab feast sponsored by the Gold Star Mothers, along with the Commandant Marian James and past Commandant Milton Hazzard. It was a very enjoyable affair with plenty of crabs and good food. Commandant James, Judge Advocate Koontz and I participated in the “Blue Mass” honoring MD. First Responders sponsored by Md. State Dept. of the Catholic War Veterans & Auxiliary & Archdiocese of Baltimore. The Mass was held at St. Casimir Church in Canton Baltimore. There was also a POW / MIA presentation. Time was spent the last month conducting BINGO at the VA hospital and performing maintenance task at the detachment home. I want to put out a reminder of upcoming events, Marine Corps Birthday party will be held at the detachment Saturday Oct. 09 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. It will be pot luck so bring a dish and come enjoy a pleasant afternoon celebrating the Marine Corps. On Monday 11 Oct. we will be conducting our Veteran Day Ritual at the Latrobe Park Monument, please come out and pay respect to our fellow veterans.

Semper Fi,

Earl C Ruff Jr SVC

From the Editor’s Desk

A Day of Pride

The Marine Corps' birthday is a day of pride and respect, and its celebration is one of the most revered traditions in the Corps. Each year, on November 10th, Marines around the world celebrate what they see as their "second" birthday, the day the United States Marine Corps was born.

The tradition runs deep. For years, Marines have been telling each other "Happy Birthday" on November 10th and attending Marine Corps Birthday Balls in cities across the globe. Each year, the Commandant of the Corps reads his "Birthday Message" to all Marines, and they "...reflect upon the legacy of [the] Corps and upon the awesome responsibilities lying ahead."

* CMC Birthday Message Enclosed

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Jr. Vice Commandant Message

Greeting Marines, The holidays are coming up and not just the Marine Corps Birthday. It is an excellent time to reach out to former Marines during a time period where family and friends are of great importance. Consider making contact as a way to increase our membership, to ease someone's distress and loneliness or just develop some camaraderie with old Marine Corps buddies. We know, from statistics that more suicides occur during these winter holidays than at any other time of the year. Perhaps your making friendly contact may be just what some Marine needs to bring him back to reality and divert him from depression or worse. Consider those factors when you get that "Semper Fi" greeting from another Marine, male or female when they acknowledge the EGA symbols that so many of us sport. It's also a time to be thinking about the local children who may be needing some joy during the Christmas season. Toys For Tots, our favorite Marine Corps Reserve supported program will be collecting donations and new, unwrapped toys, for boys and girls, would have nothing under the tree on Christmas Day. Consider, also, toys and games appropriate for teenage boys and girls. They often get overlooked in these campaigns but are just as needy. Please don't donate stuffed animals, no matter how cute or cuddly they may be. The Toys For Tots campaign does not want those and don't use them. Think about how bad your kids, grandkids would feel with nothing under the tree on Christmas morning and realize that you can turn some child's dismal day into a day to remember and put a smile on a young face. We served because we cared. Our detachment usually does a great job supporting Toys For Tots. Let's make this another great year for local children in need. Semper Fi. Ray Vaughn, JVC

New Member

We would like to extend a warm “Welcome Aboard” to Marine George J. Carson, who recently joined our Detachment. Semper Fi!

Semper Fi Prayer

Circle Supreme Commandant, We thank you for the brave who have fought, and continue to fight, so courageously for our nation. We ask for your covering and blessing over them and their families. We pray that you would be gracious and encircle them with your peace. We pray for your great favor and goodness to be evident in their lives. Please be with the men and women in uniform, who serve our communities and nation every single day. We ask that you provide your protection, that you would be their guiding force who leads the way, and their rear guard who keeps them safe from behind. We ask that you would draw them to yourself amidst the dangers they face in a dark world, for you are the Truth, you are the Way, you are the Light. Amen.

Sick / Distressed

Prayers go to those on our “Sick and Distress Al Schudel, Betty Thompson, Vince Cerniglia, Harry Carroll, Rick Gurly, Jerry Brown and wife Cass, Frank Rucci, and Carol Shea.

If you know of anyone sick or in distress, please call: Chaplain Gary Roundtree, Sr. 443-929-7045 Email: groundtreesr@hotmail.com As always may God’s blessing be with all military and their families Gary Roundtree, Sr. Chaplain

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Maryland Veterans

Commission

MVC Quarterly Meeting On Tuesday 15 October the Maryland Veterans Commission held their quarterly meeting at American Legion Post #91 Cambridge, MD Commissioners representing veteran organizations of Maryland were in attendance.

MDVA Update MDVA Secretary George Owings III stated: On October 2, 2019 State Employees joined together for a Day to Serve. The project this year was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in South Baltimore. The Memorial is managed by the MDVA Cemetery & Memorials program. The day turned out to be the hottest on record for that date, but that did not deter all of these individuals from working to clean and landscape the Memorial. Eagle Scout Isaac Beltran, completed his final project at the Gold Star Families Monument. Isaac organized the design, fundraising, collection of materials, labor and installation of 1500 square feet of sod at the Monument. He is a Scout with the Seneca District of the National Capital Area Council.

New Signage at the World War II Memorial and Gold Star Families Monument The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has updated the signage at the Maryland World War II Memorial and Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Annapolis. While MDVA manages the two Memorials, we are dependent on the State Highway Administration (SHA) for improvements such as signage. Thank you to the folks at SHA for the three new signs guiding visitors to the site. Also at this location is the Governor Ritchie Scenic Overlook, which is managed by SHA. Please stop by and visit the Memorials the next time you are in the Annapolis area. Commissioner Reports

Next Maryland Veterans Commission meeting Monday 27 January 2020, at the Maryland National Guard Armory, Baltimore, MD. S/F, Stuart Blair, Commissioner, MCL Maryland Veterans Commission

Auxiliary

Reaching Further . . . . . . Touching More

Greetings,

Our project for the next few months will be decorating a tree for the Festival of Trees. It is a fund raiser project for the Kennedy Krieger Institute, a facility for handicapped children. Our member, Lucy Kelly and her husband Joe bought a tree to be decorated by our auxiliary and sold at the Festival of Trees. The decorations include lights, red and gold balls, and pictures of marines and their families. Definitely a Marine theme! All o f the trees are available for sale and last year our tree sold for over $100. The Festival will be held November 29th thru December 1, 2019 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. The cost of admission is: Adults:$14, Seniors:$8, Kids:$6. It is a great activity for the family with many beautiful items to purchase. Be sure to look for our Marine Tree! Our secretary-treasurer Julie Silverstein is in India for work. But she will be home for the holidays. We miss her! Be sure to come to the Christmas Party and bring your favorite pot luck. How about a recipe from our cook book?

God bless America, Joan Hansen, President

30th Annual

Benefit Kennedy Krieger Institute

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Detachment Programs

Detachment General Fund

Pick Three Lottery Calendar Fundraiser The proceeds from this are used for detachment general expenses, assistance to a detachment Marine or family member in need and the Baltimore Green St.VA Medical Center Project The August 2019 monthly winners were:

03Aug19 Andy Lunch #550 $25.00 11Aug19 Kathy Hannon #92 $25.00 12Aug19 Matt Kozak #777 $25.00 21Aug19 Paul E. Taylor #155 $25.00 24Aug19 Joe Crivello #298 $25.00 26Aug19 Dorothy White #999 $25.00 27Aug19 Mary E. Burns #994 $25.00 30Aug19 Joan Kuhner t#264 $25.00 31Aug19 Paul E. Taylor #904 $25.00

The Balance in the fund at the end of August is $3,810.00. The September 2019 winners are:

02Sep19 Robert E. Walton #049 $100.00 on Labor Day! 04Sep19 Jason Disne #416 $25.00 08Sep19 B. W. Sweeney #201 $25.00 12Sep19 Patty Clawson #455 $25.00 19Sep19 W. C. McCallister #196 $25.00 28Sep19 Kelly Colleran #815 $25.00

The Balance in the fund at the end of September is $3,585.00.

Scholarships

Pocket Calendar Fundraiser The October 30th mailing of the pocket calendar books will be the last for this project. We trust you will support us by sending in your TAX DEDUCTABLE donation. We are hoping you will respond this last effort, in support of the Scholarship Program. Thanks to all who have contributed to this worthy cause. Through your generosity the “Pocket Calendar Fundraiser”, has made a difference.

National Boy Scout Awards Program

The Marine Corps League supports the Boy Scouts of America as they promote traditional family values to America's youth. The Marine Corps League will participate in Scouting through assistance with units, districts, and councils, in community projects, merit badge programs, and special recognition of Eagle Scouts. * Special Notice

It saddens me to report our MCL National Boy Scout Program Chairman; Tom Minghin was recently called by the Supreme Commandant. Tom was instrumental in making the Boy Scout Program as successful as it is today. Tom was also Chair of “The Four Chaplains Program.” Thank you Tom. AWARD PRESENTATIONS

August through October the MCL Department of Maryland has presented 38 Eagle Scout “Good Citizenship Awards.” Stuart Blair, PDC Liaison MCL National Boy Scout Program

Detachment Home Dispatch

Detachment Home Maintenance Work is still going on in your home. It sure would be a great boost to us if you that are able would come once a month for 3hrs. to lend a hand. For some you may find it interesting and informative. We would like to encourage all members to make a real effort to attend the meetings and see all the work that has been put into making your home look better. We are trying to make the meetings shorter, so there will be more time for camaraderie, less formality and trying to get back to the good old times. We can only do this with your attending the meetings and will be a great boost to hard workers. Electric Wheel Chair We have an electric wheel chair if anyone needs it. Give us a call. IT’S FREE

Baltimore Detachment Hall Rental The hall rental is our main source of income for the Detachment Home. Keep promoting the hall rental. Information call Earl Ruff, Jr. @ 410-917-0578 or Will Priest @ 410-736-8531

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Marine Corps History

Question of the Month

In each month’s “GUNG HO” we will feature a question about U.S. Marine Corps history. The question will test your knowledge of well known facts of Marine Corps.

The answer to each question will be published in the following month’s issue.

Answer to September / October Question

In September 1873 one hundred and ninety Marines and seamen from the USS Pensacola and Brncla, landed at,a designated area of South America to protect the railroad and American lives and property during the revolution. What was the name of the location?

Bay of Panama, Columbia

November / December Question

Toys for Tots began in 1947 when a USMCR officer and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. Who was that Marine Corps Officer than founded the program?

a) Colonel Gerald P. Carr b) Major Douglas G. Hurley c) Colonel David M. Shoup d) Major William L. Hendricks

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Members Birthdays

We would like to wish the following Marines a “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” and many more:

NOVEMBER - Birthday Celebrations

Joseph J. Kelly, Carroll F. Dixon, Jr., Raymond A. Chatary, Sr., Joseph Schvimmer, Judith A. Hoffman, Tony N. Boston, Michael J. Piechocki, William L. Priest, John H. Acton and Darrel L. Oxyer. DECEMBER - Birthday Celebrations

Joseph F. Alder, John M. Davis, Sr., Harry R. Carroll, Robert T. Cianelli, Larry R. Smith, Marian C. James, Aleksandras Radzius, Gary Roundtree, Sr. and Ryan V. Bowerman.

Marines, if you had a birthday this month and your name did not appear, please let me know.

Stuart Blair, 410-665-6440, Email: thistleman@verizon.net

Marine of the Year Nominations

The nominations for Baltimore Detachment “Marine of the Year” are due at the January detachment meeting. Period of performance for consideration: 28 February 2019 through 31 January 2020

Criteria of Award

* Detachment Marine who during the period of consideration has demonstrated by leadership and performance an extraordinary contribution to the Detachment, Marine Corps League and Community. * Whose personal conduct has reflected favorably on and has brought credit to the Detachment, Marine Corps League and the United States Marine Corps * Lifetime achievements are NOT considered

If you have a nomination for Detachment Marine of the Year, write an explanation as to why the Marine deserves the award, mentioning the Marine's accomplishments and place the letter in a sealed envelope. Please give the nomination to Adjutant Paul Taylor by the end of the January Detachment meeting.

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Veterans Day Gesture of Appreciation We all know that "FREEDOM ISN'T FREE." It is the service and sacrifices of those men and women who have put the uniform on to protect and defend the freedoms of Our Country. Each year at MISSION BBQ, we make Veterans Day a very special day. It is our privilege to honor and support Our Uniformed American Heroes. As a small gesture of appreciation, All Veterans and Active Duty Military are served a Free Sandwich and a piece of cake on Veterans Day this year: Monday, November 11th. At noon, our ceremony will start with a live version of the National Anthem and we will recognize all Veterans in attendance as well as honor a special guest or two. We want to see as many of Our Community's Heroes at our store on this day. Please share the attached flyer with all the Veterans you know as well as any Active Duty Military personnel and any friends and family that might like to join us in honoring and celebrating the brave men and women that fought and continue to fight for the freedoms we have today and together say THANK YOU. If you have and would like to bring any current or antique military vehicles, please let me know in advance so that I can reserve a display space for you on that day. Please join us at MISSION BBQ, Perry Hall on Veterans Day: Monday, November 11th! It would be our privilege to SERVE you. Proudly Serving Those Who Serve, -- Rebecca Garner Community Ambassador MISSION BBQ

MCL Baltimore Detachment

Date: Friday 20 December

Time: 1930

Location: #17 Fire House

1426 East Fort Avenue

Pot Luck

COST: One New Toy

“TOYS FOR TOTS”

* Guests Invited

Your Greatest Gift

The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it. The presence of passion within you is the greatest gift you can receive

S. Blair.

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NON PROFI

BALTIMORE ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE US POSTAGE PAID BALTIMORE MD

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE PERMIT NO. 5964

BALTIMORE DETACHMENT

1426 East Fort Avenue (#17 Fire House) Baltimore, Maryland 21230-5247

“To observe a Marine is inspirational, to be a Marine is exceptional."

How the Marine Corps earned the Mameluke Sword Marine Corps history states that a sword of this type was presented to Marine First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon by the Ottoman Empire viceroy, Prince Hamet, on December 8, 1805, during the First Barbary War, in Libya, as a gesture of respect and praise for the Marines' actions at the Battle of Derna (1805). Upon his return to the United States, the state of Virginia presented him with a silver-hilted sword featuring an eaglehead hilt and a curved blade modeled after the original Mameluke sword given to him by Hamet. Its blade is inscribed with his name and a commemoration of the Battle of Tripoli Harbor. Perhaps due to the Marines' distinguished record during this campaign, including the capture of the Tripolitan city of Derna after a long and dangerous desert march, Marine Corps Commandant Archibald Henderson adopted the Mameluke sword in 1825 for wear by Marine officers. After initial distribution in 1826, Mameluke swords have been worn except for the years 1859–1875 (when Marine officers were required to wear the U.S. Model 1850 Army foot officers' sword), and a brief period when swords were suspended during World War II. Since that time, Mameluke swords have been worn by Marine officers in a continuing tradition to the present day.