Marine Corps League

Melvin M. Smith Detachment #586

Editors: Dennis and Sam Dressler

(509) 953-6266 (Dennis) or (509) 953-6267 (Sam)

sam.djd@comcast.net

COMMANDANTS CORNER

First things first…I am thankful for the past four plus years of being in a leadership position for this outstanding Detachment and its members.  First as a Junior Vice, Senior Vice, then finally as your Commandant.  I can’t believe my time is almost up.  I realize I am still going to be a part of this Detachment as Jr. Past, then just a plain Past Commandant, which none of our Past Commandants are plain.  I hope you see where I’m going with this…Our Past Commandants have been there to support our current leadership by helping them make sound decisions and lend a helping hand in the many endeavors we/I have pursued.  Please join me in a respectful pat on the backs of those great leaders.  With that being said, please consider joining us as leaders by running for a leadership position.  The time has come for nominations for our leadership chairs. 

Second item up for bid... The Memorial Day Committee is looking for ideas for guest speakers.  As of today, I haven’t received any recommendations for a speaker other than from Capt. Miller in his choice of Col. Bartch.  I want to avoid any incidents such as last year’s complaints about my choice in Congress-woman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers.  Nobody made a recommendation so I did.  Please call Randy with your suggestions.  Thank you.

Last item up for bid...the Department Convention is around the corner.  The dates are June 25^th through 28th.   La Quinta Inn, Tacoma is holding 75 rooms for us.  The rate is $89.00 plus tax. Breakfast is included and everyone that is registered will receive a 20% discount card for use in the hotel restaurant.  The deadline for registrations is 4 June 2009.  The hotel telephone number is 1-253-383-0146 and please mention Marine Corps League to obtain the agreed upon rate.  

Semper Fi!

Your Commandant,

Randy

998-9031

UNDER THE WEATHER (SICK REPORT)

CHAPLAIN Bill Town reports that Ben Taylor is doing fine; he and Ann were at the March dinner and White Elephant Auction.  Val Ritter is reported to be feeling well.  Otis Dennis is staying inside except on really nice days, but otherwise is doing okay.  Ray Moon is still on oxygen 24/7 and except for that is reported to being okay as well.  Dave and Carol Hamm are now doing alright despite Carol having had a set back.  Wayne and Dora Fish told Chaplain Town that Dora also had a set back but otherwise are both now doing alright.  Chaplain Town reports that his carpel tunnel surgery went well and the numbness is decreasing.

Calendar of Coming Events

From the desk of the Senior Junior Past

As of today (Mar 30) we are in the 1 week to go countdown, hoping to head north on April 5.  This is the week where all the "stuff" that has been put off for the last 5 months has to get done.  Last week was the beginning of the orange picking; still have five trees to go.  Couple of winter visitors, coming by to "pick a few to take home", are supposed to be here this week.  Interest seems to drop when they find out that oranges grow on trees with thorns, and during the picking process you get scratched and stuck, in addition to climbing a ladder to get at them.  I think they would all disappear fast if they were already in boxes on the side of the road with a "FREE" sign posted next to them.

If all goes as planned I will be at Bingo and the monthly meeting in April.

Your thought for the month: "If your car could travel at the speed of light, would the headlights work?"  (Steven Wright)

Semper Fi,  Doug

AUXILIARY REPORT

Sure signs of Spring—the snow is melting—most places at least, days are getting longer, tulips and daffodils are sprouting and… it’s time for those pesky Activity Reports.  Please be ready at the April meeting to report what it is you have been up to. . .

The March White Elephant Auction and Dinner in lieu of our regular meeting unfortunately had a small attendance.  However, what we were lacking in numbers was made up for in enthusiasm.  Jim Stailey filled in at the last minute as Auctioneer.  He did a great job soliciting bids.  The League and Auxiliary members were quite generous and were more than willing to part with their money.

 Thanks to all who attended—the funds raised will help support the unit causes for the remainder of the year.

Military Order of Devil Dogs, Jim Chamberlain Pound #185

22 March 2009:  RUFF RUFF Fellow DAWGS!!!

Sadly, we had to cancel our last meeting due to your Honorable Pound Keeper’s inability to look at his calendar.  The Department Staff meeting fell on our March 14^th Growl.  My humblest growls & groans for the mistake.  Let’s make our next growl a better one.  How about May 16^th after the Detachment’s regular meeting?   Same place, VFW 51; same time, 0900 for coffee & donuts.  (For sure this time)

RIDE THE WEST HORSE

& RANCH EXPO

Includes Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for Toys for Tots

May 22-23-24, 2009

Moved from Fairgrounds to Green Bluff Road

More details to follow next month; please save the date.

MARINE HISTORY

APRIL

Part One of a Two Part Series: Submitted by Senior Vice Commandant Jim Bennett

Vietnam Facts vs. Fiction

We do not live in Vietnam, Vietnam lives in us.

This will take your mind off of the little skirmish in Iraq; for a little while anyway.  

I found this article very interesting.   The most notable fact is that 2.7 million Americans actually served in the Vietnam Theater of war. In the last census nearly 14 million Americans claimed they served in Vietnam.   Four out of five are lying.  I wonder why.  

 Vietnam Facts vs. Fiction

For over 30 years I, like many Vietnam veterans, seldom spoke of Vietnam, except with other veterans, when training soldiers, and in public speeches.  These past five years I have joined the hundreds of thousands who believe it is high time the truth be told about the Vietnam War and the people who served there.  It's time the American people learn that the United States military did not lose the War, and that a surprisingly high number of people who claim to have served there, in fact, DID NOT.  

As Americans, support the men and women involved in the War on Terrorism.  The mainstream media is once again working tirelessly to undermine their efforts and force a psychological loss or stalemate for the United States.  We cannot stand by and let the media do to today's warriors what they did to us 35 years ago.  
 

Below are some assembled facts most readers will find interesting.  It isn't a long read, but it will....I guarantee....teach you some things you did not know about the Vietnam War and those who served, fought, or died there.  Please share it with those with whom you communicate.  

 

Capt.  Marshal Hanson, U.S.N.R (Ret.)
Capt.  Scott Beaton, Statistical Source

Vietnam War Facts: Facts, Statistics, Fake Warrior Numbers, and Myths Dispelled

9,087,000 (Million) military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975.  2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam

 

Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation.  
240 men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War  
1.   The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958.  He was with the 509th Radio

            Research Station.  Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.  
2.    58,148 were killed in Vietnam  
3.   75,000 were severely disabled.  
4.   23,214 were 100% disabled.  
5.   5,283 lost limbs.  
6.   1,081 sustained multiple amputations.  
7.   Of those killed, 61% were younger than 21.  
8.   11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old.  
9.   Of those killed, 17,539 were married.  
10.   Average age of men killed: 23.1 years.  
11.   Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old.    
12.  The oldest man killed was 62 years old.  
13.  As of January 15, 2004, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam

            War.  
14.  97% of Vietnam Veterans were honorably discharged.  
15.  91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served.  
16.  74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome.  
17.  Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups.  
18.  Vietnam veterans' personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more

            than 18%.
19.  87% of Americans hold Vietnam Veterans in high esteem.  
20.  There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam

            Veterans of the same age group (Source: Veterans Administration Study)  
21.  Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison - only one-half of one percent of Vietnam

            Veterans have been jailed for crimes.  
22.  85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.  
23.  Interesting Census Stats and "Been There" Wanabees:  
       a.  1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August, 1995 (census

            figures).  
       b.  During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have

            served in-country was: 9,492,958.  
24.   As of the current Census taken during August, 2000, the surviving U.S. Vietnam Veteran

            population estimate is: 1,002,511.  This is hard to believe, losing nearly 711,000

            between '95 and '00.  That's 390 per day.  
25.  During this Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-

            country is: 13,853,027.  

By this census, FOUR OUT OF FIVE WHO CLAIM TO BE Vietnam vets are not.  

26.  The Department of Defense Vietnam War Service Index officially provided by The War

Library originally reported with errors that 2,709,918 U.S. Military personnel as having

served in-country.  Corrections and confirmations to this erroneous index resulted in the

addition of 358 U.S.  Military personnel confirmed to have served in Vietnam but not originally

listed by the Department of Defense.  (All names are currently on file and accessible 24/7/365).  

27.     Isolated atrocities committed by American Soldiers produced torrents of outrage from anti-war

critics and the news media while Communist atrocities were so common that they received

hardly any media mention at all.  The United States sought to minimize and prevent attacks on

civilians while North Vietnam made attacks on civilians a centerpiece of its strategy.  

28.     Americans who deliberately killed civilians received prison sentences while Communists who did so

received commendations.  From 1957 to 1973, the National Liberation Front assassinated 36,725

Vietnamese and abducted another 58,499.  The death squads focused on leaders at the village level

and on anyone who improved the lives o f the peasants such as medical personnel, social workers, and

school teachers.  - Nixon Presidential Papers.  

POSTAGE INCREASES AGAIN!!

Most of you are probably already aware that the US Postal Service will be increasing the cost of first class mail by 2¢ per item.  Doesn’t sound like a lot, does it? 

With the other increases over the last several years we have seen the cost of mailing the newsletter (not production, just mailing) rise from 37¢ to 44¢ each.  Multiply that by approximately one hundred copies being mailed monthly and it starts to add up. 

To save the Detachment, Unit and Editors money we are trying to cut down on the number of snail mail newsletters.  If we have a good email address for you, that is how you will receive your newsletter.  You can always print it from the website if you like.

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