Marine Corps League

Melvin M. Smith Detachment #586

December 2007

COMMANDANTS CORNER

First things first then…Thanks to everyone for sharing in the 232^nd Marine Corps Birthday. I hope that everyone had a splendid time no matter where or who you celebrated our beloved birthday. November is a month of celebration and remembrance for Veterans. I wish to thank Pat Rowand, Larry Marks and “Doc” Dave for sharing in the celebration at the Libby Center where Capt Miller and GySgt Assoui were the guest speakers along with LtCol Cahill from FAFB. I greatly appreciate the presence of the I & I Marines. I also shared some words about Veteran’s Day. Thanks to Doug and Walt for being at Glover Middle for their ceremony. I’m hoping for better logistics and turnout next year.

This brings us to our next endeavor for the month of December, Toys 4 Tots. As many of you live for this time of the year, it is now your time to shine. I thank you in advance for your tireless efforts at the Warehouse in the many tasks required to make T4Ts such a great success and charity to the needy families of the Greater Spokane Area. We have the annual T4T’s Spaghetti Feed on the 7^th of Dec at VFW 51 from 4 to 8 pm. Cost is the same as always: $5 per adult and $4 for kids under 10. So spread the word and be there to enjoy the cooking. They do it far better than the Breakfast crew we have. J Just kidding.

As for other events during the season, I only have the Chiefs Hockey games on the 8^th, 12^th, 14^th and 15^th at 1730 in the Arena. If you want to volunteer for more events, contact GySgt Assoui or me and I will forward the request.

Hope to see as many of you as possible at the kick off for Toys for Tots and our 2007 Campaign for the children of Spokane.

As for our Breakfast event, we have settled on the 19^th. We are serving earlier to attract the early birds. So breakfast starts at 9:00 to 11:00. The Growl will be held before the meal. Volunteers not MODD may show up at 7:30 to start kitchen set up and cooking…See you there J

I will continue to be available for any suggestions or the need for help. My phone is 998-9031 and my email is randyottjr@yahoo.com.

Thank you for your support, continue to enjoy life and those around you.

Sincerely,

OhhRahh!!!

Semper Fi,

Randy

Hello my fellow Marines!

I am sending this request due to the nature of the season. Toys for Tots has always been the time of the year for our Detachment to shine. The 2007 campaign opened on Monday in a less then spectacular fashion as is customary, but no matter, it is here upon us just the same. Volunteers are needed to man the phones, pack toys, receive toys into the warehouse, and a number of events could even be manned in red coats along with the Marines in Dress Blues. Any type of work you would like to do or be available to do is greatly appreciated. The warehouse is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm. GySgt Assaoui is the coordinator this year. Capt Miller is the new I & I. Please support as you can. Tim is at the warehouse on a daily basis. Thank you in advance :)

Semper Fi,

Randy Ott

HEY! THAT’S SOME SPAGHETTI! Once again it is time for the Melvin M. Smith Annual Spaghetti Feed to support Toys For Tots. When? Friday 7^th of December. What time? We start serving at 4PM and serve until 8PM. Cost? $5 a person, children under 10 are $4. As always we can use volunteers to serve meals, bus the tables and wash dishes. So why not grab the family, and the next door neighbors and friends and come on down to VFW Post 51, located at 300 W. Mission. See you there!

Abe Lincoln Quote

BINGO at the VA: The November Bingo session had another impressive turnout. There were twice as many people working as we had players! On hand were: Dick Jamieson, Donna Hooft, Pat Rowand, Randy Ott, Tim Rubertt, Doug Shurtleff, Tera, Christine and Carolyn Neilson, Dennis Dressler and Marylou Nelson. Also assisting was Randy’s daughter, Taylor. Thanks to one and all. Don’t forget—Bingo is always on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month.

The next growl of the Jim Chamberlain Pound will be a Pound Growl on 19 January 2008. The Growl will be held at VFW Post #51 located at 300 W. Mission. As is usual, this will be a breakfast growl; especially as the All hands breakfast sponsored by the Detachment will be serving from 0900 until 1100. Please see article from Randy elsewhere in this newsletter.

Calendar of Coming Events

Date Event

1 – 23 December	Toys For Tots Warehouse open Monday – Friday 9 AM to 6 PM and on Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM @ Old Eagles Aerie #2, 315 E. Francis
7 December	Toys For Tots Spaghetti Feed @ VFW Post 51 – serving from 4 to 8 PM
12 December	Bingo @ VAMC Spokane Nursing Home Care Unit – set up @ 1845
13 December	Regular Business Meeting of Melvin M. Smith Unit & Det @ 1900 – VFW Post 51
25 December	Christmas
9 January	Bingo @ VAMC Spokane Nursing Home Care Unit – set up @ 1845

11 -13 January	QUIN Conference – St. Louis, Missouri
16 – 18 January	Marine West (Expo) – Camp Pendleton, Ca.
19 January	Jim Chamberlain Pound MODD Growl @ VFW Post #51
19 January	All Hands Breakfast @ VFW Post #51 – volunteers report at 0730, serve from 9AM to 11AM
7 – 9 February	MidWinter National Staff Conference – Falls Church, VA
13 February	Bingo @ VAMC Spokane Nursing Home Care Unit – set up @ 1845
14 February	Regular Business Meeting of Melvin M. Smith Unit & Det @ 1900 – VFW Post 51 – well not so regular this month. This will be the “abbreviated format” in order that everyone is able to participate in the Auxiliary’s annual Valentines Dinner and White Elephant Auction (see else where in newsletter for more details)

Marine Jack Rasmussen told the members of the detachment of a painting that a friend of his finished the day before 9-11. The painting is that of the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima. It has already been signed by numerous individuals that had anything to do with the battle on Iwo Jima but Jack is hoping to get as many Iwo Marines to sign it as possible. Jack will have the art work at his home for a while longer; if you are eligible to be a signer, please contact Jack. (Note: Jack Krell, Walt McKee and Jack Rasmussen are among those who served at Iwo Jima.)

GRAHAM CRUTCHFIELD NEEDS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR KNIVES: Graham has been contacted by the Navy Seabees that they are aware of the Buck Knife offer and would like to be included. They have served in the Iraq Theater and are qualified. Graham had purchased over 100 Navy knives the bulk of which have been given out to worthy veterans. One hundred more have been ordered so we are canvassing veterans to support the cost of these additional knives. Graham has given his personal check to purchase them. Let us not leave him on the hook as the only Patriot in the Inland Northwest. Names of those donating will be given with each knife presented.

Each knife is worth around $100 retail but made available by Chuck Buck for $35.75. Please consider buying one or more for these Vets who are so impressed by them and for those who so outwardly support our troops. Each knife has the Navy Logo on the blue wood handle and the date the Navy was established on the blade.

Contributions can be sent to me as a check made out to Graham Crutchfield, as Buck Knives is not involved in their distribution. Buck will send the entire production to Graham. He gets a lot of support from the Cd`A area. We in the Spokane deserve to be recognized as equally supportive. Past drives were closed out quickly so please take action now to get your contribution in.

Kay Morse 2428 W. Liberty Ave Spokane, WA 99205-2467 328-2295

Graham Crutchfield 11492 Stinson Loop Hayden, ID 83835 (208) 762-0773

Thanks for your support, Kay Morse

Auxiliary News: The unit is continuing to send care packages to service members in Iraq. The Post Office was already feeling overwhelmed the other day when I took in another 12 boxes filled with various books, jerky, candy, snacks, toiletry items and other stuff. Should have seen the look from people who had to wait behind me!

The Annual Valentine’s Dinner and White Elephant Auction is scheduled for Thursday, February 14, 2008 (Just happens to be our regular meeting night). Information on the menu will be available soon.

Sam

This piece, appearing next, which sees wide circulation every Christmastime, is generally credited to "a Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan" (or, since 11 September 2001, "a Marine stationed in Afghanistan"). More specifically, the poem is often attributed to an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel named Bruce Lovely, who purportedly penned it on Christmas Eve 1993 while stationed in Korea (and saw it printed under his name in the Ft. Leavenworth Lamp a few years later):

“I arrived in Korea in Jul 93 and was extremely impressed with the commitment of the soldiers I worked with and those that were prepared to give their lives to maintain the freedom of South Korea. To honor them, I wrote the poem and went around on Christmas Eve and put it under the doors of US soldiers assigned to Yongsan”.

This attribution does a great disservice to the poem's true author, James M. Schmidt, who was a Lance Corporal stationed in Washington, D.C., when he wrote the poem back in 1986. As Corporal Schmidt told us in December 2002: The true story is that while a Lance Corporal serving as Battalion Counter Sniper at the Marine Barracks 8th & I, Washington, DC, under Commandant P.X. Kelly and Battalion Commander D.J. Myers [in 1986], I wrote this poem to hang on the door of the Gym in the BEQ. When Colonel Myers came upon it, he read it and immediately had copies sent to each department at the Barracks and promptly dismissed the entire Battalion early for Christmas leave. The poem was placed that day in the Marine Corps Gazette, distributed worldwide and later submitted to Leatherneck Magazine. Schmidt's original version, entitled "Merry Christmas, My Friend," was published in Leatherneck (Magazine of the Marines) in December 1991, a full two years before it was supposedly "written" by someone else on Christmas Eve 1993 (and had appeared in the Barracks publication Pass in Review four years before it was printed in Leatherneck). As Leatherneck wrote of the poem's author in 2003:

"Merry Christmas, My Friend" has been a holiday favorite among "leatherneckphiles" for nearly the time it takes to complete a Marine Corps career. Few, however, know who wrote it and when. Former Corporal James M. Schmidt, stationed at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., pounded it out 17 years ago on a typewriter while awaiting the commanding officer's Christmas holiday decorations inspection . . . while other leathernecks strung lights for the Barracks' annual Christmas decoration contest, Schmidt contributed his poem to his section.

Over the years the text of "Merry Christmas, My Friend" has been altered to change Marine-specific wording into Army references (including the title: U.S. Marines do not refer to themselves as "soldiers") and to incorporate line-ending rhyme changes necessitated by those alterations.

We reproduce Corporal Schmidt's version as printed in Leatherneck back in 1991.

Merry Christmas, My Friend

T’was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give and to see just who in this home did live

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand. On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen. This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them; I had to see more, so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone; curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene, not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read? Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan. I soon understood this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night, owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,

And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year, because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye. I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice, "Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice.
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more. My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still. I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red, and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold, with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,

and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night, this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure, said

"Carry on, Santa; it's Christmas Day, all secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right,

Merry Christmas, my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

The Navy's Medal of Honor was the first approved and the first designed. The initial work was done by the Philadelphia Mint at the request of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. The Mint submitted several designs for consideration, and the one prepared by the Philadelphia firm of William Wilson & Sons was the design selected.

The selected Medal of Honor design consisted of an INVERTED, 5-pointed STAR. On each of the five points was a cluster of LAUREL leaves to represent victory, mixed with a cluster of OAK to represent strength. Surrounding the encircled insignia were 34 stars, equal to the number of stars in the U.S. Flag at the time in 1862....one star for each state of the Union including the 11 Confederate states. The stars are also symbolic of the "heavens and the divine goal which man has aspired to since time immemorial" according to Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress back in 1777. Inside the circle of 34 stars were engraved two images. To the right is the image of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and war. On her helmet is perched an owl, representing WISDOM. In keeping with the Roman tradition, her left hand holds a bundle of rods and an ax blade, symbolic of authority. The shield in her right hand is the shield of the Union of our states (similar to the shield on our seal and other important emblems.) Recoiling from Minerva is a man clutching snakes in his hands. He represented DISCORD and the insignia came to be known as "Minerva Repulsing Discord". Taken in the context of the Civil War soldiers and sailors struggling to overcome the discord of the states and preserve the Union, the design was as fitting as it was symbolic.

1) The ribbon that held the medal was originally a blue bar on top and 13 red and white stripes running vertically. The 13 represents the original 13 colonies. The color white represents purity and innocence, red represents hardiness, valor and blood, blue signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. The stripes also represent the rays of the sun.

2) Since this time much of the symbolism in the Medal of Honor has not changed much. The Army MOH was created soon after the original Navy MOH in 1862. It included an Eagle, symbolizing the United States of America, was perched on a cannon and saber grasped in its talons.

3) In 1904 the Gillespie version of the MOH included a simple portrait of a helmeted Goddess of War to replace the "Minerva repelling discord" scene. The red, white and blue ribbon was replaced with a light blue and 13 white stars. The 13 is once again the original 13 colonies.

4) In 1919 the Tiffany Cross version of the MOH had a Maltese Cross instead of an inverted star. The Maltese Cross' eight points symbolize the 8 virtues of a knight. A cross itself also represents the four cardinal directions and the sun. This design was discontinued in 1942 due to its unpopularity.

5) In 1965 the Air Force MOH was created and it replaced the Minerva portrait with the head of the Statue of Liberty. Lady liberty has a pointed crown instead of a helmet. And she does stand for liberty although she is derived from the imagery of Semiramis, wife of Nimrod, and Queen of Babylon. Semiramis was famed for her beauty, strength, and wisdom and was said to have built the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon. She purportedly reigned for 42 years after taking control from Nimrod. She is a mythical figure who might be somewhat based upon a historical figure.

December 2007

DETACHMENT OFFICERS 2007 – 2008

AUXILIARY OFFICERS 2007-2008