Marine Corps League
Melvin M. Smith Detachment #586
February 2008
Editors: Dennis and Sam Dressler (509) 953-6266 (Dennis), (509) 953-6267 (Sam) sam.djd@comcast.net
AUXILIARY ANNUAL WHITE ELEPHANT AUCTION AND DINNER
Thursday, February 14, 2008
(Yes, this is our meeting night)
Menu choices are 8 oz Prime Rib or Baked Filet of Sole
All dinners include with Potato, Vegetable,
Salad, Rolls, Butter and Dessert
Price is $16.00 per person. Please let Sam know of your dinner preference
by February 10, 2008. Send an email to sam.djd@comcast.net or call 953-6267.
COMMANDANTS CORNER
First things first then…Thanks to our Marines who made the January Breakfast a success. Our volunteers were extremely busy with a crowd of over 60 people. The word is spreading and more help is needed. With that said, February is almost here. We have a busy month with another Breakfast on the 9th at 0900 to 1100. Please spread the word.
Our Auxiliary is holding their incredible White Elephant Auction/Dinner on Valentine's Nite, of all nights. Everything will start after our shortened Business meeting at 1830. Please come join us or consider making a donation in lieu of your presence such as Jack & LaRee Rasmussen have done. The Auxiliary has been doing some great things with their donations. The Marines in Iraq & Afghanistan can attest to their generosity.
Next item up for bid is the need for committee members for our Memorial Day and Our 233rd Birthday Ball. We need support with your ideas and concerns from our past mistakes.
Last thing before my computer crashes again, Marines from "Papa" Battery will be returning soon. The right and proper thing for us to do is to welcome them home with a hearty showing and support of their families just as we did in June to send them off. This is just a thought to get the wheels of thought rolling.
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
BINGO at the VA: It is with great regret that I must report that we had to cancel the January 2008 Bingo session. The snow fall was bad and only Sam and I were present. As the number of patients that needed help was greater than those available to assist them we had to cancel for the first time that I can recall. Hope to see a good turnout of volunteers on Wednesday the 13th of February.
From the Arizona mini
Desk of the Senior Junior Past
Sorry to be missing the wonderful winter wonderland this year. Another cool
winter in the southland,
still haven't had to wear shorts and/or a tank top.
Staying busy remodeling the house; finished taping
and texturing the living room, dining room and hall, so now it all has to be
painted. Updated all the
electrical in those rooms also. It's tough being retired.
Attended the January meeting of the Territorial Detachment they are doing
nominations for the coming
year. I didn't get nominated; looks like their current officers are remaining
in place. Missed their GROWL,
it was held on a Wednesday evening; I was over
at CamPen attending the Expo and didn't make it back
in time. Another great Expo, I believe it was the largest I have attended,
many new exhibitors in
attendance, filled a bag with the salesman samples and give away items. Also
met up with one of the Marines I was in boot camp
with, we went down to MCRD to lay the groundwork for a 50th platoon reunion.
Jim and Judy Bennett stopped by and spent a few days. Linda and Judy took a
bus trip to San Diego and visited quilt shops;
they managed to spend enough to help the southern California economy. Jim and
I stayed in Yuma and attended a wood carver
convention. Jim spent and I looked. Was talking to a former Marine at one of
the tables and it turned out he was in the same
series as I at MCRD, he was platoon 348, I was platoon 349. Also did the
mandatory Mexico trip and managed to get back across
the border OK.
Your thought for the month: "Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last,
and don't ever volunteer to do anything." From an
unidentified Navy seaman.
Semper Fi, Doug
FROM OUR JUNIOR VICE COMMANDANT: Greetings, fellow Marines of the Melvin M. Smith Detachment.
Tucson has been better in weather only as I miss our camaraderie very much. Judi and I did have a nice visit with
Senior past Commandant Doug Shurtleff and Linda in Yuma. While the girls talked quilting Doug and I compared notes
and stories that span the past 50 years since we earned the right to be called Marines. It never ceases to amaze me the
brotherhood we share and the pride we each exhibit in telling and retelling adventures and sea stories. The old Master
Guns kept me awed with his knowledge of our Corps and those that make it great.
I know I’ve told some of you of my reluctance to attend meetings post retirement, but the truth is our meetings are more a
family get together for me. My sincere thanks to all for including me in our band of brothers. Lastly, a word of wisdom: If the
enemy is in range, so are you. I’ll see you in March.
Semper Fi!
Jim Bennett
Junior Vice Commandant
The
next growl of the Jim Chamberlain Pound will be a Pound Growl on 1 March
2008. The Growl will be held
at Old Country Buffet where it normally is conducted. It will be a breakfast growl with kibbles and bits at 0830 and the growl to follow. Due to a lack of a quorum there was no growl on 19 January 2008.
SICK
REPORT FROM OUR CHAPLAIN: Chaplain
Bill Town reports that Ben Taylor is
doing fine. Otis Dennis is doing okay, but doesn’t care for the winter cold. Norm Sanborn had broken ribs this summer and is in Valley General Hospital; he has a tumor in his stomach and also has diabetes. Norm has been very weak but is starting to feel better. Val Ritter had a blood transfusion on the Friday the 18th and missed the Devil Dog growl on the 19th. He is still weak; his platelet count is very low.
Calendar of Coming Events
