June 2008

Editors: Dennis and Sam Dressler (509) 953-6266 (Dennis), (509) 953-6267 (Sam) sam.djd@comcast.net

MARINE TIMOTHY J. RUBERTT

May 28, 1966 – May 16, 2008

WE HAVE LOST A FRIEND, A WARRIOR AND OUR BROTHER. On the 16^th of May Tim Rubertt entered into rest. As was so typical of Tim he was getting ready to go to Ride the West to make sure the pancake breakfast and the silent auction for Toys for Tots would go off without a hitch.

At the time of his passing Tim was serving as the Adjutant Paymaster of the Detachment and was finishing up his second year as the Commandant of the Department of Washington. According to his bio in the Unit History book Tim joined the Corp in 1984 here in Spokane and was released from active duty in 1988 at 29 Palms, Ca. He served with Oscar Battery, 5^th Battalion, 11^th Marines, 1^st Marine Division and he wore the Good Conduct Medal.

He joined the League in 1989 and held all elected positions with the detachment other than Judge Advocate. At the Department he held all elected positions. Tim’s rack of ribbons was enormous, not that he ever wore them; he wasn’t about the recognition for his accomplishments but for the work accomplished and the people assisted by his efforts. Ride The West Horse Show, Toys For Tots, Bingo at the VA Nursing Home, cooking for the Marines of Papa 5/14 and their families as they were deploying and again when they returned, Coffee Stops, Spaghetti Feed, Memorial Day ceremonies, Youth Sports (hockey, baseball, football), Bosco House, Morning Star Boy’s Ranch and the list could continue.

No one person, other than Colene, knew everything that Tim had a hand with and by his participation made more successful. Although he is now “guarding the streets of Heaven” (okay, discussing hockey and other issues with God) Tim remains our friend, our warrior and our brother.

The boots that he left behind are large; the task of filling them awesome. Tim expects that we respond with a “Good to go” and endeavor to do just that --- fill his boots. God bless the United States of America, the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps League, and God bless Tim, Colene and Timmy.

COMMANDANTS CORNER

First things first then…Our Detachment has lost A Marine, A Brother, A Friend, A Leader. Tim Rubertt has left our ranks to join those who have gone before us to protect the streets of Heaven. He will be deeply missed. He did a lot for this Detachment as well as many other things that he was involved with. This Detachment will respectfully honor Tim at his Memorial service to be held on June 8^th at 1100 hours. I am asking everyone for their attendance because he made a lot of good things happen for a lot of people. I want a super strong showing at the ceremony so that Colene & Timmy can see just how much Tim meant to all of us and how much they mean to us.

I am asking for volunteers to help set up and tear down for the ceremony. The Navy is lending us as many chairs as they have and the PA system (fully charged too). I need to get the chairs to and from the ceremony. Any ideas? Anybody own a U-haul or large trailer? Call me please; otherwise we will rent a U-haul to get this done.

Second up…May has been filled with joy and sorrow. We welcomed “Papa” Battery home at the end of April. We overcame a shock to make the Toys for Tots fundraiser a success at the Horse Show and supported Operation Spokane Heroes’ Pancake Breakfast. Thank you to the Marines for stepping up and helping us in our time of need. It was greatly appreciated.

Last item up for bid…the Memorial Day Ceremony was a huge success with some minor glitches. By initial counts, there were over 300 people in attendance. The lunch count was over 80. The Marines and the Sailors did a wonderful job. Thank you all that attended or supported the Ceremony.

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 to those that have come out and helped…

For those of you who don’t help out every once in awhile, you need to come up with a better excuse…because they are getting old…geez people…

OhhRahh!!!

Semper Fi,

Randy

RED ALERT --

COFFEE STOP (SERVERS WANTED/NEEDED)

Please make an effort to support this coffee stop as we will be hosting both sides of I-90 on the same weekend. If you can’t make the trip due to gas prices, consider donating the 10 or 20 bucks you would have spent to get there instead. We can also carpool. The roundtrip is 100 miles. Doug and Bill have graciously volunteered to stay at the stops to open and close for the 3 days, but the rest of the time still needs to be filled. Supplies are needed (cookies, napkins, coffee, cups, sugar/creamer packets, juice mix) The sign up roster will be at the June meeting and I will post it as it becomes fuller. As of right now, it is pretty open. L

CHAPLAINS REPORT: Our Chaplain, Bill Town, reports that Ben Taylor is doing fine. Otis Dennis is well – on new meds and has a clean bill of health. Dave & Carol Hamm are doing well and both were in attendance at the Memorial Day services. Val Ritter still is reporting low platelets. Wayne Fish is reported to have a leaky heart valve and his wife, Dora, has Parkinson’s.

Calendar of Coming Events

Date	Event
05 June	Early Registration Dept of WA Convention @ Airport Ramada Inn
06 June	Department Convention opens
07 June	Department Convention, Awards Banquet & Installation of Officers
08 June	Memorial Service for Tim – Spokane Memorial Gardens @ 1100
11 June	Bingo @ VAMC NHCU Dining Hall @ 1900
12 June	MCL/MCLA Regular Business Meeting/Awards @ VFW Post 51 @ 1900
11-13 July	Coffee Stop, I-90, Sprague Lake Rest Areas, East and West Bound

MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES

were held at Fairmont Memorial Cemetery in conjunction with VFW Post 51. The guest speaker was Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers who was accompanied by her husband Brian (a retired Naval Aviator, S-3’s) and their infant son. Also in attendance were Mayor Mary Verner, Sheriff Ozzie Kenezovich, and the Base Commander from Fairchild Air Force Base. League and Auxiliary members in attendance at the ceremony, the luncheon that followed or both include: Colene and Timmy Rubertt, Doug Shurtleff, Tera, Christine, Caroline and MacKenzie Nielson, Manny Esparza, Randy and Laurie Ott and their daughters Morgan and Taylor, Sam and Dennis Dressler, Jim Stailey and his son Josh, Art Stelting, Norm Sanborn, Val and Sandy Ritter, Dean Ladd, Dick and Donna Jamieson, Walt McKee, Thrine and Don Crain, Jack and LaRee Rasmussen, Louise Reynolds, Jerry Winters, Dave and Carol Hamm, Hank Melanson, Kay and Joan Morse, Doris Howey, Pat and Dianne Rowand, Jim Bennett, Larry and Bobbi Marks and Marshall Smith.

COFFEE STOP INFORMATION

The coffee stop trailer has been inventoried. There is still time to sign-up, or if you "druther" donate to help defray the costs the following items are needed. Coffee 5 cans, sweet 'n low, Coffee Mate creamer, 1 large box Costco cups 8oz, 10, or 12oz, napkins, and cookies (not oatmeal). A good spot to purchase cookies (if you are not baking) is at a Dollar Store.
Call Doug if any questions 328-5837 (hm). Coffee Stop dates July 11, 12 and 13. Both sides at the Sprague Lake Rest Area. Call Randy to see what times and days are available. Choice times and locations are going fast, but not as fast as we would like. The sign up sheet will also be at the June meeting.

From the Desk of the Senior Junior Past,

Convention time is almost upon us. Since I have heard from no one wanting me to pickup items for bags or the silent auction, I'm assuming that you will all be bringing the things you have lined up to the Convention Hotel (Airport Ramada). Set up will be starting on Thursday morning (June 5th) with registration starting at 1300. All members are invited to stop by the hospitality room to chat and bid on the silent auction items ( even if you are not attending the meetings). There will be some great items up for bid so be sure to bring lots of folding green. Checks might be accepted after a complete background check. The meetings will be held on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning (June 6 & 7) with a Devil Dog Growl on Saturday afternoon.

All members should be giving your Commandant a big thank you for setting up and running the Memorial Day services at Fairmont Memorial Park. My thanks to those members who stepped up and assisted after arriving and volunteering (sort of) on short notice. Other than a music glitch things went off well. A nice crowd in attendance with many positive comments as we were securing and loading the trucks. Outstanding lunch at the VFW afterwards, a buffet with the three main food groups; meat, potatoes and gravy. I'm sure no one went home hungry.

I'm running out of military thoughts for the month, so you will be getting some generic ones: "I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize." (Steven Wright)

Semper Fi, Doug

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
1	2	3	4	5 Early check in Dept Convention	6 Department Convention	7 Department Convention
8 Memorial Service for Tim Rubertt Spokane Memorial Gardens 11:00 a.m.	9	10	11 Bingo VAMC 7:00 p.m.	12 MCL/MCLA Meeting VFW51 7:00 p.m.	13	14
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30