March 2008

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

COMMANDANTS CORNER

First things first then…Thanks to our Marines who made the Auxiliary’s Valentine Auction a huge success. I will let Sam give you the results. It was a great evening of fun and laughter. I only wish we could have had more of a turn out, but those that attended really had a great time. We have many wonderful members and their families to thank for the continued support of our Detachment.

Papa Battery Marines will be returning soon. With the support of the Auxiliary, MCL and the Marine Wives, we are going to support their return with pride and make them glad to be home. I apologize for letting my busy first year of teaching get in the way of keeping in touch with the Battery as much as I’d hoped. It seems like yesterday that we were cooking for their going away.

Next item up for bid is the need for volunteers at our next MCL Breakfast on the 15^th of March at 0730. Doc should be there this time as well as most of the usual suspects. (I mean dedicated members) You know who you are. Please spread the word.

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.

Semper Fi,

Randy

PS. Only after your computer crashes is it too late to back up your computer files.

From our Junior Vice Commandant,

on assignment in sunny Arizona:

Greetings all, we have some wonderful experiences because of our brotherhood. Here is a story of the Benson

Marine Wife.

This week Judi and I stopped in Benson, Arizona for gas. While I was in the station paying for my purchase, Judi saw a young mid twenties lady get out of her SUV and nervously approach her. “I saw the Marine Corps sticker on your car and knew I could trust you.” The young lady said. “My husband is a Marine in Iraq and I’m on my way to Texas to see my sick grandmother. My two babies are asleep in the car and I have to go to the bathroom. Would you please watch them for me?”

Judi quickly agreed and the young Mother ran into the station. A few minutes later she came out and gave my wife a big hug saying, “Thank you so very much. I knew I could count on you when I saw the Marine Corps sticker.” Judi told her we are In the Marine Corps League and we are always there for our troops and their families. The young Marine wife and her babies went on their way as did we happy in the knowledge that Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Semper Fi!

Jim Bennett

Abe Lincoln Quote BINGO at the VA: For the first time that I have been going to the bingo sessions we were unable to perform our duties twice in a row. This time it was because the hospital didn’t have us on the schedule. Thanks to Pat Rowand and Sam Dressler for both being there so I didn’t feel so lonely when I left without having any patients with which to visit.

Is it time that we consider giving up this activity? There are less and less people showing up (volunteers) each month to put on this patient oriented pass-time. I have been doing this for 12 years or more and am starting to get discouraged.

The Jim Chamberlain Pound growl that was scheduled for the 1^st of March at Old Country Buffet was cancelled for two reasons. One was that our room was “booked out from under us” and for the second time in a row we failed to make quorum (my thanks to Randy Ott, Bob Greer and Hank Melanson for showing up --- I hate to eat alone). Your Dog Robber will take the hit for having not gotten a newsletter out in advance (work got in the way of being a volunteer) but the meeting was also noted in the last League newsletter both in the section with the MODD logo and in the Calendar of Events. Who knows, maybe third time will be a charm. There is a growl of the Washington Pack on Saturday the 12^th of April at the Oxford Inn and Suites in Yakima; the next Pound growl is scheduled for Saturday 10 May at Old Country Buffet.

SICK REPORT FROM OUR CHAPLAIN: Chaplain Bill Town reports that Don Taylor continues to reside at the rest home but otherwise is doing fine. Otis Dennis is reported to be doing “pretty good”. Norm Sanborn is doing fairly good but has dropped weight from 175 to 135 pounds; he was in the hospital for a week and then three weeks at St. Luke’s. Val Ritter was reported to not be feeling well; his blood count continues to run very low. Dave Hamm fell and hit his head and has been feeling light headed. Louise Reynolds is said to being doing well and recently made a trip to Tampa, Fl.

Calendar of Coming Events

Date	Event
12 March	Bingo @ VAMC Nursing Home Care Unit – set up @ 1845
13 March	Regular Business Meeting of MCL/A @ 1900 – VFW Post 51
15 March	MCL All Hands Breakfast 0900 – 1100 (servers at 0730) @ VFW Post 51
9 April	Bingo @ VAMC Nursing Home Care Unit – set up at 1845
10 April	Regular Business Meeting of MCL/A @ 1900 – VFW Post 51
11 – 13 April	Dept of WA MCL/MCLA Staff Meeting in Yakima @ Oxford Inn & Suites
12 April	Pack of Washington Growl following Department Staff meeting
19 April	MCL All Hands Breakfast VFW Post 51 0900 to 1100 (servers report at 0730)
26 May	Memorial Day Ceremony at Fairmont Memorial Cemetery TBA

WHITE ELEPHANT AUCTION

WOW!!

I don’t recall how many years the auxiliary has been hosting the white elephant auction, but this was definitely our best result since I have been treasurer.

My thanks to all who attended, those who could not but sent cash or gifts in lieu of attending, and the members of the VFW who joined in the fun.

A big, big thank you to Monte, our wonderful auctioneer; he did a great job of getting everyone to part with their cash. Thanks also to Marie and her crew for another fine job in the kitchen.

Remember, all funds raised will be used to support the work of the Auxiliary throughout the year, including, but not limited to: Care Packages to Service Members, Operation Little Angel (Sally’s House), Holiday Families, and the VA Picnic.

Mark your calendars for next year, and be on the look out for those Elephants!

Thanks again,

Sam

Operation Spokane Heroes

When: Tuesday, March 11th (always the 2nd Tuesday of the Month)
Time: 4:00 PM
Where: Global Credit Union (1520 W. Third Ave) - Basement Auditorium

Men and women from every branch of the military are answering the call to protect the freedoms that make this nation great, but the call to action is not for them alone to answer. It is up to each of us to do our part to support our military, and perhaps more importantly- to support the families of those who have left for foreign soil.

Operation Spokane Heroes (OSH) is designed to help us, as a community, do just that. By showing our support to military families, we let them know their importance to the Spokane Region and our country. This past year OSH helped families of deployed families from the National Guard, Reserves, and Active Duty and there is always more than can be done.

This organization is full of wonderful volunteers who have a caring heart for those who serve. If you have never attended a meeting, I encourage you to consider coming out to see what it is all about. We need your ideas to put into action!

Please don't hesitate to e-mail me should you have any questions.

Best regards,
Aimee Henneke

operationspokaneheroes@gmail.com

Open to the Public