Marine Corps League

Melvin M. Smith Detachment #586

November 2007

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

COMMANDANTS CORNER

First things first then…Our last breakfast of the year brought some unexpected surprises. Those surprises were pleasant to say the least. One of those surprises was a phone call from KHQ TV6 wanting to hear our story. Their interview brought us some free advertising. They spotlight the Armed Forces and local service men and women for deeds and well wishes.

As for the breakfast service and preparation, I believe we have worked out some of the rough edges. The volunteers pulled together and performed beyond expectations. Our teamwork was incredible. We will pull the ideas from the comment cards and create a better product in January 2008. We will not have a breakfast in November or December as the Marine Corps League is already committed to our 232^nd Birthday and the 2007 Toys for Tots Campaign.

With sincerity and thanks, I report our results on this endeavor. We served 57 meals and had donations of $96.00 for Sally’s House and Toys for Tots. Every little bit makes a difference. Our total income was $285.00, and our expenses were $85.00 leaving a total profit of $200.00. The split for the VFW is $50.00 and the split to the MCL is $150.00.

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.

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.

OhhRahh!!!

Semper Fi,

Randy

The Word from our Junior Vice Commandant: Marines, as we approach the birthday of our beloved Corps I feel compelled to speak eloquent in the cause of freedom. Words fail me, therefore I offer this quote of inspiration. He wasn't a Marine but was qualified on the subject nonetheless. "We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die: Our won Country's Honor, all call upon us for vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world. Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions." George Washington

Semper Fi!
Jim Bennett, Jr. Vice Commandant

Abe Lincoln Quote

BINGO at the VA: The October Bingo session was pretty darned impressive. There were many folks playing and just as many there to make sure the event went off smoothly. Many thanks to Doug and Linda Shurtleff, their granddaughters Christine and Caroline Nielson and their Mom, Tera Nielson, Dennis Dressler, Pat Rowand, and Mary Lou Nelson.

CHAPLAIN’S REPORT: Chaplain Bill Town reports Barry Blackersby is doing well; his hernia operation was well. Ben Taylor is reported as doing well. Ray Moon is doing well and said he is to come off of the “sick list”. Otis Dennis of the Tri-Cities has had his hernia operation and is doing fine; he continues to deal with emphysema but is doing okay on that front. Louise Reynolds had a couple of impacted teeth pulled. Linda Shurtleff who recently had surgery is on the road to recovery, however, she is not yet ready to start physical therapy. Bill Town has been seeing a chiropractor for the last three weeks for pain he has been experiencing; but he was able to go hunting and got his deer on the first day of the season.

LILAC CITY YOUNG MARINES invite you to attend their celebration of the Marines Corps 232^nd birthday on 10 November. If you weren’t able to get a seat at the soiree being hosted by Battery P 5/14 you are invited to celebrate the birthday of our beloved Corps with the Young Marines.

The price per person is $30. The meal choices are Prime Rib, ½ Chicken or Vegetarian Lasagna. Choice of baked or mashed potatoes, broccoli, carrots, roll and dinner salad. Soda, milk, juice or coffee. Plan to arrive at 5:30 pm with a cake ceremony at 6:15pm and dinner to be served at 6:45pm.

The event will be held at MA BARKER’S located at 5012 North Market Street in Hillyard. Please call Veronica, at 484-7796 or 489-8223, as soon as possible (yesterday would be great, but by the 3^rd of November will be alright) so that she will know that you wish to attend and also what your meal choices are so that she can notify MA BARKER to ensure sufficient quantities as possible.

Also on the Birthday Ball Front—Randy and Lori Ott are hosting a gathering at the Steam Plant Grill, in downtown Spokane, on Saturday, November 10. The prices are much more affordable than what the Battery was able to arrange at Club Fairchild. So, if you want to gather and celebrate the Birthday of our Beloved Corps you have plenty of choices for camaraderie.

For more information about the Steam Plant contact Randy @ randyottjr@yahoo.com or Lori at loriott@clcassoc.com

The next growl of the Jim Chamberlain Pound will be a Pound Growl on 10^th of November, 2007 at the Old Country Buffet at Franklin Park Mall on North Division. Installation of the Pound officers who were recently elected (or reelected as the case may be) will take place during this growl.

Calendar of Coming Events

Date	Event
November 8	MCL/MCLA Regular Business Meeting at VFW Post 51 – starts 1900
November 10	Jim Chamberlain Pound No. 185 growl @ Old Country Buffet @ 0830
November 10	Lilac City Young Marines Birthday Ball (see elsewhere in newsletter!)
November 10	Battery P, 5/14 Marine Corps 232^nd Birthday Ball
November 10	Birthday Celebration at Steam Plant Grill
November 14	Bingo at VAMC Nursing Home Care Unit – set up at 1845 – starts 1900
November 26	Toys For Tots kick off – don’t know where yet (stand by for information)

DETACHMENT OFFICERS 2007 – 2008

From the desk of the Senior Junior Vice:

Not much to report again this month. The convention committee which was originally formed in 2001 and never disbanded, is finally back in business. Dennis and Sam, Tim and Colene and Doug (without Linda) met with the convention rep at the Ramada Inn at the Airport. The Detachment will be hosting the Department Convention in 2008. Mark your calendars for June 5-8 and be in attendance with MCL members from throughout the State. The Ramada has been great to work with and the convention should be a success. However, volunteers will be needed to make it all happen. When the sign-up sheet for tasks needing to be done is passed around, be sure and sign up, and help make this weekend a success.

I did skip the last breakfast to go hunting, did get a lot of thinning and pruning done on the property so the weekend wasn't completely wasted. Did miss getting the volunteer "special breakfast", which for those of you who haven't volunteered to help, have been missing.

Devil Dog Growl will be held November 10th (Happy Birthday) at the normal meeting place. Kibbles and Bits at 0830, when the bowls have been licked clean the Growl will begin. About 0930 for those of you who are not Kibbles and Bits fans and would just like to attend the Growl. We will be finished in time for those of you going to the Birthday Ball to be able to attend. If you don't eat, you don't have to pay to be in attendance, just tell the cashier you are there for the (Growl) meeting. The normal meeting place is the Old Country Buffet at the Franklin Park Mall at North Division and Rowan.

Your thought for the month "Your real friends love you anyway"

Semper Fi, Doug

It is never too soon to start planning for the Annual Auxiliary White Elephant Auction and Dinner—Coming soon, sometime in February, 2008.

The meeting was called to order by Commandant Randy Ott at 1902. Appropriate opening ceremonies were held and a roll call of officers was conducted. Present were Commandant Ott, Junior Vice Commandant Jim Bennett, Judge Advocate Pat Rowand, Chaplain Bill Town, Adjutant Paymaster Tim Rubertt. Officers excused were Senior Vice Commandant George Barnett and Secretary Kay Morse. Absent was Junior Vice Commandant Jim Stailey. The position of Sergeant-at-Arms remains vacant but was performed at the meeting by Past Commandant Doug Shurtleff. Secretary pro tempore duties were handled by Past Commandant Dressler.

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP: It was announced that Larry Katzenbogen (2626 E. Trent, Spokane) joined the detachment during the September All Hands Pancake Breakfast. Additionally, MGYSGT Mark Curtis (ret.) formerly of the I&I Staff transferred his membership from Bruno Johnson Detachment to Melvin M. Smith Detachment.

RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL & DEPARTMENT OFFICERS: Recognized were Tim Rubertt (Department of Washington Commandant), Doug Shurtleff (Dept of Washington Awards Chair) and Dennis Dressler (Junior Past Commandant, Department of Washington.

RECOGNITION OF PAST DETACHMENT COMMANDANTS: Recognized were Doug Shurtleff, Tim Rubertt, Don Crain, Dick Jamieson and Dennis Dressler.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Were approved as published in the newsletter and on-line for both the August and September meetings.

REPORT OF PAYMASTER: Adjutant Paymaster Tim Rubertt advised the detachment of income and expenses and provided totals for both the checking account and the Relief Fund.

CHAPLAIN'S REPORT: Chaplain Bill Town advised that Ben Taylor is doing well and is waiting to go home. Louise Reynolds is also doing fine and has returned home. George Richardson (present) reported that he is doing better and is getting is shape to "get the patch" at the end of the year. Barry Blackersby is reported to being doing well. Otis Dennis (who was at the Department Staff Meeting in Yakima) will be seeing a pulmonary specialist next month as well as a cardiologist to clear him for hernia surgery. Linda Shurtleff is scheduled to have surgery next Wednesday. Ray Moon has returned to work. Carol Hamm has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure is currently in Room 538 at the VAMC here in Spokane.

Marines who have passed into rest since the last meeting were: Arden Howey, 86, member of Melvin M. Smith Detachment; Dixon L. Poole, 41; Steve Swenson 58, Vietnam vet, Recon, Sniper and RTO; James Whitley, 85, WWII, Donald Hann, 85, WWII - South Pacific; and Roy Lane, 54, who joined the Corps in 1954.

REPORT OF OFFICERS: Commandant Ott announced that the air field at the Couer d'Alene, Id airport has been rededicated and is now known as Pappy Boyington Field at the Couer d'Alene Airport.

CORRESPONDENCE: Commandant Ott announced that the "I am an American Campaign" will dedicate a larger than life sculpture at the Veteran's Home in Lewiston, Id. (see attached letter for additional detail).

REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEES: Newsletter - Dennis Dressler reported that the newsletter was mailed to the regular list but that due to a crash of the website the on-line version had to be emailed to subscribers. The site is slowly being rebuilt. Awards - Larry Marks advised that there were still awards to be presented but that those to receive the awards were not present at this meeting.

REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES: Coffee Stop - It was reported that the last stop (E/Bound at Sprague Lake) brought in approximately $600. The next coffee stop will not be until the weekend after the 4th of July 2008 when we will have both sides of the Sprague Lake Rest Stop. Please plan accordingly to attend. Memorial Day - a chairman is still needed for this committee. It is nearing time to lock in a speaker and send out invitations to dignitaries. Department Convention - Tim Rubertt reported that it will not, as previously advertised, be at the Doubletree Hotel. It will be on 5 - 6 -7 June, and the location will most likely be near the airport.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Battery P's Birthday Ball has been moved from the 3rd of November to the 10th of November. The location has changed from Mirabeau Point to Club Fairchild on Fairchild Air Force Base. Only 92 seats of the 230+ remain available.

NEW BUSINESS: Marine Stacia Douglas brought up the fact that a young Marine who was injured in Iraq and has a pregnant wife was assisted by the Wound Marine Semper Fi Fund. Marine Douglas provided a handout concerning the program to which she encouraged contributions (see attached hand out for additional detail). It was announced that there is not yet a home for the Toys For Tots program this year, but it appears we could end up back at the old Eagles Lodge as only Realtor Mr. Tombarri appears willing to assist the program with locating a usable structure. Our annual Spaghetti Feed dinner to raise money for Tots For Tots is scheduled for December 7th. Tickets will be available soon.

GOOD OF THE LEAGUE: [1] Veteran's Day is next month. Commandant Ott encourages all members to volunteer at a local school to talk to the students about their service. Randy Ott intents to volunteer at the Libby Teen Center, Doug Shurtleff indicated he would check with Glover School. [2] Marine Jack Rasmussen told the members 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.) [3] There will be another "All Hands Breakfast" this Saturday the 13th of October. Volunteers start arriving at 0830; we will serve between 1000 and 1200. Q-6 will be on-hand to see what our endeavor is all about. [4] Doc (David) indicated if the membership would like he would be willing to do a presentation each meeting, 5 minutes, on a different medical topic. The membership expressed interest.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: [1] All Hands Breakfast Saturday 13 October VFW Post 51 1000 -1200 (servers at 0830) [2] Regular Business Meeting 8 November VFW Post 51 1900 [4] Growl of Jim Chamberlain Pound No. 185 on 10 November Old Country Buffet on North Division 0830 [4] Battery P's 232nd Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Club Fairchild, FAFB (cocktails 1730; cake cutting 1830, dinner 1930 and dancing at 2030) [5] Bingo at VAMC Nursing Home Care Unit 1900 (set up between 1830 and 1900) [6] Spaghetti Feed for Toys For Tots December 7th - serve from 1600 to 2000 [7] Department of Washington Spring Staff Meeting 11 - 12 April 2008 at Oxford Suites, Yakima

Appropriate closing ceremonies were conducted and the meeting was closed at 1955. There were 22 members in attendance.

If you missed the information regarding the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, more can be found on their website at www.SempferFiFund.org or send an email to: info@SemperFiFund.org

November 2007

AUXILIARY OFFICERS 2007-2008

DETACHMENT OFFICERS 2007 – 2008