Marine Corps League
Melvin M. Smith Detachment #586
October 2007
Editors: Dennis and Sam Dressler (509) 953-6266 (Dennis), (509) 953-6267 (Sam) sam.djd@comcast.net
COMMANDANTS CORNER
First things first then…The Fourth Installment of our MCL Breakfast has me rather perplexed. We served 40 wonderfully trusting people. Although this isn’t our lowest number served, it is a trend I was hoping not to see. For all the work that our incredible volunteers put in, I was hoping for more support from our fellow Marines and their families. I know that I personally emailed everyone on my MCL and Family/Friend lists. I realize that weekends are a busy time for everyone, but all that is being asked is for one Saturday morning for you to come and enjoy breakfast with your family.
My enduring thanks go to the following for their support of our breakfast: Hank Melanson, Pat & Diane Rowand, Midge Ormsby & her grand daughter, Caitlin, Doug Shurtleff, Kay Morse, Don & Thrine Crain (spelled correct too), “Doc” David Kaltenbaugh, Bill Town, Gary Heath, Susan Douglas, Dave Tutwiler, Linda Shurtleff, Dick Jamieson, Lori & Morgan Ott, and last but certainly not least, Dennis Dressler. J
We did have one new member join our ranks on Saturday. I invited Larry Katzen-Bogan to the upcoming monthly meeting. For the rest of you, please tell your family & friends what we are doing. We are doing it again on Oct 13th at 1000 to 1200, same place for everything. May our success continue. Anyone interested in serving, cooking or cleaning up please contact me at 998-9031.
We just finished another successful coffee stop this past weekend. I will let Tim tally the funds and handle the report. Everyone that signed up showed with a smile and cheery attitude. Doug, Ann, Walt and Hank even showed up twice and George pulled an eight-hour shift. Thank you One and All. Our next stop will be in July 11 – 13, 2008. We will need more supplies, as we will have both sides of I-90.
I hope to see everyone at Dept in Yakima for those that can make it. This will actually be my Second Dept Meeting. Not to mention I will be growling into Devil Dog status after being a Pup for far too long.
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
ARDEN
A. HOWEY,
86,
passed
into rest on Thursday the 13th of September 2007 while at the
Hospice Unit of VAMC Spokane. Arden enlisted in the Marine Corps on November
14, 1938 in Spokane, Washington and was discharged on 6 September 1945, at the
Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington. While on active duty Arden served with the
14th Reserve Battalion, A 1/8, D 1/8, HQ 1/8, H&S Co, 8th
Marines, and Marine Barracks, NAO, Puget Sound; he was on detached duty at
Bangor at the time of his discharge.
Among the many places where Marine Howey served were Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian.
His awards and decorations included the Silver Star Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with 2 stars, Marine Corps Reserve Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 stars and the Victory Medal.
Arden joined the League in July 1990 and was a Life Member of the Melvin M. Smith Detachment. He is survived by his loving wife Doris.
BINGO at the VA: The September 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 Neilson, Dennis Dressler, Randy Ott and Mary Lou Nelson.
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT: Chaplain Bill Town reports Barry Blackersby has returned to work full time. Ben Taylor is reported as doing well. George Richardson is heard to be okay but Chaplain Town has had no contact with him the month. Otis Dennis is feeling better since the weather in the Tri-Cities has cooled down a bit but still needs to see a pulmonary specialist. Louise Reynolds is feeling good and has returned home. Linda Shurtleff who recently had surgery on her upper arm/shoulder took a spill and may have to have a second surgery.
The ladies of the M
elvin
M. Smith Unit continue to serve our Marine family in different ways. This
month four boxes of “goodies”
(formerly known as CARE packages) were shipped to SGT Cory Dressler (member of
MMSmith Detachment) who serves with 1/4 to share with his Marines and the
Iraqi youngsters. Another four boxes were sent to Master Sergeant Rob Swanson
for the same purpose. Rob is the son-in-law of Sam and Dennis Dressler and
just reported to his new Squadron in Iraq as their First Sergeant. Although
Air Force, Sam and Dennis are as proud of Rob as they are of Cory. (Just got
an email from Rob—the boxes arrived and he and the squadron are enjoying the
selection. Rob has a plan for taking some Iraqi kids on a field trip soon and
was wondering if we could send more candy. More information at the meeting.)
Auxiliary Minutes Sept. 13, 2007
Officers Present:
President Mary Lou Nelson, Jr. Vice President Judi Bennett
Officer Absent:
Sr. Vice President Tera Nielson, Judge Advocate Mandi Stailey
Minutes of previous meeting approved as published in newsletter.
Treasurers Report: None. Sam forgot the checkbook!
Members Sick or in Distress: Sandi Ritter (and Val) is battling a bad viral infection; Midge Ormsby is out of the hospital; Louise Reynolds is recovering from back surgery; Linda Shurtleff fell on the shoulder she just had surgery on.
Meeting closed early to pack up bags of school supplies for grades K – 12.
Respectfully submitted,
Sam Dressler, Secretary Pro Tem
COFFEE STOP: There was another coffee stop scheduled for 21, 22 & 23 September. How did we do? Come to the meeting and find out when Commandant Ott gives us a report! Thanks to all who worked this event.
The next growl of the Jim Chamberlain Pound will be a Pound Growl on 10th of November, 2007 at the Old Country Buffet at Franklin Park Mall on North Division. Elections were conducted at the growl on 29 September and PDD Doug Shurtleff was reelected to lead the pound for a second year. Installation of the Pound officers will take place at the November growl. The Pound Keepers Meritorious Commendation was presented to PDD Bill Town, PDD Bob Greer, PDD Dick Jamieson, PDD Dennis Dressler, PUP Randy Ott and PUP Jim Bennett. There are a few more awards to present but the recipients were not present. PUP Randy Ott is the 2007 Pound Dog of the Year and was presented with the mini-medal, lapel pin and certificate honoring that achievement.
Calendar of Coming Events
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Date |
Event |
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October 5 – 6 |
Dept of WA Fall Staff Meeting in Yakima (hospitality evening of 5th) |
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October 10 |
Bingo at VAMC Nursing Home Care Unit – set up at 1845 – starts 1900 |
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October 11 |
MCL/MCLA Regular Business Meeting at VFW Post 51 – starts 1900 |
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October 13 |
All Hands breakfast at VFW Post 51 (servers 0830) served 1000 to 1200 |
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November 3 |
Battery P, 5/14 Marine Corps 232nd Birthday Ball |
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November 8 |
MCL/MCLA Regular Business Meeting at VFW Post 51 – starts 1900 |
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November 10 |
Jim Chamberlain Pound No. 185 growl @ Old Country Buffet @ 0830 |
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November 14 |
Bingo at VAMC Nursing Home Care Unit – set up at 1845 – starts 1900 |
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November 26 |
Toys For Tots kick off |
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Windbreaker Anyone? Doug Shurtleff has been asked about getting more MMSmith windbreakers. If anyone is interested, please contact Doug and let him know what size and how many windbreakers you want (yes, of course, and your name).
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Join the Marines for Breakfast!
When: 10:00 to Noon, Saturday, Oct 13th 2007
Where: VFW Post 51, 300 W. Mission Ave.
(off Washington & Mission by North Central High School)
What: Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs,
Bacon, Coffee, Milk & OJ
All of this for $5.00 per person
Why: We want to make new friends and
raise money for our charities
Please come join us
enjoy some good times
and the cooking isn’t bad either!
Proceeds go to the Melvin M. Smith Det.,
Ladies Auxiliary, Devil Dogs and VFW Post 51.
AUXILIARY OFFICERS 2007-2008