Newsletter

I trust all had a Merry Christmas and a safe celebration of the passing of 2009. 2010 is upon us and we have a lot to look forward to. (I peeked at the Adjutant/Paymasters list.) The New Year is like a do-over when we were kids. Last year is done, and this has just begun. What bold adventures lie ahead! OK, maybe some are not so bold, but our activities are very worthwhile.

It is with a major dose of pride that I hear comments about the Toys for Tots Campaign just completed and hear folks say,” thank God for the Marines! They made Christmas possible.”

Judi and I are enjoying the weather and friends here in Tucson and look forward to our return to our home in Spokane and our Marine Corps League Family there. Best wishes for the New Year, I leave you with this word of wisdom:

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them” Thomas Jefferson

SICK LIST-- Bill Town had his shoulder surgery. Surgery took a little longer than expected but he is home now and doing fine. His neighbors took care of the snow shoveling for him. Ben Taylor is doing fine. Otis Dennis is fine. Dave and Carol Hamm have moved into Park Place Assisted Living. Ann Whitney worked Toys for Tots. Don Crain worked Toys for Tots. For a sick list, we are doing pretty well!

From the desk of Doug,

It is Christmas morning and all is well here in Yuma. Spent a couple of days in the Phoenix area visiting Linda's extended family, glad to be back in small town USA. Traffic never seems to slow down in Phoenix ‘til there is a wreck, then it stands still. Just missed the big I-10 wreck on Tuesday. Got on I-8 just west of the accident and had hardly any traffic behind us heading west to Yuma. The wind was blowing but the heavy dust was behind us. I am attending the League meetings and a growl here, the League doesn't participate in the T4T program. Stopped in at the warehouse, a very small building in the mall with not much activity when I was there. Active duty and Reserves and their families run the program.

The wind is still blowing, but it's a warm wind.

Here is wishing all of you in the North Country a Happy New Year

Your thought for the month: "Everyone has a photographic memory; some just don't have film." (Steven Wright)

Semper Fi, Doug

I say good-bye and ado to 2009 with great pleasure knowing that this Detachment has put in a great amount of volunteer hours, smiles and sweat. I can’t thank you all enough for what you do to carry-on our traditions as Marines.

The following members need to remit their membership dues to the paymaster to stay current: (If you no longer wish to be a member, then please call me at 998-9031 so that I may place you on our inactive list)

As a friendly reminder, the following members have an upcoming renewal (Jan, Feb, Mar); you may remit $30 for your dues or wait until you receive your notice from National. Dues are good for 1 year from your initial join date.

Last newsletter, I requested updates for our rosters. Thanks to everyone that sent me a reply. If you haven’t, please take a moment to update this form and send it back to me.

Thank you for your time and patience while I update the Detachment’s Records. I greatly appreciate this.

Regular Detachment Business Meetings at VFW 51, every 2^nd Thursday of the month at 1900. “Prizes to be won at every meeting”

Breakfast Socials “Open to the Public” will be held at VFW 51, 0900-1100 on the Saturday morning following our regular business meetings starting in February. $6 per plate.

Auxiliary “White Elephant” Auction will be held on March 11^th, starting at 1800 in lieu of a meeting. Bring a wrapped gift to be auctioned to raise $$$ for the Auxiliary.

Memorial Day Ceremony, May 31, at Fairmont Memorial Park, at 1030, with lunch to follow at VFW 51.

Eastern Washington Cemetery Grand Opening/Internment will be held on May 31^st, in Medical Lake at approximately 1300. Volunteers needed.

USMC 235^th Birthday Ball, TBA, with Papa Battery at the Northern Quest Casino, Nov 2010.

Toys for Tots 2010 Campaign, Nov & Dec, TBD. Please help us find a new warehouse.

At our last meeting, I asked the Detachment to ponder the thought of not holding our Memorial Day Ceremony in 2010, so that we may help the Eastern Washington Veterans Cemetery host its Grand Opening and initial internment. I have since discussed this matter with several members. I further withdraw my pondering idea because this Det. does a remarkable job of holding a ceremony on its own. Plus we have a faithful following of over 300 people that would possibly not return to our ceremony in 2011. I would like to request that we have some volunteers to attend the initial Eastern Vets Cemetery opening instead of attending ours. This will keep our traditions alive and keep us in good standing amongst the other Veterans Service Organizations. The committee needs recommendations for a guest speaker and would like them ASAP because of the conflicts of a busy Memorial Day 2010. Thank you! Randy

Ann Whitney, Veronica Geyer, Dean Ladd, William Honeycutt, Norm Sanborn, Richard Freier, Gordon Habbestad, Bob Greer.

Merry Christmas. The T4Ts handout ended tonight at 20:00 hours, and I think everyone felt it was a great success. I know I had an incredible three weeks with all the other volunteers. I'm already looking forward to next years toy drive. At the January meeting we need to select a WWII Vet to travel to Washington on the HONOR flight. I have requested info from the 3rd Mar Div. about the 10.00 charge to life members. My question was, is this fee on a volunteer request or mandatory. I haven't received an answer yet, but will keep pushing. Most people I've spoken too don't think it will fly. Thank you all who came to the last meeting, and hope to see you all and more who can make it to the January meeting. I'll do my best not to slip and slide as I did last month.

I don't have a complete report about the Dinner, but I would like to mention at HUGE THANKS to the volunteers that made the dinner happen. We as a detachment have donated or had a hand in more than $5000 to the toy program this year.

More details, menu options, et cetera, will appear in the February newsletter. Corned Beef and Cabbage will not be one of the menu choices.

Bring your wallet loaded with cash, or your checkbook, and a wrapped contribution, or two, to the auction that follows the meal. A major part of the fun is bidding on something when you have no idea what is in the box or bag; and we hope to have Monte back as our Auctioneer. This is the major fund raiser for the Auxiliary for the year.

Awarded for actions during the Global War on Terror

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lance Corporal Brady A. Gustafson, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving as Turret Gunner, Lead Vehicle, 3d Squad, 2d Platoon, Company G, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, Marine Corps Forces, Central Command (Forward), in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 21 July 2008. In the village of Shewan, Afghanistan, Lance Corporal Gustafson's squad was ambushed from multiple positions by enemy insurgents with rocket-propelled grenades and medium machine gun fire. The attack was initiated by a rocket-propelled grenade that pierced the hull of his Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle and struck him, resulting in severe traumatic injury to his right leg.

Despite bleeding profusely, Lance Corporal Gustafson quickly identified enemy positions and engaged them with accurate fire from his M-240B machine gun while a tourniquet was applied to his leg. When the vehicle to their rear was disabled by further rocket-propelled grenade fire, he directed his driver to push the vehicle out of the enemy's kill zone, and shortly thereafter the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Although medium machine gun fire continued to impact around him, Lance Corporal Gustafson remained steadfast, returning concentrated fire on the enemy.

His effective suppression allowed the Marines behind him to safely dismount and exit their burning vehicle. Lance Corporal Gustafson braved the effects of shock and reloaded his weapon twice, firing more than 400 rounds, before he allowed himself to be pulled from the turret and receive medical treatment. By his bold actions, daring initiative, and total devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Gustafson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Presented at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Training Center, Twentynine Palms, California, on March 27, 2009

Date	Event
13 January	Bingo @ VAMC Nursing Home Care Unit, set up @ 1845
14 January	MCL/MCLA Meeting @ VFW Post 51, 1900
10 February	Bingo @ VAMC Nursing Home Care Unit, set up @ 1845
11 February	MCL/MCLA Meeting @ VFW Post 51, 1900
13 February	Breakfast Social @ VFW Post 51, 0900 - 1100
10 March	Bingo @ VAMC Nursing Home Care Unit, set up @ 1845
11 March	Auxiliary White Elephant Auction and Dinner in lieu of meeting

8 January 1815	Marines with Gen Andrew Jackson’s army defeat British in Battle of New Orleans
10 January 1995	The Pentagon announced that 2,600 U. S. Marines would be deployed to Somalia for Operation United Shield to assist the final withdrawal of UN peacekeeping troops from Somalia. The decision came in response to a UN request for American protection of its peacekeeping forces serving in the war-torn African nation.
11 January 1945	The first elements of Marine Aircraft Group 24, commanded by Colonel Lyle H. Meyer, landed at Lingayen, Luzon, Philippine Islands, to provide close air support for Army forces. Over the next three months, MAG-24 and MAG-32 would fly a total of 8,842 combat sorties and drop more than 19,000 bombs as part of the Fifth Air Force of the Sixth Army
15 January 1943	Capt. Joe Fosh downs 26^th enemy plane over Guadalcanal.
16 January 1991	Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm as forces of the allied coalition launched an all-out air campaign against targets in Iraq and occupied Kuwait in an effort to liberate Kuwait and enforce the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Overall, in the theater of operations, the coalition forces included more than 415,000 U. S troops
18 January 1902	Philippine insurrection quelled by Maj. L.W.T. Waller’s Marines.
18 January 1951	Marines of the 1^st Marine Division began mopping-up operations against guerrillas in the Pohang area, South Korea, following the Division’s return from its epic battle with Communist Chinese troops at the Chosin Reservoir
20 January 1968	The second battle for Khe Sanh began when Marines from the 3^rd Battalion, 26^th Marines attacked a North Vietnamese battalion between Hill 881 South and Hill 881 North. More than 100 of the enemy were killed.
21 January 1918	The 1^st Aeronautical Company arrived at Ponta Delgada, Azores, for anti-submarine duty. That unit was one of the first completely equipped American aviation units to serve overseas in World War I.
22 January 1969	Operation Dewey Canyon, perhaps the most successful high-mobility regimental-sized action of the Vietnam War began in the A Shau/Da Krong Valleys when the 9^th Marines, commanded by Colonel Robert H. Barrow, and supporting artillery were lifted from Quang Tri. By 18 March the enemy’s base area had been cleared out, 1617 enemy dead had been counted, and more than 500 tons of weapons and ammunition unearthed.

25 January 1856	Marines and seamen from the U. S. sloop DECATUR went ashore at the village of Seattle, Washington, to protect settlers from Indian raids. The Indians launched a seven-hour attack but were driven off later that day after suffering severe losses. Incredibly, only two civilian volunteers were killed and no Marines or sailors were lost.
27 January 1778	First battle of the Continental Marines at New Providence, Bahamas
27 January 1988	About 400 Marines and sailors from the 2^nd Marine Division, 2^nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and 2^nd Force Service Support Group deployed for the Persian Gulf. The Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) CM 2-88 would relieve Contingency MAGTF 1-88 in the volatile Persian Gulf and provide the effective landing force capability to Joint Task Force Middle East.
29 January 1991	The first serious ground fighting of Operation Desert Storm broke out when Iraqi troops mounted an attack into Saudi Arabia along a 40-mile front. Iraqi units centered their efforts on Khafji, a port city six miles south of the border. Saudi and Quartari troops, supported by artillery from the 1^st Marine Division and attack helicopters and other allied coalition aircraft, recaptured the town two days later.

Office	Holder	Address	Phone	Email
Commandant	Jim Bennett	16427 S. Keeney Rd Spokane, WA 99224	448-2175	*msgrock@hotmail.com*
Sr. Vice Commandant	Hank Melanson	214 W. Shannon Ave Spokane, WA 99205	328-0803	*Hank_ink@hotmail.com*
Jr. Vice Commandant	Pat Rowand	526 S. Koren Spokane, WA 99212	534-3180	*PAT_AND_DIANE@msn.com*
Judge Advocate	Dennis Dressler	5205 West Rosewood Spokane, WA 99208	953-6266	sam.djd@comcast.net
Chaplain	Bill Town	3624 E. Grace Spokane, WA 99207	489-8407
Adjutant Paymaster	Randy Ott	3924 N. Sunderland Ct., Spokane Valley, WA 99206	998-9031	*randyottjr@yahoo.com*
Jr. Past Commandant	Randy Ott	3924 N. Sunderland Ct., Spokane Valley, WA 99206	998-9031	*randyottjr@yahoo.com*

Office	Holder	Address	Phone	Email
President	Tera Nielson	3318 West Dalton Spokane, 99205	323-2304	teras05dodge@q.com
Sr. Vice President	Judi Bennett	16427 S. Keeney Rd Spokane, 99224	448-2175	jbimnrn@hotmail.com
Jr. Vice President	Sandy Ritter	5109 N Karen Road Otis Orchards, 99027	891-7159
Judge Advocate	Mary Lou Nelson	728 West Augusta Spokane, 99205	325-6680	mary@eagledown.com
Chaplain	Linda Shurtleff	3307 W. Dalton Spokane, 99205	328-5837	ddsandljs3@yahoo.com
Treasurer	Sam Dressler	5205 W. Rosewood Spokane, 99208	953-6267	sam.djd@comcast.net
Secretary	Sue Douglas	16805 E. Broadway Veradale, 99037	926-5203	sudgls@yahoo.com

January 2010

Office

Holder

Address

Phone

Email

Commandant

Jim Bennett

16427 S. Keeney Rd

448-2175

msgrock@hotmail.com

Sr. Vice Commandant

Hank Melanson

214 W. Shannon Ave

328-0803

Hank_ink@hotmail.com

Jr. Vice Commandant

Pat Rowand

526 S. Koren

534-3180

PAT_AND_DIANE@msn.com

Chaplain

Bill Town

3624 E. Grace

489-8407

Adjutant Paymaster

998-9031

randyottjr@yahoo.com

Jr. Past Commandant

Randy Ott

998-9031

randyottjr@yahoo.com

UNIT OFFICERS 2009 - 2010

Office

Holder

Address

Phone

Email

President

teras05dodge@q.com

Sr. Vice President

Judi Bennett

16427 S. Keeney Rd

448-2175

Jr. Vice President

Sandy Ritter

Otis Orchards, 99027

891-7159

Judge Advocate

Mary Lou Nelson

325-6680

Chaplain

Linda Shurtleff

328-5837

ddsandljs3@yahoo.com

Treasurer

5205 W. Rosewood Spokane, 99208

953-6267

sam.djd@comcast.net

Secretary

926-5203

sudgls@yahoo.com