Newsletter

~May has arrived in SW Florida and we are starting our rainy season a little bit early. But the much needed rain is welcome as long as we can still get our Detachment obligations done in the lovely sunshine.

~ May 18th we are invited to attend the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Naples Vet Center. This is located at 2705 Horseshoe Drive South and it what we used to know as the VA Clinic of Naples. Our detachment will have a color guard to present the colors. The ceremony begins at 1000 hours. Let's make sure we have a good showing of Marines there.

~As our lunch numbers start to diminish we still can enjoy the Detachment camaraderie. Try and sit at a different table once a month. You would be surprised at the many diverse and interesting backgrounds of many of our members. And you will surely make several new friends.

~A couple of new members have come forward and asked how to be included in the color guards etc. Info is always available on the table and if you need further guidance, see John Marsh. He knows where you can purchase all the items that you once wore as a dashing young Marine.

~We are still receiving great comments about the new time and venue for our monthly business meetings. But attendance is now about where it has been for the past several years. If anyone has any suggestions as to ways to increase more member participation at our business meetings please contact me.

~I will be leaving FL on May 25th for Michigan to spend the summer with my kids and grandkids. But I will return briefly in the middle of June to attend the State of Florida MCL convention in Orlando. Then back to Michigan for the remainder of the summer. I return shortly after Labor day. The leadership reins will be turned over to Scott Richardson, and in his absence Nick Marsit. Please give them your upmost cooperation.

SEMPER FI

ADJUTANT/WEB SGT – John Marsh

~Members, I attended the MCL Department Spring Conference in Orlando and the following is my report.

(There will be copies of the program available soon on the Info Table)

MCL DEPT OF FLORIDA SPRING CONFERENCE

APRIL 19-21, WYNDHAM RESORT, ORLANDO, FL

HIGH LIGHTES OF CONFERENCE:

(These notes only hit high points, as the Program given out saved taking notes in depth)

~Leadership Class:

Many topics were discussed and pointed out with regard to their importance to the League and to the running of a good efficient Detachment.

A nice addition to this Leadership Class was a Program Book along with a disc. This book had all the various subjects to be reviewed and gone over, so that little note taking had to be done.

*To start the class, we were honored to have as our 1st Instructor, the National MCL Commandant, Vic Voltaggio. The Commandant stressed the Mission Statement of the MCL, Ten Principles of Leadership & Protocol/ MCL Chain of Command.

*Much was said on the proper Protocol when having Guests and Honorees to your events.

*The subjects ranged from duties of each MCL officer on the Detachment level to reports and proper uniforms.

*There was much said about recruiting new members and retaining the members we have. Many ideas were talked about, many of which ET Brisson already uses.

*Stress was put on filing all tax and MCL paper work on time. Much was put on sending in death notices.

*PIO duties were stressed and the need to be constantly send stories, photos, etc. to all media; to have a list of all media contacts in their area including Leatherneck and Semper Fi, send out the smallest articles to get coverage any/all events, parades, awards and details that the Detachment participates in.

*Uniforms and the wearing of DOD or MCL medals were heavily talked about.

*National will be going to a new computer system soon and all paper work should be able to be done on the computer.

*Awards – Commandants and Sr V Commandants submit for various awards for their Detachments. Suggestion was made to possibly set up an AWARDS COMMITTEE to recommend to the Commandant and Sr V Commandants

~Commandants’ Meeting at Spring Conference:

There were 13 Detachments represented at the Commandants’ meeting. All reps were given a chance to talk on their Detachments, good/bad – what’s happening with members and recruiting/ retention; where they may need help or are doing fine.

Always work from Agendas, communicate to your Officers what’s going on so all are up to speed and can fill in if needed to.

If there are problems or rumors – address right away and get it taken care of.

ET Brisson Rep. spoke on: Having meetings earlier for members that can’t get out at night, Monthly Social Night, New Beginnings School, Weekly Luncheons, annual Golf Tournament , annual Honor the Free Press Day, and Email contact with members – keeping all advised on what the Detachment is doing (News letter to all members via USPS or email).

SEMPER FI

Visit the various photo pages of the website to view Detachment members "in action" at numerous recent events. Also visit the "Then & Now" page for updates & additions.

John C Marsh

Editor

NCOIC: BAYSHORE RAIDERS, EAGLE SCOUNT LAISON, QUARTER MASTER – Jerry Van Hecke

~Bayshore Raiders

The BayShore Raiders assembled on April 7, 2012 to assault the debris along our assigned route. At 0730 the assault began and was pressed relentlessly until the route was cleared in near record time, whatever that means. Once again the Raiders were dismissed at the completion of the mission and all moved out by available transport to the Clock Restaurant for Breakfast.

The following Raiders were present for duty: Joe Johnston, Jim Schmitt, Bob Knee, John Marsh, Jerry Bray, Fred Wornock, Joe Petrucci, Bob Foster, John Stoya, Nick Marsit, Tom Leary, Tom Kuznar, Jim Brandreth, Gary Shanabarger, Phil Parisi, Arnold Karp, Steve Driscoll, Andy Stewart, BOB HOFFMAN, and BOB HOFFMAN*.

*Editorial comment: Name left off March due to NCOIC memory lapse and the record is now corrected.

Rich Crowley visited the Raiders at the Clock. Rich was looking good and in good spirits.

~Quartermaster/Uniforms

This is Quartermaster stuff. Don't forget to purchase your Marine Corps League

Un-Dress Blue Uniform so that you can participate in all the fun and interesting things that the Detachment does where the Un-dress Blues are required. Of course, you have the added bonus of looking young and handsome again……at least in your imagination. There is not a large cost to purchase the uniform items and I guarantee the first time you do a ceremony and people come up and thank you, you will feel good. There are not many service organizations in Collier County that can field a color detail like this Detachment. There is a uniform package on the information desk at lunch that lists all uniform requirements and places to purchase.

If you need a name tag see me. Don't forget Homer Helter is the Detachment cash sales outlet and he carries many things Marine Corps League.

This is not Quartermaster stuff but at a Detachment lunch, one of the members asked me about dues and what happens to the thousands of dollars the Detachment collects

dues every year. I thought that was a fair question and so to answer the question, I talked to the Detachment Paymaster, Jerry Bray, and got a breakdown on what happens to all those dollars. There are two types of dues, new members and renewals. This is the breakdown:

New Member Dues Renewals

Total Dues $45.00 $45.00

National's Portion $23.00 $18.00

State's Portion $10.00 $10.00

Detachment's Portion $12.00 $14.00

To make matters worse, we have 89 Detachment members who are “Life Members”. Life membership is great for the Detachment, the Marine Corps League, and the member. However, what is not great is that Life Member dues are paid based on age and when paid 100% of the money goes to National. Those dues go to something like an escrow account. Each year the Detachment receives a payment from National for each Life Member. Each year the Detachment must certify to National the Life Members on the rolls of the Detachment. After the certification has been completed, the Detachment gets a payment from National for each Life Member. The distribution varies from year to year. Last year the Detachment received $4.00 for each Life Member. The Detachment determines by vote of the membership what the dues shall be. However, the State and National established dues must be paid for each member regardless of what dues the Detachment collects.

Semper Fi

JUNIOR VICE COMMANDANT -- Nick Marsit

~Getting into some quiet times with many of our members gone north for the summer,

but we continue to have great participation for our weekly lunches. We continue to have enough year-round guys to field any kind of memorial or parade details as needed. A reminder to Marine members who want to participate in details, we will shortly have another supply of white web belting to draw from. It was touch and go for a while not knowing if our supply could be replenished, but we are now good for many years into the future. See me if you are planning to be part of a marching or memorial detail and need the belting.

~New Detachment rosters are in the preparation stage, so if you have had any type of change to your address, phone, email address, etc., let me know ASAP. The Detachment numbers remain about the same year in and year out with new member additions just about matching those who go to guard the streets of Heaven.

~Our 14th Annual Golf Tournament was another huge success and a big thank you to all those who worked on it along with those who participated. The tournament is really a whole Detachment effort with so many of our members and the community making it work by either playing or making financial donations. The tournament is our once-a- year event which carries us through financially with enough $ to do all the things we do. Glen Eagle Golf & Country Club not only hosts the event, but they are behind us in keeping their cost to us down so that we can realize a better profit for this fundraising event. This year we had an anonymous donor, who made the tournament the highest profit we ever had!

~Mark your calendars for the 237th Birthday Ball – it is 9 November 2012 – held at the Country Club of Naples – same place, same time as in the many years past. This year’s Guest of Honor is LtGeneral Samuel T. Helland, USMC/Retired. Invitations will be mailed in August and will also then be available at lunches. Price will remain the same at $75.00 per person all inclusive. Only 150 reservations will be accepted, so once you get your invitation respond promptly.

~Remember to “Secure new members, and further that you favor us at all events with your presence, so far as your circumstances will permit.”

~I just found out that Giff Hambleton died on 19 December 2011. Giff was a long time member of our Detachment, served as our Judge Advocate for at least 6 Commandants that I know of, worked tirelessly on Toys For Tots and every other thing we did. Giff was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and did a great job in promoting the Detachment at all kinds of community events. It is sad that he died without any of us knowing it. Many of the old Corps members will well remember him. I kick myself in the butt for not calling or going to see him - another reminder that we need to keep in touch with members as they age, get ill, or stop coming around to events.

A big Semper Fidelis & God Bless to Giff!

Chaplain's Corner, Veterans Council Delegate-- Bob Hoffman

~Thought For today - God's word offers practical wisdom for living. Whatever our circumstances, we can take heart from God's words

to Joshua: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Whether our daily challenge is a stressful job, a stubborn child, or the struggle to recover from an illness or addiction,

God is with us. We can turn to God for the courage to try again tomorrow. Even for those who trust God, sometimes just

showing up is a victory!

~Sick Call

*Howard Kelly is in Bentley Village and Bob Hecke is in Lely Manor (Lely Palms). Both are dealing with diabetes and would like to hear from you.

*New Beginnings' Gunny Darner had successful cancer surgery and is now recovering at home.

*Randy Kington had successful prostate surgery. He will be at the VA hospital in Tampa for an extended period of time. Send your cards

to Randy's home address in Naples and Patty will make sure he gets them.

*Rich Crowley needs a NEW liver, so please say your prayers for him. His home address is: 1030 Greenbrier Drive, State College, Pa. 16801.

Cell Phone: (814) 404 4026. Rich is presently waiting to get into the hospital in Hershey, Pa.

*Bill Bates also needs our prayers and would love to hear from you.

~TAPS

Ray Schlinder 04.19.12

There will be a memorial service for Ray here in June. More information to follow.

~Memorial Day Ceremony

Monday, May 28, 2012, same location as in the past…cemetery complex at 111th St

More information to follow

~Veterans Counseling Service Office Opening

There is a new veterans counseling service office now open in Collier County which is a branch of the Veterans Administration. They provide services for combat zone veterans and their families and they offer individual, marriage/couples, family/children counseling. You may know someone who needs the help. The office is located at: 2705 Horseshoe Drive S., Suite 204 (behind the VA Medical Out Patient Clinic), Naples 34104. Phone #239-403-2377.

The Team Leader for the office is Eric Ashley USMC (Ret). He has attended a couple of our lunches. The office is having a grand opening on May 15th.

New Beginnings Delegate -- Jack Connelly

~New Beginnings Memorial Day Promotion Ceremony and a Salute to our Military will commence at 0800 hours May 25, 2012 with all the traditional “Colors”, pomp and ceremony the students can muster. After all, this will be the last promotion ceremony

of the school year and will highlight the student’s and the school’s appreciation of all the effort and support shown by the MC League during the year. The ceremony will honor not only student achievement but the League’s / mentor’s time and effort in fostering the success of our unique learning process aptly called New Beginnings.

IPAD Program - Our New Beginnings students need all the learning advantages that can be mustered to help them, help themselves in the classroom. So, a concerted effort is being made to secure 75 Ipads for NB school use. We are taking advantage of the knowledge and thorough vetting performed by our neighbors - a Community School committee - who have chosen the IPAD after an extensive investigation of all alternative devices and programs. They plan on acquiring 900 IPAD 3’s for their students. We want 75 IPAD 2’s (less expensive, older models) for our students.

A NB IPAD committee is already up and operating, and has acquired 10 IPADS through the generosity of a few MC League donors, so the NB teachers and staff can come up to speed. The NB IPAD committee has a plan and will be reaching out to the Naples business community and Naples “angels” for support, used IPAD 2’s as well as the

all-important donation. If you are interested and would like to help, give me a call @

1-239-450-2121, or an e mail @ conlyj1@mac.com.

~Honor the Free Press Day

Planning for 2013 Luncheon and the quest for next year’s Free Press Speaker is underway with several candidates on the A list. We are also looking at Wednesday March 13th or 20th as our target date depending, of course, on the Honoree’s schedule.

JUDGE ADVOCATE -- Gary Shanabarger

~Membership is a great concern for our detachment. It takes an extra effort on all of our parts to solicit new members and to make sure we retain all our existing members. I am sure you remember when you first became acquainted with our Corps. You looked up to someone to show you the way….how things were done, why, where, when. This is again what we should do with any new member. Befriend him or her, come right out and tell them you are going to help them to adjust to our organization's way we do things, and how much fun it is to participate in our projects and details. Such as, how much more fun could one have than picking up trash on Bay Shore early on a Saturday morning at day break. It’s like a treasure hunt. No one knows what they may find in the bushes. Then, off to Gus's place for S.O.S. Also explain that we have a serious side as well. We live up to our mission statement, "Marines helping Marines".

In The Naples Marine Corps League we are fortunate to have some of the Corps finest privates and all other ranks as well. Even a couple of Generals thrown in. However, we are all equal at our get-together's and we all only have one vote when we get down to business. Become active, participate and let’s see more of you.

Scholarship Program -- Bob Luparello

~ET Brisson Detachment instituted the Scholarship Program over 10 years ago.

In 2012, the scholarship award was increased to $750 from $500.

Four (4) scholarships were awarded this year to children and/or grandchildren of Marines who honorably served in the Marine Corps.

The monies raised from the annual golf tournament funds this one of many detachment projects, in the support of local Marine families.