Commandant Marcia Sands                                                                                         Editor John Sims   

 

 

   It is with great sorrow that we said goodbye to one of our original and most-valued members this month. J.O. Smith passed away recently and was given a hero's sendoff by twenty-eight members of our detachment, the Overland Park Police Department, as well as family and friends. Rest in peace Marine! You performed your duties well and have earned your eternal reward. You will not be forgotten. At our officer’s meeting this month, the subject of volunteerism was discussed. I am requesting each member to get involved in “something” during the year. Whether it be parades, fund-raising, VAVS, or just bringing items for our raffles or Platoons Forward, let’s all make an attempt to contribute to the community, the league, or our fellow Marines. Marines are known for “getting the job done” and I applaud those who do respond to the needs of the detachment. Let’s ALL get involved! Please check out our fund-raising opportunities contained in the newsletters. The pens and wooden dog tags make excellent gifts, considering the holidays are right around the corner (they’re closer than you think). These items are being provided by members of our detachment who are donating their time to make them available to help the detachment. Hopefully the heat wave will break soon and cooler weather will prevail. Remember as fall approaches, OUR season heats up. The golf tournament is right around the corner; fall festivals and their associated parades; Veterans Day activities; and of course the culmination of our yearly activities: Toys for Tots. I’m proud to be part of this detachment and of each and every member. Semper Fi. Mike DeBauche Commandant   

              Mail Call! Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025

6521 Nieman Road, Shawnee, KS     www. mklops.org 

Commandants message 

Volume 11 Issue 5    May, 2011 

 

It looks like the summer heat is finally starting to wane a bit and give us some welcome cooler weather. As I’ve said before, the activities of our detachment are just heating up. We are coming into our busy season with the racetrack activities, parades, and of course, Toys for Tots in November and December.

Volunteers are still needed for the racetrack at the end of the month. Please contact Marine O’Connor if you can help during this time period. Remember, this is our major fundraiser for the detachment for the year. Also, we have some parades coming up. Marine Sands will give us an update at our meeting. These are an excellent opportunity for us to get some exposure in the community and support our on-going recruiting efforts.

This last month, we participated in the Overland Park POW/MIA awareness event. My thanks go out to Marine Campbell for her assistance in setting up and tearing down the event. This event continues to alert our community that there are still those presumed missing and held in captivity from past wars.

Don’t forget to bring any items you can to the meeting for Platoons Forward to assist those ‘boots on the ground’. We cannot let them feel we are not thinking of them and supporting them. Also remember that the 50-50 raffle begins this month. It is just another way to help our detachment raise funds in order to continue our good work for the League and our communities.

Elections were last month. Our new officers are: Commandant, Marcia Sands; Sr. Vice Commandant, Jim Denton; Jr. Vice Commandant, John Byrnes; Paymaster/Adjutant, Bill Clinton; JAG, Rick Hinrichs; Chaplain, Joe Hughes; Sgt-at-Arms, Kevin Elmer. Congratulations to all! The new officers will be installed at the next meeting (May 25th), then we will have dinner.

The Installation Dinner is being catered again this year by Bates City BBQ of Shawnee. The cost is $10.00 per person, which gets you beef and/or turkey, bread, potato salad, baked beans, condiments, drinks, and cake for dessert. If you have not yet paid for your dinner, please make sure you contact Steve Yoakum (913- 226-6545) or me (913-206-2695) no later than Sunday, May 22, to get your name on the list. You will be able to pay for your dinner on the 25th, if we know you plan to be there. Once again, this is an open meeting, so bring your spouse to share in the fun.

The first parade of the season was a success. The next one is this Saturday, May 21. It’s the Turkey Creek parade in Merriam, (meet at 1000 at 69th St./Antioch). Come on out, the weather should be nice.

The Rawhide Harley-Davidson fundraiser on April 28th went well, and the next one is coming up on May 19, then another one on June 23rd. Contact Bill Clinton or John Byrnes if you can help out.

We will be working at the Speedway on June 4th and 5th, raising funds for our detachment.

June 22nd is our picnic, with just a short meeting (held at the shelter on 103rd St. near Marty, just west of Metcalf). There is no cost for the picnic; feel free to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Hot dogs, hamburgers, buns, condiments, plates and utensils will be provided. Pick something to participate in, and get to know your fellow Marines. It is very worthwhile!

Semper Fi!

Marcia Sands

Commandant

Please convey info. on sick and distressed to Chaplain Hughes at 913­894­2006. 

As always, I stand ready to be of any assistance that any of you may need. 

Semper Fi 

Joe Hughes 

Chaplain ­ Gen Oppenheimer Detachment 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025 Vol 11, No. 5 May 2011 pg 2

 

New Century Young Marines 

Upcoming Events 

Saturday, May 28, we will be doing the color guard with the Marine Corps at the Arena Football game at the Sprint Center. Tickets are $9 each. Details of this event will be given out as CO get them, hopefully by Wednesday night. T Bones game on June 8 at 7:05. Full uniform, red shirts. I have the tickets and will pass them out at Wednesdays meeting. June 11 from 7-noon we will be working with Post #19 Legion Riders doing Road Guard at the Festival of Trails. JLS for Corporals Sutton and King will be June 18 to June 26. We need help on our website. We have one started, but, nothing on the links. If anyone knows of anyone that would like to volunteer their time to set us up a website (that I can update once it is up and running) please contact CO or XO.

And as always, if anyone has any questions, comments, or suggestions, please do let us know.

 

 

 

Fallen Marines There is no finer compliment than being called a United States Marine. It represents the highest honor & tradition bound together with courage & sacrifice on behalf of all mankind. Our Fallen Marine Honor Guard had the distinct honor of performing at the services of these marine who have answered the call.

 January & February 2011

• Jan 22 - Sylvester Weitkamp (one of our new members in this last year)

• Jan 25 - Paul R. Carpenter, MD • Feb 2 - Alva Byars (one of ours, of course) • Feb 7 - John M. Kissane

March 2011

None to report.

April 2011

• 4-28-11 Gilbert M. Angel

5-10-11 Michael T. Dorris

5-11-11 Melvin Leroy Miller

General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025 Vol 11 , No. 5 May 2011 pg 3

No such thing as a former Marine From remarks by General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, at the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Birthday Ball, San Diego, CA, 6 November 2010: "I set the policy about two weeks ago -- there's no such thing as a former Marine. You're a Marine, just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life. But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego, or the hills of Quantico. So there's no such thing as a former Marine."

Any member who is aware of a Marine or his family in need is asked to first submit a request in writing to Marine Pat O’Malley, of our Financial Assistance Review Committee, including a statement of the purpose, a cost estimate and the time period. Pat’s email is ksirish@yahoo.com; his address is 12412 Flint, Overland Park, KS 66213-2120. A volunteer is still needed for the Community  Activities position if you are interested, please  contact  Commandant Marcia Sands@ 913­ 341‐4339 masands1@aol.com;  The website of the Marine Corps League on the National level is http://www.mcleague.org

General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025 Vol 11, No. 5 May 2011 pg 4

 

To have items sewn on to your covers and shirts, contact Marsha Davey at 913/268-1017 (10409 W 53rd St. in Shawnee); To have alterations done on your dress blues, contact Louise Bland at 913/831-4647 (10149 Edelweiss Circle in Merriam – near 75th & Switzer)

 

 

Per the Marine Corps ALMAR 007/08 (see the link below), the Marine Corps now changes seasonal uniforms along with the change to Daylight Savings Time. "A. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THE MARINE CORPS SEASONAL UNIFORM CHANGE WHILE IN GARRISON WILL OCCUR WORLD-WIDE IN SYNCHRONIZATION WITH THE CHANGE TO, AND FROM, DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME (DST) IN THE UNITED STATES. (1) SUMMER SEASON. THE MARINE CORPS WILL TRANSITION TO THE SUMMER SEASON UNIFORM THE DUTY DAY FOLLOWING THE CHANGE TO DST. (2) WINTER SEASON. THE MARINE CORPS WILL TRANSITION TO THE WINTER SEASON UNIFORM THE DUTY DAY FOLLOWING THE CHANGE FROM DST. " We, Marine Corps League Detachment 1025, have been conforming with the seasonal change the same as the active duty Marines. So we are now in the summer season and will wear the short-sleeved shirt (no tie).

U.S. MARINE CORPS SEASONAL UNIFORM CHANGE 

 

 

General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025 Vol 11, No. 5 May 2011 pg 5

Help in Clinics, Escort Patients, Bingo & Activities, Shuttle Drivers, etc…. 

Volunteer Orientation: 

Every Wed  9a.m‐11a.m. RM M1‐271 

816‐922‐2025 ext 135 

Melissa.jacobson@med.va.gov 

 

Or: Mr. Art Peter at 816- 331-4622 (MCL Deputy VS at KC VA Med)

BRING THE FOLLOWING NEEDED ITEMS TO OUR MEETINGS: 

Socks, underwear, chap stick, disposable razors, cash (emergency needs & activities), crossword books, and coffee 

 

Our Detachment can help take care of our fellow Vets! 

VA Volunteer Services:

General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025 Vol 11, No. 5 May 2011 pg 6

 

Shawnee American Legion Post 327, puts out 1200 flags on Veteran's graves, in 6 different cemeteries Dan Land - 913-631-4856 is the coordinator for Memorial Day. He said he would welcome any help the Marine Corps League could give. If the Detachment members would like to help, they should contact him. 

Volunteer Opportunity 

Hey Marines,

It is that time again!

With all of the college bound high school students in our area looking to pay for books and additional charges that seem to pile up with college, don't forget about our $500.00 scholarship!

There is still time to apply. Complete details including an application can be obtained on our website http://www.mclopks.org/scholarships.htm or call Bill Clinton.

The Deadline is May 31 so get that student moving!

The main requirements are that the student needs to be accepted at a college for the fall semester, and must have a parent or grandparent that was/is a Marine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                     

Have you ever wished that along with the memories, photo's and other items that you cherish of your Marine Corps career, you had a beautiful plaque of that special unit that you served in?   

General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025 Vol 11, No. 5 May 2011 pg 7

Well, now you can!  Marine Dennis Armstrong one of our detachment members is an expert at custom woodworking as you can see!  He has graciously offered to make custom plaques (about 12" x 24") for any or all of our membership.  Keeping in the Marine Corps brotherhood tradition, he is only going to charge our detachment for the actual materials, he is providing his talent at no charge!  He can be reached at 913‐244‐7302. 

 

Gentlemen & Ladies,  

This fund raiser couldn't be easier and its beneficial to everyone you know including yourselves!  The 

coupon book only cost you or a neighbor $5.00 and as you can see with the first coupon with a purchase of just $50.00 you or your neighbor gets their $5.00 back and has a whole book of valuable grocery coupons! 

And the best part is our Detachment gets to keep $4.00 from each book sold! 

I have already bought 20 books, let's get going and knock this fund raiser out of the park!!~ 

 

 

 

 

It is very important that you support our advertisers. The rate to advertise in the Mail Call is just $40.00 per year for 12 issues.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025 Vol 11, No. 5 May 2011 pg 8

    General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025 Vol 11, No. 5 May 2011 pg 9 

 

Available to Rent 

 

Available to Rent 

REMEMBER RECRUIT - RECRUIT - RECRUIT - RECRUIT

One final request, PLEASE BRING YOUR DUES TO THE MONTHLY MEETING WHEN THEY ARE DUE!

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, May 25th, 2011, and will start at 1900 hours. Don’t forget to bring items for Platoons Forward, and any raffle items you would like to donate. Have a great meeting. Semper Fi, John Sims - Mail Call Editor

 

    General Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025 Vol 11, No. 5 May 2011 pg 10

I encourage submissions of any announcements, pictures, stories, to the editor from detachment members. Deadline for all submissions by the 10th of every month. Remember, if you are involved in any community service work on behalf of our beloved Marine Corps, please send me a photo and some information for the Mail Call. Email: jsims49@hotmail.com.com or Call: John Sims @ 913.530.2535. Mail Address: 14004 west 72nd Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66216.