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Marine Corps League Pikes Peak Detachment

P.O. Box 10536 Colorado Springs, CO 80932-1536

www.mclpikespeak.org

Marine Corps League Pikes Peak Detachment January 2014 Newsletter

Editor/Webmaster: Roger L. Baty, 719-534-9683, Email: [email protected]

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Commandant Garry D. Gibson

[email protected] Hi Everyone; I would like to start off by wishing everyone a very healthy and prosperous New Year. I would also like to introduce and

thank all of our Newly Elected and Appointed Officers for stepping up to the plate and carrying on the Legacy of this great Detachment. Yours truly was elected again as your Commandant for 2014 the same position I first held in 2010 and in 2013. Russell “Russ” Miller

December Meeting

was elected Sr. Vice Commandant. Terry Boston was elected Jr. Vice Commandant. Terry has also agreed to stay on as our Adjutant. Joe V. Martinez Jr. was Elected Judge Advocate for the 2nd year in a row. Associate Member Veronica Hoard will serve as our paymaster. Earlier this year Veronica relinquished her duties as Commandant of the Colorado Springs Young Marine Detachment, a position she held for better than 10 years. Chaplain James “Pat” Carty will remain our Chaplain for a 2nd year. Pat has done an outstanding job leading our Bereavement Committee. August “Toby” Bolender will serve as our Sgt at Arms. Roger Baty will be our Web Sgt (for the 11th straight year). I would like to thank Past Commandant Jim Woods for performing the Officer Swearing in Ceremony.

Past Commandant Jim Woods Conducts the

Officer Installation Ceremony

Awards for 2013: The Marine of the Year Award was presented to our Judge Advocate Joe V. Martinez Jr. The Associate of the Year Award was presented to Veronica Hoard. We recognized many of our deserving members, by presenting 90 some awards at the December meeting. Please read the minutes for a

list of awards and what members did to earn them. We handed out award certificates, performed the Swearing in Ceremony and still kept our meeting to less than the one hour time frame. Well done to all involved!!!

Marine of the Year – Joseph V. Martinez Jr.

Associate of the Year – Veronica Hoard Recruiter of the Year – Commandant Garry Gibson

Many in the Detachment give the Commandant credit for a great Detachment; but, that’s Hog Wash! It’s you our members that make our Detachment what it is and so you deserve recognition. Our members have consistently stepped forward each month to attend monthly meetings; 45 of you attended our December 21st meeting; during 2013 we averaged 44 members

Marianne Smith Presents Donation to Care and

Share

and guests at each meeting. Members have not only supported our monthly meetings, they have actively supported over 113 different events during 2013. As you all know, Past Commandant George Griego recently passed away and it was our members who

http://www.mclpikespeak.org/

mailto:[email protected]






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were there helping Jim Woods raise a little over $900.00 dollars for George’s wife Katsuko during our November & December meetings. Members were there supporting Marianne Smith’s annual Bowlathon fund raising event which she has led for the past 17 years!!! Members were out helping with Cash Sales at Territory Days, the Sertoma Gun Show, the Salute to our Veterans Bike Rally in Cripple Creek, CO, the Semper Fi Golf Tournament, and Thank the Troops Golf Tournament fund raising events. It is because of member efforts that we had sufficient funds on hand to award $500.00 dollars each to the Pikes Peak Young Marines Detachment and the Colorado Springs Young

Paul Hinojosa and Tim Gardiner Accept Donations

for their Young Marine Detachments

Marine Detachment. On 16 December Marianne Smith and I had the privilege of presenting $150.00 dollar checks to representatives of Care & Share and Christmas Unlimited. We have made sure that our Pikes Peak Detachment Helping Marines Project fund

Raising Funds for Toys for Tots at the 26th Annual

High Country Toy Run Veronica Hoard and Joe G. Martinez

has sufficient funds to help needy Marines and their families should the need arise. Members helped raise funds at the High Country Toys for Tots motorcycle run; all proceeds went to Toys for Tots. In subzero temperatures members collected toys at Walgreens and American Furniture Warehouse. Members

Toys for Tots and Yes it’s Cold!

welcomed Wounded Warriors when they arrived at the Colorado Springs Airport for the 2013 Wounded Warrior Games and at Ft Carson on two occasions helping us host Cookouts for 120 Marine Wounded Warriors and their training staff. Members marched in the St Patrick’s Day Parade, Monument 4th of July Parade, Labor Day Parade, Veterans Day parade, and helped take 1st Place in Fountain, CO and Honorable Mention Ribbon in Monument, CO. Members of our Bereavement Committee attended 34 memorial services to Honor our deceased & fallen Marines and Navy FMF Corpsman from generations past to the present. Thanks again everyone for your superb support during 2013. I look forward to a challenging and rewarding 2014 and please remember that “There are no former Marines or Navy FMF Corpsman”; Once a Marine, always a Marine. Till I see you at our 18 January 2014 meeting…Think positive…Laugh…Have fun…Help someone less fortunate then you .… and Continue to March!!!

Semper Fi….The Gunny

Senior Vice Commandant Russ Miller

[email protected] 719-235-1058(C)

Hello Marines, FMF Corpsmen, Associate Members, and guests. It was encouraging to see the great attendance at our December

meeting. Congratulations to all of the award recipients for 2013 and our new officers (elected and appointed) for 2014. I look forward to serving the detachment as your new Senior Vice Commandant in 2014. As we look forward to the next year and the busy schedule that it brings, I thank you all in advance for your efforts.








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Our first scheduled community event for your consideration is the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on 15 March. Please mark your calendars and further favor us with your attendance at our next monthly meeting on 18 January. Happy New Year!

Semper Fi, Russ

Junior Vice Commandant Terry Boston

[email protected] 719-393-3141(H)

December Meeting

Judge Advocate Junior Past Commandant

Joe V. Martinez Jr. [email protected]

719-201-7389(C)

Chaplain’s Corner Pat Carty, Chaplain

(719) 337-7179 [email protected]

To members of the Pikes Peak Detachment Marine Corps League, something to ponder for the New Year:

Another fresh New Year is here . . . Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear, To love and laugh and give!

This bright New Year is given me To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity Once more to right some wrongs, To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs! by William Arthur Ward

All the best to everyone this coming year! Semper Fi,

Pat Carty, Chaplain

Paymaster Veronica Hoard

[email protected] (719) 332-8465(C)

Please send your membership dues (annual renewal) to the Pikes Peak

Detachment address (top of the newsletter).

New Member Dues - $36.00 Renewal dues $36.00

Think about becoming a Life Member!!! Life Membership Costs: Age 35 - below - $500.00

36 – 50 - $400.00 51 – 64 - $300.00 65 & over - $200.00 Please send your membership dues (annual renewal) to the Pikes Peak Detachment address (top of the newsletter). Thanks.

Semper Fi, Veronica

Adjutant Terry Boston


Minutes of the 21 December 2013 Meeting of the Marine Corps League Pikes Peak Detachment (Note: Draft until accepted at 18 January 2014 meeting). Commandant Garry Gibson

opened the meeting of the Marine Corps League Pikes Peak Detachment for Official business at 0900 with Salute to Colors and opening prayer.

Guests / Application for Membership: Member John Kaufman introduced Royce Roland, a retired police officer who applied to become an Associate Member. Also introduced was Denise Wickersheim whose husband, a Marine, passed in April. Denise and Royce were accepted into the Detachment by unanimous vote! Welcome aboard!

John Kaufman introduces Royce Roland who told

the Detachment about himself












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Denise Wickersheim tells the Detachment about

herself

Commandant Gibson announced a change to the usual meeting protocol by focusing on annual awards and swearing-in of new officers.

Member participation in more than 113 Detachment events resulted in 95 awards presented.

Pikes Peak Detachment Awards for 2013

You will notice that several of our Elected, Appointed, and Associate members have been recognized and received several different awards “for going above & beyond the call of duty”

Note: All awards & monies being presented at the December “Awards Ceremonies” were discussed, approved and voted on by our Elected & Appointed officers on 23 November 2013 in Black Forest, CO

Detachment Marine of the Year for 2013

This is a (1) time award; the “Marine of the Year” award is based on the contributions this one Marine has had on the overall success of the Detachment. Joe V. Martinez Jr. has been voted “Marine of the Year” for extraordinary efforts supporting the many events the Detachment participated during 2013.

Marine of the Year – Joe V. Martinez Jr.

Additionally; Joe serves as our Judge Advocate and has served as Jr. Vice Commandant; Sr. Vice Commandant; and served as Commandant in 2012. He has attended Department Staff meetings, Department Conventions, supported monthly WWII & Korean Luncheons, parades, Veterans Stand Down;

cash sales at Prospectors Sertoma Gun Show, High Country Toy Run, and Veterans Bike Rally in Cripple Creek, CO. Joe has attended numerous funerals as a member of our Bereavement Committee. He has done all this while working full time. Joe is hereby authorized to wear the Detachment Marine of the Year ribbon with FMF device.

Associate of the Year for 2013

The “Associate of the Year” award is a (1) time award and is based on contributions this Associate member has had on the overall success of the Detachment.

Veronica Hoard has been voted “Associate of the Year” for extraordinary efforts supporting the many events the Detachment participated during 2013.

Veronica took time off from work to help at the Veterans Stand Down, has supported many of our parades, attended the Department of Colorado Convention in Ft Collins, and has helped with cash sales in Cripple Creek and the High Country Toy Run.

National MCL Recruiting Award for 2012/2013

Garry D. Gibson is presented the National Junior Vice Commandant Recruiting Award Certificate for his efforts in recruiting (11) eleven new members during 2012 & 2013. This is the (4th) straight year that Garry Gibson has been recognized by National for his recruiting efforts.

Detachment Recruiter of the Year for 2013

Awarded to Garry D. Gibson for recruiting 10 new members during 2013, he is authorized to wear the Detachment Recruiting Ribbon with Gold star (5th award). He earned this award in 2009, 2010, 2011,

2012 and 2013.

Distinguished Citizen “Bronze” Award

This is the highest award that can be given to a member at the Detachment Level; this award can also be awarded to a non-member of the MCL.

Jim Wear; owner of Pro Promotions: for his support of our Veterans for the past 22 years and hosting the annual High Country Toy Run & collection toys for United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program for the past 26 years. This award will be presented by some of our Officers at his office in Monument after the 1st of the year.

Roger L. Baty; Web Sgt: for his extraordinary efforts and hard work in producing the finest and most informative Newsletter in the state of Colorado. He has done more to promote our Detachment, the







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Department of Colorado and the Marine Corps League during the past 10 consecutive years than anyone member of this Detachment.

James “Pat” Carty, Chaplain: for the outstanding job he has done leading our Bereavement Committee and memorial services for deceased Marines and Navy FMF Corpsman. He has made numerous hospital and home visits, even taking one family member to the base commissary to buy food on several occasions.

Distinguished Citizen “Bronze” Awardees

Marianne Smith: for her extraordinary efforts in supporting and raising much needed Capital funds for our Detachment for 17 consecutive years.

Paul Darrow: for his work welcoming our Veterans when they arrive at the Colorado Springs Air Port during anytime of the day or night; he also serves on our Bereavement Committee and he helps out at the monthly WWII & Korean Luncheon.

Garry D. Gibson, Commandant: for his additional duties serving as our Quarter Master a position he has held for 4 years; during this period he has held over 90 cash sales events; he also helped raise thousands of dollars for our many projects during this period, and for his efforts in recruiting over a 120 new members.

John E. Kowall: for serving as the Southern Colorado Toys for Tots Coordinator for the past 6 years, without his commitment and sacrifices we would not have a Toys for Tots program in the Colorado Springs area; if it wasn’t for John Kowall hundreds if not thousands of needy children would not have gifts for Christmas.

Robert F. Berndt: for his support of the MS program, where he helped raises thousands of dollars by biking thousands of miles over many years, and for his support of the Veterans Home in Pueblo, CO.

Heike Cummins, Paymaster: she accepted this position under adverse conditions and has done a phenomenal job straightening out our financial records.

Charles G. Jackson & Paul Hinojosa: for their dedication, their sacrifice of time and energy in training Young Marines, and for supporting our Detachment in parades and the High Country Toy run.

James “Jim” Woods, Past Commandant: for heading up our Detachments Scholarship program for many years and for his efforts leading the detachments’ participation at the annual Veterans Stand Down for the past 10 years.

Steven L. Peterson, Joseph G. Martinez and John A. Minjarez: for their tireless efforts supporting Toys for Tots, sometimes spending 5 & 6 days a week helping sort & deliver toys to needy children in the Colorado Springs area.

Melvin Postlewait: for his efforts in making hundreds of children happy by dressing up as Santa Clause in parades and other Toys for Tots functions

Distinguished Service “Bronze” Award

The (2nd) second highest award that can be awarded at the Detachment Level

This award is presented to all Elected & Appointed Officers for their hard work, their sacrifices of time, energy and monies in the support of this Detachment during 2013.

Garry D. Gibson, Steven J. Schwartz, August Bolender, Joe V. Martinez Jr., Terry Boston, Heike Cummins, James P. Carty, Terry Farstad, Roger L. Baty

Distinguished Service “Bronze” Awardees

Distinguished Service “Bronze” Award

Awarded to the Detachments’ Color Guard Detail. These members have supported Parades, Marine Corps Ball and other important functions during 2013.

Robert L. Berndt, Kaz Mueller, Charles “Osa” Tuck, Heike Cummins, Antonio “Bear” Barrera Sr., Terrance “Terry” Crum, Joseph L. Dickens, John A. Minjarez

Distinguished Service “Bronze” Awardees







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Community Service Award

Awarded to members who have participated in various events: Veterans Stand Down, Funerals, Parades, Cash Sales, Wounded Warriors program, Toys for Tots and other events. All individuals participated in at least three (3) of these events during 2013. (47 members)

Garry D. Gibson, Steve L. Peterson, Joseph L. Dickens, Mark F. Davis, Steven J. Schwartz, Robert B. Hill, Charles O. Tuck, Russell O. Miller, August Bolender, Helen Hill, Richard Inhoffer, Joseph G. Martinez , Joe V. Martinez Jr., James Woods, James “Doc” Evans, Ron Asmussen, Terry Boston, Pete Zobenica, Veronica Hoard, Jay Bennett, Heike Cummins, Heather Zobenica, John A. Minjarez, Arden Rivers, Pat Carty, Orlando Rodriquez, Kazimir Mueller, Glen McMullan, Terry Farstad, Paul Hinojosa, Melvin Postlewait, Patrick D. Cummins, Roger Baty, Charles G. Jackson, Sam Sparks, Doris Purdy, Roland B. Durden, Antonio “Bear” Barrera Sr., Pat Thompson, Charles H. Hankins, Patrick P. Mesa, Del Duval, Terrance Crum, Paul Reifke, Paul R. Darrow, Iris Rudesill, John E. Kowall

Community Service Awardees

Meritorious Commendation “Individual” Award

Awarded to members for their support of the monthly WWII & Korean Luncheon during 2013.

Garry D. Gibson, Joe V. Martinez Jr., Del Duvall, Patricia Thompson & Paul Darrow

Meritorious Commendation “Individual” Award

Awarded to members for their combined efforts in transporting George Griego’s wife Katsuko to and from the hospital to visit George, to & from the base Commissary to buy food, help with legal matters, and help raise funds for Katsuko during this difficult time.

James P. Carty, Garry Gibson, Jim Woods, Paul Darrow, Patricia Thompson, Frank “Doc” Evans, Roger Baty

Meritorious Commendation Individual Awardees

Commandant Gibson also announced that Web Master Roger Baty will be nominated for a National Award for his years of dedicated service to the Detachment and exceptional newsletter!

After all awards were handed-out, Commandant Gibson presented two checks of $500 each to the Young Marines, Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs Detachments. Detachment members Paul Hinojosa and Tim Gardiner accepted the checks on behalf of the Young Marines. Commandant Gibson informed the Detachment that he and Associate Member Marianne Smith provided $150 each to representatives from Care and Share and Christmas Unlimited earlier in the week.

Marianne Smith Presents a Donation to Christmas

Unlimited

The next event was the installation of newly elected and appointed officers conducted by former Commandant Jim Woods:

Commandant: Garry Gibson Senior Vice Commandant: Russ Miller Junior Vice Commandant and Adjutant: Terry Boston Judge Advocate: Joe V. Martinez Jr. Chaplain: Pat Carty Pay Master: Veronica Hoard Web Sergeant: Roger Baty Sergeant at Arms: Toby Bolender was acknowledged, but was unable to attend.







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New Officers Await the Installation Ceremony

Commandant Jim Woods and Commandant Garry

Gibson during Installation Ceremony

Then it was time for 50 / 50. A hefty pot was won by Bob Hill who donated the proceeds to Toys-for-Tots.

With all business completed Commandant Gibson closed the meeting at 0948. The next meeting will take place on 14 January 14.

Respectively submitted by Terry P. Boston, Adjutant Marine Corps League, Pikes Peak

Detachment

Sergeant-at-Arms Toby Bolender


Next Meeting

18 January 2014 0900 at TREA - Breakfast at 0830

Come early (0730), drink coffee and tell stories

Upcoming Events TBD

Announcements

Toys for Tots [email protected] 719-495-0083(H)

719-440-4867(C) http://colorado-springs-

co.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.asp

Saturday Jan 4th the Colorado Springs Young Marines will be counting and boxing up the leftover toys. Come and help if you have time. Looking for next year’s Coordinator!!! Contact me for details.

Semper Fi, John

Raising Funds for George Griego’s Widow

Quarter Master Garry Gibson

[email protected] Semper Fi….The Gunny

This Month in History Dates of Marine Corps Historical Significance

10 January 1995: The Pentagon announced that 2,600 U.S. Marines would be deployed to Somalia for Operation United Shield to assist in 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 in support of the Sixth Army.




http://colorado-springs-co.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.asp









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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 1951: Marines of the 1st 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 (Changjin) Reservoir. 20 January 1968: The second battle for Khe Sanh began when Marines from the 3d Battalion, 26th 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 1st 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-size action of the Vietnam War, began in the A Shau/Da Krong Valleys when the 9th 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 1988: About 400 Marines and sailors from the 2d Marine Division, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, and 2d 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 Quatari troops, supported by artillery from the 1st Marine

Division and attack helicopters and other allied coalition aircraft, recaptured the town two days later.

Moments of the Past Year


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