michigan marine news - fall 2015 edition

FALL EDITION 2015—6

MICHIGAN’S FIRST FEMALE COMMANDANT

WENDY ZAMORA WITH SEVEN PAST

DEPARTMENT COMMANDANTS

The Magazine of the Department of Michigan Marine Corps League and Marine Corps League Auxiliary

NEW U.S. MARINE CORPS

COMMANDANT FROM LANSING AREA

www.michiganmarines.org

FALL EDITION 2015 Edition 6

PAGE 2

WENDY ZAMORAWENDY ZAMORAWENDY ZAMORA

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT COMMANDANT

Department of Michigan Members

First I would like to thank all that attended our 75th Department Convention in

Lansing and my own detachment for being the host, I hope all that attended

had a great time with the League and Friday night with the Military Order of

the Devil Dogs at the GRAND GROWL of the PACK (Woof Woof) I would also like to thank all that

have the confidence in me to be your Department Commandant, I will work hard as your Commandant

to take the Department to new levels of the Marine Corps League.

I would also like to thank the detachments that attended the 75th convention, this was the first time in

years that we had 25+ detachments attend and would hope that in the future we can get close to 100%

of our 37 detachments attending these important meetings of the Department, if your detachment

hasn’t attended a Convention or Mid-Winter Rally then please plan on attending one soon, I guarantee

that you will have a great time.

Detachments please feel free to contact me if there are problems that I can help with but first see if

your Zone Commandant has the answer first and if I don’t have the answer then I will call on the vast

experience that Michigan has in our Department, our Past Commandants, on the front cover of this

issue I had the privilege of taking my picture with seven of our Past Commandants and will keep up

the great work that they did for our Department.

A month ago I attended the National Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort,

a great place to visit but while we were there we found out what HOT is 117 degrees the last few days

of the convention. While we were there our Michigan delegation was able to get some answers to

questions to why National lost its website and why the National Executive Director Mike Blum and

his sons Jason and Richard were fired, if I were to go over everything then it would take up numerous

pages of answers for the firings so at the Department Fall Staff and the Mid-Winter we will have

answers to most of your questions. One thing we did find out is that the long awaited database that

we have all heard about for the past few years will finally go active sometime in the next 3-5 months,

just as long as the new company hosting the database doesn’t run into any difficulties. This database

we were told that in the future the detachments will be able to submit your officer installation, print

membership cards, change members information and you will see in real time your members status to

where they are standing and just about everything you do now that gets sent to National. Let’s all

hope that everything works right the first time.

I also would like to inform you of our new leadership at the National level.

Commandant – Richard Gore (South Carolina)

Sr. Vice – Wendell Webb (Missouri)

Jr. Vice – Dennis Tobin (New York)

Judge Advocate – Johnny Baker (Alabama)

Our Division Vice Ray Dailey of Ohio and Assistant Division Vice Phil Zamora remain for one more

year.

(Continued on next page)


Commandant continued

If you want more answers on the firings then please have some patience because with the firings some

things are going through the courts at this time, we should have more answers at the Department Fall Staff

October 10th in Charlotte the Mid-Winter in Mt Pleasant or watch for an explanation from our acting Na-

tional Executive Director Tom Hazelett in the Semper Fi Magazine.

Lastly, on October 10th the Department of Michigan Marine Corps League Foundation will host the 2nd

Annual Little Rollers Raffle at the Eaton Area Senior Center 804 S. Cochran in Charlotte Michigan,

Grand Prize will be $1000 if 75 tickets are sold, lets come out and support our foundation which supports

our Scholarship and our Veterans Service Office.

Hope to see all of you soon

Semper Fi

Wendy Zamora

Commandant,

[email protected]

or (517) 541-1501

PAGE 3

INDEX

Page 2 - 3 Commandants Corner

– Commandant continued &

Index

Page 4 – Editors Comments

Page 5 - 6 Sr Vice Commandant

Page 7 - Jr Vice Commandant

Page 8 - 9 Worthy Pack Leader

Page 10 - Around the League

Page 11 - 13 National Convention

pictures

Page 14 - 16, 75th Department of

Michigan Convention

Page 17 Recruiting and retention

Page 18 - 20 Around the League

Page 21 - MODD Pounds

Page 22 - Marine of the Year

Page 23 - Around the Corps

Page 24 - Department Paymaster

Page 25 - ATTENTION PAYMASTERS

Page 26 - Important Info

To submit a story to the Michigan Marine News,

send your detachments photo’s or send your

fundraising forms, Send to

[email protected]

Submit ARTICLES by Nov 20, 2015 to be

included in the Winter edition

Wendy Zamora is also the

MODD Kennel Quartermaster


The Editors Comments First congratulations to all the new officers of the Department of Michigan

Marine Corps League and our new Commandant (my wife) Wendy Zamora

your first female Commandant, The Capital Detachment did a great job

hosting our 75th Convention and as Commandant of the Detachment I want to

Thank all that purchased an ad in our convention booklet and that attended

the convention, this convention was well attended and it was great seeing all

the detachments that were in attendance at the convention.

August I drove (yes I drove) to Arizona with Sr. Vice Dave Masunas and Western Zone Vice

Commandant Al Pearson, On the way out there we seen a lot of the country and even drove through

Tulsa, Oklahoma the site of the 2016 National Convention. The first night we stopped in Amarillo, Texas

after driving for 19 hours and listening to Dave saying “are we there yet…..are we there yet”, Al and I

almost dropped him off in the middle of Oklahoma, we got a good night of sleep and some breakfast and

got back on the road, made our way through the Texas panhandle and New Mexico which was amazing

country, just after we crossed into Arizona we ran into some bad weather and it was some of the heaviest

rain that could have fallen, we took the shortest route possible in Arizona and if you are friends with Dave

and I on Facebook you had a good laugh while AL was driving, one of the routes took us down a two lane

highway and Dave thought we were going to bury him out in the middle of the desert, it was a good ride

even though coming out of the mountains in to Phoenix / Scottsdale, Al almost ran us off the edge of the

mountain because she didn’t want to use the brakes...LOL.

Now on a serious note, for those that were at the Department Convention in Lansing you heard what was

going on at National from Past National Commandants Jim and John Tuohy and that National was falling

apart, etc...etc.. This even made it so that our Department Board of Trustees voted to send to the National

Board of Trustees (B.O.T) a vote of non-confidence towards them, After hearing from our New Acting

Executive Director Tom Hazlett why Mike, Jason & Richard Blum were fired, it helped ease our minds

and our confidence towards the National B.O.T, from what we heard out in Scottsdale the firings were

justified and I’m sure in the coming months if you read your “Semper Fi” magazine then you may get an

explanation from Tom Hazlett, there are still things that Tom and our National Leadership can’t talk about

right now because of legal issues but as soon as they are taken care of then we may hear about them as

long as National isn’t held to a gag order. So stay tuned

Lastly we did find out that the long awaited database will be coming out very soon so get ready for that.

See all of you soon

SEMPER FI

PHIL ZAMORA - PDC

EDITOR

PAGE 4

SR VICE COMMANDANT

DAVID MASUNAS

I would like to thank the members for the support you have given me the past 2

years as your Department Jr. Vice Commandant. I will continue to work hard for

the members in the next two years as your Department Sr. Vice Commandant. I

am Looking forward to working with our newly elected Department

Commandant Wendy Zamora and your newly elected Jr. Vice Commandant Jon

VanTol. Congratulations to the both of you on your new positions with the

Department.

Things to look for from the Department

2nd Annual Little Roller$ Raffle- Saturday October 10, 2015 Location- Eaton

Area Senior Center 804 S. Cochran Charlotte Michigan Time- Doors open at

6pm for cocktails and 7pm for dinner (Italian crusted herb chicken or a 7oz

sirloin steak) Ticket price- $60.00 price includes dinner and raffle. When you

purchase your ticket you will need to choose at that time what you would like for dinner chicken or

steak. Only 130 tickets will be sold. There will be a silent auction and other games being played during the

raffle.

Prize

Draw 1- $1000.00

Draw 25,50,75,100,125- $20

Draw 10- $100

Draw 127, 128- $125

Draw 129- $150

Draw 130- $200

If 75 tickets are not sold the prizes will revert to a 40% of ticket sales

If you have any questions or would like to purchase tickets please contact Wendy Zamora at 517-541-1501 or

Dave Masunas at 231-301-0950

January 2016 the Department will be holding a raffle and the prize will be MONEY.

1st place $500

2nd place $300

3rd place $200

There will be 3000 tickets printed the price of the tickets will be $3.00 each. Every ticket a Detachment

sells they will keep $1.00 per ticket. This is a Department fundraiser but at

the same time a chance for your detachment to raise money also.

For the Little Roller$ raffle I'm asking for your help in finding items for the

silent auction. The items do not have to be related to the Marine Corps. I

attended this event last year and had a great time. We ask that you ask your

relatives, friends, co-workers if they would be interested in attend this event. I

would like to hear from the Detachments any ideas they have on fundraising

and would to see done, as I said at the Department convention last weekend if

you think me coming to your Detachment and dancing around a pole would be

a good idea for a fundraiser I will be there.

Dave Masunas is also the

Eagle Scout coordinator for

the Department and is a

member of the National Boy

Scout committee member

and MODD Kennel Deputy

Quartermaster…...Editor

Continued on page 6

SR VICE COMMANDANT - CONTINUED

DAVID MASUNAS

(Continued from Page 5)

We need to be thinking out side of the box on any ideas that will help the Department and the Detachments. We as Department officers are here for the members but we need to hear from you to know what is on your mind and things you would like to see being done. Have a great summer and Semper Fi!

Starting in september running threw December the telemarketing company Great Lakes Marketing Inc. will be running a campaign to raise money on behalf of the Department of Michigan Marine Corps League. Please keep in mind the money raised during this campaign will help pay for our Department scholarships, Christmas parties held at the Veterans homes in Michigan and the Department VSO (veterans service officers). When ever the Department holds a fundraising event its imperative that we all chip in to help whether its donating your time, donating an item for an auction or a small donation of money, every penny counts. If we want to continue being able to support the programs we fund we need to continue making sure our Department fundraising efforts are a success.

Thank you for your time and Semper Fi.

Dave Masunas

Department of Michigan MCL

Sr. Vice Commandant

IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO OR IF YOU ARE A NEW PAYMASTER THEN PLEASE

SEND ME YOUR: NAME, PHONE NUMBER, ADDRESS AND EMAIL TO

[email protected]

ALSO IF YOU HAVEN’T WENT THROUGH YOUR LIFE MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

WHICH WERE SENT OUT IN JULY, HAVE YOUR COMMANDANT AND

YOURSELF SIGN THE SHEET AND GET IT BACK TO ME ASAP SO YOU CAN

GET YOUR LIFE MEMBERSHIP CHECKS FROM NATIONAL NEXT YEAR.

SEND TO:

Phil Zamora - Paymaster

412 W Harris St

Charlotte, MI 48813

JR VICE COMMANDANT

JONATHAN VANTOL

Marines

I would like to thank everyone for electing me as YOUR Department Jr Vice Commandant. I stand ready to assist any Detachment on recruiting and retention of members. Together we can grow and build the Department.

The current Department recruiter, Scott Neff, signed up 28 new members this year. He did this by starting a bag pipers unit. He found an activity they all enjoy that brought them to the League. They’ll work at the Detachment and showcase the League by marching in parades and attending functions when requested and available.

When recruiting as the Past Commandant Norm Pfaff would say, “I joined to help a Vet and have fun”. Our main focus is HELPING VETS, but we can HAVE A GOOD TIME DOING IT.

The best Veterans organization for a Marine, FMF Corpsman or FMF Chaplain to join is THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, we understand each other.

Additionally some information from the National Convention.

CONGRATULATIONS to Scott Neff for being recognized at the National Convention for coming in third as National Recruiter of the Year!

The Department membership is down a little over 2%. Some of them went to report to the Supreme Commandant and they will be missed. But we need to reach out to our members whose dues have lapsed and find out WHY they have not renewed. Is it because they just forgot or they did not feel welcomed. Try to call and just see how they are doing and ask if they need any assistance with anything and getting to a meeting.

There is a new website for the Marine Corps League and it is www.mclnational.org. It is a big improvement! It is more interactive for the Adjutant/Paymasters and some forms can be filled out online. The transmittal and payment option is being worked on. Death notices and change of address are a couple examples that can be completed online.

Marines I also serve as the National Americanism Chairman and I would like to announce that three of our Detachments entered their Americanism books to be judged. There is a lot of competition and they did very well.

In the 15-50 Platoon size, Cascades Detachment came in third and Edson Kline VanSlyke Detachment received an Honorable Mention.

In the 51-100 Company size, John C Rock came in second.

Jonathan S VanTol

Jr Vice Commandant

Department of Michigan

[email protected] 989-225-5047

MILITARY ORDER OF THE DEVILDOGS

WORTHY PACK LEADER

Woof! Woof! Devil Dogs.

At the Grand Growl of the Pack that was held during the 75th Annual Department of MI Convention, it was a real honor being elected for my second term as Pack Leader of the Wolverine Pack of Michigan. I’m looking forward to another howling, productive and fun filled term of office as your Pack Leader.

For those Dogs who missed the Grand Growl I would like to introduce your 2015-2016 Worthy Pack offic-ers. They are as follows:

Worthy Pack Leader PDD Emil “Dutch” Franz

Worthy Pack Sr. Vice PDD Scot Neff

Worthy Pack Jr. Vice PDD Jon VanTol

Worthy Pack Smart Dog PDD Stephen Fletcher

Worthy Pack Dog Trainer PDD Felipe Zamora

Worthy Pack Mad Dog - PDD Gilbert Dysarczyk

Worthy Pack Police Dog - PDD Dave Masunas

Worthy Pack Dog Robber - PDD Phil Smith

Worthy Pack Watch Dog = PDD Fred Gibas

Worthy Pack Barking Dog = PDD Christine Tonegatto-Salo

Worthy Pack Historian = PDD Dale Erion

Worthy Past Pack Leader PDD Norm Pfaff

picture L-R

Worthy Pack Police Dog - PDD Dave Masunas

Worthy Pack Dog Trainer - PDD Felipe Zamora

Worthy Pack Sr. Vice - PDD Scott Neff

Worthy Pack Leader - PDD Emil Franz

Worthy Pack Jr. Vice – PDD Jon Van Tol

Worthy Pack Smart Dog - PDD Steve Fletcher

Worthy Pack Mad Dog - PDD Gilbert Dysarczyk

MILITARY ORDER OF THE DEVILDOGS

WORTHY PACK LEADER

As BARKED about at previous Growls and Scratching’s, at the Grand Growl we chose a 2015 “Pack Dog of the Year “. The recipient of this year’s prestigious Pack Dog of the Year award went to Past Pack Lead-

er Norm Pfaff. Congratulations Norm

I’m sorry to report that we had two Pounds turn in their Charters this Year. Pounds 314 Washtenaw Coun-ty and 345 Macomb County. I would like to remind all the Dogs from these two Pounds to take the appro-priate steps necessary, so you can be transferred to one of the other Pounds in Michigan. This way you won’t become a “Stray”

I was up in the UP sniffing around with our Worthy Pack Jr. Vice Jon VanTol and our Worthy Pack Watch Dog PDD Fred Gibas and ended up at one of the Northern Wolves Pound #174 Growls. This was May 9th and I was real happy to see that most all of the snow was gone. I had the Honor to present “Life Member-ship Certificates” to several of Dogs and was even able to witness Mongrel Cody Campioni being initiated and receive the Rite of Obligation to the Degree of “PUP”.PDD Jerry Haussmann,

PDD Mike King, Pound Keeper PDD Art Menard, PDD Paul Smigowski signing the paperwork and Center Pup Cody Campioni

I was also standing tall in Scottsdale, AZ at this year’s Supreme Grow, I’m proud to say that along with me our Michigan Pack was well represented at the Supreme Growl. Left is a picture of just three right before the Growl started. The Growl was lots of fun and we also settled down enough to even elect our 2015-2015 Kennel Officers:

57th Chief Devil Dog PDD C. O. Smith

Senior Vice Chief Devil Dog PDD 03-406 Leonard C. Spicer

Junior Vice Chief Devil Dog PDD 08-229 Thomas W. Hazlett Sr

Kennel Smart Dog PDD 09-019 Jeff Jones

Now Past 56th Chief Devil Dog Leanna Dietrich reported, as in years past, your Passport Fees made it possible for our Kennel to donate $31,000 Bones to the Mesa, AZ Children’s Hospitals.

Until our Department Mid-Winter & the Pack Growl, remember not to bite the tires while they are turning.

Woof, Woof………..PDD Emil "Dutch" Franz, Worthy Pack Leader - MODD Michigan Pack

AROUND THE LEAGUE & CORPS

Toys for Tots (T4T) will be off and running in most Detachments and Marine Corps Reserve Cen-

ters, If you would like to be more involved with the T4T program then visit the website at

www.toysfortots.org for your local coordinators.

This initiative began in 1947 when then Major Bill Hendricks and a group of Marine reservists in

Los Angeles, California., collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children, an effort that result-

ed in a nationwide campaign a year later.

Since its inception, the Toys for Tots national campaign distributed 465 million toys to 216 million

underprivileged children, according to the 2012 Annual report.

In 2014, Marine reservists and volunteers distributed more than 17 million toys to more that 7.5

million less fortunate children.

Those wishing to contribute can donate a toy valued at $15 or less in a Toys for Tots bin from now

through the middle of December.

All Detachments that are involved with T4T’s please submit a report to National MCL on your in-

volvement and total toys that have been collected.

WHAT IS THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM? WHAT IS THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM? WHAT IS THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?

This program was created to expose new members to the scope of the League; to make them This program was created to expose new members to the scope of the League; to make them This program was created to expose new members to the scope of the League; to make them

knowledgeable and productive members.knowledgeable and productive members.knowledgeable and productive members.

For the old Salts to bring them up to date on changes in the League, and remind them of the For the old Salts to bring them up to date on changes in the League, and remind them of the For the old Salts to bring them up to date on changes in the League, and remind them of the

details of the league to help them to be better prepared to advance to Leadership in the details of the league to help them to be better prepared to advance to Leadership in the details of the league to help them to be better prepared to advance to Leadership in the

Detachment, Departments and above.Detachment, Departments and above.Detachment, Departments and above.

WHERE DO I FIND THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?WHERE DO I FIND THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?WHERE DO I FIND THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?

go to the National website at go to the National website at go to the National website at www.mclnational.org www.mclnational.org www.mclnational.org or find link on Department of Michigan or find link on Department of Michigan or find link on Department of Michigan

website website website www.michiganmarines.org www.michiganmarines.org www.michiganmarines.org

GO OUT, DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM AND PASS ON THE KNOWLEDGE TO YOUR GO OUT, DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM AND PASS ON THE KNOWLEDGE TO YOUR GO OUT, DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM AND PASS ON THE KNOWLEDGE TO YOUR

DETACHMENT MEMBERS……..OohRahDETACHMENT MEMBERS……..OohRahDETACHMENT MEMBERS……..OohRah

From Top left clockwise:

Buffalo Soldiers raising the Colors

before opening ceremony

Devil Dogs and League members at

the raising of the colors.

Entering Arizona on I-40

Commandant Wendy Zamora during

a break checking her Kennel

Quartermaster sales.

PNC Helen Hicks with PDD Randy Ott

aka “Otter” looking cute with his

ponytails.


Scottsdale Plaza outdoor rooms, highest temp that

week was 117 degrees

Department officers (L-R) Jr Vice Jon VanTol, Sgt at

Arms Dan Ashcraft, Commandant Wendy Zamora,

VAVS Director Emil “Dutch” Franz

Commandant Wendy Zamora with outgoing

National Executive Director / CEO of the Young

Marines Mike Kessler (L) and his replacement

retired Colonel William Davis

New National Commandant Richard Gore

Michigan Department President Mary Brief


New National Commandant Richard Gore with Jr Past

Commandant John Kovalcik

Navaho Code talker sung Marines Hymn before banquet so

our waitress from the week Jennifer sung Happy Birthday

along with the rest of our Marines

13th SgtMajor of the Marine Corps Gene Overstreet

(center) with two other MCL members

Look its Billy Traylor in the middle of all those people

Michigan Department Commandant Wendy Zamora and

Past Commandant Phil Zamora sharing a moment before

the banquet.


Seven Past Department Commandants from left to right,

PNC John Tuohy, PDC Norm Pfaff, PNC Jim Tuohy,

Commandant Wendy Zamora, PDC Phil Zamora, PDC Byron

Haase, PDC Barrie Harrison, PDC Glen Bressette

Joint opening with our guests from state and local

government.

Marine Calvin Moore a original Montford Pointe Marine

Charlie Company 1/24 I&I staff color guard for joint

opening.


2015 Marine of the Year PDC Glen Bressette of the Lake

Superior Detachment

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow sharing comments with the

Department members

New Commandant Wendy Zamora opening a gift from the

Capital Detachment and assisted by her grandson Jackson

Department of Michigan Marine of the Year Society


Tri-County Michigan Young Marines presenting their Unit

Commander and newly installed Commandant Wendy Zamora

with her new “Commandants cover”

Sr Vice Dave Masunas, Commandant Wendy Zamora and Jr Vice

Jon VanTol getting ready to be installed by PDC Phil Zamora

Something you will probably never see again is two

Commandants stealing a kiss after being installed

Department of Michigan officers being installed

FALL EDITION 2015

PAGE 17

Here are some methods that you can use to help grow your detachments

1. Bring a Guest to your meeting

2. Advertise in the paper

3. Advertise on public access TV

4. Letter or personal contact with local business

5. Contact with Chamber of Commerce

6. Bookmark inserts in library books

7. Public meetings malls, out doors ect.

8. Booths at malls, fairs, festivals

9. Pamphlets at Doctors offices

10. Host an open house

11. Contact past members

12. Guest information packet

13. Detachment business cards

14. Advertise at local colleges

15. Have a Detachment Web Page

16. Have a Detachment Facebook page

17. Word of mouth

18. Network with coworkers, family

19. Follow up on guest

20. Lead by example

21. Write letters to other groups

22. Invite the media

Life Membership Dues

0-35 $500.00

36-40 $400.00

41-50 $400.00

51-64 $300.00

65-over $200.00

PAYMASTERS

Make sure you do your Life membership Audit and send it to the Department

Paymaster, Phil Zamora-PDC to get your Life membership check next year.

Send to:

Paymaster Phil Zamora

412 W Harris St

Charlotte, MI 48813

From Top clockwise:

Great Lakes National Cemetery entrance

League and Auxiliary members getting ready

for the League and Auxiliary monument

dedication

PNC Jim Tuohy welcomes everyone to the

monument dedication, next to Jim is Gil

Dysarczyk, Commandant Wendy Zamora and

President Mary Brief

President Brief and Commandant Zamora

unveils the monument

Flint Honor Guard shoots a volley

From Top clockwise:

Dept. President Brief and Auxiliary members

Southern Zone Vice Commandant Ray Rowley

talking to Leatherneck MC members

Rear of monument

Gil Dysarczyk and PNC Jim Tuohy next to

monument that both worked hard to bring to

life.

Leatherneck motorcycle club members at the

monument dedication

Associated Press | Oct 21, 2015 WASHINGTON DC --

The U.S. Navy has announced it will name a ship after Hershel

"Woody" Williams, a West Virginia World War II veteran,

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Corps League

member.

Multiple media outlets report that the Navy made the

announcement Tuesday, months after Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.

Va., wrote a letter urging them to name a ship after Williams.

Williams says that the ship in question will be an expeditionary sea

base. U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus called Williams Tuesday

morning to tell him the news.

Williams was born near Fairmont, W.Va. He enlisted in the U.S.

Marine Corps and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. He

earned the Medal of Honor in 1945 for his actions in the Battle of

Iwo Jima, as well as a Purple Heart.

http://www.military.com/navy

http://www.military.com/marine-corps

http://www.military.com/marine-corps

The Red Knights new LOGO

was done by the Kennel Artist

PDD Jack Severn….Looks great

Marines:

I’m sending this out now to get you thinking about Marine of the Year for 2015-2016.

In the past few years since I was awarded the Department Marine of the Year for 2012-

2013 I’ve read some submissions that were very good, the person submitting sold us the

person, told us everything we needed to know to make a decision on whether they deserved

to be Marine of the Year (MOY), then I’ve seen the opposite on some submissions; one

paragraph saying that this Marine is a great person and that they deserved to be MOY and

they work hard…...What??? That doesn’t tell me anything.

Sell your submission to us (The MOY Society) for the most part we don’t know these

people unless they attend Department functions and then we don’t see them in action like

you do, If I was doing a write up to sell someone to the MOY Society and I wanted it to

win I would have at the least one and one-half pages of what this person does in my

detachment, for the department and if they attend National functions, what they do in their

communities and if they are involved in other veterans organizations and what do they do

there too but mostly what they do for the League.

Sell them….Sell them…..Sell them

After the Mid-Winter there will be information where to send your submissions and when

the deadline will be which will be around May 1 so we can meet as a MOY society and

pick the 2015 - 2016 winner, If your submission isn’t picked then we will ask you to

resubmit the following year updating their submission.

Lastly congratulations to PDC Glenn Bressette of the Lake Superior Detachment on be

chosen the 2014 - 2015 Marine of the Year.

Semper Fi

Phil Zamora - PDC, 2016 MOY Chairman

East Lansing, Michigan Native General Robert Neller becomes 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Dunford set to become Joint Chiefs Chairman

By Sgt. Melissa Karnath, Defense Media Activity, September / 24 / 2015

WASHINGTON -- General Robert Neller received the battle colors of the Marine Corps from Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. during a passage of command ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, Sept. 24, 2015, signifying his new position as the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps. General Neller, an East Lansing, Michigan, native and 40-year Marine veteran, assumes responsibility as the senior ranking officer of the Corps. "I am honored, proud and humbled to be here," Neller said. "I appreciate your support. Now let's go do this." During the ceremony, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter spoke highly of Neller and his ability to lead the Marine Corps and spoke about his "greatest trait" — his love for the troops. "They light up when he's talking to them, and he lights up too," Carter said. Dunford, a Boston native, relinquished command of the Marine Corps after serving in the top post for less than a year. "In his short but significant tenure, Gen. Dunford guided the Marine Corps during the final drawdown in Afghanistan, and maintained the Corps as the most formidable expeditionary fighting force that has ever existed," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "He kept it ready to respond to any crisis throughout the globe in spite of budget constraints, threat of sequestration and the impact of continuing resolutions." During his time as the 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Dunford moved forward to meet challenges with his planning guidance stressing innovation, adaption and winning America’s battles. "I feel fortunate because a few minutes ago Gen. Neller became my commandant," said Dunford. "Just like all the other Marines and sailors, I have the good fortune to have a leader who's passionate, has extraordinary operational capability, and he has extraordinary energy and vision to take us into the future. We couldn't be in better hands." General Dunford will assume his new position as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Sept. 25, 2015.

DEPARTMENT PAYMASTER

PHIL ZAMORA

Department members:

On November 1st your paymasters will be sending me your detachments transmittals to my

home in Charlotte, MI. For the past 10-12 years they have been going to Accurite Accounting

which was in Michigan near Traverse City but a few years ago the owner Jack Sir (a League

member) moved to Florida and we continued to send Jack our transmittals, this past June I

took over as paymaster and there were some Michigan League members that wanted to see our

detachments send the transmittals to me here in Michigan.

So effective NOV 1, 2015 all transmittals from the Detachments will come to me here in

Michigan, I would like to thank Don Lumsden for the smooth transaction (and the 15 boxes I

loaded in my car) and Jack Sir at Accurite Accounting for all he does with our accounting

records.

I would also like to address all the paymasters; we have already run into a problem in one

detachment and I won’t give out their name but from what I’m seeing on the average each

detachment is submitting on the small end 15 transmittals a year and on the high end 25, this

detachment has only submitted on the average for the past three years 3 transmittals and they

are full with 2-3 pages, Paymasters this is unsat that a member gives you money to pay their

dues and are waiting for their membership cards and then they blame it on National when its

your detachments fault for not submitting the transmittal right away, Paymasters if you have

one renewal then send it in and don’t wait to have a full page, you could miss a payment that

was given to you and then we have frustrated members because their dues aren’t paid in a

timely manner and cards aren’t sent.

Yes National is having problems converting to the new database and we all want to blame

them for all the membership card problems but members if you don’t receive your card within

3-4 months then first see when the transmittal was sent and if its past 3-4 months since they

sent it then have the paymaster call me and send me a copy of the transmittal and cancelled

check by email to [email protected] and I will get answers and results.

Remember don’t hold dues more then a week and get them sent in ASAP.

Semper Fi

Phil Zamora - PAYMASTER

FALL EDITION 2015

PAGE 25

SO WHERE DO I SEND IT???

Installation Reports & Bank Report - Department Adjutant (Raymond Rayl)

Transmittals & Life Member audit- (Phil Zamora)

Death Notices - Department Chaplain (John (Jack) Porn)

Intent to hold Convention / Mid-Winter - Time & Place Chairman (Phil Zamora)

Awards & Citations - Chairman (Phil Smith)

Eagle Scout Award - Chairman (Dave Masunas)

Resolutions & Bylaws - Chairman (Tim McGee)

Scholarship - Chairman (Tim McGee)

Get the addresses off of the Department Website and click on S-1 section for the Department Roster

www.michiganmarines.org

AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2015 ALL

TRANSMITTALS

WILL BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING

ADDRESS

Paymaster Phil Zamora

412 W Harris St

Charlotte, MI 48813

DO NOT SEND TO ACCURITE ACCOUNTING

any longer

FALL EDITION 2015

PAGE 26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 28, 2015

Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-284-5230

Veterans Community Action Team joins

Northern Michigan Veterans Coalition

Partnership-driven program strengthens collaboration in Northeast

Michigan, kicks off with Nov. 3 meeting

LANSING, Mich. – Nearly 25,000 veterans in Northeast Michigan will have easier access to comprehensive

health, employment, education and quality-of-life opportunities thanks to a collaboration that brings together local,

state and federal resources and services.

Working in partnership with the Northern Michigan Veterans Coalition, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is

expanding its Veterans Community Action Team program to veterans and their families living in Michigan’s Pros-

perity Region 3, which includes Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda,

Otsego, Presque Isle and Roscommon counties.

First introduced in Metro Detroit (Region 10) and West Michigan (Region 4) in 2013 as a part of Gov. Rick

Snyder’s Regional Prosperity Initiative, VCATs focus on identifying solutions for gaps in veteran services, reduc-

ing duplication of efforts and simplifying connections with local resources.

Local organizations who would like to participate in the VCAT program in Region 3 are encouraged to attend the

initial planning meeting taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The meeting will be hosted by

the Northern Michigan Veterans Coalition and held at Gaylord Evangelical Free Church (1649 East M-32 in Gay-

lord).

“Doug Robinson has already created a strong group of dedicated service providers in Northeast Michigan, and

MVAA is excited to partner with the coalition to make the VCAT program a reality,” MVAA Director Jeff Barnes

said. “By working hand-in-hand with Doug and the rest of the Northern Michigan Veterans Coalition, we can con-

tinue to strengthen partnerships between local service providers, community organizations, state agencies and even

the federal VA to better meet the needs of local veterans and their families.

CONTINUED PAGE 27

FALL EDITION 2015

PAGE 27

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26

Nearly 25,000 veterans live in Region 3, accounting for more than 11 percent of the total population in the area.

Fifty-one percent of veterans are aged 65-84, with the majority serving in the Vietnam War (38 percent) and Kore-

an Conflict (16 percent).

Women veterans account for 6 percent of the veteran population in Region 3.

“Because Northeast Michigan is home to an older group of veterans and their families, we want to work with the

Northern Michigan Veterans Coalition to make sure they are taken care of during each chapter of their lives,”

Barnes said. “By working together, Veterans Community Action Teams can help to support the existing network of

community collaboration and ensure that no veteran ever feels alone when so many local resources are available to

them.”

The VCAT program was created by Ann Arbor-based Altarum Institute, which works with MVAA and community

partners to discern veteran needs and available resources.

Northeast Regional Coordinator Steven Rollins then works with the coalition to connect service providers to one

another and improve the delivery of services to veterans, working with a network of county veterans service offic-

ers, non-profit agencies, veteran service organizations and state government agencies to provide assistance to veter-

ans in Region 3.

VCATs also work in conjunction with 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) – MVAA’s 24/7 hotline that is integrated

with Michigan 2-1-1 services – to connect veterans with services at the federal, state and local levels.

For more information about the planning meeting, contact Rollins at [email protected].

###

About the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency: MVAA serves as the central coordinating point for Michigan vet-

erans, connecting those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families, to services and benefits

throughout the state. Learn more at MichiganVeterans.com or call 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838).

Macomb Pipes and Drums members

FALL EDITION 2015

PAGE 28

(PER NATIONAL BYLAWS)

EVERY DETACHMENT MUST HOLD AN ELECTION EVERY

YEAR BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1ST AND MAY 15TH.

INSTALLATION MUST BE CONDUCTED NO LATER THAN NO LATER THAN

THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH SUBSEQUENTTHE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH SUBSEQUENT TO THE

ELECTION.

Per Department Bylaws

SECTION 615, Yearly Reports No later than ten (10) days following the installation of its officers each

Detachment shall submit the following documents to the Department Adjutant who shall make appropriate

copies and distribute them to other appropriate officers and Marine Corps League offices.

1. The name and address of the person in possession of its charterThe name and address of the person in possession of its charter,, as required by Article Eleven, Section 6.

2. The report required by Article Three, Section 300 stating the name of the financial institution(s) and stating the name of the financial institution(s) and stating the name of the financial institution(s) and

account number(s) where all detachment funds are depositedaccount number(s) where all detachment funds are depositedaccount number(s) where all detachment funds are deposited. . . The Adjutant shall distribute this report to the

Paymaster. (See also Art 3, Section 330 ) “Each Detachment Paymaster shall report the name of the Bank or

Banks, and account numbers, where the detachment funds are on deposit. This report shall be filed and verified

each year by the “Department Paymaster.”

3. The Report of Officer Installation.The Report of Officer Installation.

michigan marine news - fall 2015 edition

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