1

Book of the Month The October Book of the month is “101 Sea Stories: Those

Tales Marines, Sailors and Others Love To Tell” by Don F. Myers. “In the naval service, sea stories are a part of daily life. Sea stories come in varied forms, from the ridiculous to the sub-lime. Many grow in stature with each tell-ing and are told so many times that they be-come legend. Many are filled with humor, such as pulling off a good one on a supe-

rior, while others tell of heartrending tragedy or an unusual or different combat situation. A stunt seen or done. There is even a historical perspective to sea stories since most tell of experiences that will not be seen in any other venue. The title 101 Sea Stories speaks for itself, in that the reader will enjoy 101 individual tales from veterans that served in all five branches of the military from the beginning of World War II, then Korea and Vietnam and peacetime. Scintil-lating tales that will delight readers.

From the Helm A message from Commandant Bud Albright

Hiram I. Bearss Det. #089

Dear Marines, Most of you know that we are planning on leasing (with an option to buy) the old VFW post on 3561 English Ave-nue in Indianapolis. The opportunity to enter into this deal came up rather suddenly, and because winter weather is around the corner and there is quite a bit of work that needs to be done before we can occupy the building, we decided to move fast in order to close the deal. Your officers and fellow Leaguers are involved in working up a business plan to raise funds to pay for the building. Keep your eyes open - the det will be sending you emails and other forms of communica-tion concerning the new building.

We are already starting to clean up and remodel the build-ing. If you have some time to spare, we could really use your help! The building will be open to workers on Wednesday nights from 6:00pm till ??? and on Satur-days from 11:00am till ???. Wear work clothes and join us in making this project a success! If you cannot make it on the above days but have some time on other days, contact me and I will make arrangements for someone to be there whenever you can spare some time to help out.

There are a lot of ideas on how and what to do with the new location so feel free to submit any ideas you have to one of your officers or the building committee (committee member names will be available soon).

Other News ♦ In the last edition, I recognized our Miracle Mile parade

participants but left out Loyal Leaguer, Jim Wade. Thanks, Jim, and sorry for leaving you out last month!

♦ Most of us will be in Jasper for the State Fall Confer-ence on October 4th and will miss the Riley Day Festi-val on October 4th parade for the first time in many years. However, our Higgins boat float will be in the parade as the Wortman Lowe detachment will be using it.

♦ The next parade is the Fall Foliage parade in Martins-ville on Sunday October 12th.

♦ The last parade we will be in this year is the Veterans Day parade which will be held on November 11th.

Semper Fidelis, Bud Albright, 317.546.7228

SCUTTLEBUTT Central Indiana Marine Family News

* Marine Corps League * 1st Marine Division Assoc * * Marine Corps Coordinating Council * MCROA * WM Assoc * * Montford Point Assoc * Central Indiana Young Marines *

* Other USMC & Division Associations *

Volume 34 - Issue 9 October 2008 www.IndyMarines.org

Inside This Edition

Letter to the Editor…………………….. 2 Amputee Returns to Combat…..……. 2 Unique Gifts……….……………………... 3 Cookbook……………….….………...……3 Oct-Dec Calendar of Events..………… 4 Scuttlebutt Sponsors…………………3, 5-8

Can you believe that Christmas is only 2 months away?!

The Hiram I. Bearss Detachment will be hosting its Annual Christmas Dinner

Saturday, December 20th Jenn Air Building, 10450 E. 63rd Street

(Luis Jenn Memorial Park)

More details to come on the time, menu, ticket price and evening events.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Mark Your Calendars!

2

LETTER TO THE SCUTTLEBUTT EDITOR

The Founding Fathers of this Marine Corps League De-tachment had grandiose ideas during the first year of its ex-istence. I speak from experience when I say how we planned for the future with our sights set high. This was 1973 and among our paper, planning and brainstorming was the idea to have a Marine Corps Memorial Club in Indianapolis like the one they have in San Francisco. And, couple that to a Midwest Marine Corps Museum, Library, and Meeting Cen-ter.

Those were the good old days when we had visions of a thousand Marines pounding at our doors to be members of “Marine Barracks Indy.”

Within a dozen years, we actually had a Marine Barracks Indy of sorts on Shelby Street in Fountain Square. We spruced up that 900 square foot store front, inside and out, and the joke among us Marines was that our joint ended up looking like a Chinese Shrine. Indianapolis Star reporter Dan Carpenter even spent a Saturday afternoon with several of us at the “Marine Club” and he did a story on us.

Unfortunately, we hadn’t developed a business plan for our little venture, and the neighborhood wasn’t that great. Yet, we still talked about greater things to come and contin-ued to have visions of a Marine Corps Museum in Indianapo-lis. It was a sad day indeed when newly elected comman-dant, LtCol. Dan Switzer, had a first order of business of get-ting us out of the Shelby Street experience.

Now, more years have passed and a new breed of Marines is once again willing to risk the odds of having a place they can call their own. Commendable. However, if I’ve learned nothing else in the ensuing 34 years about this wild dream of doing something positive for the Marine Corps and Marines of Indiana, it is a lesson learned: it will take more than a handful of dedicated members from the rank and file to accomplish anything as large as providing a location Marines can call their own.

We are on the threshold of taking a giant first step in de-veloping a 3,000 square foot former church into an Indian-apolis Marine Corps Heritage Center. If this works, as it should on English Avenue, then who is to say what can hap-pen a dozen years from now if the entire Marine Family of Indiana gets behind this project? We need the Corps of Ma-rine Officers solidly behind this project with their wisdom and steadfast leadership. We also need a Corps of worker bees to take on the responsibility of getting the doors opened on English Avenue. Bring us your ideas and let us mull them over. And, above all, think positive with the need of financial aid to make this all work.

Semper Fidelis,

Donald F. Myers, USMC Retired

233rd Marine Corps Birthday Ball

November 15, 2008

Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Indianapolis

Do you have news that you what to share? Contact the Editor, Melissa Jacobs, at:

melissabjekich@hotmail.com

Amputee Marine Returns To Combat Duty By David Zucchino, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer August 6, 2008 CAMP BARBER , AFGHANISTAN

Just over a year ago, Cpl Garrett Jones was one of thou-sands of Marines slogging through a tour of duty in Iraq . Today, he is deployed with the same unit in Afghanistan , but he serves now with an unusual distinction.

On July 23, 2007, Jones was on foot patrol near the Iraqi city of Fallujah when he was injured by a roadside bomb. After the attack, his left leg was ampu-tated above the knee. He developed infections and fevers. His weight dropped from 175

pounds to 125. At 21, Jones faced months of painful reha-bilitation and a likely end to his service in the Marine Corps.

One year later, Jones is walking smoothly on a prosthetic leg. He not only continues to serve on active duty, but he has worked his way back to a war zone, serving with his Marine battle buddies in Afghanistan .

In previous wars, Jones would have received a medical discharge and returned to civilian life. But in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, the Pentagon has made it possible for some amputees to return to duty -- and for a few to deploy overseas again. Advances in medical care and high-tech prostheses have enabled amputees to function far better.

Jones said he couldn't bear the thought of not deploying with close friends in his unit after he learned last fall that they would be sent to Afghanistan . He also wanted to pave a path for other amputees and show them what's pos-sible, he said.

continued on page 5)

Jones said he couldn’t bear the thought of not deploying with close friends in his unit after he learned last fall that they would be sent to Afghanistan. He also wanted to pave a path for other amputees and show them what’s possible, he said.

3

Are you looking for a unique gift?? Do you collect Marine Corps Stuff ??

The James P. Farber Detachment of the Marine Corps League may have exactly what you’re looking for. Detachment Commandant Jeff Green has taken up quite a unique hobby - GLASS ETCHING. Check out the pieces from the Semper Fi Collection pictured on the left. Each mirror is 5 inches x 5 inches and sell for $10 each (all proceeds go to the JPF Detachment). These mirrors are typically used as coasters or home/office décor.

For more information, contact Commandant Jeff Green at g_jeffrey@sbcglobal.net

On left: Semper Fi Collection from top left going clockwise - Flying Eagle (right); Liberty Eagle with 13 Stars; Flying Eagle (left); Marine Corps League Logo; Marine Corps Slogan with Eagle, Globe and Anchor; Military Order of the Devil Dog logo; Bulldog with USMC; United States Marine Corps with Eagle Globe and Anchor.

Remembering the Taste of Home

A Collection of Recipes by the Friends and Families of Our Military Servicemen, Women, and their Families--Past and Present.

Review by Scuttlebutt Editor, Melissa Jacobs

After advertising this cookbook in the August edition of the Scuttlebutt, I decided to order it for myself. As a new mom who works about 50 hours a week, I’m always looking for easy recipes that consist of ingredients that I can usually find in my kitchen. I was also hoping that this cook-book would be similar to what I think of as a “church” cookbook. That is, one that contains only the best recipes of the church’s members. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this cookbook met my expectations - it contains simple recipes submitted by cooks who selected their most

acclaimed dishes.

If you’re like me and you’re looking for some new and easy meals to prepare for your family, order a copy of “Remembering the Taste of Home” today. Each cookbook costs $10, and all proceeds are donated to Freedom is Not Free (www.freedomisnotfree.com). Contact Myrtle Wheeler at 812-985-2171 or mertwdw@aol.com for more information (to include a shipping quote).

Shipping costs vary, but shipping to an Indiana address is typically about $5. If you’d like to order a book without an exact shipping quote, any profit made on shipping will go to Freedom is Not Free. Send your $15 order (for one book) to:

Freedom Is Not Free C/O Myrtle Wheeler

6406 Midway Manor Dr. Mt. Vernon, IN 47620

Breakfast Pizza 1 pkg Crescent Rolls 5 eggs 1 lb sausage 1/4 c. half and half 1 c. hash browns, thawed 1/2 tsp. salt 2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded 1/8 tsp. pepper

Brown sausage and drain. In bottom of pizza pan, press crescent rolls together. Spoon sausage onto pan. Add layer of hash brown. Add layer of cheese. Mix eggs, half and half, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture over layers and bake at 375 for about 25 minutes. (Gail Wilson)

4

October - December Calendar of Events October 20 (Mon)…………………………… Free Flu Shots Start (Roudebush VA Medical Center 1481 W. 10th Street) 23 (Thurs) 1900……………… HIB-MCL Staff Meeting (Veteran’s Center) 24 (Fri) 1400-2000………… Indy Gun & Knife Show (Indiana State Fairgrounds) 25 (Sat) 0800-1800……… Indy Gun & Knife Show (Indiana State Fairgrounds) 26 (Sun) 0900-1500……… Indy Gun & Knife Show (Indiana State Fairgrounds) 29 (Wed) 1730………………… Marine Corps Coordinating Council Meeting (Heslar Armory) 31 (Fri)……………………………… Halloween November 2 (Sun)……………………………… End Daylight Savings Time (set your clocks back!) 3 (Mon)……………………………… Women Marines Association Meeting (Roudebush VA Medical Center 1481 W. 10th Street) 4 (Tues)…………………………… Election Day 10 (Mon)…………………………… 233rd Marine Corps Birthday 11 (Tues)…………………………… Veteran’s Day 13 (Thurs) 1900……………… HIB-MCL Membership Meeting (Veteran’s Center) 15 (Sat) 1715…………………… Marine Corps Birthday Ball (Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Indianapolis) 26 (Wed) 1730………………… Marine Corps Coordinating Council Meeting (Heslar Armory) 27 (Thurs)………………………… Thanksgiving December 11 (Thurs) 1900……………… HIB-MCL Membership Meeting (Veteran’s Center) 20 (Sat)…………………………… Marine Corps League Christmas Party (Jenn-Air Building) 25 (Thurs)………………………… Christmas

HIB MCL OFFICER ROSTER

Commandant Bud Albright Sr. Vice Commandant Tom Terpinas Jr. Vice Commandant Melissa Jacobs Adjutant/Paymaster Philip Fowler Past Commandant Russ Eaglin Chaplain Jesus Quintana, Jr. Sergeant at Arms David Hansell Judge Advocate Lloyd Louks

HIB MCL COMMITTEE ROSTER

VAVS Representative Jesus Quintana, Jr. VAVS Deputy Hazen Ward Raffles Tony Mungovan Stars and Stripes Jim Wade Scuttlebutt Editor Melissa Jacobs Awards Don Myers Christmas Banquet Tony Mungovan Historian Fred Axthelm Boy Scout Eagle Awards Fred Axthelm Toys For Tots Bud Albright Parades Tony Mungovan MCL Svc. Officer Diane Ward Young Marines Liaison Jim Wade Young Marines Mac Magana Budget and Finance Philip Fowler Quartermaster Russ Eaglin

LET US KNOW WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND! LEAVE US A MESSAGE AT:

317-546-7228

In Loving Memory:

Our Dear Friend & Fellow Leaguer Passed Away on 28 September 2008:

Carl H. Hagner Life Member

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Please contact Chaplain Jesus Quintana, Jr.

at 317.546.7228 for more information.

With Christmas right around the corner, the Toys For Tots pro-gram is being ramped up in the Indianapolis area. With the econ-omy the way it is right now, families are going to need your help

more than ever. Stay tuned for more information about how YOU can help make 2009 a record breaking year! Contact 1stSgt Wil-

liams Hess, Indianapolis Toys For Tots Coordinator, at william.l.hess@usmc.mil.

5

Crown Hill Cemetery Crown Hill Cemetery Salutes Our Nation’sSalutes Our Nation’s

VeteransVeterans

In honor of your service to our In honor of your service to our country you are entitled to a country you are entitled to a complimentary space in our complimentary space in our

Field of Valor Field of Valor To inquire about our Veterans

Benefits Program contact: Russ Eaglin, Military Liaison

317-201-7066

"I want to be someone an injured Marine can talk to," Jones said. "And I can tell them: 'Times will be rough and not always easy as an amputee, but you can still make great things out of an unfortunate situation.' That's what I want to do."

Sgt. Matthew Leonard, who served with Jones in Iraq and now works beside him at this desert base in southern Af-ghanistan, said Jones has earned a special status among Marines because he demanded to be sent back to combat.

"He didn't just choose to come -- he fought to come," Leo-nard said. "We bled and sweated with this guy in Iraq , and he wants to be with us more than anything. That's awe-some."

Jones, 22, of Newberg , Ore. , is among a small number of Marines who have lost a limb in Iraq or Afghanistan and returned to duty in a war zone. (A Marine Corps spokes-man said the Corps is unable to provide accurate figures.)

Sixty-two soldiers, airmen or sailors have lost limbs in combat and returned to active duty, according to spokes-men for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

No information was available for the number of those am-putees who have returned to duty in Iraq or Afghanistan ; some estimates put the number at about a dozen.

Nearly 900 of the 33,000 total U.S. wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan have lost at least one limb, according to the Pentagon. Partly because of manpower shortages and partly to retain veterans with combat experience and other expertise, the military has cleared the way in recent years for amputees and other injured service members to remain on active duty.

Unit commanders decide after consulting military doctors what type of duties to assign amputees, either in the U.S. , on an overseas base or in a war zone, said Lt. Col. George Wright, an Army spokesman.

Jones said he had to pass medical tests and prove in train-ing that he could walk effectively, get in and out of a

Humvee and perform other physical tasks. Once, while in a simulator that mimics a Humvee rolling over, his prosthesis popped off, he said. He reattached it and con-tinued the drill.

Jones didn't get his first prosthesis until November. By the end of December, he had learned how to snowboard again, a sport he had enjoyed for years. He plans to com-pete in freestyle snowboarding in the 2010 Paralympics in Vancouver , Canada .

"I can do stuff on a snowboard I don't think any other amputee can do," he said. He would compete to win, which would create "good publicity for the Marine Corps," he said.

"He's amazing -- he can do anything," said Cpl. Paul Savage, who works with Jones here at the headquarters for the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, which is based in Twentynine Palms. "There are no limitations with this guy."

Jones looks like a lot of other Marine enlisted men on the base -- young, fit, suntanned and energetic. Except for a limp, he blends in easily. He is engaging and forthright. He discusses his injuries coolly, without a trace of self -consciousness.

"I roll with the punches," he said. "I'll always have some pain and discomfort, and I've accepted that."

Cpl Jones in Afghanistan. Picture taken by Rick Loomis of the Los Angeles Times

6

Central Indiana Marine Points of Contact Marine Corps League H.I. Bearss Det: Office 317-546-7228; Commandant Bud Albright 317-535-7547; Chaplain Jesus Quintana 317-445-9509 National Marine Corps Museum, State of IN Liaison: Russ Eaglin 317-201-7066 1st Marine Division Association: Guy Miller 317-293-7594 3rd Marine Division Association: Russ Eaglin 317-201-7066 Montford Point Association: President Johnny Washington 317-549-2849 Woman Marine Association: Diana Ward 317-873-4113 Marine Corps Coordinating Council: Russ Eaglin 317-201-7066 Marine Inspector Instructor: Capt. Barnes & 1st Sgt Hess 317-923-1584 Marine Recruiting Service: Maj. Morrissey 317-698-5770 Marine For Life Program: Maj. Dennis 317-223-8899 Central Indiana Young Marines: SgtMaj. Magana 317-523-7130 Editor, Scuttlebutt & Marine eScuttlebutt: Melissa Jacobs 317-726-0747 Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation: Capt Larry Slaugh 317-471-9577

ABC PRO is a computer consulting company That brings quality computing solutions

to any business at an affordable price.

ABC.PRO Core Values Integrity, Honesty, Ethical Behavior,

Trustworthiness, Family-Oriented, Competency, Enjoyment, Strive for Win-Win, Satisfaction - Self & Customer

1665 Farm Meadow Drive Greenwood, IN 46143 Phone: 317-885-7522

Fax: 317-885-7584 Email: dbright@abcpro.net; Web: www.abcpro.net

This ad is in honor of the best Marine I know, my dad, Bud Albright, Commandant of the HIB detachment, Indianapolis, IN. - W. Dexter Albright

6

Give Thanks, Respect, Honor, and Tribute to our Warriors and their Families,

Past and Present Thanks to All for your Service and Sacrifice

Semper Fidelis

7

jeep1@insightbb.com (317) 773-6363

Sales & Leasing Consultant

Fax: (317) 776-6024 Cell: (317) 714-4393

• I am a 2006 Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Certified Sales Master and have been Gold Certified from 2000 to 2005!

• I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

• I served from 1963 - 1967 as a member of 3rd Battalion 9th Marines that was first ashore at Da Nang, Viet Nam on 8 March 1965.

9900 Pleasant Street Noblesville, Indiana

Semper Fidelis, Bill Swaney

8

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE Hiram I. Bearss Detachment P.O. Box 2351 Indianapolis, IN 46206-2351 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Indianapolis, IN Permit No. 8243

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION SERVING THE MARINE FAMILY OF CENTRAL INDIANA

TO: Affix Address Label

Printed by: Hobby Copy Inc, 4239 S. Madison Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227 (317) 781-9701

Please support our sponsors

Sales & Service

Prompt * Professional * Affordable William J. Krier

6515 College Ave, Indianapolis, IN (317) 259-8077

Sgt. Smith’s Army-Navy Store, Inc.

Hours: Mon-Fri: 10-6 Sat: 10-5

103 North Main Street Rushville, IN 46173

(765) 992 - BUZZ (2899)

Toll Free Order Line 1-877-USMC-VET (876-2838)

xusmcre6@aol.com

The Young Marines lost about $5K in sponsorships this year—they need your

help! If you’d like to help support the Central Indiana Young Marines,

send your contributions to:

Central Indiana Young Marines 3113 Columbine Circle Indianapolis, IN 46224