Pikes Peak Detachment July 2019 Newsletter 1

The Pikes Peak Scuttlebutt Pikes Peak Detachment 29

Marine Corps League Detachment Commandant Steve Schwartz

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

July 2019 Newsletter Newsletter Editor Terry Crum

2019 Pikes Peak Detachment Officers

Detachment Commandant Steve Schwartz sjschwartz_98@yahoo.com 719-213-1922 Senior Vice Comdt, Web Sgt. Terry Crum colorado.crum@gmail.com 719-432-7340 Junior Vice Commandant Jamie Rogers rogersjes.jr@gmail.com 719-201-0759 Judge Advocate Gary George garyg4812@yahoo.com 719-597-3054 Chaplain Vince Espinoza vjespinoza6978@gmail.com 719-323-5705 Paymaster Peggy Baldwin mclsemperfigal@outlook.com 719-453-7850 Adjutant Paul Reifke preifke@msn.com 719-492-8359 Sgt.-at-Arms Osa Tuck osa@divide.net 719-332-0557 Jr. Past Commandant Paul Hinojosa mclphinojosa@comcast.com 719-313-1752 Quarter Master Russ Miller rcmllr@msn.com 719-235-1058 M.O.D.D. Pound Keeper DD Terry Crum colorado.crum@gmail.com 719-432-7340

Pikes Peak Detachment Monthly Meeting

20 July 2019 Coffee at 0730 - Breakfast at 0800 - Meeting at 0900

Cash Sales will be open

VFW Post 4051 430 E Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO

Popcorn Sales at the VA Clinic

3141 Centennial Blvd, Colorado Springs 0900-1500 every Monday and Wednesday

Please consider helping sell popcorn.

July2019MarineCorpsLeagueDepartmentofColoradoStaffMeeting27 July 2019. Hosted by the Pikes Peak Detachment at the VFW Post 4051

430 E Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs 1100: meet and greet. 1200: Lunch 1300: Dept. Meeting.

The Colorado Pack Growl will take place shortly after the Dept. meeting

x

2019MarineCorpsLeague96thAnnualNationalConventionThe Eugene Sara Det. is proud to host this year’s national convention in Billings, Montana. At this time five Devils Dogs of the Karnivorous Kanines will attend initiation to earn the title of Pedigree Devil Dog. More information including registration details can be found at: https://www.mclnationalconvention2019.com

Pikes Peak Detachment July 2019 Newsletter 2

Commandant Steve Schwartz July greetings to all Marines, associates, FMF Corpsmen, and Chaplains. Hope your summer is going well. I want to thank all who participated in the great 4th of July parade in Monument. We had a great turnout as usual and I appreciate all of you for your support of the Detachment. One thing that I forgot to mention at our meeting in June: Paul Hinojosa, Russ Miller, and I were honored to attend the graduation ceremony for the Young Marines at the park in Fountain in June. Very encouraging to see and visit with these young men and women and hopefully, many will decide to join the Corps when they are older. Unfortunately, we have had several funerals, viewings, and memorials for our deceased Brothers in the last few weeks. Our Chaplain will be giving you additional information. Again, thanks to our Bereavement Team for helping the families during their difficult times. Moving forward, however, remember that the Detachment will be hosting the Department Staff meeting on 27 July at the VFW. Several of our Associate members and ladies have volunteered to prepare lunch for all. Thank you! Also coming up is the National Convention in Billings, MT the first week of August. Several of our Devil Dogs will be advancing to Pedigree at the Convention. Our Pound Keeper will tell you this same thing - the Devil Dogs want you! If you've been an MCL member for at least a year, you are eligible to join. Please consider it. Finally, I want to welcome our two new members who joined in June, Adrienne and Dean Patterson. I also want to welcome back Dave Ramirez. Hopefully you will all be able to participate and join us are our various activities and projects. Remember, we are all recruiters for the MCL, so if you meet someone who served, extend to them an invitation to attend our meeting and consider joining. Semper Fi, Steve

Graduation ceremony for the Young Marines in at the park in Fountain, CO in June 2019.

Luncheon for WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War Veterans

This event is intended for the veterans of WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. All red blooded Americans are welcome to show support for our countries senior warriors. A guest speaker is often present to inspire and inform. The patriotism is genuine, the company is friendly, and the food is great. The next luncheon is 9 July 2019.

Proclamation – Remembering the Korean War

The Board of El Paso County Commissioners will honor our Korean War Veterans on 23 JULY 2019 @ 9:00 AM at the Centennial Hall. 200 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Please RSVP to: vet@elpasoco.com if you plan on attending.

Pikes Peak Detachment July 2019 Newsletter 3

Paymaster Peggy Baldwin All annual memberships ($36) expire each year on August 31 and can be paid at any time. Dues need to be paid by the August meeting, 08/17/19, to allow time for me to submit your renewal to avoid being delinquent. If you are interested in becoming a Life Member, we currently have the Life Membership Dues Schedule as follows: Schedule for life membership

Age 0 - 35 36 - 50 51 – 64 65 - Over Amount $500 $400 $300 $200

NOTE: To become a Life Member you must be a Member in "Good Standing". Semper Fi, Peggy Baldwin

The Pikes Peak Detachment at the July 4th parade. Craig Reeling and Russ Miller

2019 Bowl-A-Thon 13 October 2019 at 1300 Brunswick Zone

999 N. Circle Dr. Colorado Springs, CO Check in time: 12:30 PM Bowling starts at 1:00 PM

Bowlers & Donations Needed! We are starting on our 24th bowl-a-thon in October. Please help us with your pledges and donations to make this a successful as we did in the past. The funds will go to Young Marines, Toys for Tots, PPD, Pikes Peak Marines Helping Marines Program, Care and Share and Christmas Unlimited. Pledge forms are available at every meeting. We will be calling all members for donations. If you have any question please call me. You can pay at our meetings or mail checks to Marianne Smith at 546 Raemar Drive, CS, CO. 80911 Checks should be made out to: MCL BOWL-A-THON. Remember large or small amounts all count! Hope to hear from you or see you at the next Detachment meeting. Semper Fi, Marianne Smith

Ladies Luncheon The Pikes Peak Det. ladies luncheon is

the third Tuesday of every month.

This luncheon is organized by Judy Carty. If you would like to attend, please call her at (719) 331-2763. The next luncheon is: July 16 at 1:00 PM.

Rocco's Italian Restaurant 3802 Maizeland Rd, Colorado Springs, CO

The Salute to American Veterans Rally/Festival

16 – 18 August 2019 Cripple Creek, Colorado

The Pikes Peak Detachment will be there and need volunteers to work cash sales. Please consider volunteering

POC Russ Miller 719-235-1058 or rcmllr@msn.com

Pikes Peak Detachment July 2019 Newsletter 4

VA MISSION ACT OF 2018 Veterans Community Care - Urgent Care Beginning June 6, 2019, under the MISSION Act, Veterans will have more ways to access health care. As part of implementing the VA MISSION Act of 2018, the VA will offer an Urgent Care benefit that provides eligible Veterans with greater choice and access to timely high-quality care. This includes care within the VA’s network and through approved non-VA medical providers within the Veteran’s community called “community care providers.” Depending on a Veteran’s situation - for example, if a certain type of health service isn’t provided by the VA—a Veteran may be able to go to a non-VA provider, using their VA coverage. With Urgent Care, Veterans have a new option of care for the treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, such as colds, sore throats, and miner skin infections. This benefit is offered in addition to the opportunity to receive care from a VA provider, as the VA also offers same-day services. The VA will only pay for care under this benefit if: • The Veteran is eligible. • The medical services are not excluded under the benefit. • The provider is part of VA’s contracted network of community providers and is identified as an Urgent Care provider. If an eligible Veteran goes to an out-of-network urgent care provider, they may be required to pay the full cost of care. By law the VA cannot pay claims for Urgent Care rendered to a Veteran from providers that are not part of the VA’s network. Eligibility Veterans should contact their local VA medical facility to see if they are eligible. To find an available Urgent Care provider in VA’s contracted network of community providers, Veterans can use the VA’s provider locator on VA.gov (https://www.va.gov/find-locations/) or contact their local VA medical facility. VA staff can inform the Veteran of available in-network locations and offer to find the closest locations. If a Veteran arrives at an Urgent Care network location and has any difficulty receiving care, they can call the VA Urgent Care support line (866) 620 - 2071 for assistance. Download the Mission Act Veteran Community Care –Urgent Care fact sheet at: https://www.va.gov/communitycare/docs/pubfiles/factsheets/VA-FS_Vet-Urgent-Care.pdf

M.O.D.D. Pound 150 Karnivorous Kanines

Pound Keeper DD Terry Crum Woof, Woof, to all you dogs of the Karnivorous Kanines and to all that happen upon this rumination. All Devil Dogs of the Karnivorous Kanines mark your calendars, the next Pound Growl of the Karnivorous Kanines is 20 July shortly after the Detachment monthly meeting. I do believe we have a miserable old puppy that wants to be initiated into the M.O.D.D. This should be fun! Please bring a bag of dog food to the Growl. The donated dog food shall be donated to a worthy cause helping to feed less fortunate dogs. Remember the Pikes Peak Detachment will host the CO Dept. staff meeting 27 July at the VFW #4051 Post. Shortly after the staff meeting concludes the Colorado Pack Growl will take place. In addition to the usual shenanigans of a Growl, Pack Leader Miller shall also desires donations of dog food to feed less fortunate dogs. Furthermore these will be the last Growls prior to the Supreme Growl during the National convention in Billings, MT. Fun awaits in Billings, Montana for those of us dogs attending. The highly sought after and most regarded gold collars will be the goal of a number of Devil Dogs. Please remember that every dog is a potential dog catcher. We always want more dogs for our Pound. Keep an eye out for the dog catcher until the Pound Growl July 20th. Woof, Woof, DD Terry

Pikes Peak Detachment July 2019 Newsletter 5

15 June 2019 Pikes Peak Detachment Monthly Meeting Minutes Commandant Steve Schwartz opened the 15 June 2019 monthly meeting of the Marine Corps League Pikes Peak Detachment for official business at VFW #4051 Post at 0900 with Salute to Colors and opening prayer. All Detachment officers were present except for Judge Advocate Gary George, excused. Recognition of Dignitaries: NVC RMD Russ Miller and RMD Chaplin Pat Carty. The meeting guests were introduced. Dean and Adrienne Patterson were introduced. Dean retired from the Marines and Adrienne served as a Navy nurse. Many members remember David Ramires as a honorary member of the Detachment while he was a Sergeant on active duty. David was honorably discharged from active duty and came to the meeting to say hi. A motion was made to accept the quest as members by Bob Berndt and seconded by Roger Baty. The motion carried.

A motion to accept the May 18, 2019 monthly meeting as they were posted in the June newsletter by Terry Farstad The motion was seconded by Roger Baty. The motion carried.

Thank you letters to the Detachment from scholarship recipients Brianna Fischer and Christina Bartalo were read.

A letter from the Veterans Service Organization (VSO) was read announcing a round table discussion with Rep. U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn on June 22 at VFW post 101 , 702 S. Tejon St. National MCL Auxiliary raffle 5 prizes of $100.00 each

Report of the Paymaster: Peggy Baldwin Payroll Report Special Committee: Buddy Check Update Report of the Chaplain; Vince Espinoza any member or member’s family sick or in distress. Deaths Doug Barlow, Michael Shook and Virginia Hernandez

Report of Officers Commandant: Steve Schwartz Department Staff Meeting July 27 in Colorado Springs at VFW; Detachment members are invited to attend Registration for National Convention has been sent in Senior Vice: Terry Crum NSTR Junior Vice: Jamie Rogers Update on July 4 parade in Monument. Starts at 10:00 on Jefferson Ave. Meet at the Coffee Cup Café 06:30. Salute to American vets run August 16-18 in Cripple Creek. Volunteers needed. Judge Advocate: Gary George NSTR Junior Past Commandant: Russ Miller NSTR Quartermaster: Russ Miller Possible Events (PPIR, Car Shows etc.) were discussed. MC birthday ball golf tournament 6/21 Toys for Tots golf tourney in October. Sgt. At Arms: Osa Tuck NSTR Adjutant: Paul Reifke NSTR M.O.D.D. Pound 150: DD Terry Crum The next Pound Growl will be held after the July Detachment meeting (we have one candidate for Pup hopefully) The next Pack Growl is scheduled after the Department Staff Meeting in Colorado Springs The next Supreme Growl will be held in August in Billings, MT New Devil Dogs always welcome. One year in the MCL is required Report of Standing Committees: NTSR Report of Special Committees: NTSR Unfinished Business: Jackets for the Honor Guard and Funeral Details, should we get the emblem embroidered or screen printed? New Business: Bowl-a-Thon date has been set per Maryanne. October 13 at Brunswick Lanes (same as last year) Good of the League: NSTR Announcements; The 50/50 raffle was held. A total of $86.00 was collected and the $43.00 was won by Adrienne Patterson. She donated the money to Toys for Tots. Without any additional business Commandant Steve Schwartz closed the meeting at 1000. The next meeting will take place August 2019. Semper Fi, Paul Reifke

Pikes Peak Detachment July 2019 Newsletter 6

In remembrance of our dearly departed brother and sister Marines

Kaz Mueller Mueller, Kazimir age 71, passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2019, at his home in Colorado Springs, CO, due to an undiagnosed cardiac condition. Kaz was born in Salzgitter, Germany and immigrated to US with his parents in 1949, settling in Little Falls, MN. After graduating high school, he joined the Marines and served two tours in Vietnam. He earned a double degree in Electrical Engineering and Physics from Weber State University in Ogden, UT while working full time for Honeywell, where he worked for most of his career. This brought him and his family to live in California, Utah, Missouri, Massachusetts and Germany. He eventually retired to Colorado Springs, where he spent the last 25 years of his life hiking 14'ers, helping his fellow Marines and their families by serving in the Marine Corp League in various capacities and travelling to spend time with friends and family. Kaz was preceded in passing by his parents Zygmunt and Helena and brother Ricky. He is survived by his son, Dan (Nicole) Mueller, his daughter, Erika Mueller; granddaughters Zelda, Elizabeth, Isadora and Helena; siblings Joanna (Joe) Mueller-Hunt, Jerry (Lola) Mueller, Christina (Jerzy Miler) Mueller, and Anita Mueller as well as extended family in the US and Europe. Kaz will be remembered by all for his kind heart, love of God, and honorable service to his fellow man. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2019 from 11:00-1:00 at Swan Law Funeral Directors, 501 N. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO. with graveside services, Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road, Colorado Springs, CO. Memorial Services to be determined in Little Falls, MN.

Mike Wickersheim Obituary

Mike Wickersheim, born Jan. 29, 1952, in Elgin, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mona and Elmer Wickersheim; and brother, Charles. He is survived by his wife, Denise; daughters, Audra Garcia and Kristen Wickersheim; sons, Michael (Monica Gomez), Doug and Dolly Wickersheim; grandchildren, Levi, Josh, Lukas and Jules; sisters, Georgia Stoerp, Kathy Battin and LouAnn Jensen; and brothers, Bill, John, Gary and Barry Wickersheim. Mike passed away in Billings, MT. where he was the terminal supervisor for Sentinel Transportation LLC., for the past six years. Mike loved his family and friends. He loved to ride the Harley even when it didn't go well. Mike was in the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam in 1970. He loved his Kilo 3/7 family and looked forward to each year's reunion.