August 2007 Newsletter

With summer now behind us and football going strong it is once again time to update everyone on the Oklahoma Marine community.  We have been busy and anticipate lots of upcoming events that will give everyone a chance to see and visit with one another once again.      

Our annual meeting on 26 April 2007 at the Petroleum Club North in Edmond was once again a great time to visit with those attending and let everyone know what was going on in the Council.  Board members Bruce Day, Jim Gill, and Pete Sawin were elected to new terms and we deeply appreciate their contributions to our efforts.  I would encourage you to try to attend these annual meetings as they are a great opportunity to visit with your fellow Council members and to stay current on Council operations.

In July the Council in cooperation with the Sooner Detachment of the Marine Corps League provided financial assistance to assist Fox Battery, 2/14 in holding a pre-deployment family day for their Marines prior to the Battery’s deployment in mid-July.  We provided financial assistance to the Anti-Tank Training Company in Tulsa for funding their family days for the return of their Marines from deployment in March and a pre-deployment family day in April.  Two Big 12 Tournament basketball tickets were provided to the Recruiting Station in May.  During the summer the Tulsa Young Marines were provided financial assistance for uniforms, while the OKC Young Marines were provided funding for Leadership School slots.  We also once again have provided the Marines of Fort Sill the medallions and trophies for their 14^th annual Devil Dog Run which is scheduled for 8 September.  Finally, working with the great folks at Sturm, Ruger and Company, the Council was privileged to award the Department of Oklahoma Marine Corps League Marine of the Year a .45 caliber Ruger pistol in recognition of his outstanding contributions.

The Council received $2000 in meal certificates for the Harbor House and the Cimarron Steak House from Council member Mike Munday which were distributed to Marines and their families at the Recruiting Station, Fox 2/14, OU’s NROTC unit, and Grant High School MCJROTC unit.  We deeply appreciate this support from Mike. 

I would also like to recognize the efforts of Bill and Homer Paul in assuming responsibility for the awarding of the Commandant’s Award to the outstanding Marine graduate from the OU NROTC unit each Spring.  This award is a highly treasured presentation of a Beretta 9mm pistol accompanied by a personal congratulatory letter from the Commandant. 

For Council members information the Marine For Life program has scheduled a dove hunt for September 8 near Chickasha Lake – for more information check out the events schedule on our website:  www.oklahomamarines.org. 

To update the status of our ex-officio members:  Major Jerry Swepston USMC (Ret) has returned on a temporary basis to the Sapulpa MCJROTC unit replacing LtCol Hill. Major Mark Sledge has replaced Major Colin Brainard at Vance as the Senior Marine, and Captain John Fraser assumed duties as the Inspector & Instructor at Fox Battery, 2/14. 

Once again we are thankful for your membership donations that continue to finance our planned unit support.  So far this year the Council has received more than $5700.00 from our Council members.    We have also been very fortunate that a lot of support to our units is provided on a “gratis” basis from Council members.  Thanks again to those who have provided these gifts and if you would like to provide in-kind support in this manner please let us know.  Support of any kind is welcome and those Council members who can contribute financially to our efforts are deeply appreciated, we could not exist without your continued support. 

We have scheduled this year’s annual Marine Corps Birthday luncheon for Friday – 2 November 2007.  We will be having the luncheon at a new location since we have outgrown the Quail Creek Golf and Country Club.  This year we have scheduled the luncheon at the Oklahoma City Marriot Hotel located at 3233 Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City .  The Commandant of the Marine Corps – General Jim Conway - has confirmed his attendance as our Guest of Honor and Guest Speaker and we are expecting a large crowd.  Be sure to put this date down on your calendar and invite your friends to join us at this great annual event.   Our Tradition and Lore segment will be focused on Marine campaigns of the mid to late 20^th Century, as told by way of a collective introduction of our Oklahoma Marines in attendance.  Although frequently requested, this will be the very first repeat of a Tradition and Lore segment, going back to our prior “Breakfast with the Commandant” in 2000, when General Jones said “…it was the best overview of battles fought and won that …..[he had] ……ever heard.”  We also have a great new coin design for presentation this year.  Be looking for your invitation – see you there.

We would like each of you to know that while your Council Board works very hard to accomplish the Council’s objectives, we never forget that whatever success we have is absolutely dependent upon your generous and continued support.  

Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Semper Fidelis,

Phil E. Hughes
President