February 2008 Newsletter

 

Once again we’ve made it through the holiday season and it’s time to update you on Council activities.  

Before we get into the business of the newsletter, we would like to welcome home the Marines of Fox Battery 2/14 as they return from their deployment to
Iraq .  Also, welcome back to the Marines of AT Company who continue their constant rotation of deployments to Iraq .    

The Council’s birthday luncheon once again was a rousing success as we had nearly 500 attendees join our celebration with Lieutenant General Joe Weber.  Unfortunately, General Conway had a last minute conflict and was unable to make it as he had promised.  I guess we have an IOU with the Commandant outstanding.    We were again delighted to see the outstanding participation of our supported Marine units.  It is always a pleasure to meet these Marines face to face and let them know how proud we are of their service.  Our coin donors once again rose to the occasion and ensured that each of us would have a memorable coin for the luncheon – thanks to Jack Skaggs, Rusty Johnson, Bill Melton, Bob O’Bannon, Homer Paul, Leigh Ann Hardin, Gary Lumpkin, Mike McIntosh, Floyd Gilreath, Bill Paul, and Glenn Reagan.   Mark Elgin (long time Council friend and supporter) was gracious enough to continue his long standing tradition of providing beer and cigars for our after luncheon get together.  Also, thanks again to the Marines from OU’s NROTC Unit for their fantastic support on the narration, cake escort, and check-in tables, as well as Council Vice President Lloyd Hardin for his Tradition and Lore presentation on the story of our Corps from 1927 to date using a variety of rousing “war stories” to capture the experiences of the Marines in the audience.   

Part of the luncheon that everyone looks forward to is the presentation of our door prizes.  For those we want to thank Sgt Grits, Ed & Connie Beesley, Larry Lane , and Doyle Templeton.  Also the uniform display that drew so much attention in the entryway was due to the singular efforts of Keith Myers.     

As many of you know, we were fortunate to be able to schedule the Birthday luncheon at the Marriott this past November, due to the generosity of a number of folks.   Our desire to keep the ticket price as low as possible would have prevented our being able to enjoy the hospitality of the Marriott without the financial support of Bruce Day, Mel James, Tom Goldsworthy, Gene Atkinson, James Grimsley, Fred Jones Hall, Rusty Johnson, Homer Paul, Guy Liebmann, Stan Muenzler, Bob Lukeman, Dan Arnold, Jack Rayburn, and A. D. Necco. Thanks for the help.   

We also want to thank Mike Munday, a Council member, for donating 100 meal gift cards for the benefit of the Marines of the Recruiting Station, Fox Battery 2/14, OU’s NROTC, and U.S. Grant MCJROTC.  

We are still considering our options for next year’s luncheon speaker, but I promise you we will continue to try to bring you the best available leader of Marines.  As a heads up for our next luncheon – for a variety of reasons, we are scheduling the event on a Saturday – November 15, 2008.  This will be the first time we have not held the luncheon on Friday so be sure to put it on your schedule.  More details to follow as we lock in a location and speaker. 

Council Support Activities:

·         Continued to provide financial support for family days and pre-deployments for both the Anti-Tank Training Company and Fox 2/14.  Also funded Community Service awards for both reserve units, which are presented to both a reserve and active duty Marine in each unit.

·         Assisted Fox 2/14 finance their Christmas party for the rear party while the unit was deployed to Iraq .

·         Provided funding for Recruiting Station, U.S. Grant, Bixby, and Sapulpa JROTC, and OU’s NROTC Marines to attend the Council’s birthday luncheon.

·         Assisted the Marines at Vance AFB in financing their Birthday Ball.

·         Supported Fort Sill ’s Devil Dog run by funding the medallions awarded following the race.  This allows more of the detachment’s funds to be used for support of their Birthday Ball.

·         Continued to provide funding for the Salpulpa MCJROTC unit’s trip to the National Shooting Competition.

·         Assisted Young Marines financially in purchasing uniforms and in sending some of their great folks to summer leadership training.       

Financial support which allowed us to provide the assistance noted above is only possible because of your continued support of the Council.  Thanks again to all of you -- we deeply appreciate your trust and support. 

We continue to urge your support of the Marine For Life program as they remain in need of our support. The program, coordinated by Major Drew Salkeld, is intended to ease the transition of deserving Marines from active duty back into the civilian world.  If your company or if you know of any company owners that would be interested in hiring Marines coming off active duty, please contact the Council and we will provide that information to Drew.  Email us at oklahomamarines@gmail.com. 

As you know one of our Council goals is to grow our membership each year.  If you know of someone who would like to join our ranks please get in touch with us.  It is important to our long term goals to continue to bring in new members.  

During calendar year 2007 the Council had a banner year, adding the following new members:   

     *  Marty McKnight    *  Robert A. Manchester III    *  Jay P. Craig    *  Robert E Howard, Jr.   

     *  Grady Rainbow    * Lou Ferracane    *  LtGen Joe Weber USMC (Honorary)    

We also had a considerable number of individuals who indicated a desire to join but for one reason or another did not return the paperwork.  We hope they will eventually decide to finish the process.

A heads-up for the Albert E. Schwab Detachment 857 Marine Corps League 2008 Medal of Honor Day Ceremony in Tulsa on 29 March.  It will be held at Veterans Park , 21st and Boulder in Tulsa .  For more information on this event contact Marty McKnight at 918-691-6407.

The Council’s annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday 24 April 2008 at the Petroleum Club North – this is the same location we have had it the past three years.  Please put this date and event down on your calendars and plan on joining us for this great chance to enjoy your fellow Marines.  More details to follow.   

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

Once a Marine, always a Marine.

Semper Fidelis,

Phil E. Hughes
President

 

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