August 2008 Newsletter

Hope you had a great summer and are ready for cooler weather.  It’s time for another update to the Oklahoma Marine community on the Coordinating Council’s activities and plans. 

As those of you who attended already know, our annual meeting on 24 April 2008 at the Petroleum Club North in Edmond turned out to be a memorable event with General Bob Magnus – Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps as our Guest of Honor.  Board member Bob Staples left the Board having served a full term, while Gary Lumpkin, Lloyd Hardin, and John Priddy were elected to the Board for three year terms.  The Council officers are very grateful to these members who continue to dedicate their time to support our efforts.  The annual meeting of the Council provides a great opportunity for our members to enjoy the evening with good food and great fellowship.  I would encourage you to try to attend these occasions and stay informed on the operations of the Council. 

Over the summer the Council provided financial assistance to the Marines of the Recruiting Station for their attendance at a RedHawks ballgame, continued to support the Marines of Fort Sill with the medallions and trophies for their 15^th annual Devil Dog Run which is scheduled in September and 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 (Marty McKnight) a .45 caliber Ruger pistol in recognition of his outstanding contributions. 

We have also made the decision to purchase two lower level tickets for the first Oklahoma City Thunder schedule this year which will be distributed among the various Marine units in the state to recognize their outstanding Marines.  We want to thank Tom Goldsworthy for helping us with this ticket purchase.

We had a few changes in our ex-officio members over the summer – Colonel Anthony Johnson assumed command of the Marine Artillery Detachment at Fort Sill from Colonel Scott Campbell, LtCol Sean Godley took over as the senior Marine at Vance AFB from Major Marc Sledge, Major William Chronister assumed command of the Recruiting Station from Major Adam Chalkley, and Sergeant Elijah Dixon replaced GySgt Sunny Dryden as the leader of the Young Marine in Oklahoma City.  The Council is delighted to welcome all of these new leaders to the Oklahoma Marine Community.

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 $8050.00 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 Wednesday – 5 November 2008.  We will be having the luncheon at a new location in order to accommodate the crowd we are expecting for this year’s luncheon. We have scheduled the luncheon at the Midwest City Reed Center located at 5800 Will Rogers Midwest City, Oklahoma 73110. The Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps – Sergeant Major Carlton Kent  - 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.   We also have a great new coin design for presentation this year.  Be looking for your invitation – see you there.  

There are a few upcoming events we would like you to know about:

     *  Fort Sill ’s 15^th Annual Devil Dog Run is scheduled for 6 September.  To participate or get more information you can go to their website at:

http://sill-www.army.mil/usmc/DetHQ/DD_Run.htm

      *  Fox Battery, 2d Battalion, 14^th Marines is sponsoring the 2d Annual Toys for Tots Golf Challenge at the Willow Creek Golf Club on October 16 – for more information contact Sergeant Elijah Dixon at 405-737-7883 or Elijah.dixon@usmc.mil

      *   The Women Marines Association Heartland Chapter OK-2 will be hosting the 6^th Marine Division Reunion at the Biltmore Hotel in Oklahoma City from 16 September thru 21 September 2008.  The Oklahoma Marine Corps Coordinating Council will be hosting the “Meet & Greet” from 1800 – 2100 on Tuesday, 16 September at the hotel in the Quarter Horse Room in the south building.  Coordinating Council members are also invited to attend the Grand Banquet on Saturday night, 20 September, at the hotel in the North Ballroom.  The guest speaker for the Banquet is General Robert Magnus USMC (Ret), former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.  The cost for this event is $45 per person and is payable in advance.  If you would like to attend either of these two events (Meet & Greet or the Banquet) please RSVP to Joan Willauer (405) 292-3184 or email joanw.ok2@sbcglobal.net or Pam Bloustine at PamOKWM@aol.com.

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