February 2010 Newsletter
 

Hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to spring – thought we would send out an update on Council activities to catch everyone up.    

Having General Conway (Commandant of the Marine Corps) as our Guest of Honor at our birthday luncheon made the occasion even better than we have come to expect.  With roughly 500 attendees the crowd was a great cross section of the Marine community in Oklahoma .   We were especially delighted to see that so many of our supported units were able to send some of their Marines to visit with the Commandant.   

Our coin donors stepped up to the plate again and provided the coins that were distributed at the luncheon – thanks to Jack Skaggs, Rusty Johnson, Phil Norton, Bob O’Bannon, Homer Paul, William G. Paul, Leigh Ann Hardin, Gary Lumpkin, Mike McIntosh, John Oldfield, Roy Sherry, Floyd Gilreath, and Glenn Reagan.  Many thanks for what has become a valued tradition.   

For the door prizes that have become such a great part of our luncheon we are thankful to Larry Lane (also the provider of the great leather coasters that were on the tables this year), Sgt Grit’s, and Ed & Connie Beesley.  We also received very favorable comments about the uniform display in the foyer that was provided once again by Keith Meyers.  Larry Smith did yeoman’s service in taking the many photos of the luncheon that are available on our website – www.oklahomamarines.org and we deeply appreciate the assistance provided by Lou Ferracane, Dan Cheatham, and Don Payne.   Mark Elgin (long time Council friend and supporter) continued 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 outstanding support on the narration, cake escort, and check-in tables.   
We received a lot of compliments on the facilities and service provided by the Sheraton personnel at the Reed Center in Midwest City .  It has been an outstanding location for our luncheon; however, this year we were unable to reserve the Reed Center for the date of our luncheon and are going back to the Northwest Expressway Marriott at 3233 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112 that many of you may remember as a great location that we have used in the past.  For this year’s luncheon we have a commitment from the  Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Center – Lieutenant General George J. Flynn USMC to be our luncheon Guest of Honor.  We have scheduled the luncheon this year for Friday the 12th of November 2010 .  More details to follow as we get closer to the luncheon, but I can assure you that “Traditions and Lore” will be included in our plans this year.  

This year the Council has provided more than $11,275 in support of our Marine Units and Organizations – examples include: 

·         Continued funding of the Community Service awards for both the AntiTank Training Unit in Broken Arrow and Fox Battery, 2d Battalion, 14th Marines in Oklahoma City , which are presented to both a reserve and active duty Marine in each unit.

·         Assisted Fox 2/14 in financing their OKC Zoo family day and Marine Corps Ball.

·         Provided funding for Marines from the Recruiting Station; USMCJROTC Sapulpa; OU’s NROTC; Fox Battery, 2/14; AT Company; Vance AFB, and Fort Sill ’s Marine Corps Artillery Detachment to attend the Council’s birthday luncheon.

·         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.  We also paid for several of the detachment’s Marines to attend the luncheon.

·         This year – with the assistance of Tom Goldsworthy - the Council became season tickets holders for the Oklahoma City Thunder and purchased a pair of Thunder season tickets that were distributed to Marines from the Recruiting Station, AT Company, F/2/14, Fort Sill , Vance, and OU’s NROTC.  These have become a big hit and one of our most successful support options.

·         Continued to provide a .45 caliber Ruger pistol to the Marine Corps League for presentation to their Marine of the Year.  

The 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. 

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.   Since our annual meeting last April the Council has added the following new members:     

          * John Young

          * Herschel Chronister (father of Maj Will Chronister – CO of the OKC Recruiting Station)

          * Ed Lawrence

          * Marion Arden  

We also had a 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 reminder that the Albert E. Schwab Detachment 857 Marine Corps League’s 2010 Medal of Honor Day Ceremony in Tulsa will be on 24 April 2010 at Veterans Park, 21st and Boulder in Tulsa.  Displays open at Veterans Park at 1000 and the ceremony begins at 1400.   

The Council’s annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday 22 April 2010 at the Petroleum Club North – this is the same location we have had it the past.  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 without question due to your generous and continued support.  

Once a Marine, always a Marine

Semper Fidelis,

Phil E. Hughes
President

 

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