August, 2010 Newsletter
 

Hope everyone enjoyed their summer.  Time for an update on the Coordinating Council’s activities.

Our annual meeting on 22 April at the Petroleum Club North in Edmond brought out almost 60 members and guests and provided another opportunity for the Council officers to update the membership and for everyone to just relax and enjoy the camaraderie.  One of the objectives of our annual meetings is to announce changes to our Board and officer membership and this year the Board re-nominated Bruce Day and to new three year terms.  We also welcomed Marty McKnight as a new member of the Board to replace Jim Gill – a member of the Board who has represented the Council well in the Tulsa area and a Marine who we gratefully thank for his service to the Council.   All of the Board members feel honored to serve you and look forward to the continued success and growth of the Council.   I would encourage you to try to attend both the annual meetings and our luncheons to stay informed on the operations of the Council. 

Over the summer the Council continued support to the Marines of Fort Sill with the medallions and trophies for their 17th annual Devil Dog Run which is scheduled for 4 September (this coming weekend) and working with the great folks at Sturm, Ruger and Company, we were 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 – congratulations Marty.

We have also continued our purchase of season tickets for the Oklahoma City Thunder schedule this year which will again be distributed among the various Marine units in the state to recognize their outstanding Marines.  This program has become one of the most valuable we offer to our Marines.

We had a couple of changes in our ex-officio program this summer  – currently there are no Marines assigned to the Oklahoma office of the “Marine for Life” program – we are not sure what the current status of this program is but will update the membership as soon as we have any updates.  We have also just learned that Major Denny Weber has announced his retirement from the Senior Marine Instructor position at US Grant High School in Oklahoma City after 17 years.  We don’t yet have the name of his replacement but look forward to meeting him and bringing him into the Oklahoma Marine community. 

We can’t say often enough how thankful we are for your membership donations that continue to finance our planned unit support.  So far this year the Council has received more than$7475 from our Council members.    We remain grateful to those members who continue to provide support to our units in the form of a “gratis” basis.  Support of any kind is welcome and those Council members who can contribute financially to our efforts are deeply appreciated.  

This year’s annual Marine Corps Birthday luncheon for Friday  – 12 November 2010 .  We will be having the luncheon at the Northwest Expressway Marriott at 3233 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City , Oklahoma 73112 this year (this is a change from last year).  The Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Center at Quantico – Lieutenant General George L Flynn USMC – has accepted our invitation to serve as our Guest of Honor and Guest Speaker and we are expecting a great crowd.  Be sure to put this date on your calendar and invite your friends to join us at this great annual event.   We will have another custom designed coin for this year.  Be looking for your invitation – hope to see you there.

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

·        Fort Sill ’s 17th Annual Devil Dog Run is scheduled for 4 September.  To participate or get more information you can go to their website at -
http://sill-www.army.mil/USMC/DetHQ/DD_Run.htm

·        The Blue Star Mothers, OKC Chapter 6, are sponsoring the 3rd Annual Motorcycle Run on Saturday, 18 September with registration at the Hog Wash Café, Council & Reno , Oklahoma City at 10:00am .

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

 

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