February, 2012 Newsletter

Time for another update on your Coordinating Council’s activities.  We continue to focus on supporting our Oklahoma Marine community and appreciate the support you have generously provided that allows us to do so.

A brief recap of our activities would have to start with our Birthday Luncheon that continues to be a highlight.  We believe it has become a treasured opportunity for the Marine community to celebrate our Corps and to enjoy old friendships while making new ones. If attendance and enthusiasm are any indications, our efforts are succeeding.

Thanks again to our Council coin donors whose contributions fund the continuation of our luncheon coins that are provided to luncheon attendees each year. These themed coins have become a local tradition and provide a treasured memory of each luncheon. On behalf of the entire Council, we appreciate your support.  We also owe a thanks to the members who donate the door prizes each year and I know from the many comments that I receive each year, how much these gifts are appreciated by the recipients.  Many thanks also to those who support the beer and cigars after luncheon gathering, as well as, the continued support the Council receives from the leaders at BancFirst.

For this year’s luncheon we are returning to the Northwest Expressway Marriott at 3233 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City , Oklahoma 73112 .  While we don’t yet have a committed Guest of Honor,  I assure you  that we will have a great speaker.  We have scheduled the luncheon this year for Friday the 2nd  of November 2012.  More details to follow as we get closer to the luncheon, but I can assure you that “Traditions and Lore” will continue to be part of our program.

This year the Council’s support of our Marine Units and Organizations includes:   

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

·         Provided funding for a significant number of Marines from supported units to attend the luncheon.  We continue to believe this is one of most valuable programs we offer to allow as many active duty Marines as possible to attend the luncheons and enjoy the experience.    

·         Supported Fort Sill ’s Devil Dog run by funding the medallions awarded following the race.  This program directly enhances the detachment’s efforts to raise funds for their Birthday Ball. 

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

·         We continue to provide Oklahoma City Thunder basketball tickets to Marines from the Recruiting Station, Anti-Tank Training Company, F/2/14, Fort Sill , Vance, and OU’s NROTC.  These tickets are by far and away the most positively received program that we have created to recognize outstanding Marines. 

Since our inception, the Council has become the de facto point of contact for anybody wanting to contact Marines in Oklahoma .  We receive many inquiries from all sources - examples include questions such as these:

      ·         My daughter’s Marine husband is not paying his child support. What should I do?

·         I have some extra money and I want to donate it to a wounded Marine for Christmas.  

·         I have toys for Toys for Tots. Who do I talk to?  

·         How do I contact the Young Marines?  

·         Marines requesting assistance in some way, shape or manner.  

·         I want to join the Marines. How do I do that?  

·         Marines to attend/participate in various sporting and patriotic events.  

·         The forwarding of buddy inquiries as a result of the Oklahoma Marines Roll of Honor.  

·         Many forwarded emails that contain political, nostalgic, rebellious, sentimental, historic and just about any other subject  that you can think of.  

If nothing else, we get them pointed in the right direction. And the phone is answered by a human being  (this is in almost all cases our Secretary – Pete Sawin).  Seems like he has become a single point of contact for the Marine Community.

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 success that we continue to bring in new members.   Since our annual meeting last April the Council has added the following new members: 

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 2012 Medal of Honor Day Ceremony in Tulsa will be 27-28 April 2012.

The financial support which allowed us to provide the assistance noted above is only possible because of your continued support of the Council.  I would encourage you to please make an effort to send an annual donation to the Council in whatever amount you feel comfortable.   Thanks again to all of you -- we deeply appreciate your trust and support.

The Council’s annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday 19 April 2012 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.     

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

Phil E. Hughes
President

"Neither the United States Marine Corps nor the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this website."