February, 2013 Newsletter

Lots of things going on with your Coordinating Council in recent months and it’s my privilege to update you.  Our overall focus remains on supporting our Oklahoma Marine community and your continued trust and confidence in our efforts allows us to achieve the goals of the Council.     

Our luncheon continues to be a highlight of the Council’s annual program and each year we are thrilled with the support from the members of the Council and the attendance which continues to grow each year.  Our goal is to bring in the very best speakers and leaders of our Corps that we can and provide you the opportunity to hear the current news of the Marine Corps from the most knowledgeable active duty Marines available.  

One of the highlights of each luncheon is the annual Council themed coin that is provided free to the attendees at the luncheon.  We can’t thank the Council coin donors enough whose contributions allow us to continue this tradition.  We also owe a thank you to the members who donate the door prizes each year that have become an anticipated surprise by the lucky recipients at the conclusion of each luncheon.   

We would also like to thank the sponsors of the Council who have been very generous in supporting our objectives.  BancFirst has been with us for a while and we are proud to be associated with such a outstanding organization.  We also like to give a special welcome to Harold Copeland who attended our Luncheon for the first time this past November with his family and who made a significant donation to the Council.  We are truly blessed to have such honorable and generous sponsors.  

This year’s luncheon will once again be at the Northwest Expressway Marriott at 3233 Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City , Oklahoma 73112 .  We are really looking forward to our Guest of Honor this year – Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal Barrett has accepted our invitation.    We have scheduled the luncheon this year for Friday,  the 1st  of November 2013.  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.   

With the increasing support the Council is receiving,  we are actively pursuing avenues to improve and expand our programs benefiting our units/organizations and Marines.  We continue with the historical support items while entertaining new proposals.  Continuing highlights of  the Council’s support of our Marine Units and Organizations include:    

·         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.

·         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.    

·         Supporting Fort Sill ’s Marine Detachment 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. 

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

·         Providing Oklahoma City Thunder basketball tickets to Marines from the Recruiting Station, Anti-Tank Training Company, F/2/14, Fort Sill , and OU’s NROTC in recognition of their outstanding Marines.  These tickets are by far and away the most positively received Council program.     

Your Council continues to serve as the facto point of contact for anybody wanting to contact Marines in Oklahoma .  We receive inquiries from all sources regarding a range of topics.  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).   

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:  
               

  On behalf of the Council leadership I’d like to thank each of you for your generous donations that allow for us to benefit the Oklahoma Marine Corps community.   I would encourage you to please make an effort to send an annual donation to the Council in whatever amount you feel comfortable.   We deeply appreciate your trust and support.            `

The Council’s annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday 18 April 2013.  Also, please note that we are changing the location of this year’s annual meeting to the GAILLARDIA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB located at 5300 Gaillardia Boulevard in Oklahoma City , OK 73142 .  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 and 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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