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DUPAGE COUNTY ONCE A MARINE, MARINE CORPS ALWAYS A MARINE LEAGUE DETACHMENT 399 VOLUME IV ISSUE XIV SEPTEMBER 2015 OFFICERS - Commandant — John Olenjnicki SENATE CONFIRMS 630-665-8799 NELLER AS 37TH Sr. Vice Cmdt—Rita Kollias 630-362-7210 MARINE CORPS Jr. Vice Cmdt—Larry Adamiec 630-257-2510 COMMANDANT Jr Past Cmdt—Victoria Cobbett 630– 257-6423 Paymaster—Chuck Wingard 630-627-1766 Adjutant—Danielle Provenzale 630-426-3895 Judge Advocate-Gary Cobbett 630-257—6423 Chaplain—Don Kenyon 630-681-0911 Sgt at Arms—Roger Gaden 630-369-9878 Trustee—Bill Barta 630-263-0700 Trustee—George Bormann, Jr 630-372-9037 Trustee—Larry Olson 630-569-7395 Trustee—John Meschi 630-495-7336 Quartermaster—Mara Myrick 630-668---2492

Dues – New Member $35, Renewal $32, Life Member (18-35 yrs. old) $500, (36-50yrs old) $400, (51-64 yrs. old) $300, over 65 yrs. old $200

PAGE 2 MEET THE COMMANDANT

next role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.” Lieutenant General Nel- ler assumed duties as Com- mander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command on 1 July 2014. A native of East Lansing, Michigan, he graduated from the University of Virginia and was commissioned via the Pla- toon Leaders Class program in May 1975. Lieutenant General Neller’s assignments in the operating forces include: Rifle and Weapons Platoon Leader and Company Commander Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert B. Neller, left, with Company L, 3d Battalion, 4th visits Camp Lejeune, N.C., on March Marines, 3d Marine Division, Com- 3. (Lance Cpl. Abraham Lopez, 2nd Marine manding Officer, Company A, 1st Bat- Division Combat Camera/U.S. Marine Corps) talion, 1st Marines, 3d Light Armored Infantry Battalion and 6th Marine Lt. Gen. Robert B. Neller has been Regiment. confirmed as the 37th Commandant of the While with 3d LAI he participat- United States Marine Corps. Lt. Gen. Nel- ed in Operation “Restore Hope” in So- ler will replace Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. malia. Commanding Officer, Marine who will be serving as the next chairman Corps Security Force Company, Pana- of the Joint Chiefs of Staff according to a ma, where he participated in Opera- statement by Secretary of Defense tions “Just Cause” and “Promote Lib- (SECDEF) Ash Carter. erty”. In a statement released by the Pen- Additionally, he served as Exec- tagon on 6 August, 2015, the SECDEF utive Officer, 7th Marine Regiment, G- congratulated Lt. Gen. Neller on his confir- 3, II Marine Expeditionary Force and mation to be the Commandant of the Ma- G-3, 2nd Marine Division. rine Corps along with 2 other confirma- Other assignments include re- tions; General Mark Milley who was con- cruit series officer, aide-de-camp and firmed as chief of staff of the Army and as Director of Special Training Division Admiral John Richardson who was con- MCRD San Diego, CA. Lieutenant Gen- firmed as chief of Naval Operations. eral Neller served as Student Compa- The SECDEF also said “Today, on ny Executive Officer and Tactics In- behalf of the men and women of the De- structor at The Basic School, Quan- partment of Defense, I also want thank tico, VA, and in Special Projects Direc- General Ray Odierno and Admiral Jona- torate HQMC. than Greenert, and their families, for their Additionally, he served as a decades of service and commitment to de- Staff Officer in the Policy Division of fending our country. And I want to thank the Supreme Headquarters Allied General Joe Dunford, and his family, for Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, his leadership as commandant, and his Belgium. commitment to continue his service in his As a general officer, he has MEET THE COMMANDANT PAGE 3

Lt. Gen. Robert Neller, shown here as commander of Marine Corps Forces Cen- tral Command, will be the next commandant of the Marine Corps. (Photo: Cpl James D. Pauly/Marine Corps)

served as the Assistant Division Com- Dunford, who became comman- mander of 2d Marine Division; the Direc- dant less than a year ago, had only tor, Operations Division, Plans, Policies just begun to implement a transforma- (PP&O) HQMC; as the Deputy Com- tional strategy for the service, one fo- manding General (Operations), I Marine cused on developing the service's non- Expeditionary Force (Forward) during commissioned officers while increasing OIF 05-07, and as the Assistant Division the percentage of senior enlisted Ma- Commander for 1st Marine Division. rines. Those moves are intended to Lieutenant General Neller com- better prepare the Corps for increas- manded 3rd Marine Division and served ingly technical challenges, such as as President, Marine Corps University. cyber warfare, and to equip Marines to From January 2011 to July 2012, he man more sophisticated gear and served as Director for Operations, J3, equipment. The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. At the same time, Dunford estab- Lieutenant General Neller is a lished working groups to help Marines graduate of The Basic School, Advanced in ground combat fields make better Armor Officer Course, Marine Command use of cutting-edge aircraft technology, and Staff College, NATO Defense Col- including the MV-22 Osprey and the F- lege, and the Armed Forces Staff Col- 35B Joint Strike Fighter, saying those lege. He holds a BA in History and platforms could change the way Ma- Speech Communication from the Univer- rines fight. sity of Virginia and a MA in Human Re- Neller has a similar interest in source Management from Pepperdine improving combat effectiveness, Mun- University. son said. He often referred to the con- Neller's selection to succeed Dun- cept of "moneyball for Marines," a ref- ford is all the more logical when examin- erence to a strategy made popular by ing his approach to making and deploy- baseball general manager Billy Beane. ing Marines. Beane eschewed conventional tech- PAGE 4 MEET THE COMMANDANT

niques and strategies used by teams to select ball players, focusing instead on the players' contribution to winning the game. Neller favored a similar wide-lens approach, Munson said. "It was, trying to be more rigorous in the way that we select, train, and then continue to select Marines from positions of responsibility and special duties and spe- cific jobs," he said. "It's making sure we understand what the qualities are that make units more effective." ______

The incredible story behind Lt. Gen. Robert Neller's memorial bracelet By Hope Hodge Seck, Staff writer for Marine Corps Times

The next commandant of the Marine Corps wears a memorial bracelet in honor of a Marine he never met. Lt. Gen. Robert Neller wears a black cuff engraved with the name of Cpl. Eric Lueken, who was killed in Iraq's Anbar province in 2006 at the age of 23. The bracelet is a reminder of the responsibility that comes with the stars on his shoulder, Nel- ler said. "This is my, 'Hey, Lu- eken says be a general,'" he said. "'Make a decision, do something, make it better.' So that’s why I wear this." At the time of Lueken's death, Neller was the deputy commanding general for operations for I Marine Expedition- ary Force (Forward) in Iraq. A new technological adaptation was then under hot debate: the addition of rollers and arms to the front of tactical vehicles to better protect against improvised explosive devices. And Neller was in the middle of the discussion. "I was told by a bunch of well-intentioned Marines that if we develop rollers we would create a hazard for the vehicle, we’d frag the gunners, and it was a bad idea," Neller told Marine Corps Times following his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. So when he got a report of the death of Lueken, a member of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, it stopped him in his tracks. Marine Cpl. Eric R. Lueken, of Dubois, Ind., died on April 22, 2006, in Iraq. He was 23. "He was in a Humvee without a roller," Neller recalled. "And I kind of thought to myself, 'You’re supposed to be a general, you’re supposed to make decisions. You’re listening to all these guys tell you why this is a bad idea. You think it’s a good idea. So what are you hesitating for, what are you waiting for?'" MEET THE COMMANDANT PAGE 5

At the next meeting to discuss putting mine rollers on vehicles, Neller said he heard the same objections but wasn't swayed. "I said, 'No, we're going to build rollers,'" he said. "And we did." Before summer of 2006, Neller said no vehicles were pushing mine rollers anywhere in Iraq. By 2008, they had become standard gear. The technology was used throughout the wars in Iraq and Af- ghanistan and remains a military asset. The story also speaks to Neller's philosophy as a commander and may offer a clue to his future as commandant of the Marine Corps by demonstrating the value he places on decisive leadership and making big changes without unnecessary hesitation. Nel- ler and other Marine leaders face tightening post-war budgets, acquisition challenges, and tough decisions on integrating women into combat roles. The bracelet, Neller said, was a token to keep him from doubting his own convictions or hiding behind inaction. Marine Cpl. Eric R. Lueken, of Dubois, Ind., died on April 22, 2006, in Iraq. He was 23. (Photo: AP)

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The next commandant of the Marine Corps won't rule out arming recruiters in the wake of the deadly attacks in Tennessee, but said such a step would be an "extreme measure" to keep them safe. Lt. Gen. Robert Neller told a Senate panel in July that a plan to improve security after the trage- dy in Chattanooga "could include arming individu- als," but added that Defense Department officials needed to weigh the consequences that step might entail. Neller, then head of Marine Corps Forces Com- mand in Norfolk, Virginia, appeared before the Sen- ate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing to become commandant. He began the hearing with a brief salute to the four Marines and sailor killed July 16 when a lone gunman opened fire on two military facilities, including a recruiting of- fice. "You will not be forgotten," he promised. Neller was confirmed in August for the top post in the Marine Corps. PAGE 6 SALUTE TO VETERANS GOLF

9th ANNUAL SALUTE TO VETERANS GOLF DAY Chris Newkirk, owner of Prairie Isle Golf Club in Prairie Grove, IL has been treat- ing veterans to a free day of golf for the past nine years. Chris owns and operates Prairie Isle Golf Club and Boone Creek Golf Club in Bull Valley. Each September he closes down his Prairie Isle course and sponsors a free day of golf for any veterans wishing to play. There are usually more than 150 golfers who turn out for the event, Each golfer is given a shirt or hat and treated to lunch and a pizza dinner after golf is concluded. This year’s event took place September 15th. The club house was decorated with letters from local school children showing their appreciation for veterans and each hole had a special flag with hole number and American flag. Veteran motorcycle groups drove through the course with their Ameri- can flags flying while emergency responders and the local high school golf team acted as four-caddies for the players. Liquid refreshments were furnished throughout the course. Our detachment usually enters one or two foursomes each year and two years ago we made Chris Newkirk an Honorary Member of the DuPage County Marines.

2013 Presentation of Honorary Membership to Chris Newkirk L to R: Jack McInerney, Rita O’Reilly Kollias, Gena Newkirk, Chris Newkirk, George Bormann, Larry Olson and Don Kenyon

Right: Dining area decorated with patriotic colors and letters to veterans from local school children at Salute to Veterans Golf Day at Prairie Isle Golf Club. SALUTE TO VETERANS GOLF PAGE 7

2015 Veterans Golf Left: L to R: Marine Recruiter SSgt Pablo Chavez, Mike Emory, Larry Olson and Ma- rine Recruiter SSgt Jason Thomas filled out our second group.

2015 Veterans Golf Left: Don Kenyon, Jack McInerney, Rita Kollias and George Bormann on the first tee.

2015 Veterans Golf Rita Kollias and Larry Olson. Nice trousers Larry!!

PAGE 8 DETACHMENT ACTIVITY

Flag and Rose Day Left: John Meschi foreground and Chuck Wingard sitting in background, collecting donations for flags in Downers Grove.

Flag and Rose Day Right: Bob Kulseth collecting donations for flags in Downers Grove.

Flag and Rose Day Left: Dominick Ferrara and Ralph Fleischman trying to stay out of sun in 95 degree weather while collecting donations in Downers Grove. NATIONAL CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS PAGE 9

Seventeen members from Illinois, including Don Haines and I, attended the national convention in Scottsdale, Arizona, August 8th through the 15th. I’m sure most of us were glad to leave as the temperature was 117 degrees with 16% humidity on the last day. Don and I were involved with the Devil Dogs registration during the first three days of the convention, so we missed some of the League meetings held during those days. We did, however, hear about the events of those days from those who attended the meetings. Don and I did attend the last three days of meetings. The more important issues to be handled were: * National Budget, * Election of National Officers * Declining Membership. After the national budget was presented by the budget committee a request for a motion was asked and NO ONE WOULD MAKE THAT MOTION! A private discussion, took place, among the Budget Committee Chairman and the other national officers on the dais, resulting in a statement that the committee would discuss the budget and represent it after a recess. After the recess a rather humble and visibly shaken presentation was made to please pass the budget. The national leadership begged and pleaded that we pass the budget, stating that they were trying to get things straightened out and the asked for our patience and support by passing the budget. A motion was made to accept the budget, it was seconded and passed. A bit of editorial opinion on the budget. I believe that the National Board of Trustees worked diligently to present a reasonable budget. They are working to make changes in the administrative staff and procedures. It will take time, but I believe we will get back on track. Prior to the election of national officers, Current National Commandant John Ko- valcik, indicated that he would not be running for a second term. John’s lost his wife recently and he recently had some serious health problems. Sr. Vice Commandant, Rich Gore, was elected as National Commandant. The other offices were filled, for the most part, by the incumbents for another year. Declining membership was mentioned at various times throughout the convention. National stressed recruiting and retention and the membership responded with, how can we trust the membership numbers when the current data base is so fouled up. There have been serious issues with the data base which was installed with a promise of informational flow becoming better … it never happened! A new data base is promised to be installed “as soon as possible after the national convention.” The new data base promises to be more inter active. It allow users to update their information on line and allow direct re- porting to national by Detachments. An interesting “grass roots” event occurred during the by-laws session. Dale Mun- son, our Department Sr. Vice Commandant, had tried for about three years to get a Cere- monial Guard Ribbon approved for wear by league members. When the proposed amend- ment was presented, the National Awards Committee recommended rejection. When asked why the committee did not recommend the change, they seemed not to be able to say why. Finally, after groping for an answer, they said it would cost too much to make. At which point some asked, “how much?” their response was $1,000 to $2,000. One member went to the mike and said that he would pay or the first 50 ribbons after which several members spoke out for passing the by-law. A motion was made, seconded and, unani- mously passed despite an attempted motion to table it … we won!! Semper Fidelis Bill Barta Detachment Trustee PAGE 10 MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

Mission Statement Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democra- cy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Navy Chaplains and former Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Navy Chaplains and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines. History The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines and FMF Corpsmen and FMF Navy Chaplains who proudly wear or who have worn the eagle, globe and anchor of the Corps. It takes great pride in crediting its founding in 1923 to World War I hero, then Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune. It takes equal pride in its Federal Charter, approved by An Act of the Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States of America and signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The League is the only Federally Chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country. Since its earliest days, the Marine Corps League has enjoyed the support and encouragement of the active duty and Reserve establishments of the U. S. Marine Corps. Today, the League boasts a membership of more than 76,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, Reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine Veterans and qualified FMF Corpsmen and FMF Navy Chaplains and is one of the few Veterans Organizations that experi- ences increases in its membership each year.

The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected National Staff Officers who serve as trustees. The National Board of Trustees coordinates the efforts of 49 department, or state, entities and the activities of over 1100 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and over- seas. The day-to-day operations of the League are under the control of the National Executive Director with the responsibility for the management and direction of all programs, activities, and affairs of the Marine Corps League as well as supervising the National Headquarters staff.

The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter and from its annual National Convention held each August in different major U.S. cities throughout the nation. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidi- ary units, to be tax deductible by the donor. DETACHMENT COMMITTEES PAGE 11

Below is a list of our standing committees and the chairperson for the respective committees. If you are interested in joining a committee please contact the Chair. Committee Chair Bingo Jack McInerney

Color Guard Roger Gaden

Constitution & Bylaws Gary Cobbett

Eagle Scout Roger Gaden

Fundraising Larry Olson

Historian Paul Casazza

Life Membership Award John Olejnicki

Lifetime Achievement Award John Olejnicki

Membership Larry Adamiec

Membership Credentials Don Kenyon, Chuck Wingard Sr., & Gary

Cobbett

Newsletter Don Kenyon

Quartermaster Mara Myrick

Scholarship Jack McInerney

Toys for Tots Rita Kollias

Valentine Party Danielle Provenzale

Veterans Assistance John Meschi

Volunteer Appreciation Party Rita Kollias

Web Site Larry Adamiec PAGE # CHAPLAIN’S REPORT

Prayers are heard in heaven in proportion to our faith. Little faith gets very great mercies, but great faith still greater. -- Spurgeon

DEATH NOTICES Patricia C. "Pat" Pradel, wife of detachment member Marine George Pradel, the former Mayor of Naperville passed away on August 29, 2015 with her family at her side at Edward Hospital in Naperville after a courageous 29 year battle with cancer.

Sandra Kenyon, niece of detachment member Marine Don Kenyon, passed away September 1, 2015 at Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City after a short battle with cancer. Sandra was the wife of Don’s nephew Marine Tom Kenyon.

PRAYER LIST DETACHMENT MEMBERS MARINES: Michael Rebeck, Edward Godfrey, James Lucas, Richard Nazimek, Paul Kosieniak, Allen Zenner, Ron Gnech, Joseph Chido, Thomas Stuckey, Carl Baker, Bill Saelinger, Noel Daley, Frank Jurek, Robert Pogwizd, John Burlace, and John Finn. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: Joe DiMaggio, Rosemary Collins. FAMILY MEMBERS and FRIENDS: Harper Orbell granddaughter of Marine Steve Collins and associate member Rosemary Collins, Charlie Castino grandson of Marine Don Kenyon, Gail Shilkaitis wife of Marine Gary Shilkaitis, Kilyn Winquist granddaughter of Marine Jim Winquist, Rita Morales mother of Marine Juan Mo- rales, Marie Igrisan, wife of Marine Dan Igrisan, Marine L/Cpl Andrew Bucur son of Marine Emanuel Bucur, Marine Colonel Smith, Deputy Commander, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Sgt. Dan Tsutsumi, Marine Underwood, an active member of the Women Marines Association. ANONYMOUS MARINES: Anonymous Marines are our brothers and sisters Marines who have health issues or are going through difficult times but do not want to ask for any help. Our prayers go out to all of you Anonymous Marines whomever and wherever you are. “Anonymous Marines” will be a permanent name on our Prayer List. Don Kenyon Chaplain MESSAGE FROM THE COMMADANT PAGE #

Greeting Marines and Associate Members: I want to take this occasion to thank Jack Mc Inerney for his leadership and dedicated work these past 9 years chairing the Scholarship and VA Hines Bingo committees. Jack was responsible for starting up the Bingo Program for the veterans at Hines VA Hospital and has grown this program to one of our top detachment’s programs. Jack now has opportunities that will necessitate his stepping down as Chairmen of both committees and we are looking for one of our members to take over one or both of the committees. If you are interested in chairing one or both of these committees, simply contact any one of our detachment officers. Another special “Thank You” goes out to our Jr. Vice Commandant Larry Adamiec. Larry is responsible for creating the detachment’s web site as well as updating and maintain the web site. All of his work and effort has resulted in an outstanding web site that will help our detachment improve communications with our members and other interested parties. Lastly, I hope everyone is excited and looking forward to our upcoming Toys for Tots cam- Improvise paign which will kick off in October and run through the first week in January. Our Toys for Tots Chairperson, Sr. Vice Commandant Rita Kolli- Adapt as, is attending the National TFT Meeting in Wash- ington, DC as we go to press and will be bringing back TFT news for our September meeting. We will once again need Drop Site Captains, Warehouse Overcome workers, help setting up the warehouse and picking up our rental trucks and picking up the toys collected from our Drop Sites. Remember we are Marines, “Improvise, Adapt and Overcome!”

John Olejnicki Commandant PAGE 14 CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Board 2 3 4 5 Meeting 1900 Cop Center

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 BINGO Hines VA 1400

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Pistol Range Villa Park VFW 1900 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Detachment Corn Roast Meeting

1930 Am Sgt Tommy Legion Golf 27 28 29 30 CALENDAR PAGE 15

OCTOBER 2015

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3

4 5 6 Board 7 8 9 10 Meeting 1900 Cop Center

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 BINGO Pistol Range Hines VA Villa Park 1400 VFW 1900 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Detachment Meeting 1930 Am Legion 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 PAGE 16 EVENTS

DETATCHMENT TO ROAST CORN FOR DU PAGE SHERRIF’S DEPARTMENT On Saturday September 26th, our detachment will once again roast the corn for the DuPage County Sherriff’s picnic for their Explorer Scouts. We do this to re- pay the good folks at the Sherriff's Department for the help they provide in keeping our trailer looking good. If you can spare a few hours give John Meschie a call at 630-495-7336. ______

SARGENT TOMMY’S GOLF OUTING Saturday September 26th is Sargent Tommy’s Annual Golf Outing to raise funds for their continued outdoor work with our youth. You can go on-line at Sgt Tom- my’s for additional information and to sign your foursemone or as an individual. ______

INTERESTED IN PISTOL PRACTICE AT AN INDOOR RANGE? The 3rd Friday of every month the indoor shooting facility at the Villa Park VFW is open for target practice. This is a state of the art facility that a number of us have visited earlier this year. If you are interested and need more information give Bill Barta a call at 630-263-0700. ______

BINGO AT HINES VA - SUNDAY OCTOBER 11TH Want to have a fun afternoon and make our veterans happy? Join us at Hines VA Hospital in Maywood on October 11th for an hour or so of Bingo with our Vets. Jack McInerney is the host and George Borman the Bingo caller. Watch for Jack’s emails or give George Borman a call at 630-372-9037 for additional information.

______Scuttlebutt -The Poop -The PAGE 17

NOTICE We will be meeting at the American Legion Post 76 located at 570 South Gary Ave in Car- ol Stream, IL. This is just a 1/ 4 mile north of the intersection of Geneva Rd and Gary Avenue on the west side of Gary Ave. The location is a little over 1 mile from our former meeting site at the Wheaton VFW. Meetings are held the 4th Tuesday of the month beginning at 1930.

Scuttlebutt : (SKUT-l-but) noun 1. Rumor, gossip. 2. A drinking fountain or a cask of drinking water on a ship. Etymology: From scuttle (a small opening in the deck or hull of a ship) + butt (cask)

Editor’s Fighting Hole

Hats off and a “salute” to Trustee George Borman for his work in putting together our “Helpers Appreciate Picnic “ on Sunday August 30th at the VFW grounds in Wheaton. Sorry to say only a few of our members showed up and they missed the great pork chops cooked for us by The Grill Sargent. It seems lately that only “a few good men (and women)” seem to show up for a number of our activities like Rose Day and Hines VA Bingo Day. Our detachment is one of the largest in the state and has a goodly number of activities for everyone to participate in yet it seems it is always the same “few good men & women”! Let’s take stock of what is happening and get behind our detachment's programs. Remember we are Marines, “Improvise, Adapt and Overcome!”