The Straight Skinny

The Straight Skinny Detachment #482 ______June 2016 Vol. 15 #3 Olympia, WA

Commandant: Jim Sims (360) 432-8195, Sr. Vice Commandant: Cecil Cheeka (360) 352-7227, Jr. Vice Commandant: Daun Lenz (360) 493-2297, Quartermaster: position vacant, Sergeant At Arms: Eric Rathke, Detachment Armorer: position vacant, Paymaster: John Britcher (360) 888-4475, Judge Advocate: Bill Greenwood (360) 943-4290, Adjutant: Bryson Langel (360) 352-9912, Chaplain: John Britcher (360) 888-4475, PAO/Editor: Ken Clark (253) 964-8326. COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN: BOY SCOUTS – John Sager, COLOR GUARD – Jim Deacon and Gilman Pelkey, PARADE MARSHAL: position vacant, ROSE PROGRAM– position vacant, AWARDS COMMITTEE – Tim Collins, FUNERAL COMMITTEE - position vacant, Dept. of WA Representatives to the WA Veterans Legislative Coalition: Primary – Dick Marcelynas, Secondary – Ev Brown, Toys For Tots – John Moysiuk, Web Sergeant – David Ball, Supply Sergeant - Bill Watkins (360) 791-7242. Website: www.olympiamarines.org ______From the Commandant 'Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day. For those who participated in or attended events honoring comrades who have fallen in service of our country - Thank you for caring.

While too high a percentage of Americans think of Memorial Day only as a three day weekend and an opportunity for a picnic or family outing, Memorial Day to we veterans is far more important. It is an opportunity to honor and thank shipmates, those who went before us at Okinawa, the Chosin Reservoir, Khe Sahn, Beirut and Fallujah. Our tribute to them and to our legacy should be every day .... not just Memorial Day.

I will be absent from the June 4th Muster because of a conflict. Be prepared to discuss your participation in the July 4th Parade in Tumwater. I have sent the application to Tumwater Parks & Recreation, but we have a lot to do to ensure that the Marine Corps League is well representative.

We will also honor two new Life Members and our World War II Marines.

Semper Fi … Jim

"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines; Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion." William Thornson, Major General, US Army

Chaplain's Corner At our June Muster we found out that two more of our members have been diagnosed with cancer: JD Augsburger is being treated for brain cancer and John Sager for skin cancer. These are reminders that we are getting older and more infirm. It is also a reminder that being the "tough Marine" and not dealing with mild symptoms is counterproductive and can lead to very serious illnesses. Let's man up and take care of ourselves!

John C. Britcher, Ph.D. Chaplain

Muster Minutes Minutes of June 4, 2016:

We mustered at the VFW Post in Lacey.

Junior Vice Commandant Daun Lenz opened the meeting at 0827. Sergeant At Arms Eric Rathke secured the quarters and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain John Britcher offered an opening prayer.

OLD BUSINESS:

Commandant’s Report. Junior Vice Commandant Lenz asked the former Commandants to stand. Those present were Mike Partridge, John Moysiuk, Steve Ostrander, and Dick Marcelynas.

WWII Detachment Members. Daun introduced Marine Robert Van Vleck and his wife Betty and Marine Bill Greenwood and his wife Alma. Both of these men served in WWII, and it was Daun’s great honor to award them lifetime membership in Detachment 482 of the Marine Corps League. Bill and Robert were asked if they would like to comment. Bill said it was always great to come to the musters. He said his greatest memory was the atomic bomb and the end of hostilities. He remarked that in boot camp he wondered if the DIs were actually on the other side, they were so tough and ornery. Bill added that he lost two very good friends in the war, one of them a Congressional Medal of Honor awardee

Report of the Paymaster. John Britcher reported that the Detachment has $2010.50 in savings, $1262.44 in checking, and a total of $3277.95. Bryson Langel moved that we accept the report of the Paymaster. JD Augsburger seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Minutes of the Previous Muster. Ken Clark moved that we approve the minutes of May 7, 2016. John Moysiuk seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Report of the Chaplain. John Britcher reported that we have a few sick and lame detachment members. JD Augsburger has brain cancer, and Shanin Brennan has an unknown malady. John was happy to have Mr. Van Vleck at the meeting. He pointed out that some of us are getting old and sick, and he doesn’t know how much longer he can do his job. His last heart operation hasn’t helped. He asked that everyone remember in their prayers all of those who are ailing.

Report of Dick Marcelynas. Dick announced that he had begun a new diet, a whiskey diet, and that he had already lost three days!

NEW BUSINESS:

4 th of July Parade. Ken Clark will ask Commandant Sims if the paperwork was turned in and a response received for our participation in the 4th of July Parade in Tumwater. The following people intend to participate: Ken, Eric Rathke, John Britcher, John Moysiuk, Joe Coorough, Bryson Langel, George Paich, and Daun Lenz. Ken will also check the status of the Warrior Wagon. Muster in July. Mike Partridge moved that we have no meeting in July and have our next muster on August 6th. Bill Greenwood seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

Rose Sales. Alan Hoover is working on a Rose Sale at QFC the weekend of Labor Day, and asked if there would be enough volunteers for him to continue pursuing this. There were many volunteers.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

New Award. Junior Vice Commandant Daun Lenz presented a new award, the National Order of the Purple Shingles, to Shanin Brennan. Shanin proudly accepted the award and read it to the members.

Prayers for John Sager. JD Augsburger asked that we keep John Sager in our prayers, as he is having surgery for facial skin cancer in Germany on the 8th.

New Veterans Outreach Center. John Moysiuk announced that he and others working with Thurston County have formed a new 501(c)3, a non-profit organization to connect Vets with Veterans programs. It will be housed in the new South Puget Sound Community College campus in Lacey on 6th Street. It will provide places for the various service organizations to assist Vets with things like getting their housing benefits, medical attention, and employment. He is looking for volunteers to help get the operation up and running. July 1st will be the dedication of the new center and it will be open 5 days/week from 9 am to 4 pm.

Following a prayer from Chaplain John Britcher and a rousing verse of the Marines Hymn, the Commandant thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at 0858. Our next Breakfast/Muster will be held at 0800 at the VFW at 2902 Martin Way East on August 6, 2016. UPCOMING EVENTS

The following events are fast approaching. Please try to fit these into your schedule.

Monday July 4, 2016. The Tumwater Parade; we will need all hands in uniform! We will muster near the McDonald’s in Tumwater at 1000 and the parade will kick off at 1100.

Saturday August 6, 2016. Breakfast/Muster at 0800 at the VFW at 2902 Martin Way East.

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Marines and Associates, please feel free to contact me with any short articles or items of interest that you think would be a worthy addition to the Straight Skinny. Also, if you would like me to include a story from your time on active duty let me know and we will work out a way to get your story posted here. Cheers! PAO Ken Clark