The Straight Skinny s1

The Straight Skinny

Detachment #482 ______May 2016 Vol. 15 #2 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: Russ Russell (360) 790-5866, 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 I have been "out of pocket" for the past month and apologize for my lack of activity and involvement. On April 2nd while on vacation in Mexico, I slipped on a tile floor, fell and broke my hip; then surgery April 4th. Four days in a Mexican hospital where one doctor spoke some English and I have no Spanish was a challenge. The bill had to be paid by VISA so that I could be discharged from the hospital - over $18,000. At the last minute before we left, I got Trip Insurance through USAA. I advise anyone traveling out of the country, even to a Marriott in Cancun, to consider travel insurance.

We had a very light turnout at the Muster May 4th. With spring and summer activities, it is certainly understandable that we all have conflicts. The July 4th Parade in Tumwater is rapidly approaching and we must do some serious planning if the participation of the Marine Corps League is to be successful. I have sent the application to Tumwater Parks & Recreation, but we have a lot to do.

When the Detachment meets June 4th, we must address several issues;

Is the War Wagon ready to go, or does it need to be cleaned up and refurbished? Who will drive? Who will coordinate flags?

Does the Detachment have miniature flags to be passed out to children in the crowd? If we don't have a supply, should we purchase? Tim will alert the Scouts if we want them to participate.

Semper Fi … Jim

"Always go to other peoples' funerals; otherwise they won't come to yours." HL MENKEN

Chaplain's Corner The current big talk around the nation right now seems to be the response in various states to laws related to who may use which bathrooms/gyms/spas. As Marines, it is our mission to protect the vulnerable. Nothing is being said about youth who have been sexually abused and the effect of being in a "safe zone" only to being faced by a person who triggers a memory of being abused. Same sex bathrooms, gyms, spas are felt by most to be "safe zones" by most people. For the sake of "PC" for a population of less than 1 percent, are we going to let as many as 25% of the population potentially suffer? Yes...over 25% of the population has suffered from sexual abuse! (see Just Want Privacy)

John C. Britcher, Ph.D. Chaplain Muster Minutes Minutes of May 7, 2016:

We mustered at the VFW Post in Lacey.

Commandant Jim Sims opened the meeting at 0830. Acting Sergeant At Arms Bill Watkins secured the quarters and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain John Britcher offered an opening prayer.

OLD BUSINESS:

Commandant’s Report. Commandant Sims reported that he broke his hip while vacationing in Mexico last month.

Report of the Paymaster. John Britcher reported that the Detachment has $2010.32 in savings, $1208.44 in checking, and a total of $3223.73. Bill Watkins moved that we accept the report of the Paymaster. Daun Lenz seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Minutes of the Previous Muster. Mike Partridge moved that we approve the minutes of April 2, 2016. Daun Lenz seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Ken Clark expressed his thanks to Steve Ostrander for recording last month’s minutes.

NEW BUSINESS:

Report of the Junior Vice Commandant. Daun Lenz reported that she, Ken Clark, Alan Hoover, and JD Augsburger called about 50 inactive Detachment members. She reported that we really only have between 25 and 30 active members who can be counted on for league activities as so many others have moved, haven’t maintained their contact information, are not interested, or have passed away. Daun also presented the results of the form she circulated to find out what league activities our members are willing to participate in. The following is from 23 forms that were filled out:

Flag Folding Ceremonies – 13 members are willing to help Rifle Salutes – 10 Community Parades – 15 Patriotic events like Veterans Day, Memorial Day – 13 Color Guards (for deceased Vets) – 12 Toys-For-Tots – 14 Veterans Day Programs (Local Nursing Homes) – 14 Christmas Programs (Gifts to Vets in Nursing Homes) – 16 Eagle Scout Awards – 8 Sponsor Disabled Vets (Public Events) – 8 Rose Sales – 15 Other (i.e. phone calls to members) – 4 Marine Bill Greenwood stressed the need for new members, noting that there is a decline in membership of all kinds of veteran and civic organizations. Bill also urged the attending members to wear the uniform to muster to show our pride in ourselves and our organization.

Upcoming Events. Commandant Sims reported that we have two events coming in July that we need to discuss. The Tumwater Parade is scheduled for Monday the 4th of July, and Alan Hoover can schedule a Rose Sale for that same weekend. After some discussion it was decided that we should do a Rose Sale at a time later in the year. Jim will submit the paperwork for the parade, but he wondered who is responsible for the parades; it may be that Russ Russell volunteered last fall to take that job over temporarily. Supply Sergeant Bill Watkins said he will try to look in the storage shed this week to see if the little flags the Boy Scouts hand out are there. Tim Collins said that we need to be sure the Detachment is taking part in the parade before the Boy Scouts are asked to participate as last year they showed up but the Marines didn’t.

Service Dogs. Commandant Sims reported that the Military Order of the Purple Heart provides $25,000/year to NEADS, an organization that trains service dogs for Vets with PTSD, children with autism, and the deaf. At 10 weeks of age the puppies are taken to inmates in a prison in Massachusetts for training. The Vets Jim talked to said the dogs changed their lives.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

Parade. The Commandant reminded the members that we need to get organized for the Tumwater parade and we need to find little flags. Joe Coorough asked about the state of the Warrior Wagon; Jim said that Paul Klenk, who stores the wagon, says it is in good shape. If it needs work we will need to schedule a work party.

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 0907. Our next Breakfast/Muster will be held at 0800 at the VFW at 2902 Martin Way East on June 4, 2016.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

Saturday June 4, 2016. Breakfast and Muster will be held at 0800 at the VFW Post in Lacey. Please attend if at all possible.

Saturday July 2, 2016. Breakfast and Muster will be held at 0800 at the VFW Post in Lacey. Please attend if at all possible.

Monday July 4, 2016. The Tumwater Parade; we will need all hands in uniform! I believe we mustered near the McDonald’s in Tumwater between 1000 and 1030 and the parade kicked off at 1100. SHORT ROUNDS

"Who rises from prayer a better man, his prayer is answered." - George Meredith

"I have thought too much to stoop to action!" - Philippe Auguste Villiers de L'Isle-Adam

"Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed." - Mark Twain

"When you ask God to send you trials, you may be sure your prayer will be granted." - Leon Bloy

"The older I grow the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom." - H. L. Mencken

______

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