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The Scuttlebutt Newsletter Marine Corps League - Intracoastal Detachment 1058 P.O. Box 11248 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33339-1248 Scott Vulpis, Commandant www.mcleague1058.org James DuVall, Adjutant [email protected] [email protected] To All Members : November, 2010 Hope everyone had a good time this month celebrating the 235th Birthday of our beloved Marine Corps. As Marines, we are very fortunate to have such history and traditions that are handed down, as they help to instill the pride and honor that motivates Marines to be the best fighters in the world. If the Army, Navy, and Air Force ever understood the Marines embracement of it’s history and traditions , they would certainly, no longer dub us “brainwashed”. Of course, as Marine Corps Leaguer’s, we are now motivated to throw some of the meanest parties the world. There- fore, I would like to thank everyone that attended this years Birthday Ball, especially those members who sat on this years Ball committee and sold program ads. Your hard work and effort made it all possible. Good Job! This past weekend, some of us had the honor of being able to attend the Commissioning of the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) in Port Everglades. The ships namesake was dedicated to Marine Lcpl. Jason Lee Dunham , who was the first Marine Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War. In 2004, while on patrol with Kilo 3/7 in Karabilah, Iraq, the 22-year-old got in a scuffle with an enemy combatant who threw a grenade at the patrol. In a selfless act, Lcpl. Dunham threw his helmet and then his body on top of the grenade in order to save the lives of two other Marines. Unfortunately, Dunham had succumbed to his injuries and passed away a week later. During his speech, the ships Capitain, Commander M. Scott Sciretta, recognized one of those surviving squad members, who was in attendance with his wife and two young children, noting that these children wouldn’t be here today if not for the courage of Jason Dunham, and stating this was further proof that he was truly, a giver of life. Needless to say, there was a noticeable wave of emotion over the crowd following his comment. Also, it was only fitting that the senior member speaker of the day was the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos who stated , "We name our war-fighting capital ships after presidents, cities, and great battles, but we've not named one after a young Marine that I'm aware of." This all made for a great day in our Marine Corps history and for the City of Fort Lauderdale, as well. Oorah! Before I go, please remember that we will be collecting canned and dry-good foods at this months membership meeting (11/18/10), to help feed the needy during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Please see page 11 for a list of needed items. Take care and have a great Thanksgiving. Semper Fidelis, Scott Vulpis, Commandant, Intracoastal Detachment, 1058 Marine Corps League Detachment Digest - Page 2 Upcoming Events - Page 4 Dept. of FL Conference Report - Page 5 USS Jason Dunham Commissioning - Page 6 USMC Birthday Ball - Page 8 News From the Front - Page 10 USMC History Quiz- Page 11 Veterans News - Page 12 PAGE 2 THE SCUTTLEBUTT NEWSLETTER NOV 2010 Detachment Digest - October 2010 GENERAL MEETING MINUTES MARINE CORPS LEAGUE 1058 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21st, 2010 HELD AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #142 Meeting was called to Order by Commandant Scott Vulpis at 7:30 P.M. Opening Ceremony: Acting Sgt. at Arms Bart Reno posted the colors and lead the Detachment in the Pledge of Allegiance. He then declared the meeting open for the official Detachment business. Chaplain Robert Powers read the Opening Prayer. Guests: District 10 Vice Commandant Manny Moreno New Members: Marine Dan Derchert Adjutants Report: Copies of minutes of the last meeting were passed around for the members review. Past Commandant Bart Reno entered a motion to accept the minutes for the September 16, 2010 General Meeting Jr. Past Commandant Eddie Cruz seconded the motion which was carried to a unanimous vote, none opposed. Correspondence: Commandant Vulpis reported that Kevin Bolender had sent an email, expressing his joy and relief that his son, 1st Lieutenant Chris Bolender, had returned safely from a 6 month tour in Afghanistan. Paymaster Report: The Paymaster report was read by Commandant Vulpis and a motion to accept the report was made by Corpsman Lonnie Cantor. The motion was seconded by Past Commandant Bob Powers, which was carried to a unanimous vote, none opposed. Sickness & Distress: Sr Vice Comdt. Scott Egan reported that his uncle, Bob Kinney, from Newton, New Hampshire was suffering from Lou Gehrig's Disease. VSO Vito Rao spoke about a Sunrise VA Clinic patient with PTSD, who recently committed suicide. Commandant Vulpis reported that Paymaster Kyle Austin traveled Lady Lake, FL to assist his parents while his mother recovers from surgery. Commandant Vulpis then asked Past Comdt .Bart Reno on how his ailing mother was fairing and Reno reported that she was not doing well. Comdt. Vulpis replied that he and the Detachment were very sorry and that we would keep her in our thoughts and prayers. Old Business: 1. USS Jason Dunham Commissioning status. Some members were complaining that they had not received their formal invitations to attend the event. Comdt. Vulpis replied that the invitation process was running behind and that everyone should get their pass, prior to the event. 2. Trike Donation status. Jr. Vice Comdt. Marty Winston reported that the production of Trikes are no longer assembled by the “Pioneers” volunteer organization and are now produced by a for profit company at the cost of around $1000.00 per Trike. Being that the Trikes are now 4 times the cost they were in the past, the Detachment has decided it is no longer viable to purchase and donate the item. Commandant Vulpis then reminded the Detachment that we are a veterans service organization and we have a responsibility to serve and assist our local community, and asked that everyone keep an eye out for any legitimate, needy people or organizations that could use our help. 3. Washington D.C./ Quantico Trip: Senoir Vice Commandant Scott Egan stated that the trip was still being planned on. Marine David Benner recommended that we look into traveling by the Amtrak Auto Train, as it could be an inexpensive way to travel and would cut out the planning and cost for transportation in the Quantico/D.C. Area. Commandant Vulpis stated that he would look into it. NOV 2010 THE SCUTTLEBUTT NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 Detachment Digest Continued... New Business: 1. Detachment By-Laws Voting: Judge Advocate John Jordan read aloud the updated Detachment By-laws and amendments and then conducted a voting session for approval. The result ended with a majority of the membership voting to approve the by-laws and amendments. A motion to accept the voting results was made by Corpsman Lonnie Cantor and seconded by Jr. Vice Comdt. Marty Winston and carried to a unanimous vote, none opposed. 2. MCL Policy on Political Participation in Local, State and National elections. Judge Advocate John Jordan announced that the MCL National Commandant Vic Voltaggio sent out an ALMAR, informing all members that you are not allowed to publicly support or represent any political candidates while in the capacity as a Marine Corps League member or officer. 3. Detachment Shooting Team. Commandant Vulpis announced that the Villages Detachment 1267 MCL, has issued a shooting challenge to our detachment in a friendly round of MCL pistol competitions. He asked for a show of hands from those who would be interested in forming a Detachment shooting team and was answered by Dan Derchert , Lonnie Cantor, Scott Egan. Bart Reno stated that he and members not present, Jesse Bell, Bob Harvey, and Newt Schneider, would possibly be interested in competing, as well. 4. 2010 Birthday Ball. Commandant Vulpis announced the Birthday Ball was right around the corner and urged those members who were gong to participate, to make their reservations, donations, and purchases, as soon as possible. Past Comdt. Bart Reno announced that there would be a Ball ceremony rehearsal at the Marriott Fort Lauderdale North at 3:30 p.m. On Sunday Oct 31st, 2010. 5. 2010 Christmas Luncheon. Sr. Vice Comdt. Scott Egan stated that the Detachment would be having a Christmas Luncheon, free to all members and a guest, on Wednesday December 13th 2010 at Packy’s Sports Pub, 4480 N. Federal Hwy Lighthouse Point, FL 33064. 6. Toys for Tots Golf Tournament. Past Comdt. Bart Reno announced that the annual Toys for Tots Golf Tournament at the Country Club of Boca Raton was scheduled for Sunday December 5th, starting at 9:00 a.m. He also stated that he had contacted the local Marine Reserves about them setting up a static display at the event. 7. Guest Speaker. District 10 Vice Commandant Manny Moreno took the floor to introduce himself as the newly appointed District 10 commander and passed on important information pertaining to uniform regula- tions, National bylaws on political participation, and conduct as a member. 8. Detachment Awards. District 10 Vice Commandant Many Moreno presented the Detachment with the National Jr. Vice Commandants Award for Recruiting, for recruiting more members last year than the previous year. He also awarded VSO Vito Rao with The National Jr. Vice Commandants Recruiting Certificate award for recruiting the most members in the Detachment last year. 50/50: Total collection for the 50/50 was $80.