1426 East Fort Avenue (#17 Fire House) Baltimore, Maryland 21230-5247 Baltimore Detachment #565 Phone: 410-547-7699 http://www.mclbaltimore.org email: [email protected]

Earl Ruff, Jr.* Commandant January - February 2017 * Vol. 21, No. 1 * Stuart Blair Editor

Marines and Friends Celebrate a Holly Jolly Christmas

Sr. Vice Commandant’s Message Commandant’s Message

Greetings,

Greetings Marines, Happy New Year and wish everyone good health and I wish everyone a very Happy Holiday. My regards to all much happiness. We lost many Marines last year and those who were able to attend the Christmas Party on 9 we hope our losses will be less as we go about our tasks December. It was a very delightful evening of fun, food and for this year. conversation. Thank You” for making our Detachment May this be a safe holiday for everyone, especially those Program a success this year. Junior Vice Commandant who will be traveling for the holiday. Going into the new year Raymond Vaughn and I collected funds for this year’s the program by taking recruiting materials and setting up On Wednesday 14 December, I presented The Marine a Toys for Tots box and contribution jar at Shoppers. Corps League “Good Citizenship Award” to Eagle Scout Also, we made three trips to the warehouse which Clark A Jones, of Troop #97, The Eagle Court of Honor was resulted in us turning over 327 toys and checks in the held at the Chapel at Temple Oheb Shalom in Baltimore. amount of $415.00. Staff Sergeant Brandon Valentine informed us on December 12, 2016 that they had I will be looking forward to 2017 with new ideas and projects serviced so many individuals that the warehouse was for our detachment involvement assisting our brother / sister empty and they had to go shopping for more items. Marines, families and the community, which in turn will bring Needless to say, he was overjoyed when we made our us together for more than monthly meetings, memorial last toy report and hopefully, the Toys for Tots program rituals and services. Once again, Happy Holiday and will be able to service all of those who signed up for the Happy New Year. program this year. Additionally, we were able to assist a homeless family S/F which consisted of a 9 year old girl, a 4 year old boy and Earl Ruff, Jr., Commandant the mother. We were able to give the children 16 toys and 12 personal items were given to the mother so that she would also have something for the holiday. With the donations of 28 items made to this family and the 327 Marine of the Year * Detachment toys that were taken to the Toys for Tots Warehouse, the Detachment collected 355 items and donated $415.00. Nominations for Detachment Marine of the Year are due by Acknowledgements will be made to individuals and the close of business at the January 2017 Detachment organizations who contributed and hopefully, we will be monthly meeting. If you have a nomination for Detachment able to makes some presentations to them in person Marine of the Year, write an explanation as to why the next year and I hope to provide more information on that Marine deserves the award, mentioning the Marine's subject at a later date. accomplishments and place the letter in a sealed envelope. Please give the nomination to Adjutant Howard R. Gurley by For many of us, this is a time of reflection as we mentally the end of the January Detachment meeting. skim through our minds, remembering those we laughed with, those we invited over to dinner, those we thought to Detachment Marine of the Year Criteria: call and let them know that we are there for them and Period of performance for consideration: finally those we loved and lost during this year. We also 28 February 2016 through 31 January 2017 remembered the many military men and women who lost their lives lost at Pearl Harbor; the Four Frenchmen who Criteria of Award lost their lives in Baltimore but had no one to claim their  Detachment Marine who during the period of bodies in France; we remembered the Four Chaplains consideration has demonstrated by leadership and who gave up their life jackets so that four young men performance an extraordinary contribution to the might have a chance to grow older and lastly we Detachment, Marine Corps League and Community. remembered those Veterans who made the ultimate  Whose personal conduct has reflected favorably on sacrifice by giving their lives to protect us so that me and has brought credit to the Detachment, Marine might enjoy the freedoms that we have today – to them Corps League and the United States Marine Corps we say “Thank You” and we will not forget. To those of  Lifetime achievements are NOT considered you who are here to see this New Year, we say “Thank You” for your service as members of the Marine Corps Awarded: February Detachment Meeting and the Navy during your tenure in the military and we are elated that you continue to the serve as members of NOMINATIONS FOR MOY DUE BY the Marine Corps League and the Marine Corps Auxiliary. END OF MEETING 27 JANUARY !! Respectfully submitted, Marian C. James, SVC * Toys for Tots Chairperson - 2 -

Jr. Vice Commandant Message Chaplain’s Report

Greeting Marines, Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, It's a New Year for the Baltimore Detachment. Year 2016 because the flow that has passed will never pass again. went very well. We gained a few new members, we can Enjoy every moment of life. As a bagpiper, I play many always use more, 2017 looks hopeful, and we are an gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play energized unit and hopeful of more and better to come. Our at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no Toys For Tots effort yielded over 325 toys and $415 in cash family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's and check donations to help the Marine Corps Reserve cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country. As I was not make an enjoyable Christmas for local children. Thanks to familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and being a typical Marian James for leading that process. Thanks to Chuck man, I didn't stop for directions. Hilton, Diamond Kimos and John Davis for making sure that Hall rentals were successful and keeping our guests, happy I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had in the experience. Thanks also to young Mr. Hilton for evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. providing excellent meals after the monthly meetings. Our There were only the diggers and crew left and they were programs, working with the Young Marines, Boy Scouts, eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for Francis Scott Key public school and assistance to local being late. Marine families in need, did a fantastic job. Our Pistol and Rifle teams are always looking for new shooters to help us I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the add to our collection of plaques. The Devil Dogs were alive vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to and active and contributed greatly to the organization's do, so I started to play. goals; Paul Taylor kept us on point with that effort. We have The workers put down their lunches and began to gather to give a great big "" to Jack Colleran and his helpers around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with for another great Marine Corps Ball celebration. Will Priest no family and friends. I played like I've never played has done a fantastic job, enhancing our museum and giving before for this homeless man. And as I played "Amazing the public access to our museum? The Ladies Auxiliary has Grace", the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, done us a great service with their activities, in highlighting and we all wept together. When finished, I packed up my the mission of the Baltimore Detachment this year. And bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was Stuart Blair's editorship on the Gung Ho newsletter hung low, my heart was full. continues to make our printings, one of the best in the As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the system. If I've forgotten any one or any accomplishment, it's workers say, "I never seen anything like that before, and only because it's hard keeping track of all the efforts, of so I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years." many in the past year. Apparently, I'm still lost....it's a man thing.

Here's hoping all of our members had a Merry Christmas, a Semper Fi Prayer Happy Hanukkah and New Year's, with the sincere wish Condolences to Rosemary Koontz, auxiliary unit that 2017 be just as remarkable as 2016 was. We look member, on the passing of her Mother. forward more of the same for the Baltimore Detachment. is our motto and our legacy. Remember our sick in your thoughts and prayers for Dorothy White, Charles Luthardt, Roose Semper Fi Nippard, Jack Dickerson, Diamond Kiemos, Bill Ray Vaughn, JVC Wheeler, Dominic Naples, Irv Becker. Fran Miller, Ceil Handschuh and Kathy DeVage wife of Glen DeVage, Bill Wells, and Bob Flick. And a general Annual Dues Reminder prayer of intersession for those who have aches All dues will expire on August 31, yearly. If any and pains but Marine on through the day. annual member has dues that expire 2016 then pay as the time frame will be adjusted to expire God Bless Us, Our Nation and the Marine Corps AUGUST 31, 2017. Just because the annual Howard Koontz, Chaplain dues expire on that date, does not mean that dues can be paid any time before that date. *Effective August 2016

- 3 -

Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service

On December 10, 2016, the Senate passed H.R. 6416, the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016.

H.R. 6416 now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. The bill contains legislation consistent with several of DAV's national resolutions. Highlights of the measure include provisions to: VIETNAM ERA VETERAN LAPEL PIN Benefits  Establish automatic entitlement to survivor benefit "A Lasting Memento of the Nation's Thanks!" payments in certain cases;  Streamline the Board of Veterans Appeals video The Commemoration is providing Vietnam hearing process; Veteran Lapel Pins to Commemorative  Enhance the Veterans Benefit Administration's contract medical examination process; Partners for dignified public presentations to  Temporarily increase the number of judges presiding at living U.S. military veterans who served during Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; the period as a lasting memento  Require continuous review of the Transition Goals of the nation's thanks. Plans and Success (GPS) program, its workshops, training methodology, delivery of services, collection Living United States veterans who served on and analysis of course critiques and VSO involvement;  Establish a three-year transition period for Service active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses following the time during the period of November 1, 1955 to non-service-connected death of the service-disabled May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are veteran owner, rated less than 100 percent; eligible to receive one lapel pin.  Express a sense of Congress that October 5 be

recognized annually as American Veteran Disabled for Life Day; Attention

Health Care On 27 January, MCL Baltimore Det. Meeting,  Authorize advanced appropriations for VA's Medical John Henkel, Legislative Advocacy Rep will Community Care account; make a special presentation of a ‘Vietnam Era  Improve access to standard immunizations for Veteran” Commemorative Pin to all Marines veterans; who served in the U S Armed Forces from  Provide priority services to Medal of Honor recipients within VA's health care system; 1955 to 1975.

 Establish procedures for mental health treatment for veterans who performed classified missions while on If you served during this time period and wish active duty; to participate in this presentation, contact  Provide examination and treatment by VA for Stuart Blair @ 410-665-6440. emergency medical conditions and women in labor;  Authorize several major VHA medical facility projects;  Authorize research for descendant health conditions Noteworthy potentially related to veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service in the Armed Forces; Income Tax Relief . . . End of Year Donation Think about this, would you rather give money in “Serving our veterans with care” taxes to the government or make a tax deductible donation to your Detachment. No matter what amount it will be greatly appreciated. If you should S/F, make a large donation we have a form to give you Gary Roundtree, Sr. to verify your donation if needed. Thanks. VAVS Representative - 4 -

Detachment Home Dispatch Detachment Programs

Detachment Home Maintenance Your help is needed to take down the Christmas trees Scholarships and decoration on Jan.7, 2017 9am. Hopefully you will Pocket Calendar 2017 do your best to be there, if you show up it will only If you haven’t had the time before the holidays to take about two hours. Also if you want we can have send in your tax-deductible donation for the lunch. It would be great if scholarship fund do your best to do so now. WE COULD START THE NEW YEAR WITH Contribute at least the minimum of $6.00. All monies go YOUR HELP. THANKS IN ADVANCE. to the ______

SCHOLARSHIP FUND except for expenses...

Baltimore Detachment Hall Rental The hall rental is our main source of income for the Detachment Member Assist / VA Hosp Bingo Detachment Home. Keep promoting the hall rental. Pick Three Lottery Calendar Fundraiser Information call Diamond Kimos @ 443-627-3487 or Chuck Hilton @ 410-547-7699 The 2017 fund raiser forms are still available ! We are hoping you will take at least one from the mailing and/or pick up more at the detachment. Mail them back with your check as soon as possible in 2017. Remember the numbers a good throughout the Marine Corps Humor year whenever you submit the form.

The proceeds from this are used for assistance to a detachment Marine or family member in need and the Baltimore Green St.VA Medical Center Project

2016 Pick Three Calendar Monthly Winners

November;

11/18 Tammy Stewart #763 $ 25.00

11/20 Debra Wooley #483 $ 25.00

11/23 Thuy Schroeder #651 $ 25.00

11/24 Michael J. Ratajczak,Jr. #751 $100.00

11/30 Allen Brandenburg #704 $ 25.00

There were five (5) winners in the month of November. Four (4) won $25.00 and one (1) won $100.00 on Thanksgiving Day for a total payout of $200.00. The balance in the fund at the end of November is $2,240.00

Boot Camp . . . Our Second Home VA Medical Center BINGO Tuesday 6 December 2016 While the weather outside was cold, it was nice

and cozy playing bingo inside. Patients were very appreciative of the refreshments and prizes provided by the Detachment and Auxiliary.

- 5 -

Auxiliary Military Order of the Devil Dogs

The Fun and Honor Society Reaching Further . . . of the Marine Corps League . . . Touching More

Greetings, Woof woof,

Still not much happening in Dogdom. Many thanks to The tree that our unit decorated for the Festival of all the Dogs who turned out to assist the Toys for Tots Trees with the Marine Corps theme sold on the first very successful drive. I am sure Chris Stevens will day of the festival. We were not able to find out the have a total for us at the next Detachment meeting. exact amount but the trees in our category sold in the 300 dollar range. This is a generous Pound 204 held a very successful Growl last month contribution to the Kennedy Krieger Institute. We netting 351 bones for the kids. Unfortunately, our Dog hope to do another tree next year. Thanks to Lucy Chef has retired so unless we have a chef step up, we Kelly for organizing this project. will no longer be having that great Anne Arundel County Detachment breakfast prior to the Growls. On Saturday before the detachment’s Christmas Party, members of the league and auxiliary We still have a few Dogs in the Pound who are in decorated the building. Anita Ullery one of our new arrears of their dues and therefore cannot attend a members from Anne Arundel County unit and her Growl or hold office. If you are one of the delinquents, daughter Sarah with the help of Judy Hoffman did a get with the program and send 15 big bones to your great job on the tree in the front hall. They also friendly Dog Robber (me) ASAP. A few extra bones, helped with other decorations in the main hall. Milt for the kids, from those of you who never attend a Hazzard, past commandant brought in some new growl would be greatly appreciated. When you are two decorations to add to the main room. years in arrears, you will be dropped from the roles of the MODD. Don’t let this happen. Pay your dues now. Our auxiliary attended the Christmas Party at the league home on December 9th. It was a pot luck All Pups remember that you must attend two Pound dinner enjoyed by all who attended. Growls in the year prior to the Grand Growl in May if you want to advance to DD. In addition to food for the party many people brought in Toys for Tots. We feel that our The next Pack Growl will be on 21 January at the Christmas Party was a success. We only wish more Jefferson Davis American Legion Post in Centreville, people could have attended. Maryland.

The next Pound Growl will be on 12 February. Next month we will continue our crochet lessons so we may become proficient enough to make items Remember: It is an honor to be a for a veteran’s hospital.

We still need recipes for our cook book. Please Woof woof, continue to send them in. PDD Paul Taylor Dog Robber God bless America,

Joan Hansen, President

- 6 -

 February 4, 1868 Marine Corps History Marines landed at Osaka, Japan, to protect Question of the Month foreign nationals.

In each month’s “GUNG HO” we will feature a question about  February 10, 1945 U.S. Marine Corps history. The question will test your Marine fighter squadrons aboard Task Force knowledge of well known facts of Marine Corps existence. 58 attacked Tokyo and provided air support for Iwo Jima landing forces. They also bombed The answer to each question will be published in and strafed Okinawa. the following month’s issue.  February 26, 1991 Answer to December’s Question A Marine recon. unit was the first U.S. force On 20 December 1989 Operation Just Cause was to enter City and retake the American launched in a Central American country to protect Embassy. American lives, restore the democratic process, and apprehend Dictator General Manuel Antonio Noriega. One Marine, Corporal Garreth C. Isaak, was killed and three other were wounded during the operation. What Members Birthdays was the name of this country?

Panama We would like to wish the following Marines a “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” and many more: January / February Question In January 1991 the first serious ground fighting of JANUARY – BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Operation Desert Storm broke out when Iraqi troops mounted an attack on a port city six miles south of the John A. Cook, Gudis, Donald J. Blum, Saudi border. The and attack Stanley S. Gumnit, Wesley T. Harper, Daniel J. helicopters and other allied coalition aircraft Donnelly, Roos E. Nippard, Milton L. Hazzard, recaptured the town two days later. What was the Richard L. Whitehead, Thomas J. O’Toole Jr., Carl name of this town ? G. Holland, George F. Dietsch, Walter H. Naylor, Jr., Christopher S. Chrisian, Roy E. Higgs, Jr., Gray a) Jubail S. Reif Sr., Dana G. Ferguson, James A. b) Khafii Montaque, George L. Kesselring, Darron C. c) Qatif Woodus and Andrew V. Zachary. d) Maghoh Also celebrating this month is Associate Member Joan M. Hansen.

Dates of Interest FEBRUARY – BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

 January 1, 1804 Thomas C. Talbott, Alfred Karchem, Dominic J. The tradition of the Marine Band serenading the Naples, Sr., Lloyd A. Emery, Jerome B. Milburn, Commandant was established. Leandrew J. Morant, Sr., Michael M. Gajewski, Sr., William R. Morton, Dean B. Kone, Raymond L.  January 9, 1847 Vaughn, James W. Sandoz, Steven P. Martin, Marines participated in the Battle of Welton C. McCallister, Joseph A. Crivello, III and La Mesa,CA. during the Mexican-American War. Wesley L. Hipp.

 January 14, 1920 Marines, if you had a birthday this month and your name Caco insurrectionists were defeated in did not appear, please let me know.

Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Stuart Blair, 410-665-6440,

Email: [email protected]  January 23, 1780 Marines participated in the capture of a British brig by USS Providence and USS Ranger off the coast of Charleston, S.C. - 7 -

NON PROFIT BALTIMORE ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID BALTIMORE MD MARINE CORPS LEAGUE PERMIT NO. 5964 BALTIMORE DETACHMENT 1426 East Fort Avenue (#17 Fire House) Baltimore, Maryland 21230-5247

“To observe a Marine is inspirational, to be a Marine is exceptional."

Iwo Jima Flag Raiser The Marine Corps announced on June 23, 2016, that Harold Schultz (1926-1995) is one of the flag-raisers in Joe Rosenthal's iconic photograph Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima February 23, 1945. The Marine Corps also stated after reviewing the identities of the six second flag-raisers in the photograph that former Navy corpsman John Bradley (deceased) who was thought to be in the photo since April 1945, was not. Schultz is the second flag-raiser in the photograph who was not originally identified as one. In 1947, after a Marine Corps investigation, it was determined that Corporal Harlon Block was in the photograph. The Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, depicts the second flag-raising on Mount Suribachi by six Marines.

- 8 -