Medal of Honor Recipient Passes

A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. for Nick Daniel Bacon. Nick retired as a First Sergeant from the U.S. Army and was Arkansas’ last living Medal of Honor recipient.

The service will be at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 West Maryland Ave in North Little Rock. MAP IT…

A reception will follow at the Professional Education Center Militia Hall at Camp Robinson.

Public parking for the service will be at Pulaski Technical College Aerospace Technology Center across from the cemetery. Buses and vans will begin transporting individuals to the cemetery starting at 9:30 a.m. Public seating will be available, but is not guaranteed. Water will be provided.

Individuals wishing to attend the reception at Camp Robinson should enter through the Maryland Avenue gate. Directions to the Militia Hall will be provided upon arrival to Camp Robinson.

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Volunteers:

Volunteers with Service Organizations or branches of the military who wish to help out before, during and after Nick Bacon’s memorial service at the Arkansas State Cemetery should meet at the Administration building at the cemetery at 8:30 a.m.. Parking for volunteers will be across the street at Central Arkansas Water. Please do not block their drives.

There will be plenty of water, ice and ice chests. Volunteers will be needed for driving golf carts, loading and unloading ice chests, handing out water to the crowd, putting up flags, manning check points, trash pickup, etc.

The above information was provided by Susan G. King, Public Information Specialist, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs

Bringing Back the Khaki Shirt.

As we all know, there has been much to-do about the Khaki shirt being taken out of the Marine Corps League uniform code. This year’s National Convention promises more of the same with varied opinions.

We want YOUR opinion about whether that khaki shirt should be brought back or not.

Please submit your input by voting on the POLL located at the bottom of the MCL Dept of AR Website.

TAKE ME TO THE POLL

New Department Website Launched

After months of development, the Department of Arkansas’ website is launched.   Visit http://www.mcleaguear.org

Enjoy!

Should The American Flag Be Banned?

Fox News is running a poll about whether the flag should be banned in schools in order not to inflame Hispanic students. The poll is being sandbagged by SEIU and Patriots should mount a counter action if you agree that the flag should be taken down for no one. As of this posting only 55% of people say the flag should not be banned?  Only Fifty-five percent????  That is outrageous!

Moveon.org, Organizing for America , and SEIU have been twittering today to go to Fox Poll and vote to ban the Flag …. and right now it is working.

SHOW THEM WHAT TRUE PATRIOTS BELIEVE!!! Let’s flip those numbers and show these people we are organized, patriotic and on the move….flip the numbers now-FLIP THE HOUSE in November!

GO HERE NOW: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/05/06/american-flag-banned-america/

……….and then pass it along!
Post your comments below to let us know how you feel!

Flag Retirement Ceremony

The God & Country Day Services and the United States of America Flag retirement is scheduled for July 4th, 2010 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  The Patriot Guard and Christian Motorcycle “ride in” begins at 1:40 pm with services to start promptly at 2:00 pm.

There will be a practice on Saturday, July 3rd beginning at 10:00 am at the First Baptist Church on Old Jenny Link Loop.  Anyone interested in being a part of the ceremony is encouraged to attend the practice.  If you are unable to attend practice, but still want to participate, contact Chris Remaley, Jr. Vice Commandant for the River Valley Detachment #1248 of the Marine Corps League at 479-597-0382 or email him by clicking HERE.  There is still plenty you can get involved with.

“At this time we have 75 flags to be retired with still some to be folded,” said Chris.

Directions from Fort Smith:  6 miles South on Hwy 71; turn left at the Conoco convenience store onto Old Jenny Lind Loop.  First Baptist Church is 3/4 miles on your left at the corner of Old Jenny Link Loop & Gate Nine Rd.

From Greenwood; take the first right after the Citgo convenience store on Hwy 71; this will be Old Jenny Lind Loop.  First Baptist Church is 1/2 mile on your right — corner of Old Jenny Lind Loop & Gate Nine Road.

Coffee, snacks and donuts will be provided for practice on Saturday morning.

Car Show Supports Veterans

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Car enthusiasts of all ages should have plenty to take in at the 7^th annual ‘Dad’s Ole Car Day’ Sunday at 1 p.m. at the VA in North Little Rock located at 2200 Fort Roots Drive.

The car show, organized by Classic American Muscle and Streetcars (CAMS), offers free admission and refreshments to visitors.  Awards will be given for cars in both the People’s Choice and the Participant’s Choice categories.

“It’s always a good time for us, as well as the Veterans,” said Jim Larmoyeux, CAMS president.  “Everyone has a tale: ‘My father had a car like this,’ ‘I had a car like that when I was in high school,’ and on and on.”

Last year’s event included 130 cars and organizers anticipate a larger turnout this year. Among the cars already signed up for the 2010 show are a 1950 Hudson and a World War II era military Jeep with a .50 caliber machine gun.

All cars are welcome at the show meaning anyone who wants to show off their ride can show up on Father’s Day and register for a space.

“Some car shows turn their noses up at newer cars, like the new Camaro or a new Corvette, but at Dad’s Ole Car Day, it’s more about what people want to see and the Veterans may be more interested to see a new car than an antique,” said CAMS spokesperson Tim Irby.

For more information about Dad’s Ole Car Day, contact Jim Larmoyeux at 501.227.6967.

WWII Navajo Code Talker To Speak

There is a great possibility that there will be an actual WWII Navajo Code Talker at the 87^th National Marine Corps League Convention.  This flyer is requesting the financial assistance of every Division, Department and Detachment to donate what they can so that every attending Marine can have the opportunity to experience and spend time with a living legend!

Click HERE to view the flyer.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with this event.

Semper Fidelis,

Bruce R. Rakfeldt
Adjutant
Department of North Carolina
Mideast Division,
Marine Corps League
Home Phone:  (336) 578-9446
Cell Phone:  (336)380-1001

Saint Peter… Another Marine Reporting, Sir.

Leroy Lee Stollard, 71, of Fort Smith died Sunday, May 16, 2010.  He was born Feb. 9, 1939, in Fort Smith. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church,  the Marine Corps League River Valley Detachment #1248 and was a member of the Military Order of the Devil Dogs.   Lee is a former newscaster and salesperson for KFSA Channel 5.

Funeral services were held at Lewis Funeral Chapel in Fort Smith with burial at Forest Park Cemetery with military honors by Marine Corps League.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; one son, Rick Stollard of Tulsa; one stepson, David Mitchell of Kansas City, Mo., two grandchildren and four step grandchildren.

Pallbearers were members of the Marine Corps League.

Department of Arkansas 2010 Marine of the Year Announced

David R. Dubois - Department of Arkansas 2010 Marine of the Year

Marine David R. Dubois was named the 2010 Department of Arkansas Marine of the Year  during the department convention banquet held the evening of  May 15th.

“Wow!,” commented Marine Dubois.  “To be recognized in this way is an absolute honor.”

During the past year, David Dubois has served as the Commandant for the Faulkner County Detachment #1323, Judge Advocate for the Department of Arkansas, Liason to the Veterans Administration Volunteer Services, representative to the Arkansas Veteran’s Coalition and established the Department’s Blog to help communicate League news, activities and events.

Dignitaries also in attendance at the banquet were Ken Henry, Asst. Division Vice Commandant; Guest Speaker, Colonel Patrick Ferral; and two Marines who fought the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Recon Marine Passes at Age 80

Dr. Dale Wayne Langford, 80, of Conway died Saturday, May 8, 2010, at his home, surrounded by his family and friends. He was born Feb. 21, 1930, in Jefferson, Ia., a son of the late Thomas L. and Ester (Gline) Langford. Five brothers and four sisters also preceded him in death.

Dr. Langford was a United States Recon Marine Veteran of the Korean War, a member of the Marine Corps League Faulkner County Detachment #1323 and a retired chiropractor. He was a member of Calvary Chapel Church in Conway and served as a deacon. He was a member of the Conway Noon Lions Club for 25 years and served as a past president.

Dale graduated in 1958 from Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, Ia. He practiced in Conway for 37 years before retiring in 1995. He had served as President of the Arkansas Chiropractic Association and also served on the Arkansas Board of Examiners. In his retirement years, he enjoyed being a member of Nail Benders for Jesus.

Survivors are his wife, Frances (Anderson) Langford; daughters, Beth Brown (Darvin) of Mountain View; Sharon Butler (Rob) of Magnolia; Joan Swaffar (Charles) of Conway; step-son, Brian Miller (Monica) of Clarksville; Jason Miller of Atkins; Chris Miller (Sarah Jo) of Morrilton; sisters, Jean Burk of Iowa; Kay Buswell of Kentucky; 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

The Faulkner County Detachment #1323, in a unanimous vote, has passed a motion to rename the detachment after this Korean War hero.  The family has given their permission to name the Conway, AR based detachment the Dale W. Langford Detachment #1323.  Once approved by MCL National HQ, a new charter ceremony will be announced.