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

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.

Faulkner County Detachment Announces Marine of the Year

Dwight Witcher - Faulkner County Detachment #1323 Marine of the Year

The Faulkner County Detachment #1323 in Conway, Arkansas conducted its annual awards ceremony during a specially called detachment meeting on Thursday, April 29, 2010. David Skelton, the chairman of the detachment Marine of the Year committee announced that this year’s recipient was Dwight Witcher , the current Sr. Vice Commandant.
Detachment Commandant, David Dubois commented, “The Marine of the Year committee made a great selection… Dwight is a hard working and dedicated Marine and I attribute much of the detachment’s success this past year to his sound leadership.”

Other Marine Corps League Awards Presented:

Marine Corps League Distinguished Citizen Medal (Bronze)

• Dwight Witcher
• Frank Lambert

Marine Corps League Distinguished Service Medal

• David Skelton
• W.T. Thomas
• Donnie Hay
• Al Meyer
• Jim Stroud

Marine Corps League Meritorious Commendation (Individual)

• James Gibson

An Iwo Jima Veteran

It seems like the subject of Iwo Jima has come up quite a bit lately here in Central Arkansas, and they say things happen in “threes”. First, Young Marine SgtMaj Sara Stovall visited Iwo Jima and said it was the trip of a lifetime; 2nd the NW Arkansas detachment received a U.S. flag flown over the US Marine Corps Memorial (the statue of the flag raising over Iwo Jima); and now, #3, the topic of this post.

Yesterday, I received a call that there was a Marine Veteran in the hospital here in Central Arkansas who was feeling down and could use a visit from another Marine. No other information was available. I was, of course, more than happy to respond.

Today I had the honor of meeting and visiting with that Marine Veteran who served in the Pacific and fought the battles of Tinian, Sipan and Iwo Jima. Mr. Roland Coleman is currently in a rehab hospital undergoing therapy after breaking a hip last week in his home. His daughter, Debbie, was there at the hospital during our visit. Mr. Coleman has a long road to full recovery and the family will need some help. I had a great visit with Mr. Coleman. He is wonderful man with a great demeanor.

Mr. Coleman’s daughter shared with me that her father refused the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he received on Iwo Jima. Her uncle has started the process to get that medal awarded from the Department of Defense. I asked her to pass my contact information along to her uncle for the purpose of joining in his efforts to get this Marine the award(s) he so greatly deserves.

I call on all Marine Corps League members in the area to join with me (as their schedule’s allow) in visiting with this Iwo Jima hero and keeping his spirits high. For security/privacy reasons, details will not be posted online. You can contact me at 501-733-2592 or email me at drdubois@gmail.com for more info.

Semper Fidelis!

—
David R. Dubois
Judge Advocate
Marine Corps League, Department of Arkansas

Iwo Jima – Message Home

15 year old Young Marine Sgt. Major Sara Stovall of the Razorback Young Marines visited the islands of Guam and Iwo Jima this week as part of the 65 anniversary of the battle for the Pacific. On March 2nd, Sara flew to Iwo Jima with veterans of the battle. Upon her return to Guam she sent the following message (below picture) to her mom, Frankie Stoval, the C.O. of the Razorback unit.

“Today we went to Iwo Jima and it was a blast! We went to the top of Mount Surabachi and I saw the memorials for the Americans and the Japanese. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw how the veterans reacted to being on the island again. I met the oldest veteran that was there, and yes I took my picture with him. He is 97 years old and is one of the three living commanders left. There was also a ceremony and they had honors with the flag and gun fire. They retired the colors with Young Marine Hill and another Young Marine (Durban) laid a wreath at the end of the memorial. I went down to the beach to get some black sand.
I also met the Commandant of the Marine Corps and we got a group picture with him because he was in a hurry. I also met the Admiral of the Navy. I took plenty of pictures and I think they are pretty good. I will tell you about the trip in detail when I get home.
I love you very much mom and hafa adai (hello) from Guam!!! LOVE YOU MOM! Tell dad that I said “Hi” and that I love him too!”

– Sara

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YM SgtMaj Stovall walking the Sands of Iwo Jima with Mt. Surabachi in the background.

YM SgtMaj Stovall holding U.S. Flag atop Mount Surabachi

Pearl Harbor Survivor dies at at 86.

Gene Prescott, a Pearl Harbor survivor, veteran Arkansas Gazette photographer and good guy, died Thursday at 86. Genial and gentle, he was also Marine tough.

The Marine Corps League will be rendering honors to Marine Carroll Eugene “Gene” Prescott at memorial service to be held at 11 a.m. March 2 at Geyer Springs United Methodist Church in Little Rock. Marine Corps League members who wish to participate should contact David Dubois, Dept of Arkansas Judge Advocate at 501-733-2592.

Gene was born January 29, 1924 in Okemah, OK. At 17 he joined the United States Marine Corps. He served bravely during WWII, including at the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

More information about Marine Prescott can be found HERE.

MCL Southern Division Conference

The Marine Corps League Southern Division 2010 Conference will be held in McAlester, Oklahoma on March 19-20. The Indian Nation Detachment along with Dept of OK are hosting this year’s conference.

Location:
Comfort Suites
650 S. George Nigh Expressway
McAlester, OK 74501
Tel: (918) 302-0001 (Ask for Marine Corps League rates)
$89.00 per double (2 bed) room.

Uniform of the Day:
Marine Corps League Covers

Agenda
Friday, March 19th

1630 – 2000 Registration ($5 per member)

1630 – 2200 Hospitality Room

2000 – 2130 Executive Meeting (Division Staff & Department Commandants)

Saturday, March 20th

0800 – 0815 Colors

0815 – 0900 Regular Meeting

0900 – 0910 Break

0910 – 1000 Continuation of Meeting

1000 – 1010 Break

1010 – 1130 Continuation of Meeting

1130 – 1300 Lunch (On your own)

1300 – 1350 Continuation of Meeting

1350 – 1400 Break

1400 – 1450 Continuation of Meeting

1450 – 1500 Break

1500 – 1600 Conclusion of Meeting & Adjornment

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There will be a Devil Dog Growl following the regular meeting

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Ken Watterson
Southern Division Vice Commandant
kenwatterson@msn.com
(214) 808-7144 – cell
(972) 524-7026 – home

Marine Corps League to Announce Legislation, Campaign to Give Marines Equal Status With Navy

When a soldier, airman or sailor dies in conflict, families receive letters from the Army, Air Force or Navy. When a Marine dies, the family receives a letter from the Department of the Navy.

The Marine Corps League will hold a press conference Feb. 11 in Washington D.C. to announce legislation and a grassroots campaign that would change this—and give Marines equal status with the Navy.

U.S. Representative Walter Jones’ bill H.R. 24 would change the name of the Department of the Navy to the “Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.” So far, the bill has garnered supporters including former Secretary of the Navy Lawrence Garrett, FedEx founder Fred Smith and Col. Oliver North.

“Marines have fought and died with their Navy brothers and sisters for more than 200 years,” said Michael Blum, Marine Corps League Executive Director. “It’s finally time to give the Marine Corps the recognition the branch has long deserved.”

For more information on the conference and legislation, go to the Marine Corps Identity Cause website at www.marinecause.com. While there you can Sign the Petition to change the name of the Department of the Navy to the “Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.”

Faulkner County Detachment #1323 Preparing To Host Dept of AR 2010 Convention

MCL Faulkner County Detachment Sr. Vice Commandant, Dwight Witcher, is chairing the 2010 Department Convention Committee.  Sub-committes have been formed and things are progressing nicely.  The 2010 Convention will be held in Conway, Arkansas this year at the Country Inns and Suites.  Hotel Reservation and other convention information will be coming soon through the Detachment Commandants.

There is space available in the Addbook.  Please contact Dwight Witcher (epssys@aol.com) for information how to get an add placed for your detachment or company and support the Marine Corps League department convention.