MAIL CALL July 2011

Semper Fi

July 2011

Editor Joe Hughes

Meetings: 4th Wed. of the Month American Legion Post 327 6521 Nieman Road, Shawnee, KS 913-631-7710 http://www.mclopks.org/ Officers: Commandant: Marcia Sands [email protected] Senior Vice: Jim Denton [email protected] Junior Vice: John Byrnes [email protected] J.A.G.: Rick Hinrichs [email protected] PAY./ADJ.: Bill Clinton [email protected] Chaplain: Joe Hughes [email protected] SGT. at Arms: Kevin Elmer [email protected]

It has been a hot, busy summer, so far, and doesn’t seem to be getting any cooler for awhile. Be sure to keep cool and hydrated as you continue in your activities. In June we had our annual picnic, and a good time was had by all. Over the Fourth of July weekend, we had our Marines at the Old Navy store, greeting customers and helping with their “Operation Care and Comfort” care package donations. Several of us were at the Commemorative Air Force Air Expo on July 16 and 17, doing some recruiting for the detachment. We have a few events coming up, including a Toys-for-Tots day at the Royals game on July 24th, a color guard on July 30th, and the Johnson County Fair Parade on August 13. We will be voting on this year’s budget at the July 27th meeting. Please try to attend so you can have some input on this. We want to welcome all these new members from the last year (from July 2010 to present): Marines Joe Padilla, Kenneth Fain, Mike Woolsey, Ronald Svec, Jr., Mike Angell, Ryan

Detachment Commandant’s MessageMcDannold, William Dumortier, Daniel Rundel, William Murphy, James Zoffka, James Marble, and David Duckers. If I missed your name, please let me know so I can be sure to recognize you next month. New members are important, and bring new ideas and skills to the Marine Corps League. We are glad you have joined us and hope to see you often. A good way to get to know others in the detachment is to get involved. You don’t have to do a lot, but you can volunteer to help with a dinner, or to march in a parade, or be on the calling tree, or visit one of our sick members in the hospital. When you get involved, you get to know some of the people, and you find out that we all have something positive to offer the detachment and our fellow Marines. Semper Fi , Marcia Sands

Mail Call Marine Corps League - Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025

Marine Corps League Mission Statement: Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

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Semper Fi Page 2 of 9

July 2011

Gen. Larry Oppenheimer Detachment #1025

Sergeant Major Barrett enlisted on 16 March 1981 and underwent recruit training at 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Delta Company, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina.

In November 1981, PFC Barrett completed Infantry Training School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was ordered to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 29 Palms California for duty. He served in a variety of billets from Grenadier Ð Platoon Sergeant.

Sergeant Barrett was transferred in August 1984 to Inspector-Instructor duty with 2d Battalion 25th Marines, New Rochelle, New York. Outside of his primary duties as an infantry instructor, he was assigned numerous support duties to include; Armorer, Nuclear Biological Chemical NCO, and Training Chief. In September 1987, Sergeant Barrett was assigned to 3d Battalion 9th Marines. Here he assumed the responsibilities as Platoon Sergeant of the Surveillance, Target Acquisition Platoon (served eight months in the Persian Gulf as a Sniper).

In April 1992, Staff Sergeant Barrett received orders to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. Upon completion of DI School, Staff Sergeant Barrett was assigned to Company F, 2d Recruit Training Battalion (RTBN) as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. In January 1994, Staff Sergeant Barrett was selected as the Battalion Drill Master of 2d RTBN.

In January 1995, Gunnery Sergeant Barrett was assigned to Scout Sniper Instructor School, Quantico, Virginia as Chief Instructor. In September of 1996, Gunnery Sergeant Barrett was transferred to Marine Security Company, Camp David, Presidential Retreat for duties as the Company Gunnery Sergeant and liaison to the United States Secret Service.

Tour of Duty

Upon completion of his tour at Camp David, First Sergeant Barrett was transferred to 3d Battalion 4th Marines, Twenty-nine Palms, CA, he assumed the duties of Company First Sergeant, India Company in August 1998 until April 2000. He was then assigned to Headquarters and Service Company from April 2000 to March 2001 and his tour culminated as the Senior Enlisted Leader of Weapons Company from March 2001 to June 2002.

Sergeant Major Barrett was than assigned to Recruiting Station, Cleveland, Ohio from July 2002 until May 2005 as RS Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Barrett was transferred to 2d Battalion 7th Marines in May 2005, completing two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (04-06.2 and 06-08.1) in the Al Anbar Province. On 5 October 2007 Sergeant Major Barrett was assigned to Officer Candidates School, Quantico, Virginia.

Sergeant Major Barrett assumed his present position as First Marine Division Sergeant Major, on 2 June 2009.

Sergeant Major Barrett's personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal V in lieu of 2d award, Meritorious Service Medal in lieu of 2d award, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal V in lieu of 4th award, Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal in lieu of 3d award, Combat Action in lieu of 2d award and the Presidential Service Badge.

Michael Barrett, 17th Sergeant Major of the

Marine Corps

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July 2011


This month in Marine Corps History

4 July 1801: President Thomas Jefferson reviewed the Marines, led by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, LtCol William W. Burrows and the Marine Band, on the White House grounds. The smartly uniformed Marines performed drills and fired various salutes in observance of the new nation's 25th anniversary.

6 July 1990: One of the oldest and most versatile attack aircraft in Marine Corps history, the A-4 Skyhawk, retired from the Corps' active aviation structure after over 30 years of service. The last two Skyhawks from MAG-32 flew their initial flight from Cherry Point to NAS Patuxent River on this date.

7 July 1941: The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) was activated at Quantico, Virginia. Within a year of activation, the Wing would participate in the Marine Corps offensive at Guadalcanal. That bitter campaign would be the first in a series of legendary battles in which the Wing would add luster to its reputation. The 1st MAW would earn five Presidential Unit Citations for gallantry in campaigns spanning World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

11 July 1798: President John Adams approved "An Act for Establishing and Organizing a Marine Corps", and it became law. The following day, the President appointed William Ward Burrows the Major Commandant of the new Corps. In August, Major Burrows opened his headquarters in Philadelphia, at that time still the capital of the new nation.

14 July 1993: The USS Iwo Jima was decommissioned after over 30 years of service in a ceremony at Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia. The ship was named for the World War II battle during which three Marine divisions ousted 20,000 entrenched Japanese troops. The Iwo Jima was commissioned 26 August 1961, and it was the first ship specifically designed as an amphibious assault ship from the keel up.

18 July 1918: The 4th Brigade of Marines began an attack near Soissons, France, as part of a three-division counterattack against the Germans. In the first two days of battle, the brigade sustained 1,972 casualties.

24 July 1944: The V Amphibious Corps, commanded by Major General Harry Schmidt, landed on Tinian, in the Mariana Islands. The following morning, the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions began a shoulder-to-shoulder southward sweep of the island. Organized enemy resistance faded within a week, and on 1 August, MajGen Schmidt declared the island secure.

26 July 1947: The National Security Act of 1947 became effective, reaffirming the status of the Marine Corps as a separate military service within the Department of the Navy. The Act provided for Fleet Marine Forces, and confirmed the Corps' mission of seizing and defending advanced bases, as well as land operation incident to naval campaigns.

28 July 1918: Brigadier General John A. Lejeune assumed command of the 2d Division, U.S. Army in France, and remained in that capacity until August 1919 when the unit was demobilized. He was the first Marine officer to hold an Army divisional command, and following the Armistice, he led his division in the march into Germany.

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July 2011


Please convey information on sick and distressed to Chaplain Joe Hughes at 913/ 894-2006 or email.

As always, I stand ready to be of any assistance that any of you may need.

Semper Fi

Joe Hughes Chaplain - Gen Oppenheimer Detachment

Sick & Distressed

Fallen Marine Jan 22, 2011 - Sylvester Weitkamp (one of our new members in this last year)

Jan 25, 2011 - Paul R. Carpenter, MD

Feb 2, 2011 - Alva Byars (one of ours, of course) Feb 7, 2011 - John M. Kissane

June 18, 2011 - John Steven Kearns

June 28, 2011 - Charles F. Walters

Marine in Need

Any member who is aware of a Marine or his family in need is asked to first submit a request in writing to Marine Pat O’Malley, of our Financial Assistance Review Committee, including a statement of the purpose, a cost estimate and the time period. Pat’s email is [email protected]; his address is 12412 Flint, Overland Park, KS 66213-2120. Marine Corps Scholarships Marine Corps League Foundation www.mclfoundation.org/scholarship_program.html Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation http://www.mcsf.org/

“There's no such thing as a former Marine. You're a Marine, just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life. But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego, or the hills of Quantico. So there's no such thing as a former Marine."

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July 2011


Personal Plaque: Have you ever wished that along with the memories, photo's and other items that you cherish of your Marine Corps career, you had a beautiful plaque of that special unit that you served in? Well, now you can! Marine Dennis Armstrong one of our detachment members is an expert at custom woodworking as you can see! He has graciously offered to make custom plaques (about 12" x 24") for any or all of our membership. Keeping in the Marine Corps brotherhood tradition, he is only going to charge our detachment for the actual materials, he is providing his talent at no charge! He can be reached at 913-244-7302. Cost $75.00. HyVee Gentlemen & Ladies, This fund raiser couldn't be easier and its beneficial to everyone you know including yourselves! The coupon book only cost you or a neighbor $5.00 and as you can see with the first coupon with a purchase of just $50.00 you or your neighbor gets their $5.00 back and has a whole book of valuable grocery coupons! And the best part is our Detachment gets to keep $4.00 from each book sold! I have already bought 20 books, let's get going and knock this fund raiser out of the park!! Contact: Mike

Detachment Fundraising

Unit: www.ncymks.com/ National: www.youngmarines.com

New Century Young Marines

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July 2011


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July 2011


The Johnson County Fair Parade is on August 13, 2011 at 1030 in Gardner, Kansas. The theme is “Kick Up Your Heels: Celebrate Kansas’ 150th Birthday”. We will be forming up at 0930 in the parking lot of the Wheatridge Middle School (318 E. Washington St., Gardner, KS). We have been told to enter the parking lot from the north (from Madison Street). If you have a uniform, please wear it. If you have only the red MCL cover, wear that. Please sign up at the July meeting (or contact Commandant Marcia Sands), specifying if you can march, or if you will need to ride. It will probably be hot that day, so be sure to drink plenty of water before coming. Come on out and join us! This is a fun parade, despite the heat of summer.

Detachment Calendar

I encourage submissions of any announcements, pictures, stories, to the editor from detachment members. Deadline for all submissions by the 10th of every month. Remember, if you are involved in any community service work on behalf of our beloved Marine Corps, please send me a photo and some information for the Mail Call. Email: Joe Hughes – [email protected], Phone: 913-894-2006

From the Desk of the Editor

Community Activities A volunteer is still needed for the Community Activities position if you are interested, please contact Commandant Marcia Sands @913- 341-4339 [email protected] VA Volunteer Services Help in Clinics, Escort Patients, Bingo & Activities, Shuttle Drivers, etc…. Volunteer Orientation: Every Wed 9a.m-11a.m. RM M1-271 816-922-2025 ext 135 [email protected] Or: Mr. Art Peter at 816- 331-4622 (MCL Deputy VS at KC VA Med)

Volunteers Needed

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July 2011


PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS

Mail Call


July 2011


Available to Rent

Available to Rent

PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS

Documents

MAIL CALL July 2011