Eastex Detachment #779 "Semper Fi" Newsletter, November, 2014 P.O. Box 523, Conroe, TX. 77305 WWW.MCLEASTEX.COM Officers and Staff Commandant – James Andrews – 936-520-4722 –[email protected] Sr. Vice Comm. – Russell Shoup – 404-313-7149 – [email protected] Jr. Vice Comm. – Steve Thomas – 281-292-0792 – [email protected] Judge Adv.– Enrique Uribe – [email protected] Paymaster – Bob Warren – 713-818-2150 – [email protected] Adjutant – Bill Collins – 936-499-6877 – [email protected] Chaplain – Mel Mouton – 936-377-4484 – [email protected] Historian – Open Color Guard, Bugler, & Events Coordinator – Ray Priest - 936-441-7947 Sgt. At Arms – Emory Brown – 936-756-1840 Veteran's Affairs – John Murphy – 936-597-4735 Webmaster – David Jackson – [email protected] Bingo Coordinator – Stan Cillessen – 936-203-2819 Newsletter Editor - Ray Priest – 936-441-7947 – [email protected] Next meeting: Thursday, November 20th, 7pm, McKenzie’s BBQ, 1501 N. Frazier, Conroe. Marines, families, and friends welcome. For more information: 936-520-4722. COMMANDANT’S CORNER Welcome to the frozen South. It appears as though the chill has set into the air permanently now. Perfect weather for getting out and being involve. Just stay bundled up. Toys for Tots has kicked off and running at full steam ahead. I am sure Jeannine will have a great report for us at the meeting this Thursday evening. The golf tournament once again showed to be a success. Rick will have the final numbers for us soon. Lastly, what can be said about our 1st hosting of the Marine Corps Ball. For those who attended, I think we can all agree that it was a great time. The ceremony looked first class, the food was good, the cake was tasty, the beer was cold, and the dance floor was busy. I must say that for their first attempt at hosting a Marine Corps Birthday Ball, the team did a great job and pulled off a fine event. I truly look forward to hopefully doing it again next year. All of this just goes to show what we as a team can accomplish, thereby emphasizing even more how important it is that all of our membership find something that they are passionate about and become part of it. It’s easy to sit back and let someone else do it, however it is so much more rewarding to be involved. Stay warm, stay active and let’s get ready for Christmas. You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they are. Father Kevin Keaney, 1st Marine Division Chaplain, Korean War Semper Fi, James Andrews District 5 Vice Commandant and Commandant, Eastex Detachment [email protected] or cell (936) 520-4722 Message from the Commandant I hope that those Detachments that Celebrated the 239th Marine Corps Ball had a great and safe one. Now as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. Please don't forget the unfortunate. If you are able to give food to your local food banks that would be great. I know we have some detachments that are doing food drives for the food bank. I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families. Department of Texas Commandant Amado Trevino Jr. 3337 Casa De Amigos Dr. Corpus Christi, Texas 78411 361-960-0143 Notice for TFT workers: Friday, December 19th will be the last day to turn in your collected toys at the warehouse. Sick Bay Stan Cillessen, Ken Williams Several Detachment Marines participated in “Fallen Marine” Ceremonies on October 25th and 31st. Marines also participated in a Flag Dedication on November 5th at the 105 Storage Facility. Veterans meet at 9am each Wednesday at the facility and you are always welcome. In late October, Detachment Marines and Associates “Kicked Off” our Toys For Tots Campaign for 2014 at the Conroe Library. Our Toys For Tots leadership receive full support from the librarians and we are off to a good start this year!. Several detachment Marines and Associates made the Eastex Detachment Annual Golf Tournament a success on November 3rd. Steve Thomas spent most of Saturday, November 8th at the Toys R Us store encouraging people to participate in Toys For Tots and, in this case, recruiting for our detachment. Thanks to Steve and others who served! Our Marines met with Lt. Colonel Oliver North early on November 10th at the Medal Of Honor Statue for a wreath laying ceremony. The statue is located at Town Green Park in The Woodlands. Eastex Detachment Marines celebrated our birthday at Town Green Park in The Woodlands at 4pm on November 10th. Afterwards, the detachment met for dinner and the traditional cake at Wunche’s Café in Old Town Spring. Our Marines gathered to see an outstanding Veteran’s day program at Montgomery High School the evening of November 11th. Earlier that day, our Marines participated in a Veteran’s Day Ceremony at Anderson High School and many others attended Veteran’s Breakfasts at various schools. Detachment Marines and ROTC Members had a great time at the 1st Annual Eastex Detachment Marine Corps Birthday Ball held on November 15th at La Torrega Resort. First Birthday Message by Gen John A. Lejeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history. The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 167 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres, and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security. In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps. John Lejeune – Lt. General - USMC President Barack Obama has chosen Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. as our next commandant of the Marine Corps. The decision is pending senate confirmation. Dunford has been called “probably the most complete warrior-statesman wearing a uniform today.” Here are five things you might not have known about him. 1. Family Tradition - He has served 37 years in the Corps (since 1977) and comes from a family devoted to service. His father is a retired Boston police officer and Marine who fought at the Frozen Chosin. His grandfather served in World War I. His mother’s four brothers served in World War II. “You graduated from South Boston High, and you went into the Marine Corps,” Dunford’s father said. 2.Go Sawx! - The Boston native graduated from Boston College High School and went to college at St. Michael’s College. He’s a diehard fan of theBoston Red Sox. Two Red Sox caps adorn his wall shelves in his office. 3.What’s in a name? - He earned the nickname “Fightin’ Joe” while deployed to Iraq serving under General James Mattis where he led Regimental Combat Team 5 during the initial invasion of Iraq. 4.True Gentleman - As the leader of NATO’s coalition in Afghanistan he personalizes letters of condolence for every U.S. service member killed in Afghanistan. He attempts to do the same for fatalities from the other 48 nations that make up the International Security Assistance Force. He’s been ranked one of the world’s 50 greatest leaders by Fortune Magazine. He said his first battalion commander told him the three rules to success … though he can only remember the first one — Surround yourself with good people. 5. World Leader - He’s been ranked one of the world’s 50 greatest leaders by Fortune Magazine. He said his first battalion commander told him the three rules to success … though he can only remember the first one — Surround yourself with good people.