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Marines,
I just want to bring everyone up to date on some changes in our Department
Marines Helping Marines Program. First of all I want to thank everyone for
their support for this most important and vital project. Without the help
of all of you we would not be able to supply these wounded Marines and
their families with the financial and emotional support they need and
deserve. Through your generosity and that of other Marine Corps Leaguers
and civilians across the country this program has surpassed the $20,000.00
mark - GREAT JOB.
The major changes deal with changes in personnel and the addition of new
committees. We now have a finance committee consisting of Jr. Past
Department Commandant Mike Blum, Detachment Commandant Steve Manning and
the Department Adjutant Cullin Phillips. Their primary responsibility will
be to supervise the collection and distribution of all funds. Having a
committee supervising all expenditure will insure that the money will be
used wisely in helping the wounded Marines and their families. Cullin
Phillips will also will be responsible for contacting corporations for
donations and sponsorship. Detachment Commandant Frank Kippenbrock will be
handling our acknowledgment letters. Everyone who makes a donation to the
Department Marine Helping Marines Program will receive a personal thank
you and anyone donating $50.00 or more will also receive a Marine Corps
League certificate of appreciation.
With the approval of the Department Board of Trustees I have appointed Lou
Stavely the new Chairman of the Marines Helping Marines Program, effective
immediately. Lou will be responsible for handling all requests for support
coming from Bethesda Naval Hospital and forwarding them to the Finance
Committee, he will also be scheduling weekly visits and keeping everyone
informed of times and dates. Lou can be reached at: 301-785-3524 Lstavely@adelphia.net
Today I along with several of my staff members spent about 2 hours with
the Marine Corps command at Bethesda Naval Hospital and made some great
progress for our program. We have gotten approval for weekend and evening
visits on a limited basis. Although we are still restricted to 2 visits
per week -- we can now schedule our visits Monday through Friday from 1000
to 1600 this will allow us more flexibility in our visits. We also
obtained permission for a visit for a large group from the Mountainside
Detachment. For now we will keep the visits to Thursday and Friday until
we get a feel for what day would be best for all. We also received
permission to be furnished with the names of all Marines being released
and their destination. This will allow us to contact - through National
Marine Corps League - the local Department and Detachment in the Marine's
hometown so the Marine Corps League support can continue. This project
will be handled by the Department Jr. Vice Jack Severn. Tomorrow I have an
appointment to meet with the Marine liaison personnel at Walter Reed
Hospital. Assisting the Marines at Walter Reed is our nest step in this
project...
As you can see this program is growing and getting better each day, but
none of this would be possible without your support.
Again thank you, Marines and
Semper Fi,
Ron Short
Commandant
Dept. of Md. |
