For more historical photos, see the Golf Tournament Page and the Scholarship Page.
Meeting minutes for 2013
Toys-for-Tots-
Between Black Friday and December 15, our detachment, under the fine leadership of Bill Pastino collected about 2500 toys in support of the Toys-for-Tots program. Weekend shifts were manned 8 hours a day in front of the Toys-R-Us at 6100 Dobbin Road in Columbia. The Maryland Line Young Marines also assisted in this effort. The effort was a huge success!
Saki, Sam Stein, Ed Underfinger, and members of the Young Marines are ready to collect.
Members of the Young Marines, Bill Pastino, Mike Betts, and Curt Atkins man their battle stations.
Collection boxes were set up at a variety of locations. At Saki's place of work, 84 toys were donated by his generous co-workers.
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Meeting a hero
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Our own Mike Betts had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Dakota Meyer at the Wounded Warriors Marine Corps Birthday Ball. To learn how Sergeant Meyer earned our nation's highest military honor, read Sergeant Dakota Meyer: How he rescued 36 guys under fire.
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Ellicott Mills Brewing Company Marine Corps Birthday Celebration
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On Sunday, November 10, 2013, the detachment participated in the annual Marine Corps Birthday Celebration at Ellicott Mills Brewing Company in Historic Ellicott City. Veterans were served a free lunch. A 42 inch widescreen LED television was raffled to raise money for the Marines Helping Marines program, a most worthy cause.
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Target Practice
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On Saturday, November 9, 2013, a few of the gung ho members of our detachment met at the Associated Gun Clubs shooting range in Marriottsville to brush up on their marksmanship skills. It's never too early to train for the next shooting match.
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Oktoberfest Celebration
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On Saturday, October 26, 2013, members participated in a potluck with lots of German style sausages. Dennis and Janet brought scalloped potatoes, Mike brought red cabbage with apples, and Curtis Atkins brought pies and German mustard with pretzels. In attendance were Danny R., Kip, Joe Roman, Bill, Curtis A., Kevin O., Mike B., and Dennis Graham. Someone ate too much.
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Fall Festival
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On September 28, 2013, the detachment organized a fall festival. In attendance were Mike, Bill, Chuck, Diane, Sam, Jimmy, Kevin...oh and Chesty. A television was raffled.
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Department of Pennsylvania Pistol Match
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From May 31 to June 2, 2013, several members of our detachment participated in the annual pistol match at Range 14, Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Tune in later and maybe someone will provide some stories and photos to share.
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Detachment Marine of the Year
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Our detachment has many fine members that have donated countless hours over several years to support the mission. But there is only one that can hold the title "Marine of the Year." In 2013, it is Dennis Graham. Various members have come and gone. But Dennis has served consistently from the beginning. If there is one word to describe him, it is "reliable." Dennis is our paymaster. He also serves as the liason between our detachment and the Jessup VFW. On Friday nights, Dennis works at the dinner fundraisers, collecting money and tickets, and keeping the kitchen staff organized. Has he ever missed a meeting? If he has, it has surely been for family emergencies. Such reliability might lead one to say he is the Cal Ripken of our detachment. In the below photo, Dennis appears on the right.
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Department of Maryland Annual Convention
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On April 25-27, 2013, members of our detachment attended the annual Department of Maryland Convention on Ocean City, Maryland. At this well-attended event, our own Mike Betts was voted Senior Vice Commandant. Congradulations Mike!
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Officer installment
- On April 23, 2013, National Executive Director Mike Blum performed the swearing in ceremony for our newly elected officers. Gordon MacPhee was re-elected as Commandant, Mike Betts was elected Senior Vice Commandant, Ed Underfinger became Junior Vice Commandant, and Kevin Oliver was re-elected as Judge Advocate.
After our meeting, we adjourned to refreshments that were purchased by Kevin. Mike Blum spoke about his recent trip to Iwo Jima where so many of our comrades made the ultimate sacrifice.
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The retirement of Sergeant Chesty XIII
- Thanks to the German Army, the U.S. Marine Corps has an unofficial mascot. During World War I, German soldiers nicknamed the Marines "teufel-hunden," meaning Devil-Dogs. Teufel-hunden were the vicious, wild, and ferocious mountain dogs of Bavarian folklore.
Soon afterward a U.S. Marine recruiting poster depicted a snarling English Bulldog wearing a Marine Corps helmet. Because of the tenacity and demeanor of the breed, the image took root with both the Marines and the public. The Marines soon unofficially adopted the English Bulldog as their mascot.
The current Marine mascot, Sergeant Chesty XIII, was born on June 3, 2007. He works at Marine Barracks in Washington D.C. and lives with our own Chuck Casey at his home in Elkridge, Howard County, Maryland. Chesty XIII will soon be retiring as he is replaced by Private First Class Chesty XIV on March 29, 2013.
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