For more historical photos, see the Golf Tournament Page and the Scholarship Page.
Meeting minutes for 2019
Toys-for-Tots
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244th Marine Corps Birthday
On November 10, 2019, our detachment celebrated the Marine Corps birthday with a fine meal and a traditional cake cutting ceremony. We had 56 paying attendees.
According to Marines - U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve:
On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of "American Marines." Congress commissioned 31-year-old Samuel Nicholas, a well-known Philadelphian, as captain of the fledgling force of Continental Marines. Nicholas raised two battalions of Marines and began the long, illustrious history of the United States Marine Corps.
On November 1, 1921, General John A. Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. The order provided a summary of the history, mission, and traditions of the Corps. General Lejeune directed that the order be read to every command each subsequent year on November 10th in honor of the founding of the Marine Corps. This tradition has continued every year since 1921 throughout the Corps.
Singing the Marines Hymn.
Curtis Atkins and Steve Kovalchik escort out the birthday cake.
The first pieces of cake are presented to the guest of honor, the oldest living Marine present, and the youngest Marine present - a perfect way to display brotherhood and connection.
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Veterans Day Parade
The Howard County community honored those actively serving in the U.S. armed forces and the more than 20,000 veterans who call Howard County home at the Veterans Day parade and ceremony on Sunday, November 10, 2019 in Downtown Columbia.
In the below photo, Commandant Bill Swain and Senior Vice Commandant Tim Paulin proudly carry out detachment banner.
For more photos, see Photos from the 2019 Veterans Day Parade In Columbia.
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Farewell Gordon MacPhee
On October 19, 2019, the family and friends of Gordon MacPhee, our detachment, and various other veterans organizations got together to celebrate the life of one of our most active members, Gordon MacPhee.
Former Marine Captain and Vietnam Veteran Gordon Meredith MacPhee passed away at the age of 77 on September 21, 2019.
Gordon was undoubtedly one of our most active members, joining our detachment in 2011. He served in numerous capacities:
- 2012-2014: Commandant
- 2016-2019: Paymaster
- Winter gala organizer
- Scholarship chairperson
- Toys-for-Tots volunteer
- Parade participant
- Flag retirement ceremony participant
- Wounded warrior volunteer
- Participant in numerous fundraisers
- 2016 detachment Marine of the Year
Semper Fi Gordon Mac Phee, you will be missed dearly.
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Happy Birthday Lou Schott
On August 10, 2019, our detachment gathered to wish Lou Schott a happy 99th birthday. Mission BBQ catered this fine event. May you live another 99 years Colonel Schott. Semper Fi!
Lou Schott is a retired Colonel who fought at Peleliu and Okinawa, where he served as a rifle platoon leader and rifle company commander.
Cake display.
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20th Annual Village of River Hill Independence Day Parade
On July 4, 2019, Independence Day, our detachment participated in a parade from the Clarksville Middle School to the River Hill Village Center. Participants included Kevin Oliver, Curt Atkins, Tim Paulin, Ed Hall, and Bill Swain. This was a joint event with the Joint Military Command (JMC). Check out the photos at Scott E.'s blog.
Our detachment banner is presented prior to the start of the parade. From to right are Kevin Oliver, Curtis Atkins, and Commandant Bill Swain.
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Flag Retirement Ceremony
Flag Retirement is the term used to define the proper, dignified way of destroying United States flags that are no longer fit to serve the nation. On June 29, 2019, our detachment participated in a flag retirement ceremony at the Yingling-Ridgely Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Auxiliary Post 7472.
Post 156 2nd Vice Command Jeff Henry (left) sizes up a flag to ensure it is no longer serviceable while Gordon MacPhee (right), takes a drink of water on a very warm day. Gordon is Post 156's flag retirement chairman and organized everything needed for this successful flag retirement ceremony. Hoorah Gordon!
The red stripe is presented for inspection by Commandant Bill Swain and by Senior Vice Commandant and Post 156 Historian, Tim Paulin.
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Second Annual Harriet Tubman Flag Raising
On May 27, 2019, Memorial Day, our detachment participated in a flag raising event at the Harriet Tubman School, 8045 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia, Maryland 21044. According to Wikipedia,
Harriet Tubman School was the last operating segregated school in the Howard County Public School System. The historic building has been re-purposed for use by the school system for maintenance offices.
Raising the flag to remember our fallen heroes. From left to right are Mike Betts, Bill Swain, and Tim Paulin.
From left right right are Reverend Douglas Sands, Mike Blum, Reverend Phillip Moore, Sr., County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball, a JROTC cadet from Franklin High School in Reisterstown, Tim Paulin and Bill Swain.
From left right right are Gordon MacPhee, Mike Betts, Lou Schott, Bill Swain, Ed Hall, Curtis Atkins, and Tim Paulin. Thank you Marines for taking the time to help make this Memorial Day special!
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Honor Flight #28
On April 10, 2019, our detachment participated in Honor Flight #28. The Honor Flight Network flies Veterans from 140 hubs to Washington, DC to visit their Memorials at no cost to the Veterans.
For this particular flight, we welcomed retired Marine Master Sergeant Walter W. Taylor. He is the brother of our namesake and active member of Marine Corps League Detachment 924 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Walter and the other veterans flew into Reagan National Airport. Our own Mike Betts, Bill Swain, and Tim Paulin accompanied Walter as he toured the monuments. Their itinerary included the several visits:
- Air Force Memorial
- WWII War Memorial
- Korean War Memorial
- Arlington Cemetery for the changing of the guard
The four of them also stopped at the Vietnam War Memorial. Here, Walter and Mike traced Karl G. Taylor's name on the wall.
At the USMC War Memorial (Iwo Jima Memorial), Walter and Bill placed a wreath brought by the Knoxville Honor Flight veterans.
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