Meets at 7:00PM, the 2nd Thursday of the Month at “THE SHOW-ME NEWS”
*NEW LOCATION*
Fleet Reserve Association
305 W Park Central Square, Downtown Springfield
October 2007, Volume IX, Number X
|
Commandant's Corner On a sad note, one of our own life members James Wilson is now being cared for by Hospice. This man is a Marine among Marines, and can use our immediate support. While Nolan Moody was visiting James, he requested that when his time comes, he would like our Detachment and Memorial team do the honors. We will not leave one of our own behind or alone. On another note, Nolan has been practicing for the pistol shoot and has a team. I am trying to get my eyes repaired before the shoot for my team and the Lake of the Ozarks Detachment is sending a team. I think Paul said St Louis was also sending a team. Which means we should have a full line up of teams. Be sure to let Paul know if you can be a volunteer worker. We will need help scoring and posting targets. See you at the Fleet Reserve Thursday for scuttlebutt and our meeting. Semper fi
As part of it's Sense of Community Series, KSMU 91.1, throughout the month of September, profiled local World War II veterans. Our own Burl Grose and Marine Bill Cantrell have been featured. To listen to their and other veteran stories, go to http://www.ksmu.org
“The Show-Me News”: Published monthly by Marine Corps League, Southwest MO Detachment #993. Submit updates, news, events, and monthly information by the 1st of each month to: |
2007 Officers |
|
IN HONOR OF LOCAL FALLEN MARINES
 |
Photo Courtesy of |
|---|
Chaplain Ray Glynn reports the following local Fallen Marines during September 2007. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of:
9/3 Louis Wayne Pequignot; 63; Bolivar, MO.; Served between Korea and Viet Nam; Certificate presented
and Final Tribute paid by Honor Team 9/8.
1/30 Byron Henry McKinney; 88; USN served in WWII; Springfield MO.; Certificate presented and Final
Tribute paid by Honor Team 9/15.
9/22 Joseph Francis Brittain; 82; WWII; Springfield MO.; Certificate presented 9/27.
9/25 James Newell Hosey; 92; USN served in WWII; Springfield MO.; Certificate presented and Final
Tribute paid by Honor Team 9/28.
*9/22 Austin Walter Brooke; 19; was on active duty; Sparta MO.; Certificate presented 9/29.
9/? Ronald Seth Woods; 76; USN served in Korea and Viet Nam; Springfield MO.; Certificate presented
and Final Tribute paid by Honor Team 10/1.
9/26 Tony Lehman Grogan; 63; Viet Nam; Springfield MO.; Certificate presented 9/30.
* On September 29th, I arrived at Clinkenbeard Funeral Home, in Ava, to deliver our certificate. I found the Freedom riders fully assembled four hours prior to the services, they assured me they expected nothing to happen but they were there for assurance.
Map of new meeting location. Parking available in lot across the street.
DETACHMENT #993 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
| Oct 06 @ 1200 | Visitation Team to Mt Vernon Veterans Home. For info call Chaplain Ray Glynn at 417-890-9912 |
| Oct 07 @ 1200 | WPNS CO 3/24 Reserve Liaison Support Team Visitation |
| Oct 11@ 1900 | Detachment #993 Monthly Meeting-Join us@ 1800 for scuttlebutt and beverages prior to the meeting. |
| Oct 13 @ 0900 | Detachment Staff Meeting at the home of Billy Snider, 332 E Glenwood St. Springfield. Coffee and doughnuts provided. All welcome and encouraged to attend. |
| Oct 27 @ 0830 | 1st Annual Comandant's Pistol Shoot, info below. |
| Nov 03 @ 1200 | Visitation Team to Mt Vernon Veterans Home. For info call Chaplain Ray Glynn at 417-890-9912 |
| Nov 03 @ 1200 | WPNS CO 3/24 Reserve Liaison Support Team Visitation |
| Nov 03 @ 1800 | Marine Corps Ball. Oasis Inn. Info in next newsletter. |
| Nov 08 @ 1900 | Detachment #993 Monthly Meeting-Join us@ 1800 for scuttlebutt and beverages prior to the meeting. |
| Nov 10 | Springfield Veteran's Day Parade, info in next newsletter |
| Nov 12 @ 0800-1000 | Veteran's Recognition Breakfast at MSU Student Union West Ballroom. Breakfacst is free to all veterans and their guests. Please call 836-4825 to reserve seats. More info on the event in the attached flyer. |
1st Annual Comandant's Pistol Shoot
What: MCL Detachment #993 1st Annual Commandant's Pistol Shoot When: October 27, 2007 @ 0830
Where: Andy Dalton Range in Bois D'Arc, MO Range is about 4 miles south of MO highway 160. West of Willard and
about 2 miles east of Ash Grove. Take MO 160 to sign on the right side of road turn leftthen about 4 miles range is
on right side.
Who: Open to teams which must include current MCL members with one Commandant or Past Commandant.
Safety class at 0830 and will start to shoot no later than 0930. We shoot from 7yards,15 yards and 25yards. Total of 48
shots. Shoot in 6 shots groups. Must have a pistol of 38 caliber or larger and must hold 6 rounds or more. Wheel guns and
semi-auto ok. After the shoot, lunch will be provided and trophy will be presented.
For More Information: Call Paul Primas @ (417) 863-1623
Memorial Team Needs You!!
Possibly as a result of the Commandant's inquiries, our Memorial Team has been called to action at a steady pace over the last two months. In fact, the team has been called for 10 funerals in the last two months vs one a month over the previous 6 months. Add the additional requests for our Color Guard for various community events, the Detachment Memorial Team is looking for additional members to help fill the ranks. With four to five members currently out due to various health and personal reasons, your time would be greatly appreciated. There is no greater honor than being able to honor one of our own. As our most visible community function, your assistance is vital to this important team. To help in any way , please call Billy Snider at 417-883-4489 for all information regarding uniforms and duties.
Thanks to new member: 1st SGT Eric N. Olson
Thanks to the following members who have renewed their memberships:
Steve Vert, Rob Helfer, Greg Sullins, Tom Martin, Keith Davis, Jay Anger, and
Ted Luedke
 |
Marine Corps League Auxiliary Southwest Missouri Hello. I can’t believe that it is October already. Time has just flown this year.
It’s time for us to get ready for the Holidays. Don’t forget to look at those calendars
for a date and time to go to Mt. Vernon for the Christmas party. We will have our
meeting October 11, 2007 at the FLEET RESERVE CENTER 305 Park Central W
in Springfield. We will have our own meeting room. Peace and quiet. |
fabric needed to make blankets for the Veterans. She has already finished four. What a great job. Thank you Priscilla.
I want to thank all new and old members for all the work that has been put into making the Christmas
Cards for Operation Santa. Happy Birthday to all those born in October. What a great time of year.
Semper Fi
Mickey Dees
President MCLA
Southwest Missouri
Midwest Division News: (Departments of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska,
North Dakota and South Dakota)
1.. The St. Louis Gateway Detachment will be hosting the Quinn Division Conference on 11,
12 and 13 January 2008. This will be a major event for the Gateway Detachment and the
Department of Missouri. Your support of this Conference is important. More information
will be presented at the next Department meeting in September.
To participate in the program, military and federal law enforcement personnel who are authorized to carry a firearm must contact Sig either by e-mail at federal-military- sales @sigarms.com, using their“gov” or .mil” e-,ail address, or via mail or fax, sending a copy of their DD214 or retired military ID card. Once received, Sig will send an official order form and instructions for ordering from a selection of the current list of Sig Sauer public safety pistols-all of which come standard with Siglite night sights and three magazines. For additional information, visit www.sigarms.com
Final Report: Baseball Games Fundraising 2007
Total $5283.73 155 Workers for 14 Games
We averaged $34.09 per person per game.
League Share 60% = $3170.24
Auxiliary 40% = $2113.49
Special thanks to all who worked the games, it was a lot of fun
(most of the time)
Eddie Flores worked all 14 games. Thanks Eddie
Bill Webb
JVC
Recon Marines destroy terrorist cell
By Pfc. Brian Jones, Regimental Combat Team 6
FALLUJAH, Iraq (Oct. 7, 2007) -- Marine infantrymen have a knack for understating the spectacular. When scout snipers with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, destroyed a group of insurgents emplacing roadside bombs, the sniper team leader summed it up simply. “We took the shot, the guys dropped, that’s all she wrote,” said 22-yearold Williamston, Mich., native, Sgt. Kenneth D. Russell, a team leader with 3rd platoon, Company C, 1st Recon Battalion.
The attack on the terrorist cell was motivated by an interest in self-defense. After a long string of improvised explosive devices killed or injured coalition service members and destroyed vehicles, the recon team was dispatched to see what they could do to remedy the situation. When Russell and his team finally got the call to go ahead, it was nighttime. They were on patrol, conducting sniper operations and watching for any suspicious activity along the route that had been targeted by terrorists. “We got intelligence from talking to other people in the area, and the area we ended up going to was a bad place,” said Russell. “(Insurgents) were driving back and forth. We took the intelligence and ended up moving further into the area and within an hour of being there, (bad things) started happening.”
The team came upon an empty house. Russell thought it would be a good place to stop and take a look around. Twentyyear- old Gambrills, Md., native, Cpl. Andrew D. Myers, the radio operator, and 21-year-old from Dickson, Tenn., Cpl. Jeffrey D. Baker, the squad automatic weapon gunner, went to check it out and did a quick search of the house. Upon entering, the scene put up red flags for the Marines. First, it was too empty. They knew people lived there, but the domicile looked almost abandoned. Second, livestock was roaming the property unattended. “People don’t normally leave their farm animals behind, so we got a real funny feeling about it,” Russell said. Russell decided the team would set up in the house for the time being. Baker and Myers went to the roof to provide security. Russell and his counterpart, Sgt. Alexander P. MacDonald, a 34-year-old Gladstone, Ore., native, moved on in search of any other houses in the proximity that prove to be a better prospect for surveillance.
When they found no better places for a sniper hide, the two team leaders made their way back to the roof with the others. On the walk back, MacDonald spotted a peculiar wire leading into the courtyard. Tracing it with his eyes, he said he saw it trailing off, out of the courtyard, across the road and onto the opposite side, where it disappeared into a grove of reeds in the ditch. Such a wire is a good indicator of IEDs intended for manual detonation by a terrorist. When they inspected the area around where the wire led, their suspicions were confirmed: A huge hole had been dug, large enough to hide a small automobile. Russell and MacDonald went up to the roof to notify the two others of the discovery. The unspoken understanding of warriors used to fighting alongside one another allowed them to come to a consensus without uttering a peep. “We don’t have to say anything to one another, we just kind of know what each of us is thinking,” Russell said about his team, which has been together for 18 months.
Russell and MacDonald went back out again to clip the command wires and eliminate the threat the IED posed to the situation. They returned to the house to wait, essentially baiting a trap with the terrorists’ own deadly tools. “That IED was meant for a foot patrol to come through there. It just so happened that night we went out there, there was supposed to be a foot patrol going through there,” Russell said.
An hour and a half later, their patience paid off. Through the thermal goggles they wore, they had noticed movement in the tree line and the reeds 150-175 meters away. They observed two men carrying weapons working with command wire and other materials. Hostile intent had been confirmed. MacDonald grabbed his sniper rifle. Russell took up his own and spotted for MacDonald. The two proceeded to zero in on their target. They waited for the clear shot. Once they had the clear shot MacDonald took control. In a matter of moments, the fight was over, without the enemy firing a single shot.
Once the target was eliminated, the team secured and stayed clandestine and waited for others to arrive to form security and check the scene. They found a spool of command wire and a battery pack among other materials on the bodies. “This wasn’t the first time we had been in this situation,” Russell assured. “I don’t think any of us were nervous. We like the adrenaline rush, and that is pretty much what it is out there.”
“I’m very thankful to have my job and very thankful to do my job (when) we’re able to get missions like that one and succeed and ultimately help everyone,” Russell said. For eliminating a threat in the increasingly peaceful Anbar Province, Russell and his fellow Marines were recognized by the commander of RCT-6, Col. Richard L. Simcock, who gave them each a unit challenge coin and a helping of praise.
“The significance is that those Marines have trained hard and have spent a lot of time to develop the skills they have and they actually got out onto the battlefield and executed them,” Simcock said. “It without a doubt saves Marines’ lives with those two (insurgents) gone. It’s guaranteed that those two will never hurt another Marine, that’s a key thing. That is mission accomplishment for those guys.”
The operation the Marines were being acknowledged for was nothing extraordinary by their definition, but Simcock wanted them to know he appreciated their efforts.
Marine Corps League
Southwest Missouri Detachment #993
Regular Meeting
Date: 13 Sep 2007
NOTES: None
GUESTS: Ladies Auxiliary presented the Detachment with a Certificate of Thanks for support of
the Auxiliary given by the Detachment.
Meeting called to order by Commandant Atkinson at 1912 hours.
DETACHMENT OFFICERS PRESENT; Commandant Atkinson, SVC Perks, Adjutant Flores, Paymaster
Dees, Chaplain Glynn, Sergeant at Arms Hessler, Judge Advocate Higgenbotham and JrVC Webb were
present. Also attending, Past Commandant Nolan Moody
MEMBERSHIP: Maj. Shannon Johnson and 1st SGT Eric Olsen
Renewing Members: None
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Aug minutes presented in July 2007 newsletter for review. Motion
to accept Dees, 2nd Primas, CARRIED by membership.
CORRESPONDENCE: None
REPORT OF PAYMASTER: Written and oral report was given to members.
REPORT OF THE CHAPLAIN: Oral report of his activities over the month to include flowers and cards sent, and members he had visited.
REPORT OF PAST ACTIVITIES: 1) Memorial Team performed 4 services last month, 8th funeral in 3
weeks. 2) JrVC Webb gave a report on the concessions stand funds earned to date and indicated 3/24
my have a team also next season. 3) Safety Break recap given by PC Moody and JA Higgenbotham.
Member Pyper emphasized the reunion aspect of the Safety Breaks. 4) Memorial at Veteran's Ceremony-
Member Hammons stated service went great and was beautiful. Four detachment members were
photographed.
REPORT OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES: 1) Pistol Shoot Oct 27th, Primas gave an update. 2) X-mas Dinner-
SRvC Perks will advise date at next meeting after reservation made. 4) Marine Corps Ball tickets
$35 each, $50 for civilians. Deadline Oct 21st, contact Cpl Bryson at 417-869-2857 ext 2477. 5) Primas
motion to donate $250 to MC Ball fund, Moody 2nd, CARRIED by membership. 5) Member Pyper gave
oral report on 3/24 drill weekend visit.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1) Christmas Dinner for 3/24 I&I TABLED.
NEW BUSINESS: 1) Primas MOTION to move meeting location to Fleet Reserve, amended to pay $25
monthly towards rent, amended to pay $20 by Detachment and $5 by Auxiliary monthly , Pyper 2nd, discussion,
CARRIED by membership. 2) Schutz MOTION to donate $300 to KCK Tootsie Roll Drive, discussion,
Primas 2nd, discussion, CARRIED by membership. 3) Schutz is backing out of MCL Charity
Drives. Will ask for grants and is going to Bass Pro to set up for 11-24 drive. 4) Maj Johnson 3/24 presented
a Certificate of Appreciation and plaque to Detachment in recognition of Semper Fi Night.
GOOD OF THE LEAGUE: JRvC Webb gave report of Semper Fi Night.
LADIES AUXILIARY:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1) Staff meeting 0900 Sat Sep 13. 2) Dept of MO gave new guidelines for 990
form be submitted 3) Chaplain gave recap of coming Color Guard dates and times. 4) SaA Hessler
advised Purple Hearts signs are delayed at this time.
Next regular meeting: 11 Oct 2007.
Meeting adjourned at 2014 hours.
Respectfully submitted; 20 Sep 2007:
Eddie Flores, Adjutant.