As I begin this column for our next issue of Semper Fi, I look back on the many events that have transpired since our National Midwinter Conference, including a deeply moving trip to Iwo Jima. Upon the completion of the Conference, we headed out to Camp Pendleton for some warm weather and Marine West, which this year was held at Camp Del Mar, right on the beach.
It would be an exaggeration to say it was cool. The temperature in the early morning hours, up until about 1030 hovered in the 30's—not warm California weather by a long shot. However, the Expo was successful again, and we signed up some Marines as members.

Quite often I get questions about how we interact with the government here in Washington and on the National level. On 21–22 March, I had the opportunity to represent the Marine Corps League, joining with the leadership of several other veteran service and military service and support organizations at a two-day conference with the new Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and D-o-D senior executives in the Pentagon.

Executive Director Michael Blum, representing the Marine Corps League, joined with the leadership of several other veteran service and military service organizations and support organizations to meet with the new Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and D-o-D senior executives for a two-day conference in the Pentagon this week.

We Take Care of Our Own

Someone (not me, I assure you) once said, “Don’t despair, Spring is in the air." As I write this, the temperature is hovering around 4 degrees and everything is frozen here in Michigan, but I am looking forward to spring. Recently, during Hurricane Sandy, many of our Marines and their families were devastated along the East Coast. Many lost their homes and much of their belongings during this horrific storm. Northeast Division Vice Commandant Dennis Tobin received a call from the Department of New York Staff asking what they needed. He told them, “everything.” Two days later, a 53-foot tractor-trailer and a dozen Marines made their way downstate through a snowstorm to the Staten Island Detachment. They brought food, blankets, clothing, generators, chainsaws and multiple other items to the Marines and their families on Staten Island.

Important Bylaws Change

At the National Convention in Mobile last August, the delegates voted a change to the National Bylaws that affects every Detachment and every Application for Membership in the Marine Corps League. The following is an abstract from Article Six (6) of the National Bylaws:

I want to begin by wishing everyone a very Happy and prosperous New Year. The past few months have been quite busy. In my last column I mentioned briefly about my trip to Washington for a week of festivities beginning with the wreath laying by our Commandant, Jim Amos at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. That evening we were guests at the Commandants Birthday Ball. There were over 3,300 people at the ball. Everyone from PFC’s to Generals. Commandant Amos had also invited some Wounded Warriors and one wounded warrior, a Staff Sergeant was his Guest of Honor. This Marine and his fiancé were married one month ago and the wedding was held at the Commandants house at 8th & I. What a great memory for this young Marine and his bride.

Elevator Speech - 4 Easy Steps to Promoting the Marine Corps League

One indicator of a well-run nonprofit organization is whether or not the membership, officers at all levels, board members, and staffs, consistently and personally promote the organization throughout the community. In part, this is accomplished by dozens of informal conversations (elevator speeches) that are delivered by people involved with the organization and help build awareness of the organization's value.

We had a great show of Marine Corps League members at Modern Day Marine at Quantico this year. A special thanks to Neil Corley and his committee for the great job they did in setting up the Marine Corps League booths and distributing "Semper Fi" magazine to every attendee that came.

November 12th will undoubtedly be one of the proudest days in my career as your Executive Director.  On that day, the Marine Corps League will unveil and dedicate the Chesty Puller Monument standing proudly on an outcropping overlooking the entrance and pointing the way to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. For several years, we struggled with the question of the best way for the Marine Corps League to be represented and leave its legacy upon the Museum and Semper Fidelis Memorial Park.  Two years ago, your Board of Trustees approved the idea of erecting this monument to celebrate Chesty Puller, a true Marine hero and icon.  Through your generous donations and purchase of pathway bricks, we have been able to make it happen. Additionally, the name “MARINE CORPS LEAGUE” has now been etched into the wall in the Commandant’s Circle in the rotunda of the Museum.  What a proud and glorious day for ALL members of the League and our supporters.
It's not too late to help the Marine Corps League fund this epic monument!
Please take the time and Click Here to be a part of Marine Corps History!

As Marine Corps League members, families and friends gather to celebrate the 237th birthday of our Corps, let’s take a moment to raise our glasses in a toast to those brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice, not only in this present war on terrorism, but in all conflicts that our Marines have fought in defending the ideals of American freedom.

I want to begin my column this month by giving a special thanks to the P.L. Wilson Detachment along with A.B Grantham and Joe Fell for one outstanding 89th National Convention. Talk about Southern Hospitality, Mobile had plenty of it.

Every year brings new challenges to the League and to National Headquarters and this past year was no exception. We try to approach each challenge as an opportunity to learn and improve the way we do things and respond to issues that arise each day. We have moved from one project to the next without ever taking a breath.

Marines:
The past two years have been enjoyable, enlightening and on more than one occasion frustrating.  This is my last article as the National Commandant and it is my hope that you support incoming Commandant Jim Tuohy with the same vigor and loyalty that I was afforded.

On 23 April, the Executive Directors of the major Veterans Organizations were asked to come to the Pentagon for a briefing on the issue of sexual assault in the Military.  We were briefed by the Chief of Staff for the Joint Chiefs, the General Counsel for the Secretary of Defense and several other officials.

Marines, FMF Corpsman and Associates,

I have just returned from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the Southeast Division Conference hosted by the Grand Strand Detachment.  We were honored to have General & Mrs. Stephen Olmstead along with their daughter Elizabeth as our guests.
National Junior Vice John Kovalcik was appointed as the Conference chair because the National Vice Commandant Dave Gardner was in Nashville with wife Carolyn who had some emergency surgery. We wish Carolyn well and a speedy recovery.

After receiving several positive comments about the format of my last magazine article, we decided to continue with that direction for now. Most of the comments indicated that the League membership generally had no idea about all the issues and projects we are involved with at National Headquarters and our working relationship with Headquarters Marine Corps, Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and our counterparts in the other major Veterans Service Organizations.

As the 2012 political campaigns heat up this Spring and Summer in anticipation of the General elections in the Fall, I wanted to take a moment to remind you that, as a matter of League policy,  Marine Corps League members wearing any part of the League uniform or identifying themselves as members of the Marine Corps League, cannot sponsor a political club; participate in any TV or radio program, or group discussion that advocates for or against a political party, candidate or cause; give interviews to the press or speak at any event promoting a political candidate or movement.

The following is the Marine Corps League’s official POLICY on the aforementioned subject taken from the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures, Chapter One, Section 110:

Detachment #1110 of Sandpoint, Idaho recently partnered with Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 890, also of Sandpoint, to acquire a 1957 Sikorsky H-34 A/C helicopter. This venerable old U.S. Army veteran spent a lot of time in Europe, and finished out her career working for the Wisconsin Army Air National Guard in West Bend, WI.  She then was sent to Davis-Monthan, AZ boneyard for storage.  Out of storage she was acquired by a used aircraft dealer who very thoroughtly stripped her of almost all viable, marketable parts.

Marines,
As I start the final push into the end of my second tour as your National Commandant I want to personally thank all of your for your continued support as we push our mission forward.

Six months ago, we left Boise with a plate full of projects and ideas.  We have been working each of them in earnest ever since with no slow-down and none in sight.  In no specific order, let me outline for you some of the projects we have been working on and give you a glimpse into what we have be doing "inside the beltway" in Washington.