WATKINS LEWIS G Tip of the Spear DETACHMENT · Tip of the Spear JROTC Awards During West Oak High...
Transcript of WATKINS LEWIS G Tip of the Spear DETACHMENT · Tip of the Spear JROTC Awards During West Oak High...
Commandant’s Corner
L E W I S G
W A T K I N S
D E T A C H M E N T Tip of the Spear J U N E 2 0 1 9 V O L U M E V I I I S S U E 6
D ET A C H M EN T
O F F I C ERS
Commandant
Robert Walker (864) 884-3532
Sr. Vice-Commandant
Morris Carver(864) 882-2277
Jr. Vice-Commandant
Josh Herring (864) 710-2539
Judge Advocate
Bill Thompson
(678) 296-6131
Past Commandant
Michelle Stephens (864) 916-4054
Paymaster
David Wessinger (864) 882-5538
Adjutant Del Williams
(864) 903-2160
Chaplain
Del Williams (864) 903-2160
Sergeant-at-Arms
Wayne Smith (864) 710-2506
Historian
Josh Herring (864) 710-2539
Editor
Susan Barefoot (864) 643-6378
As Memorial Day has come and gone, we approach celebrating our Independence Day (July 4th).
These two days are very important holidays. We must not forget the true meaning of these two patriotic days. We must remember and be thankful for the men and women who made the ultimate suffice for their country and families.
I recently attended the fiftieth-year
reunion of my squadron VMA-225
(Vikings) in Vietnam. We had a
Memorial Service to honor those
who had lost their lives there and
reminding us of how grateful we
should remain as those who got to
come home. Many of us lost
friends and loved ones in Vietnam,
so on July the Fourth. please dis-
play the American Flag to show
your love for this great country we
live in.
New Detachment Bylaws
At the National Conference in Au-
gust 2018, the Marine Corps
League adopted a complete new set
of National Bylaws. This action
had a far reaching effect. Every De-
tachment and Department was re-
quired to review and change their
bylaws to conform to the new MCL
National Bylaws. Lewis G. Watkins
Detachment was no exception. Our
local detachment bylaws were re-
written and made compliant with
the National Bylaws.
The proposed new Detachment By-
laws were mailed on April 19, 2019
to each member, who did not re-
ceive a copy at the April 16, 2019
Detachment meeting. It is essential
that the temporary detachment
Judge Advocate Bill Thomson re-
ceive your input on the proposed
new Bylaws by June 1, 2019. If you
have suggestions for changes, addi-
tions or deletions please call him at
(678) 296-6131 or email him at
[email protected]. If you
approve of the Bylaws as written
please let Bill know that also.
We will be voting on the proposed
new Bylaws during the June 18,
2019 Detachment Business meet-
ing. Bill Thompson make sure our
Bylaws conform to the MCL Nation-
al Bylaws. We must now review his
work and make our decision on
whether or not we approve them.
We cannot make that decision with-
out first reading and making sure
we understand the Bylaws.
Detachment Awards Ceremony
At the May 21, 2019 Detachment meeting,
Commandant Michelle Stephens presented
several awards to members of the detachment
that had been approved by the Awards Com-
mittee.
Susan Barefoot was presented with a Certifi-
cate of Appreciation for her faithful duties as
the Detachment Adjutant and Editor of the
Detachment Facebook page.
Carol Rock was awarded a Certificate of Ap-
preciation for her work with the "Toy Store"
during the 2018 Toys for Tots Campaign. Car-
ol was not present so no photo is available.
Carol will be presented the award upon her
return from vacation.
Leonard Rock was awarded a Meritorious Ser-
vice Award for his faithful duties as the "Toy
Store" Manager during the 2018 Toys for Tots
Campaign. He will be presented with the
award upon his and Carol's return from vaca-
tion.
Bill Thompson was presented with a Distin-
guished Service Award for his diligent work as
the Detachment Judge Advocate from May
2018 until May 2019 and his complete revi-
sion of the Detachment Bylaws. He was rec-
ognized also for his meritorious service as the
"Collections Coordinator" during the 2018
Toys for Tots Campaign. He managed the
distribution of 174 collection boxes and the
collection of 3,887 toys during that cam-
paign.
Last but not lest was the presentation of the
Marine of The Year Award to Skip Wakeman.
Traditionally the previous Marine of The Year
presents the award to the current year's win-
ner. Commandant Michelle made the presen-
tation, because she was last year's winner of
the Marine of the Year Award.
Skip received the Marine of the Year medal-
lion and ribbon but did not receive the Ma-
rine of the Year plaque, because there was not
sufficient time for the plaque to be completed
by Ralph's Trophy Shop due to the short time
between the Marine of the Year vote and the
presentation of the award. When the plaque
is completed, Skip will be given the Marine of
the Year plaque.
We congratulate all the winners of the
awards. They worked hard and faithfully
served the Lewis G. Watkins Detachment dur-
ing 2018.
Page 2
Tip of The Spear
Installation of Officers
The Lewis G. Watkins Detachment installed
new officers during the May 21, 2019 Business
Meeting.
The new officers elected during the April 2019
meeting were:
Commandant: Robert Walker
Senior Vice Commandant: Morris Carver
Junior Vice Commandant: Josh Herring
Judge Advocate: Charley Butts
The Installing Officer, Past Commandant Del
Williams, swore in the new Commandant Bob
Walker and new Senior Vice Commandant
Morris Carver. Also sworn in were appointed
officers Paymaster David Wessinger, Sergeant-
at-Arms Wayne Smith and Marine 4 Life Of-
ficer Skip Wakeman.
The elected Junior Vice Commandant Josh
Herring was not present due to illness and
elected Judge Advocate Charley Butts was not
able to attend.
After the Installation of Officers Ceremony
was over, Commandant Robert Walker then
performed his first official act as Comman-
dant, he administered the oath of office to the
new Detachment Adjutant, Del Williams.
Del Williams will also serve as the Detach-
ment Chaplain.
Bill Thompson was temporary appointed to
serve as Judge Advocate until the June 16
2019 Detachment Business Meeting.
Special Election
Lewis G. Watkins Detachment #1131 will
have a Special Election for a Detachment
Judge Advocate on June 16, 2019.
This Special Election is necessary to elect a
new Judge Advocate due to Charley Butts not
accepting the position.
We need all the members, who are able, to
attend this meeting. It is very important that
we select a new Judge Advocate. Section
306 of the detachment bylaws state: “When
a vacancy occurs in an elected office for any
reason the Board of Trustees shall hold a
special election to fill said vacancy for the re-
maining term of office at the next regularly
scheduled meeting of the membership.”
Nominations for a new Judge Advocate will
be taken from the floor. If you are interested
in this position make sure you are at the
June Meeting.
Page 3 Volume VII Issue 6
Page 4
Tip of the Spear
JROTC Awards
During West Oak High School’s JROTC
Award ceremony, May 15, 2019, Senior Vice-
Commandant Skip Wakeman presented the
Department of South Carolina Outstanding
Leadership award to JROTC Cadet Christo-
pher Loewe, West Oak High School.
Lewis G. Watkins Detachment #1131 presents
this award to one JROTC Cadet each year, at
each of the three High School's JROTC unit in
Oconee County.
Senior Vice-Commandant Wakeman also pre-
sented the Detachment's Tots for Tots Travel-
ing trophy the West Oak High School JROTC
unit for the fifth time.
Memorial Day Ceremony
On Monday May 27, 2019 the Oconee County
Veterans Council held a Memorial Day Cere-
mony at the Walhalla Performing Arts Centers
Center to honor the 215 Oconee County resi-
dents who died in service to our Country.
All thirteen Oconee County Veteran’s Service
Organizations participated in the ceremony.
Guest Speaker for the event was Senator Lind-
sey Graham.
Detachment #1131 members took advantage
of the situation and had a picture taken with
Senator Graham.
Detachment Family Breakfast
We need a count of how many members will
attend the Detachment Family Breakfast on
Saturday, June 22, 2019. Sam Dienner has
told us, if we give him a count on Friday of
who will be as the Family Breakfast he will in-
sure our area is properly set up.
The Detachment Family Breakfast will be on
Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Dienner’s Kitchen,
Hwy 1123 by-pass, Seneca at 0800 (8:00 a.m.)
Please call Del Williams at (864) 903-2160 or
email him at [email protected] before
Friday, June 21, 2019 if you will be attending
the Family Breakfast and how many will be in
you party
Volume VII Page 5
Hello Everyone,
Unit members enjoyed the May joint meeting of the Detachment and our Unit. The dinner was delicious and we appreciate being invited. We performed both our initiation ceremony for our newest member Nancy Walker, and our installation ceremony for our 2019-2020 officers.
Our Memorial Day project has been complet-ed. Over 45 USMC and USA flags (12”x18”) were posted to honor the memory of deceased Marines. We travelled to 24 cemeteries throughout the county. The flags were picked up this week. All unit members participate in this project.
A request has gone out to our members to re-new their annual National MCLA dues and Lewis G. Watkins Unit dues. All payments are sent to treasurer Nancy Melton. The trans-mittal will be sent to National Headquarters as soon as this is done. Our IRS 990 is up to date as well. Ours falls under the umbrella of the National MCL.
Jane is representing us at the S. C. state con-vention in Charleston this month. She prom-ises to try hard to convince the females there to start up MCLA units. Joyce will travel to Billings, MT with Charlie to the MCL/MCLA National Convention in August. Joyce will be a Past National VP and next year’s Madam Big Flea and Charlie will be a Lewis G. Watkins Detachment delegate. Conferences and con-ventions are a great way to make new friends, renew friendships and to learn news within the MCL/MCLA community.
Unit members are looking forward to touch-ing base with everyone here at home at the annual family picnic. Please let us know how we can help.
Until then…Semper Fi
Submitted by: Joyce Brickett
Marine Corps History
2 June 1918: At dawn on this date, the crack German 28th Division attacked along the axis of the Paris-Metz road hitting the American 2d Division, including the 4th Marine Brigade. The Marines opened with deadly rifle fire and helped hand the German troops a setback which set the stage for Marine victory at Bel-leau Wood which would soon follow, although at great cost.
15 June 1944: Preceded by naval gunfire and carrier air strikes, the V Amphibious Corps assaulted the west coast of Saipan, Marianas Islands. By nightfall, the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions, moving against heavy opposition, had established a beachhead 10,000 yards wide and 1,500 yards deep.
20 June 1993: The 24th Marine Expedition-ary Unit returned to Mogadishu, Somalia, to stand ready to assist United Nations forces in maintaining peace in the war-torn country. Earlier that month, the 24th MEU had been ordered to cut short Exercise Eager Mace 93-2 in Kuwait to respond to possible contingency operations in Somalia.
25 June 1966: In Vietnam, Operation Jay began about 30 kilometers northwest of Hue, and lasted nine days. The 2d Battalion, 4th Marines landed north of the North Vietnam-ese 812th Main Force Battalion, and the 2d Battalion, 1st Marines landed south of the en-emy's position. Caught in between the two Marine units, the enemy suffered over 80 dead in nine days of fighting.
26 June 1918: BGen James G. Harbord, the Commanding General of the 4th Marine Bri-gade, notified American Expeditionary Force Headquarters that Belleau Wood was "now U.S. Marine Corps entirely." After 20 days of combat, and at a cost of over 4,000 casualties, the 4th Brigade of Marines had proven its fighting heart. The grateful Commander of the French Sixth Army would soon decree that in all official correspondence, Belleau Wood would henceforth bear the name, "Bois de la Brigade de Marine."
Lewis G. Watkins
Auxiliary Unit
Marine Corps League
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Date & Time Event/Activity Location Coordinator Uniform
Tuesday, June 12
0800
Trustee’s Meeting American Legion Hut 575 S. Fairplay Street, Seneca, SC
Bob Walker None
Tuesday, June 18
1830
Detachment Meeting American Legion Hut 575 S. Fairplay Street, Seneca, SC
Bob Walker Basis
Saturday, June 22
0800
Family Breakfast Dienner’s Kitchen 123 By-pass, Seneca, SC
Bob Walker None
Tuesday, July 2
0800
Trustee’s Meeting American Legion Hut 575 S. Fairplay Street, Seneca, SC
Bob Walker None
Tuesday, July 16
1830
Detachment Meeting American Legion Hut 575 S. Fairplay Street, Seneca, SC
Bob Walker Basis
Saturday, July 27
0800
Family Breakfast Dienner’s Kitchen 123 By-pass, Seneca, SC
Bob Walker None