|
January |
February |
|
|
|
|
July |
August |
September |
October |
November |
December |
| These Newsletters require Adobe Acrobat to read them. If you need to install the reader then click the icon to go to the Adobe download page. |
 |
JULY HAPPENINGS FOR OUR EASTEX DETACHMENT
|
Tuesday, July 1 2008
Just a friendly reminder that Eastex Detachment has a couple of key events coming up that everyone needs to try to attend.
Tuesday, July 1 – Conroe Symphony Orchestra Patriotic Concert – 7:30 pm – The Ark Family Church, Conroe – Free admission to those in uniform - Contact Ray Priest at 936-441-7947 for free tickets.
Friday – July 4, 2008
The Woodlands 4th Of July Parade – Detachment meets at Macaroni Grill parking lot at 7am for trailer decoration. At 7:30 we proceed to the parade staging area – 9am parade begins - Detachment display will include military vehicles (more than one has been invited), active duty Marines, the Statue of Liberty, and our decorated trailer. This year’s parade theme is “Goin’ 4 The Gold”. It will be viewed by tens of thousands and your presence is necessary. Our detachment has won the “Best Military” award each year we have been involved, however I have been told that the army has plans to take the trophy this year. We need a large turnout for this event!
These are fun events and should motivate all of our members to show up and participate. There will be a lot of people at both events, and it is a great opportunity for us to advertise who we are! Please try to attend these events, and wear something that says Marines on it! |
- U.S.M.C. Birthday Ball - Coordinating Council
U.S.M.C. Birthday Ball - Eastex Detachment
- Detachment Anniversary Party - Eastex Detachment - to be announced
- U.S.M.C. Toys for Tots - All Marines - December
- Christmas Party - Eastex Detachment - December
- Marine Corps League Convention - Dept. of Texas - to be announced - June
- Staff Meeting, Dept. of Texas - to be announced - October
- Poolee Family Night - Eastex Detachment & USMC Recruiters - April
|
Marine Corps League Conference, report by Bob Quinn - Past Commandant
The annual Marine Corps League Conference in Corpus Christi, TX this past week was informative and productive for our members. In  attendance for Eastex were Janet and Bob Quinn, Harry and Dottie Bruce, Jim and Connie Irby, Larry and Gail Rutledge and Jesse and Billie Harper.
Our Eastex detachment #779 earned (1st) first place in the Americanism competition with our last year's collection of photos, articles, awards and activities, in category three (members numbering over 80).
The Eastex detachment #779 earned (1st) first place in category 3 for community activities. We tallied over four thousand points for our accomplishments compared to other detachments that earned 1,500 points on average.
In addition, Eastex detachment #779 received a department of Texas "Meritorious Unit Commendation" and authorization for the wearing of the department Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon by each member of the entity to which this awarded during the period June 2007 to May 2008.
Eastex det. #779 member Harry Bruce was elected to the Office of Department of Texas Commandant.
Eastex det. #779 member Bob Quinn was elected to the office of Senior Vice-Commandant, department of Texas.
Both members received a "Distinguished Citizen Award" and authorized to wear the Distinguished Citizen silver ribbon & medal.
|
|
Message From The Commandant - Scott A. Bartholomew
Boy, where did the month of May go? I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone in the Detachment for their participation in so many different events that came our way last month.
Our Detachment issued 6 scholarships, attended several Memorial Day events, performed several Honor Guard details, supported WWII vets to Washington DC, opened new Detachments, plus so many other things all in one month! This is why we have one of the most recognized Detachments in the country, and none of it gets done without great people. Thank you again!
I wish I could tell you that things are going to slow down, but I'm afraid that the pace is going to stay fast. We have a float to decorate for 4th of July, the State Conference in Corpus in June, our own conference to get ready for, plus a lot of isolated events to support. Keep up the good work, and please talk these things up to those members that you know but have not been participating. Let them know how much we have been doing, and ask that they start getting involved! The League is all about giving back to the Corps and its community, and we have plenty to do! Plus, it’s a great way to stay in touch with people and make new friends!
I look forward to the days ahead, and we will see you at the June meeting! We will have a guest speaker at the June meeting, so please come to listen!
Semper Fidelis, Scott A. Bartholomew
|
|
|
|
|
Our New Commandant, Scott Bartholomew
I want to begin by expressing my sincere thanks for electing me as your new Commandant of the Eastex Detachment! I look forward to  growing with the League over the course of this year, as well as getting to know all of you better. I have been asked to provide some background information on myself for this issue of the newsletter.
I was actually born in Houston, but I was raised in the North Dallas suburb of Richardson, TX. I joined the Marine Corps Reserves in 1985 and was attached to Marine Air Group 41, H&MS-41 as an aviation supply clerk supporting the F-4 Phantoms and CH-53 Super Stallions at NAS Grand Prairie. In 1991, our aircraft was replaced with the F/A-18 Hornets, and we soon relocated to NAS Fort Worth JRB. In 1996, I made a lateral move into the intelligence field and became the Intelligence Chief for VMGR-234, the Marine Corps KC-130 squadron attached to MAG-41 in Ft. Worth. In 1999, I became certified as the Antiterrorism/Force Protection Officer for VMGR-234 and provided the required antiterrorism briefs to the squadron each year and prior to all deployments outside the continental United States. Later that same year, I deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in support of the Northern No Fly Zone over Iraq. In January 2003, I was activated for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II and deployed to Bahrain and Kuwait until September 2003. In June 2004, I deployed to Western Iraq at Al Asad air base for Operation Iraq Freedom III.
While between deployments, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to be second in command of the 2003 Dallas/Ft. Worth Toys for Tots program. My duties included coordinating all of the many Toys for Tots events, running the Toys for Tots warehouse, giving public speeches about Toys for Tots, and participating in the daily toy collections.
In 2003 the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Jones, made it mandatory that all Marines complete their Tan Belt training in the newly implemented Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. I was again fortunate to have the time during my activation to pursue another opportunity to give back to the Corps. I completed the required Tan Belt training that summer as well as the Gray Belt course while in Kuwait in 2003, and during a momentary lapse of reasoning volunteered for a three week long Green Belt Instructor Course. After survival of a very physically and mentally demanding course, I went on to complete both the Brown Belt course and the Black Belt course in the Spring of 2004. I then spent most of my time after returning from Iraq training Marines in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program until I was deactivated in January 2005. My 20 year mark in the Reserves hit in April 2005, and with mixed emotions, I decided to retire from the reserves as a Gunnery Sergeant.
I currently work for Chrysler Corporation as a service and parts district manager for the North Houston area. I have been married to my wife Amy for 11 years. We have a seven year old son, Grant and a two year old daughter, Emily. We moved to Conroe in August of 2007.
Semper Fi
“The ability to accept responsibility is the measure of a man.” Thank you, Scott
|
Going's On |
State MCL Official Harry Bruce presents the Oath of Membership to members of the newly formed detachment in Denton and Bob Quinn cooks at the “All Marine Picnic”.
Eastex Det. members held a Fallen Marine Service for Marine Eldred Monroe Bullock III, on Saturday May 17. Present were Commandant Scott Bartholomew, Jim Irby, Bob Quinn and Harry Bruce. Marine Bullock. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Mission, Huntsville, Texas 77320.
Thanks to all Marines who represented the MCL at a Memorial Service in Huntsville on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Your efforts were sincerely appreciated by all concerned.
May 19th, Harry Bruce and Bob Quinn attended the Charter Presentation ceremony at the formation of a new Marine Corps League Detachment in Denton..
May 19th, Jim Irby made a presentation of scholarships on behalf of our detachment to Kaitlin Whitehead, Chelsea Phillips and Clayton Evan Hall of Montgomery High School.
On May 23rd, MCL Commandant Scott Bartholomew delivered a power point presentation concerning the Civil War to combined 7th grade classes at Montgomery Junior High School. Scott’s program compared Civil War uniforms, transport, medical treatment, food, and weapons to our modern military. This presentation was a part of our detachment’s involvement with the Joe Foss Institution which is dedicated to the restoration of patriotism, integrity and the appreciation of America’s freedoms. The institute’s vision is to be nationally recognized as the premier organization promoting patriotism through personal contact in schools and with youth groups.
On Sunday, May 25th, at 2 PM, CLASSIC CARS, located on I-45 in Conroe, hosted a Memorial Day tribute to fallen soldiers and Marines from Montgomery County who lost their lives serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Veterans of all services were invited. Our Congressman Kevin Brady, County Judge Sadler, and Mayor Webb Melder spoke, as well as Miss US America, daughter of a Marine, who gave a wonderful speech. One of the owners, Lyn Hawthorne, was the master of ceremonies and her talk was inspiring. Soft drinks, BBQ, and deserts were available at no charge and were donated by area merchants. Eastex Detachment members present were Scott Bartholomew with son Grant, Jim Irby, Bob and Janet Quinn, A.J. and Ruth Berg, Polly Miller, and Ruth Crosby. Also present were the Patriot Riders and the American Legion Color Guard.
Memorial Day, May 26th, many people gathered at the Houston National Cemetery in remembrance of our fallen heroes. The cemetery is now our nation’s second largest, containing over 65,000 graves and consisting of over 419 acres of land.
The following graduating seniors were awarded scholarships from our detachment:
Magdalena Strong of Magnolia High School
Kaitlin Whitehead
Chelsea Phillips
Clayton Evan Hall of Montgomery High School
Krista Alaniz of Oak Ridge High School
Mathew Kite of Splendora High School.
A special service by the Hearts Veteran’s Museum was held at First Baptist Church in Huntsville on the evening of Memorial Day. Special guest was our area congressman, Representative Kevin Brady. Those attending from the Eastex Detachment were Bob and Janet Quinn, Jim Irby, Larry Rutledge, Bob and Winnie Lucas, and Scott Bartholomew.
Saturday, May 30, several detachment members were up at 0430 to send off WWII veterans who were traveling to our nation’s capitol as part of the Lone Star Honor Flight. Eastex Detachment members in attendance included: Scott Bartholomew, Teresa Carpenter, Bob Lucas (Combat Photographer), Bob Costanzo, Dick Seeger, Harry Bruce, Bill and Valerie Collins, and Mason Martin. Our area congressman, Kevin Brady, was also there with donuts and coffee. Three buses full of veterans and chaperones departed for Washington, D.C. where they will see the World War II Memorial and other sights.
On May 31, Bob Costanzo participated in The Eagle Court of Honor paying tribute to Eagle Scout James V. Morrison with a Marine Corps League Certificate of Citizenship Award.
Harry Bruce conducted Installation of Officers of the Avalos Detachment, Houston, on May 27th. Harry and Dottie Bruce also attended “the Chosin Few” Reunion at Albany, Georgia.
|
|
