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February |
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September (Missed Hur. Ike) |
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HAPPENINGS FOR OUR EASTEX DETACHMENT
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- Next monthly meeting Thursday, May 21, 7pm, McKenzie’s BBQ - Conroe, Tx.
- On May 11, Detachment Bugler Ray Priest played "Taps" at the funeral of Mr. Guy Chapman. Mr. Chapman, a soldier who served in World War II, was buried in Huntsville's historic Oakwood Cemetery.
More to come on events |
Please remember that this is our best yearly parade. Tens of thousands of people will see our display and this is a lot of fun! It is a day for all, so bring your families. We need a large turnout.
The entries are judged in several categories and we will probably be in either "Most Patriotic" or "Best Military". We have won FIRST PLACE for the past several years and we need to continue our "streak".(Marines don't like to be second best)
The parade theme for 2009 is: "Traveling The USA". Two main areas the judges will consider when judging are: 1. How the parade theme was used" and "Originality of their idea".
If you would like to add a vehicle to the parade, would like to volunteer to help, or have a great suggestion, please call me. Thank you and Semper Fi, Ray Priest 936-441-7947 |
Annual Events
- 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
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NEWS FROM OUR COMMANDENT
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I want to thank everyone who helped with the State Conference! It was by far one of the nicest conferences I have  attended. The turnout was good from both other detachments and our own. A lot of hard work went into every aspect of putting that together, and you are to be commended for your efforts!
Summer is just on the horizon, and we will have some activities to attend. One that is coming up is the Houston area recruiters' Poolee Day on April 18 at Ross Sterling High School in Baytown. The event will run most all day from 0700-1600. Plan to attend if possible.
Big D Detachment is also hosting the Summer Staff Conference in Irving from June 4-7. We need to make every effort to support their meeting as they supported ours.
I hope everyone has a Happy Easter weekend!
See you April 16th at McKenzie's BarBeQue
Semper Fidelis!
Scott Bartholomew
Commandant, Eastex Detachment
Marine Corps League
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This is a touching tribute to the fallen Marine Raiders at Makin Island
In the early days of WW II the Marine raiders attacked Makin Island and left behind 19 dead Marines after asking the islanders to make sure that they received a proper burial. In 1999 the remains were discovered. This is a touching tribute. Semper Fidelis.
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The Marine Corps League in action!
On March 19, 2009, I received a call from Navy Joint Reserve Center, Fort Worth. They reported a Marine in
need of a wheelchair ramp to be built as soon as possible. This following is what I received from NJRC:
PFC Brantley Yates is a 19 year old Marine from Crandall, Tx, just SE of Kaufman. Approximately a month and a half ago, he was going through his MOS school in Pensacola where he was diagnosed with bone cancer. Due to the treatment he was going to need, and the importance of being close to family, he was sent back home, and is now living with his mother and father in a mobile home off of CR 4096 until he can recover and complete his school. Because of the chemotherapy treatments and his condition, he is currently confined to a wheelchair.
During the last big rainstorm we had, PFC Yates was unable to maneuver his wheelchair to the steps of the mobile home, and had to resort to being carried. In addition, the only way in to the mobile home is by stairs, which makes it extremely difficult - albeit impossible - for this young Marine to get in and out of his home.
A possible solution that is of the utmost priority to our CO, Lt.Col. Dewhirst, is to build a wheelchair ramp and possibly a small sidewalk addition which will ease the strain on this Marine and his family. We can provide any and all materials that are required, and we have more than enough Marines to complete the task. We are simply missing someone with the knowledge and the time to help us in the process.
That is why I am turning to you for any assistance you can provide. If someone in the Marine Corps League from the Kaufman area can be of assistance, it would be greatly appreciated. I was thinking of someone who is a contractor or has contractor experience that can help us with the design, materials list, and can lead the overall construction of the project.
In addition, I think that having the local community involved with the well-being of this Marine would be a great morale booster for him during this very tough time.
As I mentioned earlier, this is of the utmost priority for us and we are prepared to have Marines out there at a moments notice. I know it is short fused (as things often are in the Marine Corps), but any assistance that you
can provide, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and if there are any questions, I can be contacted at any of the numbers below.
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Following the receipt of the above information March 19th, I contacted the Kaufman County Detachment for their possible support in this mission.
Sunday March 22nd, I was informed "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" by Sr. Vice Commandant Kines of the Kaufman County Detachment, Marine Corps League. He reported that the ramp for PFC Yates has been completed and the MARINES worked miraculously well in accomplishing this project in record time.
I am very proud of our Marine Corps League and especially the members of the Kaufman County Detachment in their efforts to make this happen so this Marine could facilitate his wheelchair in and out of his home while he recovers from his illness.
Semper Fidelis
Harry Bruce
Commandant Dept. of Texas
Marine Corps League |
NEWS SNIPPETS
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U.S. Marine Corporal Steven Schulz grew up playing baseball, football, piano and was a Boy Scout. After 9/11, Steven entered the Marine Corp because he wanted to make a difference. He did two tours of duty in Iraq and on April 19, 2005, he was hit by an IED, leaving him with a severe traumatic brain injury. His parents immediately rushed to his side...and his mother, Debbie, quit teaching to stay by his side night and day.
This was particularly difficult for the Schulz family who had two children still at home and it was a team effort to support Steven’s recovery. Elaine (18) and Clay (15)both accepted that Mom and Dad would miss the majority of their high school activities...and did so without complaint. The financial strain of caring for Steven full time, changing his bandages, reading to him, trying to stimulate his brain took its toll on the Schulz family. They were forced to rely on family and friends to help with finances.
This very brave young man now stood a fighting chance for recovery because of all the sacrifices his family made for him. Steven first came home in a wheelchair, barely able to communicate at all. After a year of rehabilitation, he finally took his first step. The support his family gave encouraged him to keep fighting for each step of progress. Today, Steven is able to communicate, though clearly still having difficulty with basic care. “My dream is to work, find a wife, and have kids - like a normal person,” said Steven.
Once a Marine, always a Marine! Marines DO take care of their own!
Paul Lance (USMC 1988-1991) (DESERT STORM) Program Assistant – Houston
United States Veterans Initiative - 4604 Main St. Suite 213 - Houston, Tx 77002
Tel: 832.203.1626 ext.102 - Email:plance@usvetsinc.org
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Marines of the Month - Paul Lance |
I was born in Amarillo, Texas on August 16, 1970. I had a sister and three brothers and spent several early years in Carlsbad, New Mexico, where my father was a professional golfer. We moved to Conroe because of my Dad’s job and I graduated from  Conroe High school in 1988. Wanting to serve our country with the best, I joined the Marines after completing high school and I shipped off to boot camp at MCRD San Diego. My platoon ( 3074 ) was awarded honor platoon upon graduation and I was sent to Twentynine Palms for Field Radio Operator’s School. After completing training, my first duty station was Okinawa where I served in a Communications Squadron with the 1st Marine Air Wing. While with this squadron, I had the opportunity to see a lot of the world and travel on several ships, including the U.S.S. St. Louis and the U.S.S. Dubuque. I went on training missions in the Phillipines, Thailand, Korea, and then back to 29 Palms for Desert Warfare Training.
I participated in the following: Valiant Blitz ( Korea ), Team Spirit ( Korea ), Liberation of Kuwait/Desert Shield / Desert Storm. In Desert Storm, I served with the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines ( Cannon Cockers ), 1st Marine Division.
Decorations include the following: Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait ), Kuwait Liberation Medal ( Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Navy Sea Service Deployment, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
I received meritorious promotions to PFC and then Lance Corporal. I was set for promotion to Corporal when I sustained serious issues from a Sarin gas attack that forced me to be evacuated to Germany out of the war zone. After two months of rehabilitation, they sent me back to Camp Pendleton. By this time I weighed a whopping 95 lbs. soaking wet. During this era there was not a Wounded Warriors regiment, so the Marine Corps honorably discharged me.
Funny story about my discharge. The night I arrived back at Camp Pendleton, the only thing I had was the BDU bottoms and a  green undershirt and boots. The next morning I was walking to sick bay when the Commanding Officer stopped me and chewed me out because I was out of uniform. What could I say? Not a whole lot! I found out real quick about how powerful Sgt. Majors are when he noticed me out of uniform. There I was at the position of attention in front of the Sgt. Majors desk and he allowed me to explain my situation. I told him how the Captain had chewed me out. You could see the Sgt. Majors face getting redder and REDDER. He picked up the phone and called the C.O. and told him he had better get to his office (the Sgt. Major’s ) within the next 5 minutes. He then told me to wait outside. So, I am sitting there in the hallway when in rushes the Captain. He went inside the office and shut the door. I overheard the Sgt. Major yelling “You had better lock your body up in front of my desk unless you want to (expletive) command somewhere in (expletive)! “ For the next five minutes I overheard him chewing the Captain out! Naturally, by this time I am sitting there with a secretive smile on my face. The Sgt. Major sent the Captain away and then he and I had a good conversation about life in general. I can’t remember his name but his compassion for Marines stays with me to this day.
Presently, I have a son, Kevin, who has joined the Marine Corps Officer Program and he ships off to Quantico in July. He graduated last year from Oak Ridge High School with honors. OORAH! My daughter Kari is graduating this year from Oak Ridge. Both are great kids that any father would be proud to have.
I am a member of the following organizations: The Marine Corps League (Chaplain), The Veterans of Foreign Wars ( 3 year trustee ), The American Legion, Disabled American Veteran’s, Patriot Guard Riders, and Rolling Thunder, a non profit organization which publicizes POW_MIA issues.
My passion and purpose in life is to help my fellow Veterans however and whenever I can. Luckily, I have a job at U.S. Veterans Initiative where I can do just that! From cards to personal visits at the V.A. Hospital, it is my pleasure to help and encourage Veterans in need.
It is truly my honor and privilege to be a part of the Marine Corps League. It is amazing what a tight knit group we are and in my opinion it is because of great leaders!
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