Commandant Howard Rainer

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Newsletter Editor - Sandy Spence

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JUNE 2009

ATTENTION ON DECK

Next Meeting - Saturday, 20 June at 10:00 AM

At the VFW Post 2760 at 3rd & Meighan in Gadsden

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McLaughlin Detachment Officers’

Detachment Commandant Howard Rainer

Senior Vice-Commandant George Stoddard

Junior Vice-Commandant Ed Mason

Judge Advocate Jeff Greene

Past Junior Commandant Willard Hart

Pay Master Mitchell Chastain

Adjutant Robert Venable

Chaplain Don Beabout

Sergeant at Arms Ricky Everett

Public Affairs Officer Lynn McCary

Webmaster Johnny Baker

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The Commandant Sez

FROM THE DEPT OF ALABAMA COMMANDANT

Marines, the Department of Alabama just finished our 2009 Annual Department of Alabama Convention in Dothan. I am extremely happy to report that the McLaughlin Detachment was well represented. We had at least ten Marines and their wives attend the event. The Convention went very well. Next years Convention will be held in Tuscaloosa and probably will be the first weekend in June 2010. Please try to make plans to be there. It usually is a great weekend full of fun and camaraderie.

In March 2010, the P. L. Wilson Detachment in Mobile will be hosting the Southeast Division Conference. That Conference will be the first weekend in March 2010 and will start on Thursday night. For those that attended the 2008 Department Convention in Mobile, you already know that they do a great job. Please watch future newsletters for more information on both of these great events.

If you have not heard yet, the Marine Corps service tag for your automobile has been signed into law by the Governor. The new Marine Corps tag will be available as of 1 January 2010. The tag will cost an extra $25.00 for retired or former Marines. You must show your DD Form 214 or military ID Card. Active duty Marines only have to pay $3.00 for their tags. They rate a bigger discount than us. They can show their active duty ID Card or their Leave & Earning Statement (LES). Please watch for more details in the coming months.

I have missed several of the last few Detachment meetings and also the Monday night dinners. If I wasn't traveling and attending other Detachment meetings, Janice and I have been traveling for pleasure also. I am ready to get back with the McLaughlin Detachment. Let me invite all members of the McLaughlin Detachment to come to our monthly meeting. We need all of our members to attend as many meetings as possible in order for us to be even more successful.

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THE COMMANDANT SEZ

I would like to thank all of you that attended our monthly dinner. An “Atta Boy” to our detachment Vice Commandant George Stoddard for the planning and effort that made the dinner so enjoyable. Our next dinner will be at 6:30 PM, 29June09 at “Dad’s Barbecue” located on Rainbow Drive. Come, enjoy the fellowship of your Marine brothers/sisters.

Thanks to each of our members for the over-whelming support of the “Patriots Flights” and to Mr. Don Skinner for his special contribution. It is a program that we are proud to support. If there are other members that would like to make a special contribution please talk with our Pay Master, Mr. Mitchell Chastain.

Because of unforeseen circumstances, our car show date has been moved to 17Oct09. Our annual picnic is usually scheduled for this date. A suggestion has been to either move the picnic to the week before or the week after the car show. Mr. John Roberson (committee chairperson for the picnic) believes that there will be no problem in the reschedule. The request for the picnic will be on the Detachment Agenda for 20Jun09. Lets all get behind John and Don to assist them in making these the best events ever.

Mr. Elbert Cornutt, a WWII veteran, a member of our detachment, has suggested that at each detachment meeting, time be made available for one member to relate his/her history. I believe this to be a great suggestion, one that will allow us to become acquainted on a more personal level. Our meeting on 20Jun09 will be the beginning with Mr. Elbert Cornutt.

The Tentative Agenda for 20Jun09:

Report by Mr. Don Skinner, Committee Chairman, Car Show Report by Mr. Willard Hart, Committee Chairman, Blood Drive Report by John Roberson, Committee Chairman, Picnic Report by Mr. Lynn McCary, Public Affairs Officer 1. Relocation of Detachment meeting place.

2. News media

Question/Answer time referencing “Patrons List”. Mr Bob Spence.

Semper Fi, Howard L Rainer, Commandant

Marine Corps League McLaughlin Detachment Minutes May 16th 2009

The McLaughlin Detachment met on 16 May 2009 in the ballroom of the VFW, 3rd & Meighan Boulevard at 1000 hours. Commandant Howard Rainer called the meeting to order. Sergeant at Arms, Ricky Everett, let the Honoring of the Flags and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplin Don Beabout led us in prayer to our Supreme Commandant

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THE MARINE SPOTLIGHT IS ON - ELBERT CORNUTT

Elbert Cornutt was born in Alabama City in 1928. He graduated from Emma Sansom High School in 1947 and in 1948 he started life out right by marrying Billie Jo Moon. He was drafted in the United States Marine Corps in early 1952. After spending 8 weeks in boot camp at Parris Island and 9 weeks advanced infantry training at Camp Pendleton Tent Camp 2, he was sent to Korea and was attached to the 1st Marine Division Band.

Elbert lived in the Forward Command Post and was attached to Xray Provisional Rifle Company. He did Sentry Duty and went on patrols with the rifle company. He also carried ammunition from the railhead to the forward Ammunition Dump and on to the trenches. He returned to Parris Island in July 1953 to finish out his active duty time. He played in the Parris Island Band. Elbert was released from active duty in February 1954 and spent 6 years in Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of Corporal, attached to a rifle company in Rome, GA.

Elbert attended Jacksonville State Teachers College from 1956 to 1960. He worked as a sign painter for local sign companies for 5 years. In 1965 he was hired on as a sign painter for the Anniston Army Depot where he was promoted to line supervisor in 1974 and Chief, Buildings and Grounds Branch in 1980. He retired in 1989.

Billie Jo and Elbert celebrated their 60th anniversary last September. They have three children, a boy and 2 girls and are kept busy with their 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and many community activities. (Editor's note: He is also fantastic on the trumpet!)

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Please check out the following website:

NEW! Dept of Alabama Official Website - http://alabamamarines.com/default.aspx

MCL Southeast Division - http://www.sedivmcl.org/

McLaughlin Detachment Official Website - http://www.orgsites.com/al/mclaughlindet/index.html

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Military Order of the Devil Dogs

The Military Order of the Devil Dogs was created and organized in 1939. “The purpose of the Military Order of the devil dogs is to:

(1) observe, obey and support the Constitution, Bylaws and all Rules and Regulation of the Marine Corps League, Inc.;

(2) to preserve and strengthen the principles and ideals of the Marine Corps League Inc,;

(3) to aid and assist in the accomplishment of all programs and objectives of the Marine Corps League Inc,;

(4) as the Fun and Honor Society of the Marine Corps League, Inc. by promoting sociability, comradeship and good-fellowship, to provide amusement and entertainment at all gatherings of the Marine Corps League, Inc.

(5) When and where proper and advisable maintain true allegiance to the United States of America and its Constitution and laws; to foster and extend American institutions of Freedom; and to defend America against enemies’ whomsoever.”

Membership in the Military Order of the Devil Dogs, Inc. shall be open to any regular member of the Marine Corps League, Inc., who, at the time of application in the Order is made, shall be (1) a regular member of the Marine Corps League, Inc., in good standing; (2) with membership dues in the Marine Corps League, Inc., full paid; (3) of good character and reputation; and (4) in full compliance with the requirements of the Constitution of the Order.

There are three degrees in the Military Order of the Devils Dogs. The Degree of Devil Pup is the first Degree and is known by all by the member wearing a Black ribbon with a Military Order of the Devil Dog Medallion. The second Degree is that of Devil Dog and wears a Red Ribbon with the Medallion. The third and highest Degree is that of Pedigreed Devil Dog and the members wears a yellow ribbon with the Medallion.

If you are interested in joining the Military Order of Devil Dogs within the McLaughlin Detachment, we will have the next Pound Meeting in April 2008. Our Pound Keeper is R.C. Smith and our Dog Robber is Johnny Baker. If you have any questions, please contact one of them or come to our next Devil Dog meeting in April immediately following the regular Detachment meeting. We would be happy to fully explain the Order to any interested member.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

18 Jul 2009 10:00 AM Regular Scheduled Detachment meeting at VFW

15 Aug 2009 10:00 AM Regular Scheduled Detachment meeting at VFW

19 Sep 2009 10:00 AM Regular Scheduled Detachment meeting at VFW

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DETACHMENT DINNERS – THIS MONTH IT IS ON 29 JUNE 2009

All Marines and their spouses are invited to attend our next monthly dinner. We will be going to Dad's BBQ Restaurant in Rainbow City. This is a great social event and we hope that you and your spouse join us. If you would like to attend, contact George Stoddard at 256-442-2615. If you have any questions, you can contact George or Sandy Spence at 256-546-7932 or e-mail her at: sandy_spence@hotmail.com.

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Editor - Johnny Baker

Email Address - “BAKERUSMC@YAHOO.COM”

Email your stories, ideas and suggestions for a better newsletter!! Semper Fi!!

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

NEXT DETACHMENT MEETING!

10:00 AM ON 19 July 2008

VFW Post 2760 at 3rd & Meighan in Gadsden!