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MCL NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS MCL UNIFORM CODE POPASMOKE PURPLE FOXES IN VIETNAM DOTHAN TOYS-FOR-TOTS
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Welcome to Wiregrass Marine Corps League, Detachment 752 , Home of Esprit de Corps and Southern Hospitality
We invite you to join us and enjoy the spirit of camaraderie that is unique to the Brotherhood of Marines. We welcome all active duty, retired, honorably discharged and Reserve Marines with at least 90 days of honorable service. When you earned the coveted "Eagle, Globe and Anchor" you earned the title "Marine" forever, and we would like to give you the opportunity to associate with other Marines in the Wiregrass Detachment. Our Navy Corpsmen who served at least 90 days in the Fleet Marine Forces are also welcome. The Wiregrass Detachment meets at 1800 the first Thursday of each month at the Golden Corral Family Steakhouse in Dothan, AL. (Note: For September-December 2009 the meeting will be held at Ryan's Steakhouse in Dothan)
"Once a Marine--Always a Marine"
The Marine Corps League is a Nationally chartered organization founded by Marine Corps Commandant, John A Lejeune in 1923 and chartered by an Act of Congress on August 4,1937.There are over 1200 Detachments throughout the country with a total membership of around 60,000. The purpose of the League is to preserve the traditions and promote the interests of the United States Marine Corps by bonding together those who are serving and those who have served honorably in the Corps, that they may effectively promote the ideals of freedom and democracy. League members are charged with a committment to voluntarily render aid and assistance to all Marines and former Marines, and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.
Marine Corps League Detachments engage in service to their communities in a variety of ways that promote a positive image of the Marine Corps in the community they serve.They do this by assisting with fund raising for charitable causes,conducting a Toys-for-Tots campaign for the local community, or sponsoring Marine Corps League national youth programs such as "Young Marines" or Youth Physical Fitness programs.
The Wiregrass Detachment was chartered February 22,1990 as MCL Detachment 752. The Detachment meets the first Thursday of each month in Dothan, Alabama. Its membership is drawn from seven surrounding Alabama counties and northwest Florida. We are a family oriented Detachment, committed to fun and fellowship within the Marine Brotherhood and service to the community. Our current Detachment Officers are:
COMMANDANT
Darrell Langford
SENIOR VICE COMMANDANT
Hallie Hogans
JUNIOR VICE COMMANDANT
Steve Stanley
JUDGE ADVOCATE
Andy Wood
ADJUTANT/PAYMASTER
Rick Benson
SERGEANT AT ARMS/QUARTERMASTER
Mike Walton
CHAPLAIN
Marquis Wingard
WEB SERGEANT/WEBMASTER
Al Chancey
For information about Wiregrass Detachment or to obtain a membership application please contact us using the contact information at the bottom of this page.
Marines in Afganistan
Fourth of July in Afganistan
LZ Vandergrift Vietnam 1968
We treasure new members because we want every Marine and FMF Corpsman to have the opportunity to experience the esprit de corps and camaraderie we share in the Wiregrass Detachment. We offer the following membership opportunities:
Regular Member
Regular membership is available to anyone who is serving or has served honorably in the United States Marine Corps for more than (90) days, or has served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and has earned no less than (90) reserve retirement credit points. U.S. Navy corpsmen who have served with Marine FMF units in excess of (90) days and earned the Marine Corps Device worn on the Service Ribbon, and those who have earned the Warfare Device authorized for FMF corpsmen are also eligible for regular membership. Annual membership dues are $30, which includes a subscription to Semper Fi Magazine.
Associate Member
Anyone who does not meet the qualifications for regular membership but espouses the principles and purposes of the Marine Corps League may, upon application, be considered for membership in the Wiregrass Detachment, Marine Corps League. Associate members have all the rights, privileges and benefits of a regular member, except that an associate member may not vote or hold elective office. However, an associate member may be appointed to a non-elective position.
Life Member
Any member in good standing may apply for life membership status. Life membership dues are based on a sliding scale related to the member's age group.
For a membership application form download THIS MS Word file You may forward the completed application, along with a copy of your DD-214 and a $30 check made out to "Marine Corps League" to Rick Benson, 400 Roslyn Glen Way, Dothan, AL 36305.
Silent Drill Team
II MEF Osprey Jump Training 2008
Toys-for-Tots
The Wiregrass Detachment was privileged to host the Department of Alabama Annual Convention June 5-7, 2009 in Dothan, AL. Marines and guests from throughout the state gathered to enjoy the camaraderie that is unique to the Brotherhood of Marines. We were honored to have the Southeast National Vice Commandant in attendance to conduct the installation of new officers ceremony and to assist in the presentation of awards. We were also honored to have the Commandant and other guests from the Department of Georgia join us in the weekend festivities. According to all reports everyone enjoyed themselves, and the Wiregrass Detachment certainly had a great time acting as host for the event. We are already looking forward to the next annual convention to be hosted by the Johnny M Spann Detachment in Tuscaloosa, AL.
November 7---The Wiregrass Detachment again hosted the annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Dothan Elks Lodge. Those in attendance were priveleged to be a part of one of the Corps' most important traditions, enjoy a great meal and hear some very inspirational remarks from our guest of Honor, Col. John Schmidt USMC (Ret), Senior Vice Chancellor Troy University. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES.
December 3---The regular Detachment meeting will be held at Ryan's Family Steakhouse in Dothan. Food and fellowship at 1800 and the business meeting at 1900. All Marines and their guests are welcome, whether a member of the Detachment or not.
Birthday Cake Escort 2009
Cake is Served
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES
Alabama MCL Convention 2009, Dothan, AL
Circle City Quartet Entertains at the Ladies Luncheon
Convention Banquet
Guest Speaker Dr. Jack Hawkins Arrives
The Hospitality Committee is Ready With a Large Sprite and Large Coke. Start The Party
Ever Vigilant
The Wiregrass Marine Corps League has adopted the Marine Corps Reserve Toys-for-Tots program and conducts the annual Toys-for-Tots Christmas Campaign in the Wiregrass area. The Detachment first received authorization from the National Toys-for-Tots Foundation to conduct the campaign in 2006. The first year we served Dothan and Houston County, organized the program, made contacts, obtained facilities and assesed needs in surrounding areas. For the 2007 campaign we expanded the program to include Dothan and four surrounding counties. The response was overwhelming, and although it strained our resources our volunteers collected and distributed over 5,000 Christmas toys, including 780 bicycles, to 2,250 disadvantaged children in the Wiregrass area. All toys collected in the Wiregrass area are distributed to disadvantaged children in the local Wiregrass area.
If you or your business would like to become a part of this tremendously heart-warming program we would love to have you join us. The more caring sponsors and volunteers we have to partner with us the more disadvantaged children will receive shiny new toys on Christmas morning.
If you would like more information or would like to be a part of the local Toys-for-Tots Campaign please go to the new Dothan Toys-For-Tots website by clicking on the Dothan Toys-For-Tots link on the far left side of this page.
For information on eligibility, sign-up locations and dates call 211.
Toys-For-Tots Events:
Dec 22, 2008---Final toy distribution at the Toys-for-Tots center. Thanks to the efforts of our many volunteers and the generosity of the Wiregrass community and local businesses the Wiregrass Marine Corps League Toys-for-Tots Campaign distributed 7,000 toys to 1,300 disadvantaged children in the Wiregrass area. Our volunteers included active duty Marines who were home on leave, members of local social services agencies, members of local businesses, Northview High School MCJROTC members, military officers from three allied foriegn countries and others too numerous to mention. We offer our sincere thanks to all those who helped us bring joy to so many children in the Wiregrass area.
Nov 5-6, 2009---The 2009 TFT Kick-Off event was sponsored by the Dothan Toys-R-Us store Thursday and Friday Nov 5-6 from 8:00 am til 5:00 pm. Toys-R-Us provided assistance in collecting toys and donations.
November 28---Alabama's Miss Heart of America Christmas Pageant at the Cultural Arts Center, Dothan. 2:00 PM
December 5---The Fourth Annual Toy-a-Thon will be conducted by "Kickin Country" radio 93.7 at southside WalMart starting at 8:00 AM.
Paint Ball Tournament at Survival Games location on Highway 84 east, Dothan.
December 12---Battle of the Bands toy collection event at Southside K-Mart, Dothan. Time will be announced later.
December 13---Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club Toy Run starts at Cowboys on Highway 231 south at 10:00 AM and ends at Hooters at 1:00 PM
Santa Brings Hope at TFT Battle of the Bands 2008
New Wiregrass Detachment/TFT Trailer
Trailer Right Side
Trailer Rear
Semper Fidelis
Somebody Found The Good Stuff
The Party Moves Poolside
SUCH GOOD MEN
I now know why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or look at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep. Comrades gather because they long to be with the men who once acted their best, men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their humanity. I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the U.S. Marine Corps. But I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never given anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another.
I cannot say where we are headed. Ours are not perfect friendships; those are the province of legend and myth.
A few of my comrades drift far from me now, sending back only occasional word. I know that one day even these could fall to silence. Some of the men will stay close, a couple, perhaps, always at hand.
As long as I have memory, I will think of them all, every day. I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thought will be of my family and my comrades.....such good men. From "These Good Men" by Michael Norman
