1. Go to bottom left corner of this page and click on "EDITPAGE" link.
2. Enter your user id and password.
3. Click on the "EDIT" button for this section.
4. Scroll past the picture to the text box.
5. Type something in the text box in front of these instructions, pushing the instructions ahead. Click "Save Changes." Your stuff is on your page.

Congratulations: you're officially a webmaster! Now you can return to your edit screen and erase these instructions. Edit every section of your OrgSite just as you did here.

The Marine Corps League was founded by Major General Commandant, John A. Lejeune, in 1923 and chartered by an Act of Congress on August 4, 1937. Our membership is comprised of honorably discharged, active duty and Reserve Marines with 90 days of service or more, retired Marines and Navy Corpsman who served in the FMF. It includes officer, enlisted, male and female members.

The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected national staff officers who serve as trustees. Day to day operations are under the control of an executive director who supervises the day-to-day performance of the national headquarters staff, located at 8626 Lee Highway in Fairfax, Virginia.

The prime authority of the League is derived from its charter and from its annual national convention held in August in different major U. S. cities throughout the nation. The National Commandant has operational control over the National Headquarters staff and the National Board of Trustees, who in turn coordinate the efforts of 47 department, or State entities, and the activities of over 812 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and overseas.

The League is classified as a veterans / military service organization and was formed for the purposes of promoting the interests of the U. S. Marine Corps; to provide camaraderie and assistance to Marines, as well as to their widows and orphans; and to preserve the traditions of the U. S. Marine Corps. It is a not for profit organization within the provisions of Internal Revenue Service Code 50l (c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.

League members participate in: - The Veterans Administration Voluntary Service Program, an assistance program for hospitalized veterans - A national Service Program, which provides assistance to veterans in a wide area of matters relating to their military service

The League also: - Awards scholarships - Sponsors a National Youth Physical Fitness Program - Provides membership incentives - Participates in patriotic functions and provides representation to the U. S. Congress in legislative matters affecting the U. S. Marine Corps, national security and veterans benefits through its National Legislative Committee and its National Legislative Officer - Participates in Toys for Tots and other community based programs

The Desoto Detachment is comprised of members that represent many “era’s” of the Marine Corps. We assemble together monthly to join in camaraderie and fellowship, to share our experiences and to promote the traditions and interests of the Marine Corps. In addition, we meet to plan and organize our numerous activities and events. The Detachment’s standing annual events include:
Ø Manatee County representatives for the Marine Corps Reserve “Toys for Tots” program
Ø Honor Guard Support for Ceremonies and Military funerals
Ø Scholarship programs
Ø Marine Corps Birthday Ball Ceremony
Ø Young Marines Program
Ø Manatee County Patriotism week/Veterans day parade
Ø Manatee County Little League Baseball

Although the Detachment does maintain a close and healthy relationship with the community, many of its activities are for the Marines of the Detachment and their families such as:
Ø Boating/fishing trips
Ø Spring training Baseball
Ø Trips to MCRD Parris Island
Ø Banquets and Dinner Dances

We work hard and we play hard!

First you must attend one of our regular meetings. We meet at 19:30 on the third Monday of every month at our Headquarters in Bradenton. (Follow the map link below for directions)

Bring to the meeting a completed membership application, a copy of your DD214 or equivalant document. (Proof of eligibility) and $35.00.

Thats all there is to it.