Detachment Charter (3 Feb. 2004)

Our Detachment began, probably like all the other Detachments, with an article in the local newspaer. It listed the time, place, purpose, what to bring and the people that would be holding the meeting. We had about twenty (20) Marines from our area to attend. When the meeting was over, we had a Detachment name (Chester County Devil Dogs) and a tentative meeting schedule (1300 on Saturdays at the Chester Youth Center). During the next several weeks, the Detachment grew to thirty (30) members but we could not agree on a regular meeting date and time, so we kept meeting at 1300 on Saturdays. During this period, we chose our first Commandant (Carlos Williams), Senior Vice Commandant (Carlton Carter), Junior Vice Commandant (James Mayfield) and Judge Advocate (Charles Johnson). Appointed officers were the Adjutant (Andre Gore), Sgt-at-Arms (Joe Heath), Chaplain (John Killian) and Paymaster (Clyde Nelson).

About seven (7) weeks after our first meeting, we were told that our charter had been approved (3 February 2004). Commandant Williams then set about getting our chartering ceremony scheduled. This took some time due to the schedules of Department Officers. The plans for our chartering ceremony were finalized and would be held at the Chester YMCA (Old Chester High School) on Columbia Street. The time would be 1200 on 22 May 2004. The Lancaster Detachment's ceremony would be held at 1500 on this same date. Below is an animation of our Charter Program.

Charter Program 22 May 2004

24 May 2004 Chester News and Reporter

In 2007, we moved our meetings to the Chester 911 Operations building. This was a suggestion from Chester County Officials and all the veteran's organizations agreed. No more stairs to climb, plenty of parking and no busy street to cross but there were other things that came into play later.

Now its 2008 and we are having our meetings once again at the Chester War Memorial Building. The County Supervisor said that we could hold them there even if only one person came. He felt it was proper and fitting for veterans to meet at the War Memorial. We agree.

2008 was a very good year for our Detachment. We had Booths at the Flopeye Fish Festival in Great Falls, SC, Rock Around the Clock in Winnsboro, SC and HILLarity in Chester, SC. The Devil Dogs gave three (3) HOT Trikes to children in our Area of Operations (AO) and attended three (3) JROTC events (Great Falls, Lewisville and Fairfield Central). The Detachment also held its First Yard Sale (State Farm Parking Lot) and Donation and Membership Drives (Wal-Mart).

The Chester County Devil Dogs had a minor By-Law change and accepted our First Associate Member. We now have two (2) Associate Members (Cynthia and Kathy).