Scuttlebutt 1

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

1 Commandant’s Report

2 Jr. Vice & Sr. Vice Reports

3 The P-38

Officers & Committee Chairmen, VA Numbers

4 Looking Ahead, Sick Call

5 Scuttlebutt Boosters, Young Marines’ Report,

The Legend, Birthdays

6 & 7 Minutes

ScuttlebuttGeneral Smedley D. Butler Detachment 1914 1915

P.O. Box 184 • Newtown Square, PA 19073Website • www.gensdbutlerdet.org

Commandant Earle Drake • 610.325.9065

Volume XVIII, Issue 6 Sandra Mauer, editor June 2008 527 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA 17603 717.397.6994, sandi@lancasterpa.net

Commandant’s Message

June 2008 May turned into a very busy month for the Detachment. We started the month with our Color Guard at Rose Tree Park at the National Day of Prayer. We were accompanied by Barry Reese of the VFW. Members of the American Legion attended the prayer service. The May 5, general meeting was Remembrance Day where we honored those members who passed away this year. They were George Van Dusen, Edwin Burns, Stan Short, and Steve Neri. We participated in the Seventh Congressional District Veterans Summit that was hosted by Congressman Sestak. There was an all star panel that included

Congressman Robert Filner of California, who chairs the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, Michel E. Moreland, Director of Veterans Integrated Service Network, Richard S. Citron Director of the Philadelphia VA Medical Center and many other Veterans’ Service Officers. Over 250 veterans attended the Summit. We were brought up to date on current veteran’s events and pending legislation. It was informative and provided the Detachment with an opportunity to offer our services to our fellow vets. The month concluded with many ceremonies and our annual Color Guard ceremony at Beverly Hills Middle School, with the Upper Darby Detachment participating, Flag retirement, again with the Upper Darby Detachment and the Memorial Day Parade and associated ceremonies. The June meeting is also our Spring Dinner with Justine doing the catering once again. We will need a few volunteers to help serve the meal. Each year the dinner meeting starts at 1830 with our general meeting starting at 1930. This year I want to urge you to arrive at 6 PM so we can start and finish the dinner on time. This is important so we can convert the room from dinner mode to business mode in the least intrusive manner. We don’t want to take away your table cover while you are still eating. As some of you know, Pete Patrucci and I along with a couple of other members have been doing family research at the National Archives (NARA) in Philadelphia. Our relationship with NARA has enabled us to procure an excellent book on Military Service Records and a supply of materials that

Continued on page 2

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Jr. Vice Report

TV Bonanza II

The final days of our Campaign are upon us!

Thanks to all who have been actively selling their tickets! It is not too late to order additional tickets. We will be accepting sold tickets until a few minutes before our drawing on Monday, June 2

nd.

For those of us who have yet to sell our tickets, please make an extra effort to push ourselves for the remainder of the Campaign! Our efforts will make the difference as to whether our campaign will be a success. For those Members who will not be at our Meeting, call me if you need me to pick up ticket stubs and money

Drawing for Dollars Campaign (D4D) Our D4D Sales Campaign was launched May 3rd at the ACME Markets in the Granite Run Mall. There was some concern as to how the reported changes in the economy and the change in our product mix, (Cash prizes versus our traditional Wagon prizes) would affect our sales results. After three store sales there is reason to be cautiously optimistic. Each of our sales events considerably exceeded the highest sales days recorded in 2007! It is clear that the changes noted above have not harmed our results. What is not clear is why these

Sr. Vice Report

The Spring Dinner will be served at 1830; members should arrive at the hall by 1800. Brig. Gen. Joseph McMenamin will be the guest speaker at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Paxon Hollow County Club in Broomall.

Jim (JR) RobinsonJim (JR) RobinsonJim (JR) RobinsonJim (JR) Robinson Sr. Vice Commandant

great results are occurring! In any event, our participating members have done a great job! Our D4D Sales Site Schedule as of this date follows: 5/24: ACME Newtown Square, 5/31: Shop Rite West Chester, 6/07 Pathmark Brookhaven, 6/07: Gentile’s Market Newtown Square, 6/14: ACME Media, 6/21: ACME Paoli, 6/28: ACME Ridley (Folsom), 7/03 (Thurs): ACME Wayne & ACME Bryn Mawr, 7/12: ACME Granite Run Mall, 7/18(Fri): ACME Broomall, 7/26: ACME Newtown Square, 8/30: Super Fresh Havertown & Pathmark Broomall, 9/06: Pathmark Glenolden and Tentative Pathmark Folsom, 9/13: Wal-Mart Glenolden & Gentile’s Market Newtown Square, 9/19 (Fri): Super Fresh Wynnewood & Tentative ACME Narberth, 9/27: Tentative Wal-Mart Boothwyn, 10/04: ACME Media, 10/11-12 Helicopter Air Show West Chester & 10/11 ACME Broomall, 10/18: ACME Newtown Square, 10/25: ACME Ridley (Folsom), 11/01: Wal-Mart Eddystone, 11/15: Super Fresh Havertown & Pathmark Broomall, 11/22: Tentative ACME Paoli and 11/26 (Wed) Shop Rite West Chester. Note that five of the above dates involve sales at more than one location. These events will be taking place at store locations with only single entrances or locations where only a single entrance need be manned. The Oct 12 (Sun) date at the American Helicopter Museum will be subject to review. Directions will be provided to anyone who needs help. An updated schedule will be included in future editions of Scuttlebutt. Respectfully Submitted,

John B. McLeodJohn B. McLeodJohn B. McLeodJohn B. McLeod Junior Vice Commandant

NARA put together specifically for our detachment. These materials include information on our second world war Marine Corps Navajo Code Takers, how to access the Archival Data Bases, what is available on almost all wars, Draft records, African Americans, Prisoners of War, Medals and modern military records. Really, what is available is too much to list here. Pete and I picked up the materials over a month ago but because of our busy schedule at meetings there wasn’t an appropriate time to make them available. We will have a special table available for you to get your copies in June. Very interesting. Semper Fidelis!

Earle E. DrakeEarle E. DrakeEarle E. DrakeEarle E. Drake Commandant

Commandant’s Message continued from page 1

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THE P-38

As a rule, a well designed object tells you what it’s for and how to use it. This object was usually worn around the neck attached to a shoelace or a piece of string. It wasn’t an identification tag and clearly wasn’t a piece of jewelry. Open, it had a cartoonish quality, like a little man with an open mouth and a sharp pointed nose. Would you believe that it would be the most popular and useful item that any service man ever carried? It was the G.I. can opener! The P-38! It didn’t win the war but it won over the hearts and minds of the troops. It was a small master- piece because of the way it did its job while using the minimum of space, weight and materials. That in itself, is impressive, when you consider how many really stupid and awkward can openers have been produced and found their way into the world’s kitchens. It took a little practice to learn how to grasp the can’s rim in the “mouth” of the G.I. can opener and open the can by rocking the opener back and forth; piercing the can with the nose; but once you mastered it, this can opener operated every bit as effectively and efficiently as larger, more elaborate models. The first effective can opener was a product of the American Civil War. New food-preservation technologies and packaging for military rations have made the personal can openers obsolete but this small gadget deserves a small tribute as we remember WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. It reminds us of the many kinds of ingenuity that were essential to victory. Based on an Article in the Philadelphia Inquirer J.J.V. Cook

DEPARTMENT OF

VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

General & Healthcare Benefits VA Hotline 800-827-1000 Veterans’ Healthcare 800-222-8387 Education 888-442-4511 Grave Markers 800-697-6947 Life Insurance 800-669-8477

Website www.va.gov

General Smedley D. Butler Detachment Officers Commandant Earle E. Drake Sr. Vice Commandant Jim (JR) Robinson Jr. Vice Commandant Jack McLeod Adjutant Jack Kelly Paymaster Bob Spano Judge Advocate Dan Luty Sergeant-At-Arms James D. Ross Chaplain Christopher Bush Service Officer Connie McGinley Director Paul Donohue Director Paul Ferguson Director Bernie McGinley Jr. Past Commandant Jerry Leon

General Smedley D. Butler Detachment Committee Chairmen Adopt-A-Highway John Burfete Americanism Bob Matthews

Jack McLeod Auxiliary Liaison Tony Fusto Awards Harry Kaufman Ceremonies Jim Ross Color Guard Joe Conigliaro Flag Collection Barry Reese Historian Bob (Coz) Cosgrove Home Association Tom Kerrigan Honor Guard Wayne Barner “ Assistant John J. V. Cook Locker Box Paul Ferguson Marksmanship John Williams Membership Jim Robinson Newsletter (Scuttlebutt) Sandi Mauer Newtown Twp Vets Park Nominations Jerry Leon Property Bob Spano Public Relations Scholarships Wayne Williams Scouting John Gingras Toys-For-Tots Dan Luty V.A.V.S. Robert Matthews Young Marines Robert Stanton Web Mistress Sandi Mauer

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Looking Ahead

D ETACHMENT EVENTS

June

1 Dept. of PA Pistol Match, Ft Indiantown Gap 2 General Meeting, KOC, .1930. Spring Dinner 7 D4D Fund Raising, Pathmark & Kmart,

Brookhaven, PA. 9 VAVS Bingo, Veterans Hospital, Coatesville 11-15 Department of PA Convention, Hotel Carlisle,

Carlisle, PA 14 DAR Flag Day Ceremony, Lansdowne, PA,

1900 14 D4D Fund Raising, ACME Media 15 Walk for the Wounded, 1300-1700. Rose Tree

Park 21 ACME Paoli, Rt. 252 & Lancaster Ave. 22 Adopt-A Highway 24 Staff Meeting 1730, American Legion Post 805 28 D4D Fund Raising, ACME Ridley, 124 Morton

Ave .

August

17 Adopt-a-Highway

October

19 Adopt-a-Highway

OTHER ORGAN I Z AT I ONS ’ EVENTS

OTHER VETERANS’ & FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS’

MEETING SCHEDULES

Regular Events AmVets: Harold P. Saks Post #118, 211 N. Morton Ave., Morton, PA 19070. Meetings the first Wednesday of every month at 2000. American Legion: Broomall Post #805, 2340 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA. Meetings the second Wednesday of every month, at 1930. American Legion Nunan-Slook Post #338, Meets the second Tuesday at 7:30 PM of every month at the corner of Ralston & Graslynn Avenues, Havertown, PA. Upper Darby Detachment #884 MCL, 3

rd Tuesday of

the month at 2000, 1026 Providence Rd. Secane, Pa. 19018 Disabled American Veterans, Delaware County Chapter 113, meets the second Monday of the month at 7:30PM. Meetings are held at the Nunan-Slook American Legion Post #338. The Post is located at the corner of Ralston & Graslynn Avenues in Havertown, PA.

Other Organizations’ Events (Cont’d.)

Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 67, AmVets, Harold P. Saks Post #118, 211 N. Morton Ave. in Morton, PA meeting is 2nd Tuesday at 7:30 PM - no meetings July or August. Delaware County Detachment, Third Sunday of the month: Breakfast: 0800-1130, $6.00/person. Delaware County Detachment at detachment home, Upland, PA. Every Month except: June-July-August. M.O.D.D. “Devil Dogs” Triboro Pound #19, Pack of Penna., Growls (meetings) are the second Wednesday of the month at 1930. Growls are held at the Herbert W. Best Post # 928, VFW. Located at MacDade Blvd & Kendron Avenue, Folsom, PA. Veterans of Foreign Wars: Broomall Post #7390, Meetings the second Thursday of the month at 1930. Meetings are held at the Marple Twp. Municipal Building, Sproul & Springfield Roads, Broomall, PA. Knights Of Columbus: Mater Dei Council #4129, 327 N. Newtown Street Rd., Newtown Square, PA. Meetings the first Thursday of the month at 2000.

DON’T FORGET…

to bring in your ACME receipts. The auxiliary receives an important rebate on all receipts they turn into ACME. Thank you, Tony Fusto"

S I C K C A L L

Matt Balfrey Jack McHenry Jack Lister Bill Charlton, Sr.

Please remember to notify Chaplain Chris Bush (610.353.5569) of an illness, or of a member or family member passing away.

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“ SCUT T L E BUT T ” BOOS T ER C L UB

Help support our newsletter and

become a member of the

Booster Club!

Any monetary contribution helps offset the cost of publication and mailing. We wish to thank our current boosters. With their assistance, we are able to continue our award-winning newsletter!

MAY BOOSTERS

John Burfete, Ruth & Marino DeFrancesco, Rosemarie & Tony Fusto, Richard Guyer, Vinnie Mangelli, Jack McLeod, Pat & Joe Mensack,

Stan Samsel, Florence & Bob Spano Thank you boosters!

Bob SpanoBob SpanoBob SpanoBob Spano Paymaster If you are interested in being a “Scuttlebutt” Booster, please see Bob Spano.

Birthday Greetings

for June The Detachment staff sends best wishes to the following members who are celebrating a birthday this month: Michael Anastasi George Boyajian John Burfete, Jr. Robert Cervino Anthony Delgrippo Paul Ferguson Jeremy Leon Norman Lynch Thomas McGovern Joseph Mealey Aloysius O'Connell Robert Senior Lawrence Stevenson William Williams, Sr.

Happy Birthday…and many, many more!

If your birthday was omitted, please contact Adjutant Jack Kelly. We apologize for any omissions.

Young Marines’ Report

A few weeks ago, our unit got together with two other units from Pennsylvania for a trout and bass fishing outing in Lancaster County. We were lucky enough to catch about 20-25 fish and brought home a few keepers.

We recently helped plant the crosses and plant flowers at the Folsom VFW. We'd like to thank the VFW for the breakfast and lunch that was served! Thank you again for your continued support of our unit. We are now at our highest enrollment in years, with close to 30 Young Marines!

Jeffrey GunningJeffrey GunningJeffrey GunningJeffrey Gunning Delaware County Young Marines

THE LEGEND…

Smedley Darlington Butler, son of PA Congressman Thomas Stalker Butler and Maud Mary Darlington Butler was born in West Chester, PA on July 30, 1881. He graduated from Haverford College Grammar School on June 9, 1898. At that time, due to the Spanish American War, open patriotism was still very much in fashion. At the age of 16, Butler lied about his age and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Training, in those days, was extremely basic. After six weeks devoted mainly to close order drill and the use of the rifle, Butler was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, but, by the time he got to Cuba, the war was practically over. He saw no actual fighting. Thereafter, he learned to soldier from the men that he fought alongside. In 1900, he volunteered to join a Marine Force being sent to help rescue the U.S. Legation in Peking, China. A new war, known as the BOXER REBELLION was the next venture of his career. J.J.V. Cook

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sent to her as she begins her Marine Recruit training at Parris Island. Also, a guest of John Cook’s, Hank Velardi, was introduced. Senior Vice: Jim Robinson provided information on the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. It was mentioned that John Cook will begin accepting reservations in August for the Ball scheduled for 7 November 2008. It was also mentioned that the June General Meeting will begin at 1830, and this will be the dinner meeting for recognition of the Detachment’s scholarship awardees. The cost of the dinner is $15.00 per person. Junior Vice: Jack McLeod provided information on the TV Bonanza. More than 2300 tickets have been distributed on consignment. The drawing date is 2 June 2008. He also reported that the Drawing for Dollars Campaign was launched on Saturday, 3 May 2008, and ticket sales and donations were the highest in the past two years. Also, Bob Cosgrove reviewed how he had contacted friends and associates and had received $2,375 in donations for the Detachment. Paymaster: Bob Spano provided the Paymaster’s report for the period ending 30 April 2008. Bernie McGinley made a motion to accept the Paymaster’s report as received. Jerry Leon seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Committee Reports: Adopt-a-Highway: John Burfete indicated that there had been a good turnout for the first Adopt-a-Highway event of the year in April. The next event is scheduled for 22 June 2008. V.A.V.S.: Bob Matthews reported that the next bingo party at the Coatesville Veterans Hospital is scheduled for 12 May 2008. Ceremonies: Joe Conigliaro was not in attendance, but Bob Spano reported that the Color Guard had participated in the opening ceremonies at the annual Day of Prayer at Rose Tree Park in Media on 1 May 2008. Marksmanship: John Williams provided a written report and an oral report to all members. The annual pistol match is scheduled for 30 May, 31 May, and 1 June 2008. This year’s pistol team members are Earle Drake, Bob Spano, Frank Greiser, Paul Drinkard, and John Williams. The annual rifle match is scheduled for 26, 27, and 28 September 2008. Scholarships: Wayne Williams indicated that nine individuals had applied for Detachment scholarships. Those selected by a drawing were Russell Philipp, Leann McGinley, James A. Robinson Jr., Dana Baiocco, Ashley Brown, and Jacquelyn Haynal. Two alternates were also selected, and they were announced as Amanda Andrews and Owen Kinney.

General Smedley D. Butler Detachment #741 Marine Corps League

General Meeting Minutes 5 May 2008

Commandant: Commandant Earle Drake was not present, due to illness. Judge Advocate Dan Luty presided over the meeting. Officers present were Sr. Vice Jim Robinson, Jr. Vice Jack McLeod, Judge Advocate Dan Luty, Adjutant Jack Kelly, Paymaster Bob Spano, Chaplain Chris Bush, Sergeant-at-Arms Jim Ross, Service Officer Connie McGinley, Director Paul Donohue, Director Paul Ferguson, Director Bernie McGinley, and Junior Past Commandant Jerry Leon. The normal opening ceremonies were conducted. Special Guests: Dan Luty introduced Steve Udovich, of the Warrior Weekend Fund. Steve Udovich is a retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel and Iraq combat veteran who started the Warrior Weekend project in 2006. The mission of Warrior Weekend is to provide weekends of rest and relaxation for soldiers and Marines who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan and are undergoing recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Our Detachment had made a donation to this organization last year. Steve Udovich expressed his appreciation for the donation and he and his assistant, April Moore, provided information on the mission and purpose of the Fund. There was also a brief time for questions and answers. New Member: Wallace E. Lyall, a USMC veteran, was introduced as a potential new member, sponsored by Frank Mayer. After his introduction, Paul Ferguson made a motion to accept him as a member. Joe Mensack seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Wallace E. Lyall was accepted into membership as a regular member. He was sworn in by Judge Advocate Dan Luty. Remembrance: As an annual tribute, the Detachment honored those members who had passed away in the past year. Those recognized were George VanDusen, Ed Burns, Stan Short, and Steve Neri. Also recognized were all those who gave their lives in the defense of our country. Minutes: Phil Baglivo made a motion to accept the minutes of the April 2008 meeting as published in the Scuttlebutt. Joe Mensack seconded the motion and the motion passed. Officer Reports: Adjutant: Jack Kelly read several items of correspondence, including several notes of appreciation for donations that the Detachment had made. A note of appreciation was read from Marine Recruit Katie Mannion for words of encouragement

continued on page 7

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Locker Box: Paul Ferguson mentioned that some items are still available for purchase. Some additional items will be distributed during the Detachment’s Drawing for Dollars campaign. Honor Guard: Wayne Barner reported that there had been 17 funerals in April where the Honor Guard had served. This year, 95 funerals have been conducted with the Honor Guard serving. Flag Collection: Barry Reese indicated that a large number of old or worn flags had been collected. This year the Detachment will be coordinating the destruction of the flags with the Upper Darby Detachment. The date and time have to be arranged. Unfinished Business: No Unfinished business items were discussed. New Business: Bernie McGinley made a recommendation for the Detachment to make a donation to the 1

st Lt. Travis L. Manion USMC

Memorial Fund. The Fund was created to help support families that have lost loved ones in the global war on terror. Lt. Manion was killed in action in Iraq in 2007 while on his second tour of duty. Jack McLeod indicated that he had spoken with the mother of Lt. Manion, and that the Fund assures that more than eighty per cent of donations goes to recipients. This organization will be reviewed by the Detachment officers at the next staff meeting in May, prior to bringing it before the entire membership for consideration. Dan Luty mentioned that a quantity of memorabilia had been found in the late Steve Neri’s home, and some of this will sold in the future, in order to help defray some of Steve’s last expenses. Announcements: Dan Luty reviewed the calendar of events for the Detachment for the month of May. Several of the important dates mentioned were the Veterans Night at the Media Theatre on 10 May 2008, the Veterans Summit at Ridley High School sponsored by Congressman Sestak, scheduled for 12 May 2008, and the Memorial Day Parade scheduled for 26 May 2008. Good of the League: Dennis Morsa indicated that the ranks of the various veterans’ organizations are getting thinner with the passage of time. We need to find other members who wish to participate more regularly, and it may be necessary to review those activities in which we participate, to determine if certain activities should be continued or curtailed.

Minutes continued from page 6

Guidelines for Submission of Articles & Photos for inclusion in “Scuttlebutt” •All submissions must be received by the editor no later than the 15

th of the month for the upcoming issue.

•The preferred format for written articles is a computer file (such as MS Word, or an email). Non-computer files will be considered and included in Scuttlebutt only if the editor is able to transcribe the article in a timely matter for publication. •The preferred format for photos is digital in a high resolution JPG file (other file formats will also be considered). Traditional photos may be submitted as well, and will be included only if the editor is able to scan the photo in a timely matter for publication. •All submissions must be the original work of the person submitting the piece. If the submitter is not the author of the work, the submitter should obtain permission from the author and submit that as well. No copyrighted materials can be used without permission from the appropriate parties. •The editor reserves the right to include or exclude submissions as necessary according to these guidelines and as space in the publication dictates. •Items may be submitted to the editor via email to sandi@lancasterpa.net

Bob Spano indicated that a new nametag is now available, with a red field and yellow lettering. Bernie McGinley made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jerry Leon seconded the motion, and the motion passed. After the normal closing ceremonies, the meeting was adjourned at 2120. Paul Donohue won the 50/50. Forty members signed the logbook. Respectfully submitted, Jack Kelly, Adjutant

HonorHonorHonorHonor----CourageCourageCourageCourage----CommitmentCommitmentCommitmentCommitment

Marine Corps LeagueSmedley D. Butler Detachment

P.O. Box 184

Newtown Square, PA 19073

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Marine Corps League Smedley D. Butler Detachment

Newtown Square, PA 19073-0184

Next MeetingJune 2, 20081930 hoursKnights of Columbus327 N. Newtown Street Rd.(Route 252)Newtown Square, PA

Next Meeting , 2008

0 hours Knights of Columbus 327 N. Newtown Street Rd. (Route 252) Newtown Square, PA 19073