Marine Corp League Oldest City Detachment #383 St. Augustine, Florida

Marine Corps League
OLDEST CITY DETACHMENT #383
St. Augustine, Florida
P.O. Box 1752
Website: mcloldestcitystaug.org
St. Augustine, FL 32085

Commandant: Steve Adzima Jr. Vice Commandant: Manny Carcel
Sr. Vice Commandant: Jim Bellamy Judge Advocate: Pat Petrino

MINUTES FROM MEETING OF
November 4, 2008

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY:
Meeting called to order at 1901 hrs by the Commandant. There were 20 members present, including District Vice-Commandant Bob Clifton.

ROLL CALL TAKEN:
All officers were present except Pat Petrino.

OFFICERS & COMMITTEES REPORTS:
Picnic: Thanks were given to Manny and his wife for the excellent job they did planning and conducting the picnic. Manny indicated 21 people showed up at the picnic.
Birthday Ball: Jim Bellamy went over the information people needed to know for the Marine Corps Ball held on November 10th. The location was at Summer House which is located south on A1A with an 1815 hours start time. The guest speaker was our own General Fleming from the Florida National Guard. Jim went over in detail the dress code for the evening and showed examples of what to wear. James Vanairsdale, Manny Carcel and Gary Maguire were to bring their swords. Some ceremonial wine would be available but if individuals wanted more alcoholic beverages they were bring their own. We were advised a DJ would be at the Ball.
Decorating for the Ball was on Sunday, November 9th at 1:30.
Membership: Jim Bellamy announced he is getting a welcome package together for new members and he urges that all members encourage others to join the Detachment. He further urges that when new members join we should make efforts to welcome them and encourage them to return to meetings.

MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING:
Minutes from the October meeting were approved.

PAYMASTERS REPORT:
Walter indicated we had received $2360 for advertisements in the Birthday Ball program and about $1000 for tickets. With that money added to our normal funds we have in excess of $3800 in our account.

SICKNESS & DISTRESS:
An update on Tony’s status was given. Walt James indicated he’d spoken with Tony’s wife and she had advised he was still on life support and there had been little change in his condition. Jane asked that we keep Tony in our prayers.
It was reported that Pat Petrino sister in Italy is not doing well and he had gone to Italy.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Walter reported we had received a note from Pedro Menendez High School for purchasing a brink for their Veterans’ Wall. The dedication was to take place on November 7 at noon. They raised approximately $18,000.
Otis Mason School will have a Veterans Salute ceremony on November 10th and invite all veterans to attend.
On November 10th there will be a re-dedication of the Marine Corpsmen monument at Evergreen Cemetery.

NEW BUSINESS:
It was announced that we will be voting on new officers at the January meeting. Commandant Steve asks that members be considering who they would want to be officers so that they can be nominated at the next meeting.
Walter suggested that the proceeds from the 50-50 drawing go into a “picnic fund” to be utilized each year at the annual picnic. After discussions Tom Shanley moved that $1 per person attending each monthly meeting be placed into the picnic fund. That $1 per attendee would come from the 50-50 fund. Woody seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Gary mentioned the Toys for Tots program is getting underway and we should have additional information at next month’s meeting.
Steve brought up the detachment forming a Color Guard Unit. We discussed the need and the commitment that would be necessary. Marine Corps League uniforms would have to be worn which would include white shirts (with epaulets), dress blue trousers with red stripe or black pants, Marine Corps cover and black shoes.

OLD BUSINESS:
The installation banquet will be held in February and Lou reported he has spoken with O.C. Whites about meeting there. He received tentative pricing, per plate, in the $17-$19 range. He will have additional information to report more in December.

SPECIAL BUSINESS:
Walter emphasized that members who are qualified to be Life Members should seriously consider doing so as the cost of Life Membership is increasing in 2009. Walter indicated that the detachment annually gets the interest on the money paid by those who have become Life Members.

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

Two new members were sworn in at the meeting. Michael Parkhurst and GySgt Myland McNeil, USMC (Retired) took the oath of membership.
Jim Bellamy brought up the confusion of whether we should salute the flag with our hands over our heart or by a hand salute. Bob Clifton indicated that the national organization has indicated that either method of saluting the flag is acceptable.
The Detachment’s weapons to be used in color guard ceremonies were brought in as they have been stored by Marie and Bob Darnell. Tim Chiu agreed to store the weapons in the future. Woody indicated he will take possession of them first and clean them up prior to Tim placing them in storage.
Bob Clifton presented the detachment with a Marine Corps League citation and streamer dated 15 August 2008.
Jim Bellamy asked that we think about taking a trip next year. If we decide on Parris Island it will need to be earlier than we did this year. Be thinking of places we, as a group, may want to go for a couple of days.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A comment was made regarding the upcoming election. Regardless of who a person voted for in the election we must remember that we, as Marines, swore to uphold the constitution of the United States whether the person one voted for one the election or not.

MEETING CLOSED AT: 2009 hrs. BY: Commandant Steve Adzima

NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON:
December 2, 2008 at 1900 hrs in the Elks Lodge on Anastasia Island. Plan on the meeting room to be the same as November’s meeting.

Food is to be provided by Col. Vanairsdale at next meeting.

June Minutes
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September Minutes
October Minutes