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Friday, December 25, 2009

Successful Year for Toys for Tots in St. George


Once again Rick Massey surpassed his own goals for Toys for Tots.  Several members of the Detachment spent countless hours delivering and placing TFT boxes, collecting toys, manning stations and greeting people in front of three local WalMart stores, using donated money to pre-shop for toys, driving to various locations to pick up and/or unload toy donations by various organizations, sorting and wrapping gifts at the Dixie Center and serving and clean-up at the Elks Lodge for the "Shop With a Cop" experience for local children.  There was also a dinner held at the Elks Lodge to present toys to handicapped kids.  We partner with Coins for Kids who have streamlined the process of delivery of toys, but we still have Santa Mike who assists with delivery of toys to several special needs cases.

Check out the article in The Spectrum on Christmas Day on one special delivery in which our Detachment participated.

All in all, an outstanding result for the 2009 Toys for Tots program in Southern Utah. Congratulations to all, with special thanks to Rick for his incredible energy for this program.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Toys for Tots


December IS Toys for Tots for the Utah Dixie Marine Corps League.  Rick Massey is the liaison for Toys for Tots.  His incredible energy for this program is awe inspiring.  Rick and his team of about 20 Marines, who assist in representing the Detachment in events that produce both monetary contributions and donated toys, spend hours making it happen - all designed to make some needy families very happy at Christmas.  The Detachment teams up with the local Coins for Kids, an organization that delivers our collected toys to needy families in the SoUtah area.  There are so many activities to make this all come together: installing TFT boxes in local business locations, checking them nearly daily, standing by the TFT boxes at three local WalMart locations as people donate their new toys or money, picking up donations by a very generous Toys-R-Us, collecting at another local business locations, delivering all the toys to the convention center and joining other community volunteers in catagorizing and wrapping the toys, and having Santa dress up to assist in delivery.  The happiness in the faces of children makes it all worthwhile. Ooorah, Marines!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

2009 St. George Nursing Home Veterans

The Cpl. Adam Galvez Unit 469 Women's Auxiliary of our League Detachment, assisted by the Detachment's Sr. Vice Commandant and Judge Advocate Elect, brightened the Veteran's Day holiday of St. George nursing home veterans with good wishes, hugs and Marine Corps birthday cake, honoring their service to this country.




Saturday, November 7, 2009

234th Birthday of the Marine Corps



The Detachment's annual celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday was enjoyed by all at the SunRiver St. George ballroom.  Commandant Ron Buress cuts the cake in this photo.  Sgt. Major John Massaro and Lt. Col. Al Christy received a piece of cake as the Detachment's honored guests.  Oldest Marine present, Ed Soniat, passed his piece of cake to the youngest Marine present, Kody Hansen.  A fine dinner was followed by dancing to the music of the Jim Sevy Band.  Happy 234th Birthday, Marines!!

234th Birthday of the Marine Corps



Thursday, November 5, 2009

2009 Marine Corps Birthday Ball


2008 Cake Cutting Ceremony

7November 2009 is the date for the Utah Dixie Marine Corps League sponsored event at the SunRiver St. George ballroom.  Come join us for a wonderful evening full of good food and awesome tradition, followed by dancing to the music of the Jim Sevy band.  Reservations are $25 each.  Contact our paymaster (see link in banner at the top of this blog) to make your reservations and wear your semi-formal attire - uniforms welcome.  You don't have to be a Marine to attend; the public is welcome.  6:00 p.m.


Monday, November 2, 2009

Adopt-a-Highway Clean Up

Saturday's morning clean up of the roadside between Exits 8 and 10 of the I-15 was a quick clean up this time.  A special thank you to the Washington County Sheriff's office Explorers Post #1925, for their support. Oscar and the 16 young ladies and men did a great job helping us. This time it only took us 2 hours and 20 minutes to clean up the freeway. There were 28 Marines, wives and Explorers.  Dennis served picnic in the park for lunch, ending the day on high note!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Honor Devil Pup-Series Honor Man Deploys



The 20th birthday celebration and bon voyage party for Bryce was held today at the gazebo between the two LDS churches on Brigham Road.  Bryce flies out tomorrow with his unit - obvious destination.  It was bittersweet.  We are quite proud of "our Devil Pup" who is so excited about deployment, but those remaining behind will be sending up prayers for his safety.  The Spectrum was present.  Let's watch for an article in one of the upcoming issues.

Bryce and Mom, Shannon.















The Auxiliary provided a knitted scarf and watch cap to keep Bryce warm during the harsh winter that he's heading into.  Thank you, Liz, for the work of the Auxiliary.  They are planning to keep in touch with Bryce's unit if at all possible and provide each of the Marines scarves and caps.
 


Bryce - with Marine Corps League Devil Pup Recruiter.  The following Marines from the Detachment were there to provide an oohrah:  Dennis Cory, Larry Mineer, Ed Soniat, Roger Clawson and Bill Toole.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

2009 Rummage Sale Success


Ooorah! Marines and Auxiliary!!  Another successful Rummage Sale in the Hurst Ace Hardware parking lot Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17.  Thank you, Ace Hardware, for allowing us the use of a corner of your parking lot!!  Early shoppers caught the big WalMart truck, loaned to us to collect goods, as we were unloading it Thursday night the 15th.  The sale began at 10:00 a.m. on Friday - r i i i g h t?? - try 6:30 a.m.  There are a lot of early eagle-eyed rummage sale shoppers out there!

Dennis Cory served yummy pulled pork sandwiches (a huge thanks to Texas Roadhouse) and coleslaw (besides arranging for and driving the WalMart trailer).  He was ably assisted by Mercy Wright. Mike and Joyce Thomas served ice cream products and their own homemade rootbeer floats.  It was truly a one-stop shopping experience!  Auxiliary members led by Liz Rogers worked very hard pricing and selling, answering questions, etc.  Our Commandant, Ron Buress, and his wife, Joanne, were there the whole time making those difficult on-the-spot decisions. 

Once again, Bill Feeney, our fund raising chair, turned out another fine fund raising event. Results have not yet been posted, but we know it was successful and a lot of shoppers were happy, especially with our $1.00-per-bag clothing sales. Our clothing collection this year far exceeded any amount we've ever seen at any rummage sale.  A huge thanks to all Marines and Auxiliary members who worked SO hard on collection Saturdays, sale set-up, organizing, overnight guard duty, and take-down.  We're quite sure there were about 10 Larry Mineers and Brian Bills there because we saw them every time we turned around!! 

We thank the Elks Lodge for the loan of their tables and Rick Massey for delivering the leftover "treasures" to Deseret Industries.  Thank you to all of you who turned out to work and support the Utah Dixie Detachment.  Thanks, again, Marine Feeney - it was a huge coordination project.  And, true to Marine tradition, after the sale was over we left the parking lot site cleaner than we found it.

And now we can all rest up for 2010's biggest fund raiser!! 

We're off and running into Adopt-a-Highway cleanup on the 31st, then into Toys for Tots season and the Marine Corps Birthday Ball on November 7th in SunRiver St. George. 

U.S. Marines - America's FINEST!!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

2009 Rummage Sale

Be sure to attend our largest fund raiser of the year - our annual Rummage Sale. Members and friends of members have been gathering their gently used items for several weeks, storing them in the trailer (generously loaned to the Detachment by Wal-Mart) parked in the Elks Lodge parking lot, and the truck will start unloading Thursday night, October 15 at the sale site.

This big event begins Friday, October 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and continues on Saturday, October 17, also from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Hurst Ace Hardware store parking lot is the site of our huge sale. It is located near the corner of St. George Boulevard and Bluff Street. A huge thank you to the Hursts! Be sure to get there early; the best things go very quickly! Everyone can find a treasure!!!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

2009 Auxiliary and Detachment Picnic















What a wondrous sight it was - the red, white and blue balloons, and the United States of America and United States Marine Corps flags fluttering in the warm breeze of Snow Canyon. If that wasn't enough to make your heart stop, you only had to see those who were occupying the benches and tables of the camp ground - young and old, all with a common bond - they were Marines and their families, sharing tales of times past. Some followed children up to the top of the mountain, others enjoyed the patriotic music, and all were delighted with the excellent food, most of which was prepared by Mike Thomas. Thanks, Mike! The hamburgers and hot dogs were cooked by Mike and Dennis Cory, and the only complaint rendered was that some didn't have room for more.

All in all, everyone had a grand time. Kudos to all in the Auxiliary and Detachment who put this activity together. From all reports, everyone had a great time. It was a little warm, but we had home made rootbeer and ice cream to cool us all off. There were between 40 and 50 people in attendance. We'll definitely do it again!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

MCL Detachment Photos

Saturday, September 12, 2009

2009 September MCL Meeting-Staff






























A plaque was presented to Bill Toole by Commandant Buress in honor of Bill's service as founding Commandant 2007-2009.

Commandant Buress and his staff at the September meeting.

2009 September Devil Pup Report


Anthony and Colton report after returning from Devil Pup Encampment.

To check out this wonderful youth program now available
to SoUtah guys and gals aged 14-17, go to http://www.devilpups.com/.

Monday, August 10, 2009

2009 Devil Pups

[Honor Pup Colton on left on top of Old Smokey]


Utah Dixie Detachment's 2009 Devil Pup program accomplished its 10-day odyssey with flying colors. We added some new steps in our selection process this year, and they paid large dividends. First, we determined that the Detachment would support each Pup with a portion of the cost of the program. The balance would be developed by each Pup by participating in car washes and other fund-raising chores. The result? Each successful Pup candidate produced one-third of his total cost, the Detachment providing the remainder.

Another innovation this year was that each Pup was assigned a "mentor" from among our Detachment members to guide the candidate and prepare him for the realities of Devil Pup camp. My deepest appreciation is expressed to these Marines. They took an interest in their young man and brought him along. The program experience? Judge for yourself:

- An all night bus ride with sunrise in the McDonald's parking lot in Barstow.

- Heightening tension in the bus as we drew nearer to Camp Pendleton.

- Arrival at the "reception area" where paperwork is inspected for contraband, our Pup Escort Marines (who all look angry and disappointed at our "sloppiness") organizing us into squads and platoons.

- Standing in long lines, at the position of attention, awaiting tonsorial suicide (aka high and tight, skin head haircut), issuing gear, assigning racks . . . all at a speed much too slow for our Escorts.

And that's just to get started. There were classes in leadership, motivation, personal goal setting and citizenship. There was practical application in some of the leadership exercises experienced by Marine Recruits as part of "The Crucible" training which they receive in boot camp. Then there was the "Training Tank" (aka swimming pool) exercise in jumping from various heights into a 23 foot-deep pool - for some Pups, the first real "gut check" they've experienced. Endless hiking and marching.

On Thursday evening of the second week was the easy stroll up San Onofre Mountain (aka "Old Smokey") resting invitingly at 1,725 feet above sea level and surrounded by boot-sliding, finger scratching, sweat soaking fire breaks, this the site of the awarding of the "Devil Pup Challenge Coin" to each successful Pup. The assurance that they've "made it," they're Devil Pups (a realization creating a variety of tension releases) produced wide smiles, buddy hugging, tear-duct testing and a tremendous dose of personal accomplishment.

The Devil Pups mission is to challenge, educate and help young boys and girls of all backgrounds learn self-confidence and responsibility for their actions. We strive to develop in young men and women, ages 14 to 17, qualities of good citizenship, self control, confidence, personal discipline, teamwork and respect for others, their family and their country. Congratulations to Colton on obtaining recognition as Honor Pup. Only 12 Pups are selected from the entire increment (300 Pups) for this honor. He's made me, our Detachment and his family very proud. St. George has now had an Honor Pup in two of the past three years. Ooorah!!
Bill Toole, SoUtah Devil Pup Liaison

Sunday, August 2, 2009

2009 Washington County Fair MCL Booth


Utah Dixie Detachment had a booth at the fair this year, with Mike Thomas brewing up his special blend of home made rootbeer. It was a best seller!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

2009 Installation of Officers

2009 Installation of Officers.
Click the info link at the top of this blog for names of new officers.













Incoming president is Ron Buress.
















Our Corporal Adam A. Galvez Auxiliary Unit #469 also had installation of officers for 2009.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

A Gathering of Veterans

As most know, the Vietnam Vets serve food at our meetings on the second Saturday of each month, and we reciprocate for them on the third Saturday of each month. This month is an exception. The Vietnam Vets are sponsoring a "Gathering of Veterans" to honor all military personnel, both past and present. There will be hot dogs and hamburgers, with all the fixin's, for a $5 donation. The time is set at 1300 on Saturday, April 18, 2009, in the Elks Lodge parking lot. The Vietnam Vets will be using the proceeds to defray the cost of bringing the Vietnam Memorial Wall ("The Wall that Heals") back to Washington County, a very worthy cause. Make an effort to come by and enjoy some grilled masterpieces and support the Vietnam Vets.