2010 Devil Pup Presentation

Here are five of the six 2010 Devil Pups at our 11 September detachment meeting. They came to enjoy breakfast with us and their parents and to thank the detachment members for supporting their great experience at Devil Pup camp. Really fine kids!!

Civil War Drums

Our very own and very special Navy Corpsman, Terry Hansen, has completed these replicas of Civil War drums that can be used with our Color Guard.  When Terry showed us the drums he’d made, we asked for the “rest of the story” so we could share the story with all of you. Here it is:

Several years ago I completed a cedar strip canoe and I had a bunch of gorgeous cedar strips left over. Being the pack rat that I am I never threw them away- just stored them in my loft in my workshop. After staring at them long enough I thought I might try making a civil war drum. I've been a fan of that era ever since I first visited Gettysburg in 1957. Have been back there 11 times since. Very hallowed ground indeed.

I started by making a circular form, gluing and nailing each successive 7/8" strip. My wife, the math instructor, calculated that each strip, 56 of them, had to be sawed at 3 and 3/4 degrees. After gluing up, there's lots of sanding to be done. Then I applied the first of 4 coats of marine spar varnish.

The hoops I found on the internet for a lot cheaper than I could ever make them. The heads I found on sale at our local music store. Finding the right 1/4" rope was a challenge. I started with nylon rope but that is too stretchy. Now I'm trying some cotton rope but it's not very strong. Maybe some day I'll order the genuine linen rope that's made in Ireland. It is a little pricey, however. I made my own leather "ears" for the rope tensioners.

As of today I have completed three drums and look forward to completing 2 more, one out of cherry and one out of clear white pine. Each different wood gives them a different sound.

My drums are in the style of either Revolutionary War or Civil war drums. At the outset of the Civil War Abe Lincoln ordered 32,000 drums for the various units. Consequently many people got into the drum making business and that's why it's hard to find two Civil War drums that look alike– close but not exactly alike because the lettering and the eagles were all hand painted.  

Many drums still exist today in various stages of repair. Their cowhide heads did not survive the years simply because they tear easily or disintegrate.

2010 Devil Pup Encampment

The webmaster has not been able (yet) to remove the Super Poke! Pets from the above photos.  There is a black X to the right of the Super Poke Pets logo, just above the yellow Play button.  Click that and the logo goes away. 

Summer Events

Utah Dixie's Events Calendar:

July and August - no regular monthly meetings during these two hot summer months.

07/17 -- 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Car Wash by Devil Pup candidates at Sportsman's Warehouse parking lot located at 2957 E 850 N, St. George, just north of Costco.

07/24 -- 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Car Wash by Devil Pup candidates at Sportsman's Warehouse parking lot located at 2957 E 850 N, St. George, just north of Costco.

08/7, 14, 21, 28 -- 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Assistants needed at Washington Wal-Mart parking lot trailer site to accept donations for our annual rummage sale.

09/11 -- Regular monthly detachment meeting, Abbey Inn, 8:30 a.m. Breakfast under $10.

09/4, 11, 18, 25 -- 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Assistants needed at Washington Wal-Mart trailer site to accept donations for our annual rummage sale.

10/01-02 --9:00 a.m. to Noon - or later.  Annual Rummage Sale, Washington Wal-Mart parking lot.

We are a busy bunch!  Any assistance you can give in regular events are greatly appreciated.  Be sure to attend the annual rummage sale and find your special treasures!

Summer Months

During the muggy, toasty days of July and August, the Utah Dixie Detachment enjoys staying indoors.  We will be "dark" for these months, beginning meetings again in September.  Stay tuned for a new location for our Saturday breakfasts.

If you're one of the brave who are not weather challenged and you would like to be included in the Detachment's support of Devil Pups, come out to the parking lot of Sportsman's Warehouse in Washington City on July 17 and July 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  You can assist this year's seven young Pup candidates in washing cars - or you can let them wash your car for a $10 fee.  Each Pup is encouraged to earn a portion of his expense for Devil Pup camp.  They are great young people!

Here's a photo of a prior year's Devil Pups.

2010 MCL Utah Department Convention Success!

What a great weekend!  Awesome convention venue (in spite of temps reaching 107 on Saturday), great new Department staff, our own squared away Color Guard posting the colors, interesting guest speakers, awesome food by Chef Jon Braaten of the Abbey Inn and a great time meeting other Marines and spouses and auxiliary members.  Here are some of the photos from the weekend.

Utah Department Marine of the Year Massey

Our own Rick Massey, became the 4th Marine of the Year for the Utah State Department, Marine Corps League, for his tireless and so very successful Toys for Tots accomplishments.  Here is Gunny Massey with MOTY 2009-2010 Bill Toole and MOTY 2008-2009 Ben Setter.  Congratulations, Gunny Massey!

Utah State Convention to be Held in Dixie

Department of Utah

Marine Corps League, Inc.

6th ANNUAL DEPARTMENT CONVENTION
St. George, Utah

June 4th - 5th, 2010

Best Western Abbey Inn

1129 S. Bluff Street
Location is off I-15, Exit 6
For Reservations call 1 888-222-3946
Info on Hotel:  http://www.bwabbeyinn.com/

Rates are: Single and Double $70.00 (plus tax)
(ask for the Marine Corps League Rate)

Upgraded Rooms/Suites at $89 (plus tax)

Friday 1900 - Devil Dog Growl

Saturday 0730 - Registration Opens

0800 Joint Memorial Service

0900 General Session

Guest Speaker: Patrick Curtis

1800 Awards Banquet

Guest Speaker: Honorable David Clark

Saturday predicted to be 102 degrees!

2010 Women's National Softball Tournament

Marines and families who attended the

Women's National Softball Tournament had a great time.

Not only did we enjoy the softball games, we were very proud of our

Utah Dixie MCL Color Guard's

premier performance posting the colors.

Thank you to Bryan Butas, Bill Toole,

Brian Bills and Larry Mineer

for making our Detachment very proud.

NJCAA National Softball Championship

NJCAA National Championship May 19th - 22nd at the Canyons Softball Complex. Tickets are $ 6.00 each, good for all four days or $ 3.00 for seniors and children under twelve years old. 16 best Division 1 Junior College women's fast pitch softball teams in the nation will compete for the 2010 National Championship. Contact Bill Feeney for tickets. Tickets must be purchased by April 16, 2010. Bring a friend and make it a great day. The Detachment will receive a contribution for every ticket sold.

Jim “Horse” Smith

You'll want to join us at our monthly Detachment meeting on February 13, 2010 to hear Jim "Horse" Smith speak.  Breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, St. George, UT.  Some of Jim's accomplishments:

• Enlisted in USMC on Nov 1st, 1939.
• Served with 5th Marines in Cuba --- became part of 1st MarDiv when it was formed.
• Assigned to First Marine Raider Battalion at Quantico in March of 1942.
• Fought in initial landing on Tulagi and Battle of The Ridge on Gualalcanal in August and September of 1942. Awarded two Silver Stars and Purple Heart.
• Served 27 years in government work.

As part of his inherent inclination to “keep on truckin’,” in October Horse competed as the oldest shooter in the 2009 World Championships for Trap/Skeet in San Antonio and won five medals.