Another awesome Birthday Ball, Marines! So good to be back in the impressive SunRiver St. George Community Center Ballroom. We are in the process of putting together photos from the Ball. They will eventually all be seen in the right pane here on this site, two or three scrolls down, to "Birthday Ball Photos" 2025.
Attention Detachment 1270 Marine Corps League. We have posted a sign-up sheet for the Hurricane Mountain Bike Festival March 28-30. We need your help for this event. Please sign up and then close the document.
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white!
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know...
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts...
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "It’s really all right.
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night. "
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.”
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right. "
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son. "
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us. "
If you haven't committed to standing at the Walmart doors for Toys for Tots, we would appreciate you helping with the flag raising at Tonaquint cemetery on the 7th of December, Pearl Harbor Day.
Due to a conflict with the Wreaths Across America event on Saturday, December 14th, we need to cancel our Detachment meeting. We would really love to see as many Detachment members in their red shirts and covers present to represent our Marine Corps members on this date.
The St. George presentation of Wreaths Across America will start promptly at 10 am at the Tonaquint Cemetery. You should plan to arrive close to 9 am in order to secure a parking space. You are also invited to bring a folding chair if you are uncomfortable standing for about 30-45 minutes.
After the presentations, you are welcome to place wreaths on graves of military members buried at Tonaquint. After the Tonaquint remembrance, there will be a police escort to the St. George Cemetery where volunteers will place wreaths on the graves of our Veterans buried there. Flyer below with more information.
Due to the various activities this weekend around Veterans Day, we will not have a Saturday Detachment meeting.
Marine Corps Ball Friday night. (Nov. 8) We have over 70 raffle prizes and an amazing Weapon for our Silent Auction. Remember to bring cash or checks if you want to buy raffle tickets. Also, the no host bar will be selling alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
We will have Toys for Tots boxes in the lobby should you choose to donate a toy for Christmas cheer to the Washington County children in need.
Doors for the Ball open at 5 pm at the Dixie Convention Center. We look forward to seeing everyone who has confirmed their attendance.
I have purchased a cow on behalf of the Marine Corps League Detachment 1270 for display during the month of September for Swiss Days. Now I need y'all artistic types to decorate it. If you would like to present a design. draw it out and email it to me by next Friday, Aug 31. I will decide the winning design and the winner gets a prize. If you would like to help paint our cow, have supplies, spare paint, and time, please text me your availability and what you can supply.
ADDITIONALLY!!
Swiss Days Festivities Swiss Days – Santa Clara City (santaclarautah.gov) I have a call in with the Swiss Days Committee for the Detachment to have a booth for donations. If we could get enough volunteers to man the booth for the three days, it would be a great fundraising opportunity. I have made rubber grenades, and if I could get some volunteers to make some highly motivating cornholes to throw them in, I think we would have an ice breaker.
Unfortunately I will be out of town the last week of September, so I will also need someone to take the lead on this project. I look forward to everyone's enthusiasm!!
Jo
Community Service Award from DAR Goes to Billion Johnston. See article in link below:
Click Here: 2024 NATIONAL CONVENTION
MATHIS PARK, 1820 WEST MATHIS PARK PLACE (OFF DIXIE DRIVE & ACROSS FROM SUNBROOK), ST. GEORGE, 84770.
TIME: NOON TIL 4 PM
We need RSPVs so we know how much food to prepare. You can respond to Michelle G by email. Let her know what you plan to bring, if anything, but we'll have plenty of food, so please plan to attend and join us even if you don't bring anything.
The League will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and buns, condiments, paper plates, cups, plastic utensils and napkins. Bryan Butus is bringing brats too. Bring your own drink so we don't have to deal with huge coolers.
We will be meeting in the ramada to the right of the end of the parking lot. Bring your own chair or use the tables and bench seats available in the ramada.
The Washington County Fair will host its annual Military Appreciation Night April 16 at 6 p.m. at the Outdoor Arena of the Fairgrounds (5500 W 700 S Hurricane). This year’s event honors “Modern Warriors” — those who served post Vietnam. All are invited to attend.
“As a country, we owe it to these selfless men and women to support and honor them, recognizing the bravery and dedication that comes with choosing to serve in the armed forces,” said Fair Director Susi Lafaele. “Each year we set aside a spot in the Washington County Fair to acknowledge and recognize their service and sacrifice. We invite all military veterans who have served since 1975 to attend, including active-duty military members as well as their family members and citizens who want to show their appreciation.
This is the fifth consecutive year the Fair has hosted such an event, beginning in 2020 with our remaining World War II veterans.
Lt. Col. Coy Bryant, who retired in 2016 following more than 27 years of active duty will be the keynote speaker. Bryant served all over the globe during his career, including as Chief Executive Officer for the Homeland Response Force, and was Chief of Staff for 566 personnel in support of NATO Kosovo Forces.
Sponsored in part by the Daughters of the American Revolution Color Country Chapter, other participants in the event include: Washington County Commissioner Victor Iverson, who will read a proclamation; Ed Tracey President and CEO of the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, who will be the master of ceremonies and perform a musical number; David Cordero, Chairman of the Veterans Coalition of Southern Utah, who will deliver a speech highlighting the military’s all-volunteer force.
Inside the Grafton building, there will be a display honoring those who have served in our military. All veterans planning to attend are urged to sign up here, so they can receive a proclamation.
