THE EAGLE,GLOBE& ANCHOR

Official newsletter of the Department of NJ Marine Corps League

2012 Department of NJ Staff

Commandant Tony Modzelewski

Sr. Vice Commandant Rosemary Fleming

Jr. vice Commandant Harry Prince

Judge Advocate Don Mack

Chief of Staff Bill Wilson, PDC

Jr. Past Commandant Robert P. Fackina, PDC

Adjutant Rich Basile, PDC

Paymaster Bernie Scott

Sgt at Arms James Bastien

Chaplain Murray Sklar, HPDC

Quartermaster Don Blewitt

May/June 2012

“The EAGLE, GLOBE & ANCHOR” is publishedbi-monthly as a service to the members andfriends of the Department of NJ Marine CorpsLeague.

Inquiries may be addressed to:

Editor: Mark Paradis84 Brunswick AvenueLebanon, NJ 08833

908.236.8464

mparadis@markparadis.com

THE EDITOR OF “THE EAGLE, GLOBE & ANCHOR” WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE COMMENTS, ARTICLES AND

SUGGESTIONS FROM OUR READERS .

HONOR • COURAGE • COMMITMENT

DONATIONS WANTED

What: Marine Dress Blue Uniforms and/or their accessories, i.e., white belts, dress buckles, goldemblems, and white gloves, Marine Covers, shoes etc.

Who: Retired Marine Cpl Don Lucien is seeking help in locating Dress Blues/items for a fellow Marine in SCwho is slowly dying of cancer. Don has been doing this for several years now, helping families who request hisassistance and would now like some help in this endeavor. He is not asking for money, but would like to get theword out so he can build a supply of uniforms and accessories for the purpose of dressing our fellow Marineswho are preparing to meet our Supreme Commander. He has already dressed three of our fellow Marinesthanks to the SgtMajor’s organization, and is hopeful that he can find others who will help.

Please mail items to: Mario Monaco, 18 3rd Street, Passaic, NJ 07055 or emailmario@susanamonaco.com

MARINES IN NEED

STAND DOWN

WE NEED VOLUNTEERSSTANDDOWN 2012 WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 28TH.ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST A FORM FILLED OUT AND SENT IN BEFORE SEPTEMBER 11, 2012.

ALL DONATIONS ARE TO BE MADE OUT TO:STANDDOWNC/O JAMES MAHER11 THORN HILL ROADCHERRY HILL, NJ 08003

WE LOST A LARGE GRANT LAST YEAR AND MAY AGAIN THIS YEAR. FUNDS ARE GREATLY NEEDED. THANK YOU.

BOB SWAIN, PDCswain1775marine@comcast.net

Persian Gulf War Veteran SurveyThe New Jersey War Related Injury and Study Center (WRIISC) has created a survey designed to help us better understandthe problems and needs of Persian Gulf War Veterans. The survey asks for demographic information (age, sex, etc.), deploy-ment experience(s), physical and mental health problems, and treatments or wellness practices that PGW Veterans may ormay not be currently using. Although some of the items may seem to ask similar questions, we have tried to keep the surveyas brief as possible while also gathering the information we need to understand what services would be beneficial for PGWVeterans.

To complete the survey, please click on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WRIISC_PGWPlease encourage your Persian Gulf War Veteran members to consider completing the survey not only for themselves but fortheir comrades as well. Their participation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,Raymond L. ZawackiDeputy Commissioner for Veterans AffairsPhone 609-530-7045

VETERANS FYI

Exciting News! Help spread the word and help by voting

We all can join together to help Growler win a major grant for $231,600 by voting on-line every day between April 26-May 21.American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have selected Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum along with thirty-nine other historic New York City sites to participate in the 2012 Partners in Preservation (PiP) program!

This year, PiP has committed to awarding $3 Million in preservation grants to historic landmarks throughout New York City’s five bor-oughs. The four projects that receive the most on-line “popular votes” will have their grant requests fully funded. Intrepid Mu-seum will be competing to receive one of these top grants and needs your help!

Please follow the link below and VOTE once a day, every day to help Intrepid win the top grant dollars and the opportunity topreserve one of our premier exhibitions, the former USS Growler submarine.

www.PartnersinPreservation.com

We encourage you to share this via Facebook, Twitter & E-mail. Be sure to direct your family and friends to PartnersinPreser-vation.com and encourage them to VOTE forIntrepid Museum Growler Submarine once a day, every day!

WHERE WILL THE GROWLER GRANT DOLLARS GO?

An ongoing restoration project for Growler began in 2006. The team undertaking the work of preserving Growler has been fortunate thatthe vessel remains largely intact from her period of service. The new restoration project will restore Growler’s sail, the tower-like struc-ture found on the topside surface of submarines that houses the conning tower (command and communications center), the periscopeand radar, and communications masts. Years of leakage and exposure have severely corroded the sail’s steel, threatening the sail andspace beneath.

The new preservation initiative also includes the much-needed restoration of Growler’s Regulus I missile. Due to constant exposure, theRegulus missile’s wings are corroded. The project will repair the wings and the entire missile will be repainted.

The restoration project also allows for a complete restoration of boat’s galley, including damaged or missing equipment and linoleumfloor tiles. The project will introduce Melmac dishes, cookware and other items to evoke the compartments’ historic appearance andreplace missing details throughout, including dials, knobs, switches and other items. In addition, glazed hatches will be added to opennever-before-seen views. The restored interior spaces will be visible through newly opened hatches, particularly the food storage facility.The project will introduce historically accurate lighting schemes, too.

Launched in 2006, Partners in Preservation is a program in which American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for HistoricPreservation, seek to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of historic preservation in the United States and to preserveAmerica’s historic and cultural places.

­Beverly HeimbergVolunteer & Docent Program ManagerIntrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum646-381-5055

VOTE FOR THE GROWLER -

Our own Department of NJ bugler - Mark Paradis will be attending theanniversary ceremony on May 19, 2012 in honor of the 150th anniversary oftaps. He will also have the honor to perform taps in the most sacred ofmilitary cemeteries - Arlington. His wish is to play taps either at the eternalflame, the final resting place of President John F. Kennedy or at the MarineBarracks memorial.

TAPS 150 is a non-profit organization incorporated in January 2010 tocommemorate the 150th anniversary of the origin of Taps, our national buglecall.

The bugle call Taps has, for almost 150 years, held a special place in our American heritage. Originally conceived as areplacement signal to order lights out at the end of the day in the military, the call transformed into the funeral honorsaccorded all uniformed persons who have faithfully served our country. While still sounded every evening at militarybases to signal “Day is Done,” the notes of Taps have become part of our national conscience. In times of peace and warthe 24 notes of this familiar melody have been performed each day in virtually every part of our nation.

For more information - go to www.taps150.org

IN THE NEWS - Taps 150

We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPoint

WASHINGTON — Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the leader of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, was shown aPowerPoint slide in Kabul last summer that was meant to portray the complexity of American military strategy, but lookedmore like a bowl of spaghetti.

“When we understand that slide, we’ll have won the war,” General McChrystal dryly remarked, one of his advisers recalled,as the room erupted in laughter.

Personally….we ARE NOT LAUGHING!

The 209th West Hudson Detachment's Shooting Team invites you to compete with us in the 2012 Dept. of New Jersey'sshooting program. The program schedule runs from now until late fall, and culminates in the 17th annual Carlos Hathcocksniper match held at the Cherry Ridge Range in North Jersey on Oct. 28th.Participation is limited to Marine Corps League members, friends and family.Pistol competitions are held at the Union County Police Pistol Range in Summit NJ, and there are still 3 pistol competitionsleft in the year including the State Championships. Rifle season starts with the Garand Match on June 17th.For the complete list of events, courses of fire, and maps to the venues hit:www.whdmclmarksmen.info then follow the links to the schedule / map pages

Semper Fi,Gene Patzerteam captain

dates to add to your calendar:

4/22 Dept of NJ pistol qualification

5/6 Marine Corps League / Dept of NJ pistol / state championship

5/20 600 aggregate pistol match

6/17 Garand match

8/5 Rifle qualification match

9/16 4 position rifle match

10/28 Carlos Hathcock match

for further information please visit www.whdmclmarksmen.info and follow the links to the schedule and scores page mapsare also provided

SHOOTERS: GET INVOLVED

LAST MEN TO DIE - VIETNAM WARNo one wants to be the last man to die in a war, but in the Vietnam War that distinction belongs to LCPL Darwin L. Judge ofMarshalltown, IA and CPL Charles McMahon of Woburn, MA. On April 28, 1975 during Operation Frequent Wind, Option IVwas executed, the largest helicopter evacuation in history. In 19 hours, 81 helicopters would carry more than 1000 Ameri-cans and almost 600 Vietnamese to aircraft carriers offshore. On April 29, 1975, communist shells and rockets continued torain down on Tan Son Nhut airbase while American helicopters circled the base suppressing anti aircraft fire. LCLP Judgeand CPL McMahon, members of the American Embassy Security Guard, were killed early on the morning of April 29, 1975during a rocket attack. They were the last two servicemen to die as a result of enemy action. Their bodies were left behindand were later returned by the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Saigon.

Later that morning, Captain William C. Nystul of Coronado, CA and 1st Lt Michael J. Shea of El Paso, TX were killed whentheir CH46 helicopter crashed into the South China Sea near the carrier USS Hancock.

On April 30, 1975, the South Vietnam Government surrendered unconditionally.

LCPL Darwin L. Judge CPL Charles McMahon

Oldies Dance – Patriots Night

Sponsored by: Phillipsburg Area Veterans and theBernardine-May Legion Post #457, Phillipsburg, New Jersey

When: Saturday, May 26, 2012

Doors Open: 5:30 pm Dinner: 6:00 pm Live Music: 7-10 pm

Place: Palmer Fire Hall, 950 S. 27th St., Easton, Pa.

Food: Pork Barbeque, Ziti, Garden Salad

Music: Inch and the Echoes (50’s – 70’s) – Live Band

Cost: $22.00 per person

Includes: Food, Beer, Soda, Snacks, Live Music.

Cash Bar available.

**50/50 and raffle are additional

Deadline: May 13, 2012, limit-175 tickets, NO tickets sold at the door

Benefit: Warren and Northampton County HomelessVeterans & Bernardine-May Legion, Post 457

Payment: Checks Made Payable to: Phillipsburg AreaVeterans

For Tickets contact Bill Nixon, 908- 319-2800 or at the Bernardine-May

Legion, Post #457 Spaghetti Dinner, March 11, April 15

*All veterans in attendance will be recognized.

VRAP benefits available to unemployed veterans age 35 to 60

In an effort to reduce Veteran unemployment, the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 was passed andsigned into law last November. Included in this new law is the Veterans Retraining Assistance Pro-gram (VRAP) for unemployed 35 to 60 year old Veterans, which will begin on July 1, 2012 - we willbegin accepting applications on May 15, 2012.

VRAP offers 12 months of training assistance to 99,000 unemployed Veterans who are at least 35years old but no older than 60. Eligible participants will receive up to 12 months of training assistanceat the full-time payment rate under the Montgomery GI Bill–Active Duty program (currently $1,473per month). DOL will offer employment assistance to every Veteran who participates or applies to theVRAP program. You can learn more about VRAP at http://benefits.va.gov/vow/education.htm.

ALERT FROM WASHINGTON OFFICE: PHONY DFAS EMAILSBEWARE OF BOGUS EMAILS

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), which manages accounting and financial opera-tions in the Defense Department, has issued a warning about scam e-mails seeking personal informa-tion. The bogus messages appear to come from a DFAS employee with a dot mil address and havebeen sent to uniformed personnel, retirees, and civilian employees. “The emails indicate that individu-als who are receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may beable to obtain additional funds from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS),” says a notice on the DFASWeb site. “These emails are not issued by DFAS and will likely result in a financial loss if you complywith the suggestions in the email. “Bottom line — do not send your personal information or copies ofyour tax returns and 1099s to the individual listed in the email.” The DFAS warning says the e-mailclaims funds can be received from the IRS if the recipients send personal information, such as that ontax forms, “to a so-called retired Colonel at an address in Florida.” “Do NOT follow the suggestions inthe email because you will be providing a significant amount of your personal information to a com-plete stranger,” the notice continues, “which could result in a financial loss to you.”

Bills of InterestLegislators have introduced several bills of interest to the military and veterans community. MOAA supports the following bills:

S. 2241 (Sen. Murray, D-WA) would require the VA to provide beneficiaries easy-to-understand information about schools ap-proved for GI Bill use so students know in advance a school's record on such things as average student debt incurred, trans-ferability of credits earned, veteran enrollment, and job placement rates.

S. 2179 (Sen. Webb, D-VA) would require schools participating in VA and DoD educational assistance programs to meet thesame educational standards currently required for federal Pell Grants. It also would require schools with a minimum number ofstudent veterans to provide counseling and establish a complaint resolution process for them.

H.R. 3279 (Rep. Reyes, D-TX) would make family caregivers of certain veterans with a serious illness eligible for comprehendsive assistance and support services from the VA. Current law limits eligibility to caregivers of veterans with a serious "injury".

H.R. 3895 (Rep. Miller, R-FL) would protect VA health care programs from automatic cuts under "sequestration" legislation thatcould be triggered next January, if Congress fails to reach an agreement to reduce the national deficit.H.R. 4341 (Rep. Stivers, R-OH) would create a working group to better shape the policies and practices of TRICARE relating tomilitary children

COMMANDANTS CORNER

DEPARTMENT CHAPLAINS CORNERService Members report to their final duty station

There is not too much that I have except to again ask the Detachment Chaplains to be sure to include any “next of kin”and date of deceased so that I can send a timely condolence card to, and Devil Dog member and rank.Please also try to be current.. Late cards further distress the mourners

To date we have had fifty-one of our comrades deceased.Semper Fidelis, HPSC Murray Sklar

Two MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announcedthe identifications of remains belonging to a Korean War soldier and Vietnam Warairman. Identified are:

* Army Cpl. Henry F. Johnson, 20, of Conway, Ark. Johnson, of L Company, 3rdBattalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, was deployed in a defensive line that ran east-west across the center of North Korea when Chinese forces attacked on Nov. 25,1950. It was later learned he was taken captive but died in the spring of 1951 as aresult of malnutrition.

* Air Force Tech. Sgt. Allen J. Avery, 29, of Arlington, Mass. Forty years ago on April 6, 1972, six airmen were flying a combatsearch and rescue mission in their HH-53C Super Jolly Green Giant when it was hit by enemy ground fire and crashed inQuang Tri Province in South Vietnam.

Read more about their individual stories at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/.

“There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those whohave met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.” Unknown

DEPARTMENT JUDGE ADVOCATE CORNERBeing the Judge Advocate sucks! This statement by Dick Gore, the National Judge Advocate really caught our attention at theNorth East Division Conference. As he continued with his talk, I could relate to everything that he was saying. He was relatingto us how hard and involved the job is, but the rewards are great. The growing knowledge and understanding of the by-lawsare invaluable and stay with you as you advance through the chairs. My advice to all the Detachment Judge Advocates is todelve into the by-laws whenever a question arises, even if it seems an easy answer, your time will be well spent. I will alwaysbe available to help with any questions.

Semper Fi,Don MackJudge AdvocateDepartment of New Jersey

HELPING ONE OF OUR OWNMarines are in a league all their own—and we ALWAYS take care of our own.Semper Fi and an OORRAH to Marine Tim Daudelin, Commandant of the Saddle River Detachment andeveryone who assisted in honoring this Marine.

Read on -

FindingsOn 9 Apr 12, at 1000 hrs I arrived at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Montclair/Clifton NJ to investigate a problem re-ported by Ms Colleen Fay through National Headquarters web site, and subsequently to me through the chain of command.

PFC Kenneth J Brown USMC was a member of 23rd Marines. Killed in action Saipan 16 Apr 44The grave site is located in the Northeast Section, Tier 5, row 2 plot 1

I found as reported the government issued upright marked to be in great disrepair. The marker itself was found to becanted at 40 degree angle. The writing on the stone was very worn down and faded. A large tree that was planted next toPFC Brown’s post has grown around it and engulfed it to the point where some of the info on it are not readable, to includehis death date.

I spoke to a grounds keeper there PFC Charles Reed USMC, 1stMarDiv WWII. He stated that PFC’s fiancé had visited himregularly up until her death a few years ago. Although I have no clear picture of this I do not believe that his stone is fre-quented often.

Conclusion -It is my pleasure to report that the situation at Immaculate Conception Cemetery has been resolved!

1. Following the lead and information given to us by Ms Colleen Fay and with the subsequent investigation, and actionstaken by myself as covered in my previous memo, as well as subsequent phone calls and foot work the following eventstook place to bring to a close this project.

Mr. Robert Byrnes has pledged as Cemetery Manager to install a new foot stone in honor of PFC Brown free of charge.

Mr. Bob Roulus of Artistic Monuments has pledged to donate a stone and engrave it free of charge.

Records from NRC provided by Ms Fay have given us the proper info to create the stone.

The info has been forwarded to Artistic monuments and the stone is being made.

Mr. Byrnes stated it will be installed immediately when received. Estimated time is within a week to 2 weeks.

Please take the next few moments to meetPRIVATE FIRST CLASS KENNETH JOHN BROWN

PFC KENNETH JOHN BROWN USMCBRONZE STAR, PUC 2 AWARDS

COMPANY H, 2ND BN 8TH MARINES

KILLED IN ACTIONBATTLE OF SAIPAN

16 JUN 1944

As you are reading this, we are rapidly approaching our 84th State Convention in Woodbridge. Please get your banquetreservations in, because the cut off is May 28, 2012. No reservations can be made the night of the Banquet. If you havesome special needs, please let me know so I can try to accommodate those needs.

We will also try to honor requests for seating, but sometimes that is impossible.

Please get your room reservations in and send your checks to Bernie Scott. Rooms are $99.00 night and includebreakfast.

My thanks to the District Vice Commandants and Detachment Commandants for their input on my request for Delinquentmembers and programs you are using to get them back.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. I look forward to serving you in the future.

Harry PrinceJr Vice Commandantprincesnuffy@aol.comPhone 856-582-6668

JR. VICE COMMANDANT REPORT

Leatherneck Plates

DEPARTMENT OF NJ MCL LICENSE PLATE AUDIT 2012AS OF 4/9/2012 RESULT OF PLATE AUDIT19 LETTERS SENT OUT BY MVC13 PAID UP DUES3 SURREENDERED PLATES1 MOVED OUT OF STATE2 LETTERS STILL OUTPHONE CALLES TO COMMANDANT MODZELEWSKI 17 PAID DUESTOTAL DUES PAID AS A RESULT OF AUDIT 30

LAST PLATE ISSUED 4317AS OF 4/9/12- 25 PLATES HAVE BEEN ISSUED IN 2012.

Unfortunately, pursuant to New Jersey law, (N.J.S.A. 39:3-27.36 (e) “Special organization vehicle registration plates shall notbe provided to any commercially registered vehicle or any motorcycle.” Therefore, the MVC is not permitted to issue specialorganization registration plates for a motorcycle.

David KeeneDepartment of NJ MCLLicense Plate Chairmandkmcl1833@yahoo.com

DEPARTMENT LICENSE PLATE CHAIRMAN

New Jersey Pack MODD

I want to congratulate the Pack and all of the pounds in Jersey for the goodjob that they did getting their EIN’s in order. I was informed of this by ourNorth East Division Chief Devil Dog PDD Bill Reilly, good work.

All PUPS and Devil Dogs who will have a year in their degree and are planningto advance to the next level, needs to contact their Dog Robber and fill outtheir advancement form. If you have any illness or disability, you MUST putthat on your advancement form, and you must have a copy of youradvancement form with you when you check in for advancement. This protectsyou if your advancement form gets misplaced.

Pups, you will need to register at the State Convention in Woodbridge NJ at theHampton Inn on Route 9 first before you can register with the Dogs. TheDog House will open for registration on 14 June at 1430 to 1700 and 15 Junefrom 0800 to noon and then 1300 to 1600. The initiation will be from 1500 to1600, and then the Grand Growl of the Pack will be at 1600, where we willinstall our new Devil Dogs.

Advancement to Pedigree Devil Dog, you must fill out your advancement papers and have your Dog Robber makeyou a copy to take with you, and make sure that you have made your Reservations for Mobile Al. at theRenaissance Riverview Plaza 1 800 922-3298 or the Battle House Renaissance Hotel and Spa 1 866 316-5957.

You must register with National before you can register with Kennel. Registration begins on Sunday August 12thtime to be announced. All Devil Dogs who are advancing MUST be registered before 1700 Monday August 13th oryou will not be allowed to advance. You will need time to fill all of your obligations before you can advance onWednesday August 15th at 1300.

Last but not least, if any Pound is doing something that is noteworthy let me know so it can be passed around tothe other pounds i.e. a news letter, that way we can all benefit from each other.

Woof Woof PDD Charles D. Fields SR.New Jersey Pack LeaderCdfields49@verizon.net

PACK OF NJ MODD CORNER

Pack Leader PDD Charles Fields SR – (609) 705-0311Dog Robber PDD Robert Applebaum – (856) 697-7796

SR Vice Pack Leader PDD Dominique Shterban

Jr Vice Pack Leader PDD Tim Rohan

Smart Dog PDD Harry Prince

Mad Dog PDD Dewey Capriotti

Police Dog PDD David Keene

Watch Dog PDD John Zakian

Barking Dog PDD Daniel Bradley

Dog Trainer PDD Murry Sklar

Asst Watch Dog PDD James Bastein

Seeing Eye Dog PDD Rich Basile

The Pack Meets in Sept, Nov March, and May with the Grand Growl of the Pack being in June On Friday Night of the StateConvention. The Growl is always the 3rd Sunday of the Months Listed.

IN RETROSPECT - VIETNAM WAR

WASHINGTON -- Just before first light April 30, 35 years ago this week, a U.S. Marine CH-46 helicopter from HMM-165, callsign "Lady Ace 09," landed on the roof of the American Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam, to pick up Ambassador GrahamMartin. Moments later, a message -- classified "secret" by the National Security Agency -- was flashed to the Oval Officeinforming the president, "Lady Ace 09 has the ambassador and his immediate staff on board."

Over the next several hours, dozens more messages were trans-mitted to the commander in chief, detailing virtually in real timeherculean efforts to evacuate the remaining Americans from thecity as North Vietnamese army, or NVA, regulars closed in on ourlast diplomatic, military and intelligence missions in the Republicof Vietnam. The now-declassified Operation Frequent Wind inter-cepts in the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library read like a novel.

Nineteen minutes after the first transmission: "Lady Ace 09 re-ports feet wet. ... Lady Ace 13 reports outbound with 16 USA. ...Lady Ace 10 going in for landing." Two of the cables describe CStear gas that nearly blinded the pilots. A half-hour into theevacuation: "Lady Ace 14 is on the roof. He reports small-armsfire on the northeast corner of the building in a small clump oftrees at ground level. Lady Ace is loading at this time." Then,three minutes later: "Spectre reports numerous firefights allaround the building. Swift 33 inbound feet dry. Lady Ace 14 re-ports off with 21 pax." The abbreviation "pax" is military-speak forpassengers.

At 7:53 a.m., the final helicopter off the embassy roof -- a Marine CH-46 from HMM-164, call sign "Swift 22" -- brought outMaj. James Kean, the Marine Security Guard commander, and the last 10 of his Marines. Less than four hours later, NVAarmor and infantry captured the presidential palace in Saigon.

This week, Lady Ace 09, freshly painted in Vietnam-era markings, was commemorated at the Flying Leatherneck AviationMuseum, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in California. Among the pilots and aircrew who gathered for the celebrationwere those like retired Col. Gerald Berry, who saved the U.S. ambassador and helped rescue more than 7,100 Americansand our allies during the frantic hours of Operation Frequent Wind. There were even more attendees who were veterans ofthe current war in both Iraq and Afghanistan. But no matter where or when they fought, nearly all had a common refrain:"This war shouldn't end like Vietnam." It doesn't have to.

There are pundits in the so-called mainstream media waxing eloquent about parallels between Vietnam and Afghanistan,but those making the comparisons ignore some very inconvenient facts. Most importantly, the adversaries confronted inboth wars are radically dissimilar.

In Vietnam, U.S. troops and our allies faced nearly a quarter-million conscripted but well-trained, -disciplined and -equippedNVA regulars and upward of 100,000 highly organized Viet Cong insurgents from 1966 onward. Each year of the war, theNVA launched multiple major campaigns against U.S. and Republic of Vietnam forces in accord with orders issued by au-thorities in Hanoi. When the Viet Cong collapsed in the aftermath of the 1968 Tet offensive, the NVA -- supported by theSoviet Union, Communist China and the Warsaw Pact -- simply increased its numbers.

The Republic of Vietnam didn't succumb to an insurgency 35 years ago this week. It was invaded by the army of a hostileneighbor. None of that is happening in the shadows of the Hindu Kush -- yet.

Continued on next page -

U.S. Marines emerge from their muddy foxholes at sunrise after athird night of attacks by North Vietnamese troops on Sept. 21, 1966.

A Vietnam War LessonOliver North: USMC

CONTINUED:

The 10,000 to 25,000 Taliban currently operating in Afghanistan have cross-border "safe havens" in Pakistan and receive somemilitary training, equipment and logistics support from Pakistan and Iran. Taliban leaders once counted on financing from radi-cal Wahhabi Islamists and received support and direction from elements of the Pakistani intelligence service. Today the Talibanare a narco-insurgency, funded almost exclusively by opium. Their "warriors" and zealous "martyrs" claim Muslim purity, buttheir "military campaigns" are limited to planting improvised explosive devices, suicide bombings and murders. They aren'tabout to overwhelm Kabul -- or even a provincial capital.

That, of course, doesn't mean this war can't be lost, for there is one very important similarity between Vietnam and Afghani-stan -- a parallel promise of withdrawing American troops and assistance. In 1973, President Richard Nixon withdrew allAmerican troops except for a handful of advisers from the Republic of Vietnam. The following December, Congress cut off allmilitary aid to Vietnam. Four months later, U.S. Marines were making desperate sorties to the roof of our embassy in Saigon.

On this 35th anniversary of that event, President Barack Obama and his advisers would be wise to remember where the Viet-nam War was really lost. It wasn't in the paddies or triple-canopy mountains of Southeast Asia. Vietnam was lost in the corri-

IN RETROSPECT - VIETNAM WARA Vietnam War LessonOliver North: USMC

My 17 year old son Alan Joseph (AJ) Wilt) will be attending Marine Military Academy, Summer Camp,http://summer-camp-mma.com/About-the-Camp/ in Harlinquin, Texas for the entire month of July 2012. We are all veryexcited and proud. He is considering a future with The U.S. Marine Corps, and we thought this would be a great boost forhim to get a taste of what he will experience in the future!

He is the nephew of the late, Robert J. Slattery and the grandson of Alice C. Slattery, Gold Star Mother, who also resides inWhippany, NJ

We wish him all the luck in the world on his great adventure!

"Semper Fi"Nancy A. Grochowski, MCLA PresidentL/Cpl Robert J. Slattery Unit # 206Whippany, NJ 07981

FUTURE MARINE IN THE MAKING!

Doolittle Raiders’ 70th Anniversary Reunion events last week (17-19 Apr 2012)

The static display on Tuesday -- this line-up of 20 North American B-25“Mitchell” fast medium bombers, of various versions and paint schemes,gathered at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in observance ofthe Doolittle Tokyo Raid on Japan , 18 April 1942:

This nicely-painted B-25J carries the Doolittle Raiders’official badge

Patriotic nose art, polished aluminum and a sunny morningcombine for this warbird character study

The first B-25 is in the air and the wheels are coming up,for the formation join-up over Beavercreek and the flyovers at the Museum

For the story of the goblets, seehttp://www.doolittleraider.com/the_goblets.htm

Thanks to the “GemVac Vets” for sharing these photos.

HELPING OUT VETERANS

New JerseyDepartment of Military & Veterans Affairs

“Veterans Outreach Campaign”

MAY 21*, 2012BATTLESHIP “NEW JERSEY”

DMAVA MEDAL CEREMONY ONLY AT 11:00AMCeremony will be held on ship (front or “aft” area)

62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ, 08103 (Camden County)

YOU CAN LEAVE THE MILITARY -- BUT IT NEVER REALLY LEAVES YOU!

By Ken Burger, the Charleston Post and Courier: Thurs, March 4, 2010

Occasionally, I venture back to NAS, Meridian where I'm greeted by an imposing security guard who looks carefully at myidentification card, hands it back and says, "Have a good day, Sr. Chief." Every time I go back to any Navy Base it feelsgood to be called by my previous rank, but odd to be in civilian clothes, walking among the servicemen and servicewomengoing about their duties as I once did, many years ago.

The military is a comfort zone for anyone who has ever worn the uniform. It's a place where you know the rules and knowthey are enforced -- a place where everybody is busy, but not too busy to take care of business.

Because there exists behind the gates of every military facility an institutional understanding of respect, order, uniformity, ac-countability and dedication that becomes part of your marrow and never, ever leaves you.Personally, I miss the fact that you always knew where you stood in the military, and who you were dealing with. That's be-cause you could read somebody's uniform from 20 feet away and know the score.Service personnel wear their careers on their sleeves, so to speak. When you approach each other, you can read their nametag, examine their rank and, if they are in dress uniform, read their ribbons and know where they've served.I miss all those little things you take for granted when you're in the ranks, like breaking starch on a set of fatigues fresh fromthe laundry and standing in a perfectly straight line military formation that looks like a mirror as it stretches to the endless hori-zon.

I miss the sight of troops marching in the early morning mist, the sound of boot heels thumping in unison on the tarmac, thebark of drill instructors and the sing-song answers from the squads as they pass by in review.To romanticize military service is to be far removed from its eality, because it's very serious business -- especially in times ofwar.But I miss the salutes I'd throw at officers and the crisp returns as we criss-crossed with a "by your leave sir". I miss the smellof jet fuel hanging heavily on the night air and the sound of engines roaring down runways and disappearing into the clouds.The same goes for carrier duty. I even miss the hurry-up-and-wait mentality that enlisted men gripe about constantly, a mas-terful invention that bonded people more than they'll ever know or admit.I miss people taking off their hats when they enter a building, speaking directly and clearly to others and never showing disre-spect for rank, race, religion or gender.Mostly, I miss being a small cog in a machine so complex it constantly circumnavigates the Earth and so simple it feeds eve-ryone on time, three times a day, on the ground, in the air or at sea. Mostly, I don't know anyone who has served who regretsit, and doesn't feel a sense of pride when they pass through those gates and re-enter the world they left behind with theiryouth. I wish I could express my thoughts as well about something I loved and hated sometimes.

Face it - we all miss it............Whether you had one tour or a career, it shaped your life.

IN THE NEWS

Secretary thrashes religious liberty on Air Force bases

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Tell Congress: Investigate Air Force Secretary Michael Donley!

The Air Force and its Secretary, Michael B. Donley, have created the most hostile "anti-religious" environment in the his-tory of the United States military.

Under Donley, Air Force leaders have repeatedly caved to the demands of a small band of rebels who call themselves theMilitary Association of Atheists & Freethinkers (MAAF).

When MAAF speaks, the Air Force can't rid itself of anything religious fast enough.

April 2012 - The Air Force removes the word "Bible" from its list of items to be provided in Air Force-approved

lodging facilities. This will almost certainly result in the eventual removal of Bibles themselves from Air Base hotels orany hotel that does business with the Air Force.

February 2012 - The Air Force removes the word "God" from the logo of its Rapid Capabilities Office after re-

ceiving a threatening letter from MAAF.

November 2011 - The Air Force Academy drops "Operation Christmas Child" after a single complaint from an

atheist group. The Air Force apologized to the atheists and ordered chaplains to no longer use official mail to promotethe charity.

• August 2011 - The Air Force removes "Bible verses" from a military course taught to nuclear missile officers(the ones who push the launch button). Again, thanks to MAAF.Under Secretary Donley, the Air Force has become an easy target for atheists, because they know he and the Air Force willcave to their anti-religious, anti-Christian demands without a fight.

TAKE ACTIONThe Air Force has caved to every whim of anti-Christian zealots and Secretary Donley is content to allow every vestige ofreligious faith to be silenced.

Urge the Congressional Oversight Committee to investigate Secretary Michael Donley for endangering themorals, beliefs and long-standing traditions of faith by taking his orders from a small group of atheists.

Action Link: http://www.votervoice.net/groups/afa/advocacy/?issueid=28560

CALENDAR OF EVENTSEVENT DATE TIME PLACE

Danowski Detachment Installation May 14 8PM 3057 South Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ,United States, 07306

MODD Pack Growl & Dept. Staff Meeting May 20 10AM 338 Newman Springs Road, Red Bank, NJ,United States, 07701

Department of New Jersey Convention June 14-16 All Day Woodbridge, NJ, United States

WWII and all veterans round-table discussion June 30 1-4PM North County Library, Clinton, NJContact Sharon Apperson at (908)638-0373

Veterans of America Day (10th Anniversary) August 27 4PM Somerset Patriots Ballpark[see flyer in current issue]

Basilone Parade September 23 1PM Raritan, NJ

PUBLICITY - TIP OF THE MONTH

As a service to our Detachment and the Marine corps League at large, we present our PUBLICITY TIP OF THE MONTH.

If you haven’t created your own holiday or special day, month or week, then your missing out on the chance to generate tonsof print, broadcast and online publicity.

Special days have been promoted for quite some time. Days such as “Administrative Professionals Day”, “Be Kind to LawyersDay” and National Hug Your Kids Day” have all proven to be successful.

As Marines in the Marine Corps League we have “Rose Days” and “Toys for Tots”. What other days can we publicize and en-sure our good work (and name) gets the publicity it deserves. Maybe you could have a membership drive on the anniversaryof your Detachments founding? Maybe a special Chesty Puller or Dan Daley Day? The opportunities are limited only toyour imagination and creativity. Once you decide on your special day, be prepared to publicize it on your web site, facebookand in both radio and print media. Newspapers LOVE to publicize these types of events.

Maybe you want to go so far as getting your local community or school involved. Good luck and let us know if your day wassuccessful.

A Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to theUnited States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is an honor,and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact.

UNIFORM ITEMS

As a new member or returning member, it’s important to have the proper uniform and uniform items. While most if not allitems can be purchased from the National Marine Corps League Ships Store, the following are some alternatives.

Intapol -http://intapol.com/home.phpWhite S/S Shirt - $18.99White S/S Shirt w/ creases - $16.99White L/S Shirt - $18.99Black Trousers - $19.99

Pilot Shirts -http://www.pilot-shirts.org/pilots/pilot.htm

Red Jackets -http://www.menssuitseparates.com/

#7 on left hand side of web site. Order “Red” $119.00Online order – in comments box/special notes “10% discount for Marine Corps League Detachment 927”Or call Carl (203) 520-1161 (cell)

UNIFORM GUIDELINE OF THE MONTH

The basic uniform is the cover (that’s the thing you put on your head.)The color for detachments is red, department officers wear red and goldand national officers wear gold. Simple. If you get to be NationalCommandant, you wear white, but don’t worry about that for awhile.

Nothing is pinned on your cover but the EGA on the left side withembroidered MCL logo. On the right is a strip (or embroidered on) stating detachment name and office held. Ifyou’re a life member you get another strip. If you’re a Devil Dog, that patch goes on there, too, That’s it. Don’tyou dare pin anything else on there or we’ll laugh and giggle and point fingers at you. When you are wearing thecover you are in uniform. Everything else just makes you look better.