NEWS & INFORMATION
Hotline
for the Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs of NJ 1-866-VETS-NJ4U
Counseling
hotline 1-866-838-7654
Check out 
January 5, 2010 - It is with my deepest sympathies that I must report the passing of one of our brothers, PDC Bill Siebel. I received a call this morning from the Michael Bermann law firm advising me that Bill passed away last night. Bill held many positions in the Marine Corps League on all levels: Detachment, Department and National. Most of all, the greatest position he held to all of us was that of "friend". He will be sadly missed.
Sincerely,
Robert P. Fackina, Jr.
Commandant, Department of New Jersey
Friends will be received at Hagen-Chamberlain Funeral Home, 225 Mountain Ave., Bound Brook, NJ (732) 356-0327. Wake services are Wed 01/06 from 7 to 9 PM, Thursday 01/07 from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 PM and 0845 Friday, 01/08, followed by a funeral liturgy at 0930 at St Joseph's in Bound Brook. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the U.S. Marines Youth Foundation, PO Box 3070, Merrifield, Va. 22116-3070.
The Marine Corps League Memorial Service will be at 2030 on Thursday during the evening viewing. Marines are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior.
October 1, 2009 -
Camp Lejeune Water Study Update
The Department of the Navy has funded two
independent research initiatives about Camp Lejeune's Historic Drinking
Water. The Marine Corps is currently compiling a database which will be
used to provide notification to persons potentially exposed to drinking
water containing tetrachloroethylene (PCE) or trichloroethylene (TCE) on
MCB Camp Lejeune, NC, 1987 and prior.
1. The National Research Council (NRC)
conducted a comprehensive review of scientific literature, scientific
evidence, and historical data regarding potential health risks related
to exposures at Camp Lejeune. The project, entitled “Contaminated
Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune,” was released 13 June 2009.
2. The CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substance
and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is conducting a health study to determine
if there is an association between in-utero exposure to the water and
certain adverse health effects.
These research findings are currently
scheduled for release in late 2009. For more information about the water
study and how to enroll in the health registry, please visit -
The Marine Corps encourages all those who lived or worked at Camp
Lejeune before 1987 to register to receive notifications regarding
Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water. Please notify family or
friends who were at Camp Lejeune during this period to also join the
Notification
Registry. Individuals registered with the official Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water
Registry will receive the public summary of the NRC committee’s
report through the United States Postal Service.
Additional information regarding potential health issues due to
exposure can be viewed at -
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/24/marines.breast.cancer/index.html
Effective with the closing of the 2009 National Convention the wearing of the ceremonial khaki shirt with dress blue trousers (modified blues) is no longer authorized and has been removed from the Uniform Code. The ceremonial uniform is white shirt, dress blue trousers, and red MCL cover. Associate members are not authorized to wear dress blue trousers with blood stripes.
Reminder: Transmittals are to be submitted to the Membership Chairman, PDC Phil Uecker, not the Department Paymaster.
Congratulations to all 2009 Award recipients -
Department Marine of the Year - Tony Modzelewski
Pack Devil Dog of the Year - Danny Savino
District Vice Commandant of the Year- Charles Beatty, Sr.
Detachment Commandant of the Year- John Foos
50 Year Membership Award Plaques - Charles Bish
- Charles Lontka, Jr.
Tillie Lane Award - Diana Avant
District Realignments as of 20 Sept 09 -
District 1 - Avenel, Central Jersey Leathernecks, Danowski, Gardner, Hlas, Road
District 2 - Gooney Birds, Lakeland, Passaic County, Saddle River
District 3 - Air, Land & Sea, Bayonne, West Hudson
District 4 - Basilone, Four Seasons, Middlesex County, Reynolds, Paige,
Jersey Shore Leathernecks
District 5 - Cape Atlantic, Dramis, Smith
District 6 - Sherman, Toms River, Dorn, South Jersey Marines
District 7 - Salem County, Semper Marine, Franklinville
District 8 - Burlington County, Trenton, Hunterdon County, Garden State
District 9 - Patterson, Slattery
District 10 - 1775, Giordano, Semper Fidelis
VA Secretary Expects Big Impact From Post-9/11 GI Bill By Donna
Miles
American
Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 6, 2009 - All systems are on track for this summer's
rollout of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill, which Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric
K. Shinseki said he expects to have as monumental an impact as the original
World War II-era GI Bill of Rights. Shinseki, who served as Army chief of
staff from 1999 to 2003, told American Forces Press Service he understands
the excitement over the new program that goes into effect Aug. 1.
The new GI
Bill will provide the most comprehensive educational benefits since the
original bill, officially called the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944,
was signed into law.
Many
veterans who served after Sept. 11, 2001, will be eligible for full tuition
and fees, a new monthly housing stipend and an annual stipend of up to
$1,000 for books and supplies. Reservists and National Guard members who
have been activated for more than 90 days since 9/11 will have access to the
same GI Bill benefits.
And for
the first time, those enrolled in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program will be able
to transfer unused educational benefits to spouses or children.
"It has
been a long time since we've had an education initiative that includes
tuition fees [and a] housing allowance, [and] takes care of all of the
requirements required to go to school," Shinseki said of the program. This
will enable veterans to focus on their studies, he said, without the
distractions of figuring out how to pay for them.
Shinseki
said he expects the Post-9/11 GI Bill to have as big an impact as the
original GI Bill. That law provided college education or vocational training
for millions of returning World War II veterans, loans so they could buy
homes or start businesses, and unemployment compensation while they looked
for jobs.
By the
time the original GI Bill ended in July 1956, 7.8 million World War II
veterans had taken advantage of the education and training programs it
funded, and another 2.4 million had signed up for VA-backed home loans.
"What that
bill did for the country was to change the course of our history and the
latter half of the 20th century," Shinseki said. "When those veterans went
back to their communities with their college degrees, they ended up being
our leaders in religion, education, business, government – you name it."
The
Post-9/11 version "has the opportunity to create in the 21st century the
same kind of impact for development, ... social change [and] leadership
across a lot of institutions," he said.
The
program will be administered and funded by VA, and represents a "huge
investment" by the United States in its veterans, Shinseki said.
This, he
said, sends a strong, unmistakable message.
"I think
young veterans who come back and participate in [in the Post 9/11 GI Bill]
will begin to understand how much they are valued [and] how much their
service is valued, just by the opportunity here," he said.
Defense
Secretary Robert M. Gates advocated expanding education benefits as a way to
recognize troops' service while supporting both recruiting and retention.
Gates first heard the transferability concept floated during a meeting with
a military spouses' group at Fort Hood, Texas, and pitched the idea to
then-President George W. Bush. Bush promoted the idea and ultimately signed
the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 into law on June 30.
A whopping
97 percent of servicemembers surveyed in August said they plan to take
advantage of the new benefits provided in the Post-11 GI Bill, said Bill
Carr, deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy.
"Enormous
interest has been expressed in the transferability provision and how it
would work, because so many in the force have families," Carr said. He noted
that half of the military force is married. By the time troops have served
six years of duty, about two-thirds have families.
To qualify
for transferability under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, servicemembers must have
served six years on active duty or in the Selected Reserve, and must commit
to another four years. But Carr said the rules could be tweaked soon to
allow mid- or late-career troops to qualify, even if they can't sign on for
another four years of duty due to service restrictions.
Overlooked Veterans BenefitThe
Special Pension for Veterans’ Aid and Attendance pays up to $1,644 a month,
$19,736 annually, toward assisted living, nursing homes or in-home care for
veterans 65 and older who served at least 90 days and one day during wartime
— stateside or overseas. Veterans and their spouses can receive up to
$23,396 annually and spouses of deceased veterans, $12,681.
Yet, an
estimated $22 billion a year goes unclaimed, said
Don Soard, a volunteer with Operation Veteran Aid in
Oklahoma City. In 2007, only 134,000 seniors nationwide received
the benefit, which was established in 1952.
"Literally
hundreds of thousands don’t even know about it,” Soard said. "Due to
incomplete information, many disqualify themselves on income or assets or
find the paperwork too burdensome.”
Streamlined processSoard helps families complete the necessary forms, so
that approval comes in four to six months. The process is streamlined for
vets who are blind or have memory issues and widows with medical needs, he
said. Most applicants qualify and payments are retroactive, Soard said. The
few who are denied on excessive liquid assets can seek financial advice to
qualify, he said.
Soard
started his volunteer mission two years ago, following the deaths of two
family members who served in WWII.
"If they’d
known about this benefit, they’d have a much better quality of life in later
years,” he said. "Without it, many vets are forced to go on
Medicaid.”
Oklahoma is one of nine states where the welfare
program doesn’t cover assisted living costs. Assisted living often can be an
alternative to a nursing home when 24-hour skilled care is not an absolute
need, said Willie Ferguson, executive
director of Legend at Rivendell in Oklahoma City.
"But if
someone just has Social Security and a small pension, it’s not enough to
live here,” Ferguson said.
According
to a 2008 MetLife survey, assisted
living in Oklahoma averages $2,346 a month, while nursing homes cost $153 a
day for a private room.
Of 73
Legend residents, nine receive the veterans’ special pension, including
Tom Bowen, 77, of Moore.
"Until I
toured this operation, I had no idea the benefit was available,” said Bowen,
a retired engineer technician from the Federal
Aviation Administration who served stateside during the Korean
Conflict.
Bowen
recently moved into the Legend facility following several mini strokes and a
diagnosis of short-term memory loss.
"It’s been
pretty hard trying to handle expenses on my own and being able to replace
savings,” said Marie Bowen, his wife of
57 years. Finding a nearby facility and learning about the special veterans’
pension has been a godsend, she said.
Board of Trustees, PNC’s and Department Commandants –During
a meeting of the National Board of Trustees at the Midwinter Conference -
There was
an open discussion with regards to the decision by Congress authorizing
Military Veterans to render a “hand salute” when not in uniform, and the
ALMAR from CMC which seemed to indicate a different interpretation. There
have been many questions from Marine Corps League members across the
country, asking for direction.
The Board
of Trustees issued this direction: “The basic Marine Corps League uniform
item is the Marine Corps League cover (fore-and-aft cap or p-cutter as it is
referred to). When a member of the Marine Corps League is outdoors and
wearing his/her MCL Cover, they are considered to be in uniform and should
render a hand salute as appropriate honors to the American Flag. When
indoors at a League function (other than a Banquet, Dinner, etc.) it is
appropriate to wear the MCL Cover. In that situation, it would also be
appropriate to render a “hand salute” when the American Flag passes by
(Colors are Presented). If you are uncovered indoors, “hand over the heart”
is the appropriate action.
The
decision as to whether to render a “hand salute” or “hand over the heart”
when NOT in authorized Marine Corps League uniform (Marine Corps League
Cover) is a matter of personal preference. In other words, whether you are
wearing “no cover”, a baseball cap, etc., if the MCL uniform IS NOT
involved, the decision is a “matter of individual personal preference”.
This
subject will be covered in the upcoming “Semper Fi”, however because there
have been so many questions regarding this issue, we are disseminating it
now to ensure that all of us are on the same page when the question arises.
Department BurialTeamIt is my
pleasure to announce that the Department of New Jersey, Marine Corps League
is devising the implementation of a Department Burial Team. If
plausible, this team would consists of members from throughout the
Department's membership and would be responsible for assisting with military
burials.
Currently, this task is handled by active duty and reserve Marines, but due
to obvious commitments elsewhere, it is not always possible for them to
fulfill this duty. So as to assist whenever the need becomes necessary, the
Department's Burial Team would render the duty for providing our deceased
brethren the military honors so rightfully earned and deserved.
The Burial Team would be comprised as follows:
Full
Team of 20 Marines consisting of 6 body bearers and 1 QIC; 7 Riflemen and 1
QIC;4
Color Guard (2 flag bearers and 2 riflemen), and 1 bugler.Partial
Team of 8 Marines consisting of 4 body bearers; 2 flagmen, bugler and 1 QIC.
Ideally, our aim is to establish a full team of 20 Marines, however, if
necessary, adequate ceremonies can be conducted by using a partial team of 8
Marines.
Members of the Burial Team would be gathered from all parts of the state,
and divided into "regions" for easier assignment to details. Practice would
most likely be held at the West Trenton Reserve Barracks where our State
Meetings are held, but other issues such as uniforms, etc. are yet to be
determined.
Gentlemen, this is an opportunity for us, as Marine Corps Leaguers, to
fulfill a primary objective of the League - to assist our Corps and fellow
Marines. Please discuss this topic with your respective Staffs and
membership. Questions, comments, concerns or complaints can be directed to
Perry Piwowarski, PC of the West Hudson Detachment #209, who can be reached
at (201) 955-1176.
Semper Fidelis,
Perry Piwowarski
Past Commandant
West Hudson Detachment #209
Honor and RespectThe Marine
Corps League Foundation suggests that your detachment consider making an
automatic donation (usually $ 25.00) to the foundation
you lose a member. They will then send a special certificate for
presentation or direct mailing to the family of the deceased member if an
address s provided. The certificate acknowledges a donation made in memory
of the deceased member. The certificate provides a lasting tribute and the
money goes to the League scholarship and youth programs.
Subject: TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFOREUNCLAS
111320Z APR 07
CMC
WASHINGTON DC(UC)
TO AL
ALMAR(UC
ALMAR
020/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ:
TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE//
1. TO
BE A MARINE IS TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS THE BEST OF OUR
NATION. IT IS TO ACCEPT A WAY OF LIFE THAT EMBODIES SELFLESS SERVICE - TO
DEFEND THOSE WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES, TO THRIVE IN THE HARDSHIP AND
SACRIFICE EXPECTED OF AN ELITE WARRIOR CLASS, TO MARCH TO THE SOUND OF THE
GUNS, AND TO ABLY SHOULDER THE HERITAGE CREATED BY THOSE WHO HAVE GONE
BEFORE US.
2. ONLY
A FEW AMERICANS CHOOSE THE DANGEROUS AND NECESSARY WORK OF FIGHTING OUR
NATIONS ENEMIES. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT CHOICE, SOME HAVE PAID THE
ULTIMATE PRICE, JOINING THE HONOR ROLL OF HEROES WHO BUILT THE NOBLE LEGACY
OF OUR CORPS. FOR THOSE OF US WHO CARRY ON THAT LEGACY, IT IS OUR OBLIGATION
TO HONOR THOSE FALLEN MARINES.
AS
MARINES GATHER IN CELEBRATION OF OUR HISTORY, WE GATHER IN THE SHADOWS OF
GREATNESS - THOUGH OUR FALLEN CAN NO LONGER PARTICIPATE IN OUR TRADITIONS,
THEY WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF US AND WHO WE ARE.
3.
THEREFORE, I AM DIRECTING THAT ALL UNIT MESS NIGHTS AND MARINE CORPS
BIRTHDAY BALL CELEBRATIONS INCLUDE WORTHY AND APPROPRIATE TRIBUTES TO OUR
FALLEN COMRADES. SUBSEQUENT CHANGES TO THE DRILL AND CEREMONIES MANUAL WILL
REFLECT THIS REQUIREMENT. THROUGH MEANINGFUL REMEMBRANCE, THE SACRIFICES OF
"THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE" WILL NOT BECOME DISTANT MEMORIES, BUT WILL LIVE
ALWAYS IN OUR WARRIOR CULTURE.
4.
SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS//
Support Sought For Bill, Which Proposes That "The
Dept. of the Navy" Be Changed to "The Dept. of the Navy and Marine Corps".Please
call your Congressmen House Switchboard: (202) 226-4101 and Senators
Senate Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 or their local offices
and ask them to pass bill H.R 346 to make the Dept. of the Navy, the
Dept. of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Drive for Stamp Honoring the Fallen at BeruitThe
families of US Marines killed in the first battle in the Global War on
Terror have been trying for over 20 years for the U.S. Postal Service to
issue a commerative stamp that recognizes the ultimate sacrifice that was
made by 241 American peacekeepers in October, 1983. Six of those killed as a
result of injuries sustained in Beirut, Lebanon were proud to call New
Jersey "Home" and were taken from us way too soon in life. Their names are
inscribed into the Beirut Memorial in Jacksonville, NC just outside the
gates of Camp Lejeune.
NAME
SERVICE RANK DEATH
STATE HOMETOWN
Burley,
William F. ........ USMC ... PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NJ
.. Linden, NJ
Cox,
Manuel A. ............ USMC ... SGT .... 12/04/1983 ..
NJ .. Union City, NJ
Dramis,
George L........... USMC . .. LCPL .. 01/30/1984 . NJ ..
Cape May Court House
Estler,
Sean F. ........... USMC . . . PFC .... 10/23/1983 .. NJ
.. Kendall Park, NJ
Innocenzi,
Paul G. III .... USMC . . WO1 . 10/23/1983 . NJ ..
Trenton, NJ
Langon,
James J. IV ....... USMC ... LCPL ... 10/23/1983 . NJ ..
Lakehurst, NJ
During the
past 20 years, the USPS and it's Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee have
given a number of reasons why they will not issue a stamp for that infamous
day. But perhaps none of them stings more harshly than this one - "Beirut
did not mean that much to American History and not enough people were
killed."
Over the
years, stamps have been unveiled and issued both in series and individually
for many of this nation’s politicians, cartoon characters, actors, insects,
birds, racehorses, rockstars, Santa Claus, composers, flowers, etc….. the
list is endless. For reference, last year’s commemorative stamps can be
viewed at -
http://www.usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2005/sr05_054.htm
. If the USPS and CSAC feel that these stamps and numerous more are worthy
of casting a stamp die to commemorate their moment of fame, they need to be
aware of the consensus of the families, citizens and comrades of the fallen
heroes which is to do the right thing - unveil and issue a postage stamp to
honor the peacekeeping mission in Beirut, Lebanon 1982-1984.
The
objective is to have this stamp commissioned on/before the 25th Anniversary
of October 23, 2008. In order to accomplish this mission, we must bring
tremendous pressure to bear, NOW, on those responsible for determining which
stamps get approved. Your postcards will help.
As not all
of the New Jersey Detachments have websites or eMail addresses, I am
starting out by first sending this notice to those that do. The rest I will
pursue via snail mail. Please review the attached information and share it
with any fellow Marines who can assist us in this endeavor.
Semper Fi,
Joe
Heintjes, Corporal
USMC 1981
- 1985
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE POLICY ON POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL,
STATE, AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS As we are
about to conclude the mid-term elections of 2006, it has been brought to my
attention, on more than one occasion I’m sad to say, that apparently members
of the Marine Corps League have appeared with candidates in TV and newspaper
advertisements and photos that gives the appearance these Leaguers are
offering an endorsement by the Marine Corps League for their candidacy.
The
following is the Marine Corps League’s POLICY on the aforementioned
subject taken from the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures,
Chapter One, Section 110:
SECTION
110 – POLICY
(b) The
Marine Corps League shall never take part in any labor or management dispute
or issue, and it shall be ever non-sectarian, non-political, and
non-partisan; nor shall it be based on the grounds of race, color, creed,
nationality, or sex; nor shall it be used as a medium of political ambition
or preferment; nor shall former or present military rank or former or
present civilian position be used as the basis for special consideration or
preferment.
The Marine
Corps League wants and strongly encourages ALL its members and family
to exercise their Constitutional duty to vote. With that said, our
membership can not give the impression that the League supports ANY
one candidate or political party. That said, wearing a Marine Corps League
cover or any part of the Marine Corps League uniform to a political function
would violate our National Bylaws.
I enjoin
you, as the leadership of the Marine Corps League, to ensure all those
members under your charge review the Marine Corps League’s Policy as
outlined above and ensure it is adhered to. Thank you for taking the time to
read this memorandum. The League needs your total support on this issue.
Give my personal best wishes to everyone as we prepare to celebrate our 231st
Birthday. God Bless America.
JACK RYAN
National
Commandant
New Rules For MCL MedalAt the
National Convention t was decided to award the MCL Membership medal to all
members of the Marine Corps League as of their joining date. Prior to this
a member had to have belonged for 5 years to be eligibile for this medal.
| Drivers Needed VA Medical Facilities |
|
|
The
Disabled American Veterans, Dept. of NJ are committed to purchase three (3)
vans for East Orange and Lyons Hospital for the year 2009. They need
drivers. if you are interested please call the DAV, State Dept. headquarters
at 609-396-2885.
Membership FeesRegular
and Associate Membership dues are set by each detachment.
LIFE
Membership Fees -You must already be a "Member in Good Standing". That means
becoming a member and paying your initial dues first. Yes, according to the
Bylaws, you could join the League, pay your dues and then pay your Life
Membership Dues all in the same day.
Age Fee
-35 $ 500.00
36-50 $ 400.00
51-60 $ 300.00
61- $ 150.00
Tax Exempt AdvisoryClick on
the following link to download a copy of the Tax Advsiory Issued by the US
Government clarifying the Tax Status of the Marine Corps League and its
detachments
ADVISORY
Rules for Bethesda VisitsThe Marine
Corps League, Marines Helping Marines Program, will be limited to one
visit per week, and that will be Wednesday at 1300. We will be further
limited to 3 visitors on the floor at any given time. We may be able to
rotate different visitors up to the 5th floor, but that has not been worked
out yet.
We will
also be required to glove and gown up prior to entering the rooms, each and
every room.
If you
plan on visiting send me or Tony Begenwald ,
CAROLETONYBEG@aol.com, an e-mail the Sunday prior to the Wednesday
you wish to visit.
Please
forward this to any interested Marine Corps League member.
Note:
We have about 30 wounded Marines at Walter Reed Hospital, as out patients,
that can be seen on a regular basis. Let me know if you would like to visit
there, so far the visiting is not too restrictive at Walter Reed, and those
Marines are able to go to dinner and other outings. They have a real need
for visitors and mentors.
Semper Fi,
Lou Stavely, Chaplain, Dept of Maryland, 301-785-3524
MARINES HELPING WOUNDED MARINESThe Gooney
Bird Detachment is running a Marines Helping Wounded Marines Program.
Donate the following or Checks (Make Payable to "Gooney Bird Detachment" )
PO Box 1775 New Milford, NJ 07646. All donations will be sent to wounded
Marines at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
Items
needed:Phone Cards
Electric
Razors Batteries (AA &
AAA)
DVD Movies
(18-28 Age Group) Electronic Games
Music CDs
(18-28 Age Group) Board Games
Movie
Vouchers Bottled
Gatorade
Frequent
Flyer Tickets Personal DVD Players
Tickets to
Athletic Games Personal CD Players
Easy
On-OFF Apparel White Socks
Miniture
USA and Marine Corps Flags Tee Shirts
Hotel
Vouchers Athletic
Shorts
Food
Vouchers for eateries in the Bethesda area
Need A
Live Bugler For A Veteran's Funeral?
Contact
Bugles Across America or Mark
Paradis
DMV
Instructions
Click this
link for instructions on how to fill out license plate
request
REPORTS Click appropriate 
or 
Click appropriate
or  |
Report Of National Convention
|
|
Strength Report 06/17/2009
|
 |
Veterans Benefits Newsletter
|
 |
VA Press Releases
|
|
NJ Dept of Veterans Affairs Highlights
|
 |
Latest on Marine Corps Museum
|
|
Federal Benefits for Vets
Downloadable 2005 Pub
|
|
