Commandant’s Corner

L E W I S G

W A T K I N S

D E T A C H M E N T Tip of the Spear J U N E 2 0 1 9 V O L U M E V I I I S S U E 6

D ET A C H M EN T

O F F I C ERS

Commandant

Robert Walker (864) 884-3532

Sr. Vice-Commandant

Morris Carver(864) 882-2277

Jr. Vice-Commandant

Josh Herring (864) 710-2539

Judge Advocate

Bill Thompson

(678) 296-6131

Past Commandant

Michelle Stephens (864) 916-4054

Paymaster

David Wessinger (864) 882-5538

Adjutant Del Williams

(864) 903-2160

Chaplain

Del Williams (864) 903-2160

Sergeant-at-Arms

Wayne Smith (864) 710-2506

Historian

Josh Herring (864) 710-2539

Editor

Susan Barefoot (864) 643-6378

As Memorial Day has come and gone, we approach celebrating our Independence Day (July 4th).

These two days are very important holidays. We must not forget the true meaning of these two patriotic days. We must remember and be thankful for the men and women who made the ultimate suffice for their country and families.

I recently attended the fiftieth-year

reunion of my squadron VMA-225

(Vikings) in Vietnam. We had a

Memorial Service to honor those

who had lost their lives there and

reminding us of how grateful we

should remain as those who got to

come home. Many of us lost

friends and loved ones in Vietnam,

so on July the Fourth. please dis-

play the American Flag to show

your love for this great country we

live in.

New Detachment Bylaws

At the National Conference in Au-

gust 2018, the Marine Corps

League adopted a complete new set

of National Bylaws. This action

had a far reaching effect. Every De-

tachment and Department was re-

quired to review and change their

bylaws to conform to the new MCL

National Bylaws. Lewis G. Watkins

Detachment was no exception. Our

local detachment bylaws were re-

written and made compliant with

the National Bylaws.

The proposed new Detachment By-

laws were mailed on April 19, 2019

to each member, who did not re-

ceive a copy at the April 16, 2019

Detachment meeting. It is essential

that the temporary detachment

Judge Advocate Bill Thomson re-

ceive your input on the proposed

new Bylaws by June 1, 2019. If you

have suggestions for changes, addi-

tions or deletions please call him at

(678) 296-6131 or email him at

bthompson55@charter.net. If you

approve of the Bylaws as written

please let Bill know that also.

We will be voting on the proposed

new Bylaws during the June 18,

2019 Detachment Business meet-

ing. Bill Thompson make sure our

Bylaws conform to the MCL Nation-

al Bylaws. We must now review his

work and make our decision on

whether or not we approve them.

We cannot make that decision with-

out first reading and making sure

we understand the Bylaws.

Detachment Awards Ceremony

At the May 21, 2019 Detachment meeting,

Commandant Michelle Stephens presented

several awards to members of the detachment

that had been approved by the Awards Com-

mittee.

Susan Barefoot was presented with a Certifi-

cate of Appreciation for her faithful duties as

the Detachment Adjutant and Editor of the

Detachment Facebook page.

Carol Rock was awarded a Certificate of Ap-

preciation for her work with the "Toy Store"

during the 2018 Toys for Tots Campaign. Car-

ol was not present so no photo is available.

Carol will be presented the award upon her

return from vacation.

Leonard Rock was awarded a Meritorious Ser-

vice Award for his faithful duties as the "Toy

Store" Manager during the 2018 Toys for Tots

Campaign. He will be presented with the

award upon his and Carol's return from vaca-

tion.

Bill Thompson was presented with a Distin-

guished Service Award for his diligent work as

the Detachment Judge Advocate from May

2018 until May 2019 and his complete revi-

sion of the Detachment Bylaws. He was rec-

ognized also for his meritorious service as the

"Collections Coordinator" during the 2018

Toys for Tots Campaign. He managed the

distribution of 174 collection boxes and the

collection of 3,887 toys during that cam-

paign.

Last but not lest was the presentation of the

Marine of The Year Award to Skip Wakeman.

Traditionally the previous Marine of The Year

presents the award to the current year's win-

ner. Commandant Michelle made the presen-

tation, because she was last year's winner of

the Marine of the Year Award.

Skip received the Marine of the Year medal-

lion and ribbon but did not receive the Ma-

rine of the Year plaque, because there was not

sufficient time for the plaque to be completed

by Ralph's Trophy Shop due to the short time

between the Marine of the Year vote and the

presentation of the award. When the plaque

is completed, Skip will be given the Marine of

the Year plaque.

We congratulate all the winners of the

awards. They worked hard and faithfully

served the Lewis G. Watkins Detachment dur-

ing 2018.

Page 2

Tip of The Spear

Installation of Officers

The Lewis G. Watkins Detachment installed

new officers during the May 21, 2019 Business

Meeting.

The new officers elected during the April 2019

meeting were:

Commandant: Robert Walker

Senior Vice Commandant: Morris Carver

Junior Vice Commandant: Josh Herring

Judge Advocate: Charley Butts

The Installing Officer, Past Commandant Del

Williams, swore in the new Commandant Bob

Walker and new Senior Vice Commandant

Morris Carver. Also sworn in were appointed

officers Paymaster David Wessinger, Sergeant-

at-Arms Wayne Smith and Marine 4 Life Of-

ficer Skip Wakeman.

The elected Junior Vice Commandant Josh

Herring was not present due to illness and

elected Judge Advocate Charley Butts was not

able to attend.

After the Installation of Officers Ceremony

was over, Commandant Robert Walker then

performed his first official act as Comman-

dant, he administered the oath of office to the

new Detachment Adjutant, Del Williams.

Del Williams will also serve as the Detach-

ment Chaplain.

Bill Thompson was temporary appointed to

serve as Judge Advocate until the June 16

2019 Detachment Business Meeting.

Special Election

Lewis G. Watkins Detachment #1131 will

have a Special Election for a Detachment

Judge Advocate on June 16, 2019.

This Special Election is necessary to elect a

new Judge Advocate due to Charley Butts not

accepting the position.

We need all the members, who are able, to

attend this meeting. It is very important that

we select a new Judge Advocate. Section

306 of the detachment bylaws state: “When

a vacancy occurs in an elected office for any

reason the Board of Trustees shall hold a

special election to fill said vacancy for the re-

maining term of office at the next regularly

scheduled meeting of the membership.”

Nominations for a new Judge Advocate will

be taken from the floor. If you are interested

in this position make sure you are at the

June Meeting.

Page 3 Volume VII Issue 6

Page 4

Tip of the Spear

JROTC Awards

During West Oak High School’s JROTC

Award ceremony, May 15, 2019, Senior Vice-

Commandant Skip Wakeman presented the

Department of South Carolina Outstanding

Leadership award to JROTC Cadet Christo-

pher Loewe, West Oak High School.

Lewis G. Watkins Detachment #1131 presents

this award to one JROTC Cadet each year, at

each of the three High School's JROTC unit in

Oconee County.

Senior Vice-Commandant Wakeman also pre-

sented the Detachment's Tots for Tots Travel-

ing trophy the West Oak High School JROTC

unit for the fifth time.

Memorial Day Ceremony

On Monday May 27, 2019 the Oconee County

Veterans Council held a Memorial Day Cere-

mony at the Walhalla Performing Arts Centers

Center to honor the 215 Oconee County resi-

dents who died in service to our Country.

All thirteen Oconee County Veteran’s Service

Organizations participated in the ceremony.

Guest Speaker for the event was Senator Lind-

sey Graham.

Detachment #1131 members took advantage

of the situation and had a picture taken with

Senator Graham.

Detachment Family Breakfast

We need a count of how many members will

attend the Detachment Family Breakfast on

Saturday, June 22, 2019. Sam Dienner has

told us, if we give him a count on Friday of

who will be as the Family Breakfast he will in-

sure our area is properly set up.

The Detachment Family Breakfast will be on

Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Dienner’s Kitchen,

Hwy 1123 by-pass, Seneca at 0800 (8:00 a.m.)

Please call Del Williams at (864) 903-2160 or

email him at salemcop@yahoo.com before

Friday, June 21, 2019 if you will be attending

the Family Breakfast and how many will be in

you party

Volume VII Page 5

Hello Everyone,

Unit members enjoyed the May joint meeting of the Detachment and our Unit. The dinner was delicious and we appreciate being invited. We performed both our initiation ceremony for our newest member Nancy Walker, and our installation ceremony for our 2019-2020 officers.

Our Memorial Day project has been complet-ed. Over 45 USMC and USA flags (12”x18”) were posted to honor the memory of deceased Marines. We travelled to 24 cemeteries throughout the county. The flags were picked up this week. All unit members participate in this project.

A request has gone out to our members to re-new their annual National MCLA dues and Lewis G. Watkins Unit dues. All payments are sent to treasurer Nancy Melton. The trans-mittal will be sent to National Headquarters as soon as this is done. Our IRS 990 is up to date as well. Ours falls under the umbrella of the National MCL.

Jane is representing us at the S. C. state con-vention in Charleston this month. She prom-ises to try hard to convince the females there to start up MCLA units. Joyce will travel to Billings, MT with Charlie to the MCL/MCLA National Convention in August. Joyce will be a Past National VP and next year’s Madam Big Flea and Charlie will be a Lewis G. Watkins Detachment delegate. Conferences and con-ventions are a great way to make new friends, renew friendships and to learn news within the MCL/MCLA community.

Unit members are looking forward to touch-ing base with everyone here at home at the annual family picnic. Please let us know how we can help.

Until then…Semper Fi

Submitted by: Joyce Brickett

Marine Corps History

2 June 1918: At dawn on this date, the crack German 28th Division attacked along the axis of the Paris-Metz road hitting the American 2d Division, including the 4th Marine Brigade. The Marines opened with deadly rifle fire and helped hand the German troops a setback which set the stage for Marine victory at Bel-leau Wood which would soon follow, although at great cost.

15 June 1944: Preceded by naval gunfire and carrier air strikes, the V Amphibious Corps assaulted the west coast of Saipan, Marianas Islands. By nightfall, the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions, moving against heavy opposition, had established a beachhead 10,000 yards wide and 1,500 yards deep.

20 June 1993: The 24th Marine Expedition-ary Unit returned to Mogadishu, Somalia, to stand ready to assist United Nations forces in maintaining peace in the war-torn country. Earlier that month, the 24th MEU had been ordered to cut short Exercise Eager Mace 93-2 in Kuwait to respond to possible contingency operations in Somalia.

25 June 1966: In Vietnam, Operation Jay began about 30 kilometers northwest of Hue, and lasted nine days. The 2d Battalion, 4th Marines landed north of the North Vietnam-ese 812th Main Force Battalion, and the 2d Battalion, 1st Marines landed south of the en-emy's position. Caught in between the two Marine units, the enemy suffered over 80 dead in nine days of fighting.

26 June 1918: BGen James G. Harbord, the Commanding General of the 4th Marine Bri-gade, notified American Expeditionary Force Headquarters that Belleau Wood was "now U.S. Marine Corps entirely." After 20 days of combat, and at a cost of over 4,000 casualties, the 4th Brigade of Marines had proven its fighting heart. The grateful Commander of the French Sixth Army would soon decree that in all official correspondence, Belleau Wood would henceforth bear the name, "Bois de la Brigade de Marine."

Lewis G. Watkins

Auxiliary Unit

Marine Corps League

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Date & Time Event/Activity Location Coordinator Uniform

Tuesday, June 12

0800

Trustee’s Meeting American Legion Hut 575 S. Fairplay Street, Seneca, SC

Bob Walker None

Tuesday, June 18

1830

Detachment Meeting American Legion Hut 575 S. Fairplay Street, Seneca, SC

Bob Walker Basis

Saturday, June 22

0800

Family Breakfast Dienner’s Kitchen 123 By-pass, Seneca, SC

Bob Walker None

Tuesday, July 2

0800

Trustee’s Meeting American Legion Hut 575 S. Fairplay Street, Seneca, SC

Bob Walker None

Tuesday, July 16

1830

Detachment Meeting American Legion Hut 575 S. Fairplay Street, Seneca, SC

Bob Walker Basis

Saturday, July 27

0800

Family Breakfast Dienner’s Kitchen 123 By-pass, Seneca, SC

Bob Walker None