The Central Oregon Detachment #1308 (Bend) will host the Convention. More information will be shared as it becomes available. Thanks to Commandant Respass and the members for stepping up to host the Convention.

10 November 2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

https://www.cmc.marines.mil/Birthday/

             For 248 years, Marines have earned a reputation as the most disciplined and lethal warfighters in the world. This legacy of honor, courage, and commitment passed on to us was paid for in sweat, blood, and sacrifice. From Belleau Wood to Inchon and Tarawa to Sangin, Marines have stepped forward to defend our Constitution when others either could not or would not. Our history is filled with heroes like Chief Warrant Officer 4 Hershel “Woody” Williams, Private First Class Hector Cafferata Jr., Sergeant Major Dan Daly, and thousands of others who performed acts of bravery which went unseen in the heat of battle. We stand on the shoulders of these Marines, and we owe it to them to earn our title “Marine” each and every day.

             Marines have given, and have been willing to give, their lives for Country and Corps in every fight our Nation has entered. Our actions turned back the tide of tyranny in Europe during the Great War, defeated fascism in Asia during World War II, fought for democracy in Korea and Vietnam, and offered the hope of self-determination in the Middle East. We go to war whenever our Nation calls, and in the interwar periods we train, we prepare, and we innovate. We have chosen a life of service and sacrifice — an honorable life that has meaning. We sacrifice so our fellow citizens don’t have to, and we seek nothing in return but a chance to be first to fight. Most will never understand why we choose to attack when others do not, why we revel in being covered in mud, why we snap to attention when “The Marines’ Hymn” is played, or why we say, “Ooh Rah.” We understand it, and this message is for us, for the Marines.

             As Marines, we live on a war footing because someone must. This means that we ruthlessly adhere to our standards of excellence — Marine standards — as we know this will best prepare us for the wars of the future. Our high standards are a prerequisite of professional warfighting, and how we keep our honor clean in the cauldron of combat. They prepare us for the most difficult mission there is: fighting from and returning to the sea. Most importantly they shape our unique Marine culture which is respected at home and across the globe.

             Sergeant Major Ruiz and I are proud of all that you have done this past year to protect and enhance our reputation as America’s best warriors. We hope you know that we will be with you every step of the way as we prepare for the fights ahead. We ask that every Marine – active, reserve, and veteran – honor the legacy of those who went before us by continuing to uphold our high standards.

             Protect your fellow Marines and our shared legacy. Happy Birthday Marines!

The USS Oregon Detachment recently hosted Nancy Menagh from the Woody Williams Foundation to learn more about Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.

Initially the Foundation’s goal was to establish a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Woody’s home state of West Virginia. Once that monument was complete, a new mission became clear to Woody and those at the Woody Williams Foundation to establish these monuments in as many communities as possible in all 50 states and U.S. territories. Today, Oregon is the only state without a memorial.

Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments are a two-sided tribute made of black granite. One side bears the words: Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom.

The other side tells a story through the four granite panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot, and Sacrifice. At the center of this tribute, is a silhouette of a saluting service member which represents the Legacy of the Loved Ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom. Together, these features tell each community’s unique story based upon the Pillars of the Foundation.

Hershel Woody Williams — the last living WWII Medal of Honor recipient — passed away in 2022 at age 99.  Woody received his MOH for actions at Iwo Jima and devoted his life to building Gold Star Families Memorial across the United States. To date, Woody’s foundation is responsible for establishing 130 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments across the United States with more than 64 additional monuments underway in 50 states and 1 U.S. Territory. The Foundation continues to grow its reach by being involved in multiple initiatives across the country.

Nancy along with American Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Wives of America, and Blue Star Mothers have joined together to build Oregon’s first Woody Williams Foundation Gold Star Families Memorial. The Memorial will be placed at Willamette National Cemetary once the group raises the final $10,000; they have raised $60,000 to date.  You can learn more about or donate money to the Foundation at Woody Williams Foundation.

The Department of Oregon was recently awarded a Second Place Plaque and Citation for exceeding our previous year’s membership by 114.38 percent.  The award was presented at the recent Marine Corps League National Convention.  As Department Commandant Benjamin Quen noted, “this award could not have been achieved without the efforts of each of the state’s Detachments. So, congratulations to all Oregon MCL Detachments.

Quen further noted that this second-place award helped the NW Division achieve a second-place award as well.

William “Bulldog” Sump, George C. Leber Detachment #1481, has been the driving force behind many Detachment and community events in Lincoln City and has been named the Department of Oregon’s Distinguished Citizen at the Department’s Summer Convention.

Sump efforts range from MCL National programs to Flags of Honor, to Outreach and other activities that benefit the community. Sump was also instrumental in standing up a new Devil Dog Pound in Lincoln City.

Sump’s leadership and outstanding contributions reflect favorably on and bring credit to the Marine Corps League, the Department and the United States of America.