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.

Junior Vice Commandant Tamara Wilson, Crater Lake Detachment #373, has been the driving force in the significant increase of new members in the Crater Lake Detachment over the past year and for her efforts, Wilson received the Recruiter of the Year Award at the MCL Department of Oregon Summer Convention.

Under Wilson’s dedicated and dynamic leadership, the Detachment has seen 20 new Regular Members. 16 new Associate Members and 3 new Life Members join the Detachment.  The Detachment now boasts an incredible 39 new members in just one year.

Wilson’s consistent professionalism and total dedication to the mission reflect great credit upon herself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Corps League.

Derral Hunt, Santiam Detachment #374, was presented a Distinguished Service Award at the MCL Department of Oregon Summer Convention.

Hunt served as the Department’s Web Sergeant for more than 8 years, where he demonstrated leadership and exceptional expertise. 

His work has made a profound and lasting impact to the Department and the Marine Corps League and is in keeping with the highest tradition of the United States Marine Corps.