Commandant Allen Simonowitch Takes Command

3rd Annual Small Arms Shoot

On Saturday, 6/9/07, DownEast Detachment 1186 held its third annual “U.S. Marine Corps Smalls Arms Shoot” at the Pitt County Wildlife Club (PCWC).

There were forty-one registered shooters of which thirteen were PCWC members, five were Detachment members and twenty-three were guests. Almost all were former Marines.

Firearms shot included the 1903 Springfield, M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M1A (M14), AR15, Thompson Sub Machine Gun, M2 Carbine, M16 full auto, Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), M1911 Colt Pistols and others.

Plaques were awarded to top shooters as follows:
Top Pistol Shooter: Brent Davis (PCWC member)
Top Rifle Shooter: Michael Fredette (Detachment member)
Top Machine Gun Shooter: Tim Cole (former USMC)
Top Shooter: Mark Harrington (former USMC and PCWC member)

We all had an outstanding time and we raised over $1000 to help our Detachment’s mission of assisting other Marines and their families who are in need.

Our thanks to all that participated and trust you had an outstanding time and opportunity to shoot historical Marine Corps type firearms. We want to especially thank the thirteen volunteer PCWC members who worked hard as Range Safety Officers and helpers. They assisted in making the targets, setting up the ranges, working the relays, policing up the ranges, and securing the PCWC property.

My personal thanks go to Ken Noland for manning the registration booth all day in the hot sun, to Ron Cooper for selling the needed ammunition and to Marines Jason Johnson, Don McWhorter, Tony Bishop, Andy Murphrey and Michael Fredette for helping and shooting and having a great time.

Semper Fi. John P. Wallace, Event Coordinator

Visit to Washington D.C.

Marines from Detachment 1186 recently visited Marine Corps Barracks at 8th and I in Washington, D.C and the Marine Corps Museum.

3rd Annual Marine Corps Small Arms Shoot

U. S. Marine Corps Small Arms Shoot
Saturday, 9 June 2007, 1300 Hours
Pitt County Wildlife Club

The DownEast NC Detachment 1186 is hosting its third annual “U.S. Marine Corps Small Arms Shoot” for its members and guests. This is the main fundraiser for our “Marines Helping Marines” Program.

The shoot will utilize small arms used by Marines in all our wars from World War One to the present. They include the M1903 Springfield, M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M1A (M14) and AR-15 (M16). Also, included with be the M2 Carbine, Browning Automatic Rifle and the Thompson Sub Machine Gun. All of the above firearms will be furnished for the shooters. Participants are encouraged to also bring their own.

Prior to shooting, all participants will be afforded a firearms safety and handling lecture. Pitt County Wildlife Club Range Officers will run the shoot. The courses of fire will include rifles, pistols and full automatic weapons. Top shooters from each course will be determined and awards will be presented.

Targets and target stands will be provided. Participants may bring their own ammunition provided it is original factory loads. NO RELOADS! Ammunition to be used includes: 9MM, .45ACP, .30M2, .30 Carbine, .223 (5.56MM), .308 (7.62MM), .38 Special and .22 rimfire. Limited quantities of ammunition will also be available for purchase at the range.

Toilet facilities are available at the Rifle Range and in the Club House. Please park in the parking lot next to the Club House.

All Detachment members and spouses, family members, guests and potential members are cordially invited to join us. As this is a fundraising event, a donation of $25.00 from each shooter is requested.

The Pitt County Wildlife Club is located North of Greenville on Route 222, between Highway 33 and 43, near Falklands. From Highway 33, at Belvoir, turn left on Route 222, cross the Tar River, club is on the left. From Highway 43, turn right on Route 222, go ¼ mile, club is on the right.

TO REGISTER OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS:
Contact John Wallace at wallacejp@earthlink.net or 252-321-4898.

June 15th and 16th - National Museum of the Marine Corps Trip

Down East Detachment 1186, MCL, “Evening Parade” and
National Museum of the Marine Corps Visit and Tour
15-16 June 2007

We will depart Greenville at approximately 0700 on Friday, 15 June, in personal cars (vans) for Triangle, VA where we will lunch at the famous Globe and Laurel restaurant, a true crossroads of the Marine Corps. After lunch we can take a driving tour of the Marine Corps Base, Quantico with a stop at the Marine Corps Association Book Store.

We then check into the Crossroads Inn on base for our night’s lodging. After freshening up, we can drive up towards Potomac Mills for a SHORT stop at the mall and then find a nice place for dinner. Then we are off to the 8th and I Barracks in Washington, DC. We should arrive there shortly after 1900. A grand evening at the Barracks is guaranteed.

We then return to our motel in Quantico. The next morning we have breakfast and rendezvous at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. This is a fantastic building housing artifacts and mementos depicting over two hundred years of our glorious history. Lunch is available at the Museum in the chow hall or in Tun Tavern. Docents will guide us for the first hour to give us an idea of what is available. When finished touring, the group will board their vehicles for the ride home.

Cost should be about $120 each. This includes vehicle gas, motel room and food.

Please contact John P. Wallace at 252-321-4898 or wallacejp@earthlink.net to secure your boat space. We need to determine who is going as soon as possible so that reservations can be made for lunch, the motel and the “Evening Parade”.

Semper Fi!

JONES ADDRESSES MARINE CORPS LEAGUE’S MID-WINTER CONFERENCE

For Immediate Release Friday, February 9, 2007
Contact: Kathleen M. Joyce 202-225-3415

JONES ADDRESSES MARINE CORPS LEAGUE’S MID-WINTER CONFERENCE
Washington, D.C. – This morning, Third District Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) spoke to over 200 Marine Corps veterans and retirees on issues that will come before the 110th Congress. One of these issues is H.R. 346, legislation that would redesignate the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. The Marine Corps League has proudly endorsed this legislation and has pledged to work with Congressman Jones to secure its passage by the House and Senate.

“The Marines do not serve beneath the Navy; they proudly serve alongside them as a team,” Jones said. “There isn’t a subordinate relationship between the Chief of Naval Operations and the Commandant of the Marines Corps. They are equivalent parts of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and it is time that the Department of the Navy recognizes their equal status.”

“This legislation is not about changing the responsibilities of the secretary, reallocating resources between the Navy and Marine Corps or altering the course of the mission at hand. Rather, it is about showing the nation the true meaning of the Department and recognizing the overall importance of the Marine Corps to our national security,” Jones said. “When the President’s top military advisor, General Peter Pace, is wearing the uniform of the Marine – it’s time to realize that this change is long overdue.”

Jones received the invitation to address the Marine Corps League’s staff conference from Michael A. Blum, National Executive Director of the Marine Corps League. Blum, a highly decorated combat Marine, served honorably off the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. He also bravely served his country in the Philippines, Korea and Vietnam.
“I'm honored to have the privilege to know this fine Marine and to have his friendship,” Congressman Jones said. “It is because of great Marines like him that I continue to champion the cause of full equity for the United States Marine Corps.”

“I was also deeply honored to share the stage with a true American hero, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield, a combat veteran who sustained a life-threatening spinal cord injury while serving his nation in Vietnam,” Jones said. “His address on the state of the Department of Veterans Affairs was an inspiration.”

The Marine Corps League's members join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans, perpetuating the history of the United States Marine Corps and fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

For additional information please contact Kathleen Joyce in Congressman Walter B. Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415.

2006 Marine of the Year

Detachment Marine of the Year for 2006-

Bill Plueddemann

2007 Detachment Officers

Commandant Cooper administers the oath to the 2007 Detachment officers and appointees.

Injured Marine Update

I spoke to the mother of Private Nick Kowal this morning. Pvt. Kowal is in stable condition. He will have surgery this morning, but is expected to make a full recovery. She was grateful for the Detachment's willingness to provide assistance, but she wanted to mostly express her thanks to the Detachment for the efforts to provide assistance to all of the Marines and other veterans helped. She did fly to Greenville this weekend and has already returned home.

Jason

Injured Corpsman Update

Bill sent the following update on the injured Corpsman at Pitt County Memorial Hospital:

Yes and it was quite a meeting. I wore my "uniform". When I got there the Corpsman's mother and his wife were talking with the Doctor. When they were done I called to Mrs. Stephens and gave her my card and the check. She asked if I would wait and go back with them and see Chris. Of course I said I would. We waited a while since they were putting in some new tubes and some other things. When we got to the room I said "HI Doc, it's great to see you". He looked up and raised his hand as if to say Hi. I went beside his bed and shook hands with him. He wouldn't let go so we stood there. His mother, wife and I chatted and all of a sudden a slight smile came across his face. The women couldn't get over that he had smiled. It was quite an experience. I had a tough time keeping my emotions in check. That may have been the first time he had a smile in six weeks.

Before I left I got hugs from Chris's mother and his wife. What more can we say.

There was a man came by while we were in the hall and said "Simper Fi" and held out his tie to me with globe and anchors.