THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE – WHAT’S THAT?

 

The League is a veteran’s organization of the U.S. Marines.  It is composed of Marines and former Marines with honorable service.  It aims to perpetuate the traditions and

spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps through the continuous association of Marines who

served under the Globe and Anchor at any time, in war or peace.

There are League detachments all across the country, with 72 in New York State.  Regular meetings are conducted under a unified ritual, with the

Marine Corps spirit and atmosphere pre-dominating. The one and only

membership qualification is honorable service in excess of 90 days in

the Marines.  This means that, regardless of rank held, regardless of when or where

a Marine served, regardless of what division or wing he may or may not have served with, that Marine, male or female, is welcome in the Marine Corps League.

A common trait of League members is the spirit of Semper Fidelis, the spirit of being

“always faithful” to the Country, the Corps, and to their fellow Marines, in-service and

out.  So deep is this ingrained in members that, long after most have hung up the

uniform for the last time, they still dare to call each other “Marine”  Each seems to hold the League slogan as a personal truth, that of “Once a Marine-Always a Marine”

Being a Marine is what it’s all about.  John A. Lejeune, who founded the Marine Corps

League in 1923, put this first above all else.  Although he was the Major General Commandant of the Corps, a decorated hero of the First World War, and the former

Commanding General of the victorious Second Army Division, he said his first claim

to fame was, “I am a Marine!”  All his other attainments came farther down the list.

There was nothing more important to him.

The U.S. Congress felt that the purposes of the Marine Corps League were so valid

that in 1937 it granted the League a federal charter.

League members know a special bond of comradeship unique to those who have

worn the Marine Emblem.  The members look after one another and assist the widows and orphans of their Marines.  They observe national holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and days of special interest to Marines like “the Birthday”, the landings

at Guadalcanal, Inchon, and DaNang, the anniversary of the flag raising at Iwo Jima,

and the day the Fourth Marine Brigade entered Belleau Wood.

Auxiliary members help carry out the purposes of the League.  Their members as

well as Leaguers may be seen almost any day in the wards of our veterans hospitals, visiting the sick and wounded under their volunteer program.  Both assist our veterans

with rehabilitation work, too, and their trained service workers often assist Marines in

obtaining their veteran rights.

Perhaps the Marine Corps League performs its most important service on the local

level through programs of benefit to the communities.  Many detachment, recognizing

a need, embark on special programs to help advance their towns and cities.  Others

have adopted one of the League’s national youth programs, the Young Marines, or the

Youth Physical Fitness.  These programs seek the mental, moral, and physical

development of our youngsters.

 The Marine Corps has continuously stood in the forefront of our Country.  The Marine

Corps League stand at the forefront, too, serving in our hospitals, helping our

communities, working with our youth, and assisting our Marines and veterans.  Its members realize some of the greatest rewards of life, those of individual and group

fulfillment.

Should you join the Marine Corps League?  If you’re a Marine, the answer is “YES!”

Because you are needed in the ranks.

 

 If you would like to join us, you can contact the following for more information and an application to join:

 

Bob Becker

1627 Schuyler Street

Schenectady,   NY   12303-1028

E-mail   mclsarge@aol.com

 

John D. Ryan

1264  Princetown Road

Schenectady,  NY   12306

E-mail    Jack_Peg@msn.com

 

Joseph Siggia

6233  Randomwood Drive

Schenectady, NY  12303-5031

E-mail     jsiggia@aol.com

 

Wanda E. Hunter

899  Obrien Ave

Schenectady, NY  12303-3671

E-mail   hwanjo@aol.com