Volume 8, Issue 8, August 2015
Department Officers:
Commandant: Richard Shank, 304-633-1814
Sr. Vice Commandant: James Furr, 740-896-2222
Jr. Vice Commandant: Rodney Mayberry, 304-922-2150
Judge Advocate: Scott Kirby, 304-588-0318
Jr. Past Commandant: Roger Ware, 304-636-4365
Aide-de-Camp: John Hensley, 606-834-9712
Service/VAVS: C.R.”Bob“ Laing, 304-736-334
Public Relations: Jean Lamb, 304-595-1482
Historian: Owen Stout, 304-595-2675
Adjutant: George Gill, 304-273-2218
Paymaster: George Gill, 304-273-2218
Chaplain: Frank Armentrout, 304-837-4011
Sgt.-at-Arms: Roy Trembly, 304-966-4419
Asst Sgt-at-Arms: Roy Wood, 304-339-332
Legislative: Hershel Williams, 304-743-1026
Chief of Staff: Benjamin Fetty, 740-894-6864
Web Sgt: Steven Swenton, 304-277-8872
Department E-mail contact: [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Roger Ware, 181 Weese Street, Elkins, WV 26241 E-mail: [email protected]
Acting Executive Director of the Marine Corps League
Mike Blum is no longer the Executive Director of the Marine Corps League. In addition, Jason Blum MCL HQ
support staff and Richard Blum - IT for the MCL are no longer in the MCL HQ. All three have been dismissed
by the MCL National Board of Trustees. Meg Thoburn National Adjutant/Paymaster is the office manager.
Thomas Hazlett, Dept of Pennsylvania has been appointed by the Board of Trustees as the Acting Executive
Director of the Marine Corps League. Below is an email the Acting Executive Director of the Marine Corps
League sent to all divisions and departments.
“Good morning to you all; I would like to take a few moments of your time to thank those of you who were at
the recent budget meeting for your hard work and perseverance in obtaining a balanced budget. I would also
like to express to all of the Board members, the PNC’s and to the membership that I am aware of the recent
events leading to the decision yesterday to appoint me as Acting Executive Director of the Marine Corps
League. Most of you I know from the various activities I am involved with within the League, be it the MODD,
Rifle or Pistol Marksmanship or from casual meetings at Mid-Winter and National Conferences/Conventions.
Regardless of how I know you, I do know this; we are all part of a unique organization and a resilient one to
boot. We, as all Marines do, are capable of taking on the bad situations and moving out and making the most of
the situation. I ask at this time that we move forward, put the past behind, remain diligent in our efforts to make
the Marine Corps League what we wish it to be; an organization that is proud of our affiliated title, “Marine”.
Over the next few weeks many of us will meet in Scottsdale, AZ. At the National Convention and Supreme
Growl. I ask but one thing, please let me know how I can assist you in your endeavors to put that which is bad
behind us and to go forward with success. Your jobs are the important ones, mine is but to assist you in any way
possible. I ask for your guidance, your cooperation and most importantly, I ask that we move forward and put a
cease to the bitterness which has recently tarnished our great organization. Please let me know what I can do to
assist you; I assure you that 100% of my efforts will be focused on looking ahead rather than behind and serving
you and the membership any way possible.”
Semper Fi
Tom
MCL National email site is down
The web site for MCL National is down and it may be some time until a new site is back on line. This may
interrupt some of the normal administrative functions of the league. All dues reminders mailed to members
might be delayed and or not mailed so all Detachment Commandants and Paymasters might want to mail a
annual dues reminder to all pending members who have their dues expiring within the next 90 days. MCL
National contact information, Bylaws, MCL National Convention, MCL services and MCL Programs can be
obtained via the Military Order of the Devil Dogs web site, moddkennel.org.
New Alternate Email Addresses for MCL National & Office Staff
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
John Kovalcik, National Commandant
Richard Gore, National Sr. Vice Commandant
Dennis Tobin, National Judge Advocate
PNC James Tuohy, National Jr. Past Commandant
Thomas W. Hazlett, Sr., Acting Executive Director
National Adjutant/Paymaster
Veterans Service Officer
LtGen Ronald S. Coleman, USMC Retired
Membership Manager
General Membership Questions
Merchandise Manager
General Merchandise Questions
Managerial Assistant
General Questions about EIN or 990s
Inventory Control
Office Support
Office Support
Merchandise Support
Merchandise Support
MCL National Web Team Support
PNC Paul F. Hastings
PNC Helen F. Hicks
PNC Vic Voltaggio
Benjamin A. Cero
PNC John “Jack” V. Ryan
LtGen Stephen G. Olmstead, USMC Retired
PNC Frank S. Kish
PNC James R. Laskey
Ron Short, Marines Helping Marines
Department of WV Jr Vice Commandant
Rodney Mayberry has been appointed as the Department Jr Vice Commandant. Here is his contact information.
Rodney Mayberry
3200 Ingleside Rd
Bluefield, WV 24701-4688
Home: 304-922-2150
Cell;
Email: [email protected]
Owen Stout has been appointed as the Department Historian and Jean Lamb has been appointed as the
Department Public Relations Officer. Both are in the Herbert J. Thomas Detachment 947, Charleston., WV.
Possible National Convention in Charleston, WV in 2018
There is considerable interest within the MCL to have Charleston, WV as the host site for the 2018 MCL
National Convention. Many MCL members in the Mideast Division and at the Midwinter National Staff
Conference who attended the 2014 convention in Charleston are extremely positive and in support of WV
hosting the event again. A meeting was held in Charleston on Saturday. Jul 25 in conjunction with the Dept staff
officers meeting to determine if there was enough support within the department to consider submitting a formal
bid to host the 2018 National Convention. Herbert J. Thomas Det members Owen Stout and Todd Morris are
traveling to the 2015 National Convention in Scottsdale to speak with the MCL National Convention
Committee about an interest in Charleston hosting the event in 2018. Various members of the dept staff were in
attendance including most of the committee chairmen who worked to bring the 2014 National Convention to
Charleston. Detachments are requested to discuss the possibility of WV submitting a formal bid for 2018 and if
there is enough support from the detachments and or individuals to host this event. This will be discussed and
voted on at the next Department quarterly meeting Sep 19, 2015 in Summersville. The site selection will be
voted on by the registered delegates at the 2016 National Convention
in Tulsa, OK next August. This is an excellent opportunity for West Virginia to again be the focus of league
members who want to return due to the hospitality and generosity demonstrated in Charleston last year.
Department Membership
Here are the Department totals for members dated 6/30/15
Paid Life members
WV
466
Mideast 3534
National: 34437
Annual dues paying
266
2654
25703
Total paid
732
6188
60140
Unpaid
90
1167
10343
MCL National HQ has sent the Quarterly membership listing as of June 30, 2015 to every Detachment
Paymaster and to the Department Commandant and Paymaster. This roster lists the total paid, and unpaid
members for each respective Detachment within the Department. Upon receipt of this Quarterly membership
listing, Detachment Commandants are directed to review this list and task the members of their Membership
Retention Team (MRT) to do what they can to reduce the number of unpaid members in their detachments.
Membership is the driving force for the Marine Corps League and every member in the Department is a
recruiter and we all need to do whatever we can to keep our members and recruit new members. National is
focusing on all these unpaid members and has directed every department to see what can be done to encourage
these unpaid members to pay their annual dues. A personal telephone call or directive from the Department
Membership Retention team and the Detachment Commandants can often make a difference. Let’s see if we can
reduce the number of unpaid members in our department and increase the overall membership.
Detachment Web sites
Since the MCL National web site is down, detachments can not make updates to their web sites until the site is
up again. When the National web site is operational, detachments need to keep track of all their administrative
reports. One way is to include them in your monthly membership meetings and make changes as your reports
are completed. Another way is to add all your reports and membership information onto your detachment web
site. This will help the department Membership Retention Team as they can look at your detachment locator
page and see what reports are not filed. The following information should be included in your locator page:
Officer Installation date:
EIN:
Detachment Charter date:
Incorporation date: Locator page
last update:
PLM Audit:
990-N-efile date: Annual Corporate Report filed:
Financial
Audit date:
Membership totals: PLM:
Total Paid:
Total Unpaid:
IRS Form 990-N e-file
All Detachments and departments are nonprofit organizations and are required to file an annual IRS Form 990N return regardless of their income. The fiscal year ends for the Marine Corps League on June 30 yearly so you
can file your 990 N efile after July 1. Some detachments may have various other dates when their year expires
as IRS may have used the dates they first logged in to file their EIN. Log on http:///epostcard.form990.org/ and
then just follow the instructions to complete the form 990-N. There’s only a few questions. Have your EIN to
help log in. You will receive an email acceptance receipt from IRS. National Administrative Procedures Section
800 requires that each detachment and department forward a copy of this acceptance receipt to their Department
Paymaster. The Department Paymaster will forward the Acceptance Receipts to National Headquarters ,
National Adjutant/Paymaster Meg Thoburn at [email protected] or may consolidate these receipts into a
single document showing the name of the organization, the EIN, the submission ID Number, and the date the
submission was accepted by the IRS. National utilizes these 990 reports to update the annual report required by
the Group Exemption filing requirements to IRS. Failure to file the 990-N to IRS, can subject your detachment
to lose it’s exempt non-profit status. Plus if you want to look up an organization to acquire vital information
like 990-N go to guidestar.com.
Paid Life Members - PLM - Audit - Certification of Life Members
The Detachment Paymaster, along with the Detachment Commandant, will annually audit the Detachment’s
Life Members. The Detachment Paymaster will make a copy of the 30 June Quarterly Member Listing (roster).
MCL National will send your Paymaster an alpha listing of all paid life members to assist with your audit. This
will be an additional roster just for your PLM audit. Take the original copy of the audit roster and verify the
PLM members. Using this copy the Detachment Paymaster will annotate any additions, deletions or other
adjustments to the Life Members listed. Each adjustment will include the reason and, whenever possible, will
cite supporting documentation to assist in correcting the records at National Headquarters. Upon receipt is the
best time to do this so it’s not forgotten. These are due at National before Dec. 31. If a detachment does not
certify its PLM roster is true and accurate before the deadline, it will not receive its annual residual interest for
its life members.
The Commandant and Paymaster must sign a statement on the original that they certify and annotate that the life
member list is audited and is true and accurate and that there are no changes. This must also be dated. Make a
copy after signing and then forward the original to your Department Paymaster so it can be mailed to MCL
National Headquarters to arrive before Dec. 31. Your Department Paymaster will send your copy to the
National Adjutant/Paymaster. Ref: National Bylaws Sections 645 and 646.
Note: The 2015 PLM interest amount is $4.52 per life member on your detachment roster as of 31 August
2013. The PLM interest is always paid for those life member 2 years ago.
Dues Transmittals
National Membership Manager Johanna Hill sent the following memo to al Paymasters. This memo is being
sent to advise all Paymasters that we are experiencing a shortage in transmittal forms. Please note that they are
on order and once received our membership department will work promptly in sending replacement forms to al
paymasters. In the meantime, you will receive your copies back and if you have any questions or need
additional information regarding the time frame contact our membership department at 703-207-9588. Here is
her email: [email protected]
Note: Department Adjutant/Paymaster George Gill sends a reminder for all Detachment Paymasters to ensure
they fill out their membership dues transmittals properly. Many have been returned as they are not filled out
properly. The Department Professional Development training discs, which every detachment adjutant received,
has a training section for the Adjutant and Paymaster. In additional a handout of the Professional Development
Training session was mailed to all those detachment who did not have a representative at the Department
convention in Mineral Wells. Detachment Commandants, ensure your Adjutants and Paymasters use this
material to file all Administrative and dues transmittals to the Department.
Fund Raising and Charities
Detachments are reminded that if they conduct a fund raising event for a designated registered non profit charity
as registered under the IRS code, all funds generated have to be either spent or donated to that charity. There is
no time frame that these funds must be spent or donated as they can be held in escrow and dispersed as desired.
If funds are raised for a local entity which is not a registered non profit charity, ie. disabled children, needy
children, local veterans, these funds need to be dispersed and not kept in your detachment accounts. Funds
raised for a seasonal event , Christmas, Easter, 4th of July can be dispersed anytime throughout the year.
Example if funds raised for needy children, they can be spent for toys, shoes, clothing, school supplies and other
items as these funds were generated for needy children. What matters is that the funds are dispersed and not
kept. IRS can consider these type funds as profit if not sent. Any funds generated for one of these events can be
properly dispersed for any need for which the funds were generated as these funds are not for non-profit
charities.
IRS Forms Coming to Retirees
Beginning in January 2016, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will provide the appropriate
IRS Form 1095 to all retirees, annuitants, former spouses and all other individuals having TRICARE coverage
during tax year 2015 to prove they have minimal essential health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
The forms will be reported with the 2015 federal tax returns. All customers should ensure that the U.S. Postal
Service address DFAS has on file for them is current by checking their latest Retiree Account Statement or
calling DFAS at 800-321-1080. People with a myPay account should logon and ensure their email address is
current as well as make an IRS Form 1095 delivery method election. More information about the impact of the
Affordable Care Act on federal income tax is available on the IRS website at www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act.
Modern Day Marine Expo, Sept 22-24, 2015, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia
MCL members are always needed to help staff the two MCL booths where welcome bags are distributed. MCL
National Sgt-at-Arms Neil Corley is the point of contact and he will be in one of the booths commencing
Monday Sep 21. The uniform for members working in the booths is polo shirt, MCL cover, black trousers and
black tennis shoes. It is highly recommended that anyone who wants to attend log onto the modern day marine
expo site and click on the Attendee Badge Registration and fill it out. Once you arrive at the Expo, go to
Registration and pick up your name tag. Here is the schedule for events.
ATTENDEE INFORMATION
Schedule-of-Events
Tuesday, September 22
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Registration Open
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Opening Ceremony
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Exhibit Halls Open
Wednesday, September 23
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Registration Open
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Enlisted Awards Parade
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Reception in Exhibit Halls
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Exhibit Halls Open
Thursday, September 24
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Registration Open
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Exhibit Halls Open (Family Day)
To Attend
Uniformed Marines do not need to register for a badge. Retailers, Retired Marine’s and Contracting Officials
may register at no charge. Manufacturers not exhibiting in Modern Day Marine must register and will be
charged a non-exhibiting manufacturer fee.
Mideast Division Conference Summary
The Mideast Division Conference was held June 6-28, 2015 at the Hospitality House Hotel and Conference
Center, Fredericksburg, Virginia and was hosted by the Department of Virginia. The following MCL National
officers were in attendance:
Mike McLain - NVC Mideast Division
Bud Raines - Jr Past NVC Mideast Division
Gerard Devlin - National Parliamentarian
Jeffery Jones - National Asst Sgt-at-Arms
John Hopkins - National Legislative member
Charlie Minton - National Boy Scouts Committee member
Craig Reeling - National Uniform Committee, National Color Guard Bearer
Jack Severn - National Uniform Committee, National Color Guard Sergeant,
Resident Agent MHM and Editor National Convention Book, Mid-winter
Conference Book.
Councilman at Large, Matt Kelly gave welcome remarks from Mayor of Fredericksburg.
Professional Development Training - Marine Four Life presentation was given by
Shannon Eby, Major, Marine Corps Reserves, Marine For Life Representative, Quantico/Stafford Virginia
Adjutant went over the 2015 National Proposed Bylaws changes and talked about voting by delegates for the
bylaws and elections. all delegates must ensure they vote the wishes of their detachment. The Board of
Trustee’s need to be proactive at the department and detachment level as is their duty to manage the detachment
administrative, clerical and financial procedures. Ensure your detachments approve all events and activities at
your membership meetings so it’s approved by the detachment as a corporation for legal and insurance
purposes. He also suggested to document your professional Development and Leadership training in your
monthly minutes as this reminds you to have ongoing training sessions.
When a member transfers to M-A-L status, he has NO voting privileges at the Detachment or Department level
and can only vote at the National Convention and can not serve on any committees. If he is a Dual member and
also belongs to a Detachment, he can vote that membership in the Detachment and Department. There is no MA-L at the Department level as it is National only.
A static rotation for hosting the Mideast Division Conference is listed below as this would help all the
Departments in advance planning for their respective year.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Virginia – June 26-28, 2015
Delaware – 2016
North Carolina – 2017
Maryland – 2018
West Virginia - 2019
Division MOY Chairman Roger Ware discussed the Board members included himself, Bud Raines, Tony
Begenwald and Fred Wise. Also that better announcement of when to submit and address nomination needed in
future and that nomination should be about MCL not MODD and should be for life of member in league vice
single year. All nominations submitted must be in accordance with the National MOY guidelines insuring that
all nominations are sealed in an inner envelopment addressed to the Chairman. A second outer envelope must
be addressed to the Chairman at the address listed in the announcement, and that it must be sent Certified,
Return Receipt. The criteria for the nomination would be specified with an announcement in a future bulletin or
division notice.
The 2015 Mideast Division Marine of the Year: Richard Tanner - Department of Delaware. The banquet
speaker was Major Gen James W. Lukeman, Commanding General, Education and Training Command
Quantico, Virginia
37th Commandant of the Marine Corps
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced on July 16, 2015 that the president has made the following
nominations:
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert B. Neller for appointment to the rank of general and for assignment as the 37th
Commandant of the Marine Corps. Neller is currently serving as the commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces
Command; commanding general, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic; and commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces
Europe, Norfolk, Virginia.
Camp Lejeune Family Member Program
The Camp Lejeune Family Member Program is for family members of Veterans who were stationed at Camp
Lejeune. If you are a Veteran, apply at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply or call 1-877-222-8387 for help.
From August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987, people living at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune,
North Carolina, were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and
other chemicals. On August 6, 2012, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families
Act of 2012 was signed into law. This law (H.R. 1627, now Public Law 112-154) requires the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide health care to Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune and to
reimburse eligible Camp Lejeune Family Members (CLFM) for eligible health care costs related to one or more
of 15 specified illnesses or conditions illustrated in the list below.
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






Bladder cancer
Breast cancer
Esophageal cancer
Female infertility
Hepatic steatosis
Kidney cancer
Leukemia
Lung cancer







Miscarriage
Multiple myeloma
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Neurobehavioral effects
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Renal toxicity
Scleroderma
This website will assist CLFMs who want to apply for reimbursement of health care expenses related to one or
more of the 15 conditions below. Please review the information on this page to assist you with applying for the
Camp Lejeune Family Member Program (CLFMP). When you are ready, scroll to the bottom of this page and
select "Start New Application for Family Member". If you’ve already started the application process, select
“Retrieve Saved Application."
Should you apply for
the Camp Lejeune
Family Member
Program?
If the Veteran was
on active duty and
served at Camp
Lejeune for 30 days
or more between
August 1, 1953 and
December 31, 1987;
AND you
were the
spouse or
dependent
of the
Veteran
during that
same
period;
AND you lived (or
were in utero) on
Camp Lejeune for
30 days or more
between August 1,
1953 and
December 31,
1987;
THEN you may meet the
criteria for VA's Camp
Lejeune Family Member
Program. Complete the
required application via the
"Start New Application for
Family Member" button
below.
Please note: This program is only for family members of Veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune. If you
are a Veteran, apply here www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply or call 1-877-222-8387 for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for the CLFM Program?
For expedited processing, complete the online application at the above web site.
Alternatively, for standard processing, complete a paper application and fax to (512) 460-5536 or mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Financial Services Center
PO BOX 149200
Austin, TX 78714-9200
What type of evidence do I need to submit with my application?
VA will need evidence that you were both a legal dependent of the Veteran and that you were a resident at Camp
Lejeune for at least 30 days between the dates of August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
What type of evidence do I need to submit?
Legal dependency documents include, but are not limited to:
 marriage certificate,
 birth certificate,
 adoption papers, or
 other legal documents.
Proof of Camp Lejeune residency documents include, but are not limited to:
 military orders,
 base housing records,
 utility bill,
 pay stub,
 tax forms, or
 similar documentation
Will the VA assist me in locating evidence?
VA will attempt to obtain all relevant evidence available for you within the Veterans Health Administration
(VHA), the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and the Department of Defense (DOD).
Please note: VA will still review your application if you do not send evidence, but it may take longer to process
while we confirm information with other agencies.
Why do I need to fill out a CLFM Treating Physician Report?
If you have one of the 15 CLFMP medical conditions, provide a copy of the Treating Physician Report to your
physician for completion. Return a copy of the signed and completed form to us.
To support that you have a qualifying condition for CLFMP, medical records must be included with your
Treating Physician Report and must show:


The date of onset of any condition which you are claiming under this program and
That you are currently receiving treatment from your physician for this condition.
If you are not currently receiving treatment for this condition, please submit medical records that show you have
received treatment in the past.
Please note: If you do not have one of the 15 medical conditions, a completed Treating Physician Report is not
required:








Bladder cancer
Breast cancer
Esophageal cancer
Female infertility
Hepatic steatosis
Kidney cancer
Leukemia
Lung cancer







Miscarriage
Multiple myeloma
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Neurobehavioral effects
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Renal toxicity
Scleroderma
What do I do if I forgot something on my application?
Contact us at: 1-866-372-1144 for assistance.
What do I do if my information needs to be updated?
Complete the CLFMP Information Update Form for address and health insurance changes.
What if I do not understand the questions on the application?
Contact us at 1-866-372-1144 for assistance.
What if I don’t want to complete an online application?
You may download a copy of the paper form and fax to (512) 460-5536 or mail to:
Department of Veterans Affairs
Financial Services Center
PO BOX 149200
Austin, TX 78714-9200
NOTE TO APPLICANT: You're applying for Camp Lejeune Family Member Program
benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA will consider the
information you provide on this questionnaire as part of the process to determine your
eligibility for this program. Complete the form to the best of your knowledge and ability
in order to establish your eligibility for this program. This program's eligibility criteria
will be determined through the VA. Submission of this application does not
guarantee acceptance into this program.
The Paper Reduction Act: This information collection is in accordance with the clearance requirements of
section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Public reporting burden for this collection of information
is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection
of information. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall
be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently
valid OMB control number. The purpose of this data collection is to determine eligibility for benefits.
Privacy Act Information: The authority for collection of the requested information on this form is 38 USC
1787. The purpose of collecting this information is to determine your eligibility for reimbursement of health
care related to conditions determined to result from contaminated water while you resided at Camp Lejeune,
North Carolina, for a period of at least 30 days. The information you provide may be verified by computer
matching programs with authoritative sources such as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Enrollment Eligibility
Reporting System (DEERS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or any other applicable
authoritative source at any time. You are requested to provide your social security number as your VA record is
filed and retrieved by this number. You do not have to provide the requested information on this form but if any
or all of the requested information is not provided, given the form's purpose of establishing eligibility for the
Camp Lejeune Family Member Program, it may delay or result in denial of your request for Camp Lejeune
Family Member Program benefits. Failure to furnish the requested information will have no adverse impact on
any other VA benefit to which you may be entitled. The responses you submit are considered private
confidential and may be disclosed outside VA only if the disclosure is authorized under the Privacy Act,
including the routine uses identified in the VA system of records number 23VA16. For example, information
including your social security number may be disclosed to the Department of Defense, contractors, trading
partners, health care providers and other suppliers of health care services to determine your eligibility for
medical benefits and payment for services.
Why the Marine Hymn Contains the Verse "To the Shores of Tripoli"
Most Americans are unaware of the fact that over two hundred years ago the United States had declared war on
Islam and Thomas Jefferson led the charge! At the height of the eighteenth century, Muslim pirates were the
terror of the Mediterranean and a large area of the North Atlantic.
They attacked every ship in sight, and held the crews for exorbitant ransoms. Those taken hostage were
subjected to barbaric treatment and wrote heart-breaking letters home, begging their government and family
members to pay whatever their Mohammedan captors demanded.
These extortionists of the high seas represented the Islamic nations of Tripoli, Tunis, Morocco, and Algiers –
collectively referred to as the Barbary Coast – and presented a dangerous and unprovoked threat to the new
American Republic.
Before the Revolutionary War, U.S. merchant ships had been under the protection of Great Britain. When the
U.S. declared its independence and entered into war, the ships of the United States were protected by France.
However, once the war was won, America had to protect its own fleets.
Thus, the birth of the U.S. Navy. Beginning in 1784, seventeen years before he would become president,
Thomas Jefferson became America’s Minister to France. That same year, the U.S. Congress sought to appease
its Muslim adversaries by following in the footsteps of European nations who paid bribes to the Barbary States
rather than engaging them in war. In July of 1785, Algerian pirates captured American ships, and the Dye of
Algiers demanded an unheard-of ransom of $60,000. It was a plain and simple case of extortion, and Thomas
Jefferson was vehemently opposed to any further payments. Instead, he proposed to Congress the formation of a
coalition of allied nations who together could force the Islamic states into peace. A disinterested Congress
decided to pay the ransom.
In 1786, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams met with Tripoli’s ambassador to Great Britain to ask by what right
his nation attacked American ships and enslaved American citizens, and why Muslims held so much hostility
towards America, a nation with which they had no previous contacts.
The two future presidents reported that Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja had answered that Islam
"was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Quran that all nations who would not
have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them
wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman
(Muslim) who should be slain in Battle was sure to go to Paradise."
Despite this stunning admission of premeditated violence on non-Muslim nations, as well as the objections of
many notable American leaders, including George Washington, who warned that caving in was both wrong and
would only further embolden the enemy, for the following fifteen years the American government paid the
Muslims millions of dollars for the safe passage of American ships or the return of American hostages. The
payments in ransom and tribute amounted to over twenty percent of the United States government annual
revenues in 1800.
Jefferson was disgusted. Shortly after his being sworn in as the third President of the United States in 1801, the
Pasha of Tripoli sent him a note demanding the immediate payment of $225,000 plus $25,000 a year for every
year forthcoming. That changed everything.
Jefferson let the Pasha know, in no uncertain terms, what he could do with his demand. The Pasha responded by
cutting down the flagpole at the American consulate and declared war on the United States. Tunis, Morocco,
and Algiers immediately followed suit. Jefferson, until now, had been against America raising a naval force for
anything beyond coastal defense, but, having watched his nation be cowed by Islamic thugery for long enough,
decided that is was finally time to meet force with force.
He dispatched a squadron of frigates to the Mediterranean and taught the Muslim nations of the Barbary Coast a
lesson he hoped they would never forget. Congress authorized Jefferson to empower U.S. ships to seize all
vessels and goods of the Pasha of Tripoli and to “cause to be done all other acts of precaution or hostility as the
state of war would justify”.
When Algiers and Tunis, who were both accustomed to American cowardice and acquiescence, saw the newly
independent United States had both the will and the right to strike back, they quickly abandoned their allegiance
to Tripoli. The war with Tripoli lasted for four more years, and raged up again in 1815. The bravery of the U.S.
Marine Corps in these wars led to the line “to the shores of Tripoli” in the Marine Hymn, and they would
forever be known as “leathernecks” for the leather collars of their uniforms, designed to prevent their heads
from being cut off by the Muslim scimitars when boarding enemy ships.
Islam, and what its Barbary followers justified doing in the name of their prophet and their god, disturbed
Jefferson quite deeply. America had a tradition of religious tolerance, the fact that Jefferson, himself, had coauthored the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, but fundamentalist Islam was like no other religion the
world had ever seen. A religion based on supremacism, whose holy book not only condoned but mandated
violence against unbelievers, was unacceptable to him. His greatest fear was that someday this brand of Islam
would return and pose an even greater threat to the United States.
This should bother every American. That Muslims have brought about women-only classes and swimming
times at taxpayer-funded universities and public pools; that Christians, Jews, and Hindus have been banned
from serving on juries where Muslim defendants are being judged; Piggy banks and Porky Pig tissue dispensers
have been banned from workplaces because they offend Islamist sensibilities; ice cream has been discontinued
at certain Burger King locations because the picture on the wrapper looks similar to the Arabic script for Allah;
public schools are pulling pork from their menus; on and on and on and on.
It’s death by a thousand cuts, or inch-by-inch as some refer to it, and most Americans have no idea that this
battle is being waged every day across America. By not fighting back, by allowing groups to obfuscate what is
really happening, and not insisting that the Islamists adapt to our own culture, the United States is cutting its
own throat with a politically correct knife, and helping to further the Islamists agenda. Sadly, it appears that
today’s America's leaders would rather be politically correct than victorious!
Any doubts, just "Google Thomas Jefferson vs. the Muslim World." "Semper Fi" my fellow Marines, and to all
who have served this great nation! My favorite cap has the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor on it and above the EGA
the words God, Country, and Corps are embossed, and these words are listed in the absolutely correct order
because without the first word God, the words Country and Corps, could not stand. - Jim Swarbrick
Pending Calendar
2015 MCL National Convention will be August 9 -14, 2015 at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, 7200 N. Scottsdale
Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona 85253. Room rate is $94 plus 13.17% room tax for $106.38 total. Includes breakfast,
Wi Fi and parking. Phone 480-948-5000. Contact reservations at 1-800-832-2025 to make arrangements
commencing August 10, 2014. $10 for shuttle to or from airport. RV parking without fee. check in 3 PM. POC
is John Walker, [email protected], 2626 Safari Lane, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403-2105. (H) (928) 8552105
Department Fall Quarterly Meeting will be Sep 19, 2015 at American Legion Post 131 in Summersville. Pack
Growl will immediately follow the meeting. Dept staff officer meeting will be at 0930 and business meeting
will commence at 10 AM.
2015 Modern Day Marine Expo will be September 22-24, 2015 at Quantico, VA.
2016 MCL National Convention will be August 7-13, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency, 100 East 2nd St, Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Tele: 918-234-1234, room rate: $91.00 plus tax for total $102.49. Free WiFi, Pets allowed,
Breakfast available (surcharge), Self parking (surcharge), There is no RV parking and Good Sam’s RV park is
about 7 miles.