By Mark Rhodes:
Communications Officer,
Col. Phillip C. DeLong,
Detachment 1267
Marine Corps League.
Republished in part, and edited by the original author.
Somethings seem to never change...
T’was just a few days before Christmas and things in the Detachment were winding down. Toys For Tots, had assisted many local parents in making Christmas just a little be brighter. The Marine Of the Year Committee had begun its deliberations. Choosing and picking, picking and choosing! Picking and choosing what, you may ask? Well, for starters, where to hold the meeting to pick over the nominations and choose the Marine Of the Year!
Over this past year we lost a "close friends" from Detachment 1267. May we lift a glass to toast their friendship and remember them going forward in the new year.
In looking back over 2023, it reminds me somewhat of 2020, where much was accomplished in spite of the difficulties we, as a detachment, faced. We held meetings with a few less members in attendance. We provided graveside honors to veterans who were given their final “Permanent Change of Station” orders. We conducted golf outings to raise money for Toys For Tots. We were Veterans helping Veterans, collecting donations for programs like, The Rose Program, Operation Helping Hands and Remember Everyone Deployed. We used humor as a subtle reminder to members to pay their dues. We were able to provide scholarship assistance to several deserving students. We did all of this and more. We are Marines, we are leaders, we are not afraid to get our hands dirty. Though we maybe "retired", leadership never is. We exemplified two traditional phrases, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way!” And “Improvise, Overcome & Adapt”. It’s Okay, we can feel good, that we, the members of Col. Phillip C. DeLong, Detachment 1267 of the Marine Corps League, when faced with adversity, stepped up and gave it our best. I know Col. DeLong, would be proud of his Marines, and what they accomplished.
Marines, Corpsmen, Chaplains, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen Coastguardsmen, and members, please say a prayer for those standing watch this holiday season, both here-at-home and abroad. Just a reminder, if you’re traveling this holiday season, please slow down and move over for our First Responders, they too have a family at home.
There are a number of greetings for this time of year. I’d like to close by saying
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and wish you all a blessed New Year.
Semper Fidelis
Mark Rhodes
Communications Officer,
Sent Under The Authoriy of the Sr. Vice Commandant,
By Directions of the Commandant,
Col. Phillip C. DeLong
Detachment 1267
Department of Florida,
Southeast Division,
Marine Corps League,
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