RED RIVER RUNNER

THE OFFICIAL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE FLOYD L. BAXTER RED RIVER DETACHMENT 875

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

Volume 11                                                                            July  2010                                                                             No. 3      

THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE’S MISSION…To create a bond of comradeship between those in service and those who have returned to civilian life.

            4 Jul 1800 - The Marine Band played at Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, in its first

            public appearance.

            11 Jul 1798 – The U.S. Marine Corps was re-established by an Act of

            Congress, succeeding the Continental Marines.

            30 Aug 1945 – The 2ndBn, 4^th Marines, commanded by Maj. Frank

            Carney, became the first American troops to set foot on Japanese soil –

            the first occupying force ever to touch the Japanese mainland.

             20 Aug 1942 – 31 planes of MAG-23 were the first to land at Henderson

            Field, Guadalcanal.

            15 Sep 1944 – The 1stMarDiv (Rein) landed against heavy opposition on

            Peleliu.

            15 Sep 1950 – The 1stMarDiv landed at Inchon, Korea, and moved to

            capture Seoul. 

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Hello Marines!

This quarter I want to post this prayer.  It says everything I wish to say.

To God; country; and our Beloved Corps,

Semper Fi

Bill Braidwood

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions that I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.

 Amen

FROM THE DESK OF THE PAYMASTER

On 5 June 2010 at the modern day “Tun Tavern” (Golden Corral) Paymaster Michael M. Stark turned over the duties and responsibilities of that post to Willie G. Wynn.  A thorough receipts and accounts audit was officially conducted by Robert D. Gavin.  All numbers balanced as of  30 April 2010 bank statement and an official statement was issued at the June business meeting.

There is a membership expiration date on the middle/right side of you membership card.  Please renew your membership that month by remitting $30.00, cash or check, to Willie Wynn, 2331 Fernbrook, Shreveport, LA 71118 or you can pay at a meeting or breakfast.

CONTRIBUTORS

KEN BOURGEOIS – Lt. Presley N. O’Bannon, USMC was the first American to raise the U.S. flag on foreign soil which was at the Battle of Derne on the shores of Tripoli, 27 April 1805.  He led the attack that overcame the Barbary Coast pirates who were holding 180 American seamen for ransom.

After he left the Marine Corps, he migrated to Kentucky in 1807 where he had a rather distinguished career serving in the State Legislature in 1812, 1817 and from 1820 to 1821.  Lt. O’Bannon also served in the Senate from 1824 to 1826.  He died in 1850 and his remains were moved to  the Frankfurt Cemetery in 1920 where he was buried within a hundred yards of Daniel Boone, LtGen Simon B. Buckner, CSA (the longest serving CSA officer of his rank) and his son, General Simon B. Buckner, Jr. (KIA Okinawa in 1945 – the most senior officer killed in WWII).  O’Bannon’s marker is distinct in the Commonwealth as it is the only Scarlet and Gold marker in Kentucky.

RAY URBAN – Marines “Those Brass Button Queens!”

The Marines, the Marines, those blasted Gyrenes

Those sea-going bellhops, those brass button Queens;

Oh they pat their own backs, write stories in reams,

All in praises of themselves – the U.S. Marines!

The Marines, the Marines, those publicity fiends,

They built all the forests, turned on all the streams,

Discontent with the earth, they say Heaven’s scenes

Are guarded by -- you guess right – the U.S. Marines!

The moon never beams except when the Marines

Give it permission to turn on it’s gleams;

And the tide never rises, the wind never screams

Unless authorized by the U.S. Marines!

The Marines, the Marines, in their khakis and greens,

Their pretty blue panties, red stripes down their seams;

They thought all the thoughts, dreamed in their dreams,

Singing “The Song of Myself”, the U.S. Marines!

FOR THE GOOD OF THE DETACHMENT

OFFICER CHANGE – Commandant Thornton has appointed Willie Wynn as the Paymaster.  Thank you Mickey Stark for a job well done since 1 Jan 2003. 

GUESTS – Judge Ted Cox, Caddo Parish Juvenile Court, was a guest at the May meeting.  He invited the membership to a dedication of a soldier statue and a framed 8^th & I poster donated by Mike Thornton for the Detachment. 

Maj. Chris McGuire, I&I CO of  Bravo Co., was a guest at the May breakfast.  He gave the membership a biography and a thanks for the support at the Family Day.  He also invited us to visit at the reserve center. 

BRAVO CO. FAMILY DAY – The Marine Corps Reserve Co. B/1/23 in Bossier City conducted a Family Day at American Legion Post #14 at Cross Lake in Shreveport on Sunday, 16 May.  Bravo Co. is scheduled for deployment in 6 to 9 months to Afghanistan.  The Family Day included a social, a cook-out, play facilities for the children and an initial family briefing.  Bravo Co. needed funding, donations and help. 

The Detachment provided the following:  The Detachment donated $200.00 and former I&I 1stSgt of Bravo Co, Tony Hooker, donated $200.00.  Gerry Wilcoxin was instrumental in the County Markets donation of 200 hamburgers, 200 hotdogs and the buns for both and refrigeration for the food on Saturday night.  Gerry was also the chef for the day (with a lot of help) and invaluable assistance from his wife, Marty.  Judge Gayle Hamilton and his wife, Gloria, provided donuts. It was estimated that over 300 people were served.       

 The following offers were made, but due to donations and existing facilities at the American Legion Post #14 were not needed.  Oscar Thornton offered to rent a big grill from BAFB.  May meeting guest and former Marine, John Busey,  stated  that the Rutherford House had a big grill available if approved by a board member.  May meeting guest Caddo Parish Juvenile Court Judge and former Army Col., Ted Cox, is a board member.  No problem.  John Busey also stated that Mark Smith of the Salvation Army had refrigeration capacity for Saturday night.   

A big thanks to Dennis Enghdal, Commander of American Legion Post #14, for providing his great facility and his ongoing efforts to assist us during the day.

This event gave the Detachment members present at the function an opportunity to meet the following Bravo Co. staff;  the new I&I CO Maj. Chris McGuire, Reserve CO Maj. Koch, I&I 1stSgt. Cedric Donald  and  Reserve 1stSgt. Joel O. Fermaglich.

OORAH to SSgt. Graham and LCpl Henson for helping some of us OFs haul some heavy stuff for set-up.

Thanks to the following Detachment  members for their participation.  They were: Gerry Wilcoxin, Mat Porter, Willie Wynn, John Hebert, Jim Phillips, Ken Bourgeois, Mike Thornton, Gayle Hamilton, Ed Weigmann, Joe Finazzo and Dave Gavin.  A good time was had by all.

Editorial note:  I would like to point out that 11 members or 29% of our membership of 38 turned out to help make the Bravo Co. Family Day a success.  That is a phenomenal showing and says a lot about the Detachment.

MEMBERSHIP – Welcome aboard new members Ray Urban, Judge Gayle Hamilton and John Rosalis. OORAH!!!

ROSTER CHANGE – Please make the following changes to your roster.                                 

Add Ray Urban, 112 Loop St., Bossier City, LA 71111, 227-1608, u2opia@bellsouth.net

Add Gayle Hamilton, 649 Elmwood, Shreveport, LA 71104, 865-3738, hernham@aol.com

Add John Rosalis, 6801 W. 70^th St., Lot 79, Shreveport, LA 71129, 686-0644

Change Vinny Wozniak’s phone # to 277-3818

Change Bill Braidwood’s email address to ammoretired@suddenlink.net

VAVS – The Volunteers of America in Shreveport has recently opened a three building facility for homeless veterans.  Sr. Vice-Commandant Jim Phillips, on behalf of the Floyd L. Baxter Detachment, presented Brian Byrd, the Regional Sr.Vice President of VOA, with a check for $100.00 at their Cherish The Children Of God Breakfast on Tues., 4 May, at the Shreveport Convention Center.  Other Detachment members in attendance were Mickey Stark, Bill DePingre, Ken Bourgeois, Gayle Hamilton and Dave Gavin.

Voluntary Service Volunteer Recognition Ceremony – On 20 April, the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center conducted a recognition ceremony and luncheon for its volunteers at the University Club.  I am proud to say that seven of those volunteers attending were members of our Detachment.  They were Ken Bourgeois (1356 hours), Rick Richter (100 hours), Mat Porter, Jud Perkins (500 hours), Willie Wynn, Bill Braidwood (2101 hours) and Dave Gavin (1000 hours).  The guest speaker was Gracie Specks, the Acting Medical Center Director.  Also in attendance was Laura Balun, Director, VA Voluntary Service Program Office.  As an aside, former Marine Homer Harvin, a member of the Texarkana MCL Detachment, achieved 7500 hours of volunteerism at OBVAMC and received the Volunteer of the Year Award.

YOUNG MARINE PROGRAM – Forty-two recruits of Class 18 graduated on Tues., 25 May.  Chief T.C. Bloxom and The honorable Billy Montgomery delivered brief speeches.  Commandant Thornton gave a good speech during the presentation of The Floyd L. Baxter Red River Detachment Leadership Award to PFC Preston Maynor.  Bravo Co. Marines Maj. Chris McGuire, 1stSgt Cedric Donald, SSgt Calvin Jackson and SSgt Juan Arias inspected the recruits.  The 1stSgt and both SSgts were voluntary instructors.  Also present were Ken Bourgeois, Willie Wynn, Tom Tracy, Dave Gavin, Oscar Thornton and Jerrie Thornton.

Editorial note:  While congratulating Norman Craig on graduating another class and his promotion to Sgt with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department, he stated that it only took him 50 years to go from Buck Sgt in the Corps to Sgt with the Sheriff’s Department.  

MEMORIAL DAY – The Detachment was represented at three different ceremonies.  Hillcrest Cemetery…Commandant Thornton laid a wreath and  Rick Richter, Randy Richter, Jerrie Thornton, Oscar Thornton and Ray Urban were in attendance.  LA Veterans Cemetery – Ken Bourgeois laid a wreath and Mickey and Kim Stark and Jerry and Marty Wilcoxin were present.

 Greenwood Cemetery – Ken Bourgeois laid a wreath.  Thank you, Gerry Wilcoxin for inviting the Detachment members to a cook-out at your house.

3^ND QUARTER SPECIAL OCCASIONS – 4 Jul Independence Day, 6 Sep Labor Day, 9 Sep Rosh Hashanah, 11 Sep Patriot Day, 17 Sep POW/MIA Recognition Day and Citizenship (Constitution) Day, 18 Sep Yom Kippur. 23 Sep 1^st Day of Autumn.

THANK YOU to Mike Thornton for ordering and distributing the MCL/Floyd L. Baxter ball caps.

THE BLIND HOG SOCIETY –  “The only sure rule in golf is – he who has the fastest cart never has to play the bad lie.”….Mickey Mantle

STRAIGHT SCOOP

“Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do.”…Unknown Marine

 “I like Marines, because being a Marine is serious business.  We are not a social club or a fraternal organization and we don’t pretend to be one.  We’re a brotherhood of “warriors”—nothing more, nothing less, pure and simple.  We are in the ass-kicking business, and unfortunately, these days business is good.”….Col. James M. Lowe, Commander, Marine Corps Base Quantico 2004.

USMC Terms:

Leatherneck: The nickname Leatherneck has become a universal moniker for a U.S. Marine. The term originated from the wide and stiff leather neck-piece that was part of the Marine Corps uniform from 1798 until 1872. This leather collar, called The Stock, was roughly four inches high and had two purposes. In combat, it protected the neck and jugular vein from cutlasses slashes. On parade, it kept a Marine's head erect. The term is so widespread that it has become the name of the Marine Corps Association monthly magazine, LEATHERNECK.

Gyrene: Around 1900, members of the U.S. Navy began using Gyrene as a jocular derogatory reference to U.S. Marines. Instead of being insulted, the Marines loved it. The term became common by World War I and has been extensively used since that time.

Jarhead: For roughly 50 years, sailors had little luck in their effort to insult Marines by calling them Gyrenes. So, during World War II sailors began referring to Marines as Jarheads. Presumably the high collar on the Marine Dress Blues uniform made a Marine's head look like it was sticking out of the top of a Mason jar. Marines were not insulted. Instead, they embraced the new moniker as a term of utmost respect.

Devil Dogs: The German Army coined this term of respect for U.S. Marines during World War I. In the summer of 1918 the German Army was driving toward Paris. The French Army was in full retreat. In a desperate effort to save Paris, the newly arrived U.S. Marines were thrown into the breach. In June 1918, in bitter fighting lasting for weeks, Marines repeatedly repulsed the Germans in Belleau Wood. The German drive toward Paris sputtered, fizzled, and died. Then the Marines attacked and swept the Germans back out of Belleau Wood. Paris had been saved. The tide of war had turned. Five months later Germany would be forced to accept an armistice. The battle tenacity and fury of the U.S. Marines had stunned the Germans. In their official reports they called the Marines "teufel hunden," meaning Devil Dogs, the ferocious mountain dogs of Bavarian folklore.

Soldiers of the Sea: A traditional and functional term for Marines, dating back to the British in the 1600's

“No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.”…Ronald Reagan 

FROM THE EDITOR

I didn’t have anything for an editorial for this quarterly newsletter, so I asked myself what would Marines like to read about.  Then I realized that I have never met a Marine that didn’t like to talk about boot camp, therefore I thought I would share some of my experiences from 50 years ago at Parris Island.

I arrived at Parris Island in July 1960 (hot weather SOP.  How is that for planning?).  I was in 2^nd Bn., K Company, Platoon 265.  The chain-of-command was MajGen. Thomas Gates Ennis, CG MCRD;   Col. Michael Patrick Ryan, CO Recruit Training Regiment;   LtCol. W. R. Christie, CO 2^nd Bn;   1stLt. O. R. Kartchner, CO Co. K;  1stLt. John M. Lilla, Series Officer;  GySgt. C. F. Parker, Series NCO and  GySgt. A. L. Grisson, CDI.   My Drill Instructors were GySgt. L. F. Maxwell, SDI, SSgt. D. L. Ford, JDI and Sgt. S. L. Constantine, JDI.  To answer your questions, NO, I don’t remember all of them and YES, I still have my platoon book.  However, I do remember the last three gentlemen in the chain-of-command.  They were fun guys.

I flew from Indianapolis to Atlanta and boarded a Greyhound with about 10 other guys for a long drive.  That bus stopped at every crossroad and dirt road between Atlanta and Parris Island.  We arrived at the Main Gate at 2200.  A Joe Palooka look-a-like Marine in undressed blues entered the bus, made a sharp left face and said “Swallow the gum, put out the butts and shut-the -_ _ _ _ up.  You are in the Marine Corps.”  He executed a sharp left face and exited the bus.  I was not chewing gum, but I almost swallowed by cigarette.  I thought, “Lord, what have I done?”

We were in recruit receiving until 0200, another nice experience.  At 0400 we went to morning chow and we were luckily picked-up as a platoon immediately…..another fun time.  The first day on Parris Island was the longest day of my life…hygiene, initial issue (don’t duck when they issue your boots), four inches toe-to-heel, don’t smile, don’t talk, don’t eyeball, etc., etc.  While marching around that first day, I saw interesting routines.  Individual recruits were doing neat things with the M-1.  I thought, “ I hope I learn how to do that”.  Guess what?  I also saw the smoking routine. Every recruit was issued a bucket.  Smokers would circle one bucket in the company street and when finished smoking, put their butts in the bucket and its owner would dump it in a dumpster…a later story.

We finally arrived at our white, wood framed, two storied barracks.  Plt. 265 was on the first floor.  I later found out that that was a good thing.  We had another friendly talk by our SDI.  Two things I remember are that he said that the Drill Instructors would never lay a hand on us.  I thought that was a good thing.  Wrong!  We wished they did.  We did a lot of extra PT and such fun things as holding the M1 at arm’s length by the stacking swivel and rifle exercises. We also lost a portion of “our time” ( 45 minutes for mail call, clean gear and clean self).  The second thing he told us was that we would be a non-smoking platoon even though they would offer us a cigarette after every meal. Most of us were smokers and thought he was crazy.  Guess what?  Your right!  Inside of a few meals we were a non-smoking platoon.  We didn’t circle a bucket, we each had a bucket full of water; then two buckets; then we could not set them down; next were ponchos(never had time to lash them back to the foot of our bunks after smoking…more trouble) and two buckets; face into the wind and the rain.  Finally only two smokers turned out and had to get a GI can full of water.  One smoker returned to formation.  The other took the GI can to the water faucet at the center of the barracks outside and filled it.  He couldn’t carry it, so he muscled it to the Co. street.  He snapped to attention and the Drill Instructor said “smoking lamp is lit”.  The last smoker lit his cigarette and before he could exhale the Drill Instructor said “smoking lamp is out”.  Drill Instructors 1- smokers 0.

As you would expect, I became very proficient performing those neat rifle exercises.  There were several, but the only one I remember is “up and on shoulders”.  I remember that one specifically because at the end of morning PT one day we did that exercise repeatedly.  We were up to the count of 90 when the Drill Instructor saw something he didn’t care for.  After a nice conversation, we did “up and on shoulders” to the count of 104.  That nine pound M1 weighed 100 pounds before we were finished.

The Drill Instructors told us we would move to the rifle range for the three weeks we would be there.  As it turned out, we didn’t move, we marched out and back every day for three weeks.  JDI Ford never seemed to call a good cadence during those marches (probably on purpose). It made us look bad, and we thought we were “salty” by then.  One day he sensed something was wrong while we were marching. “Do you want to run, girls?” he asked.  You all know the answer to that.  Sir, no sir!  We didn’t answer.  He asked again. We answered, “Sir, yes sir!” Bad move.  We started double timing at port arms.  Then we heard this small voice from behind say, “To the rear, march!” That happened a lot during the three weeks on the rifle range.

Sand fleas!  They were alive and well. What else can you say about them in print?

Finally, we had our Outposting Ceremony.  A good thing happened during that ceremony.  No, it was better than good and it made-up for 13 weeks of hell.  We were called “MARINES” for the first time. It just didn’t get any better than that.

Semper Fidelis

Dave Gavin

DETACHMENT OFFICERS

Commandant - Mike Thornton                          Sr. Vice-Commandant - Jim Phillips

Jr. Vice-Commandant – John Hebert                            Judge Advocate – Tom Tracey

Adjutant/Editor – Dave Gavin                           Paymaster – Willie Wynn

Sergeant-At-Arms - Rick Richter                                   Chaplain - Bill Braidwood

VAVS Representative – Dave Gavin

NEXT MEETINGS

Regular Meeting and breakfast on the 2^nd Saturday and breakfast on the 4^th Saturday at 0900 at the Golden Corral, 7250 Youree Dr, Shreveport.

July 10 & 24..…August 14 & 28.….September 11 & 25

“ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE”