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T H E MARIN E C O RP SLA W EN F O R C EM EN T
FO UN D AT IO N
• NEWSLETTER - Issue #38 •
• FALL 2008 •
NEW YORK GALA HONORS AMERICAN STATEMEN
GEN MAGNUS RETIRES ........AND........ GEN AMOS BECOMES ACMC
FAREWELL T O
GEN MAGN US - P . 4
BAKER AWARD -
P.
45
N EW YO RK GALA VIP S - P . 5 2
SPECIAL T HANKS T O T O NY PISCITELLI
GEN J O N ES P RESEN T S
AWAR D T O
GEN AN D MRS. P ACE
-
P.
45
N EWS ASSIST AN T C O MMAN D AN T
FO R T H E C O RP S - P P . 6 & 7
MARY H O WELL
RECEIVES AWARD - P . 2 3
JO SEP H LIEBERM AN
RECEIVES AWARD - P . 4 5
LT GEN C O LEMAN
PRESENTS SCH O LARSHIP - P . 1 9
MIKE FEDO RKO , RO SEMA RY
R. F RANK M CD ONOUGH
US S N A S S A U H O S T S
FO UN D AT IO N FRIEN D M
RECEIVES AWARD - P. 23
LIS A SP EN G LER - P . 3 7
D IST IN GUISH ED VISIT O RS -
AN D
P.
P ET E H A AS -
3
MC-LEF MEMBERS ON THE GO
P.
39
RUSH LIMBAUG H P. 3 7
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MARIN E C O RP S - LAW EN FO RC EMENT FO UN D AT IO N
10 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1007. New York, NY 10020
BO AR D O F D IR EC T O R S
Marine CorpsLaw Enforcement Foundation
O U R M IS S IO N
The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement
Foundation believes our nation’s most precious resource is its youth. Therefore, we
encourage their spiritual, moral, intellectual
and physical development through education.
Mentally or physically disabled children
of the Marine family may receive financial
aid for medical equipment or tutoring.
Scholarship bonds may be provided for children of active-duty Marines killed in the line
of duty.
Scholarship bonds may be provided for
children of Federal law enforcement personnel killed in the line of duty.
Ninety-eight percent of all donations go
toward the assistance of these children.
Membership is free.
The Foundation is an Internal Revenue
Service 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt charity
#22-3357410
- Qu ot e o f t he I ssue -
Checkout our website at mc-lef.org
"Some people spend
an entire
lifetime
wondering if they
made a difference.
The Marines don't
have that problem."
PRESIDENT
RONALD REAGAN,
1985
Newsletter Design by
Page 2
Dodd Graphics
Chairman Emeritus: Zachary Fisher* (1910-1999)
Chairman: James K. Kallstrom**
Vice Chairman: Gary E. Schweikert
Vice Chairman: Richard P. Torykian**
Vice Chairman: Steven Wallace**
Directors:
Truman 0, Anderson
Westy Ballard
Edward J. Boran**
Christopher Burnham
Brian J. Campbell
Timothy Cavanaugh
Kenneth Courey
David Cornstein
Jack Cunnnings
Michael DiFrancesco
Michael Fedorko
Patrick J. Finneran
Col. Edward F. Fitzgerald, USMC (Ret.)
Brian Gannon
Gen. Alfred M. Gray, 29th CMC, USMC (Ret.)
Gen. Michael W. Hagee, 33rd CMC, USMC (Ret.)
Col. G.F. Robert Hanke, USMC (Ret.)
Pat Haynes
Mrs. Diane Jones
Gen, James L. Jones, Jr., 32nd CMC, USMC (Ret.)
Gen. Paul X. Kelley, 28th CMC, USMC (Ret.)
Col. Raymond W. Kelly, USMC (Ret.)
Lt. Gen. William M. Keyes, USMC (Ret.)
Gen. Charles C. Krulak, 31st CMC, USMC (Ret.)
Mrs. Norma Lerner
Rush Limbaugh
Joseph P. Looker
Paul Marrandino
Lt. Gen. Frederick McCorkle, USMC (Ret.)
Robert C, MacCormack
Gen. Carl E. Mundy, Jr., 30th CMC, USMC (Ret.)
Joseph M. Murphy
David Myers
Gen. William “Spider” Nyland, USMC (Ret.)
Gen. Peter Pace, USMC, (Ret.)
Gary L. Penrith
Col. Louis Piantadosi, USMC (Ret.)
Charles W. Santoro
Gilbert D. Scharf
William L, Selden
Park B. Smith
Thomas P. Walter
President
Corporate Council/JAG
CFO
Executive Secretary
Treasurer
Secretary
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Chaplain
Pete Haas**
Gerard P. Griffin, Jr., Esq.
Col. Peter J. 0’Hagan, USMCR, (Ret.)**
W. James Iozia**
William M, Venezia
Jay Renwick
James MacPhail
Darren Moore
Col. Joseph Molitoris, USMCR, (Ret.)
Peter Pace, Jr.
Lt. Col. Dominick A. Prezzano, USMC
John Eric Smith
Eric A. Torykian
Rev. Richard T, McCue
N E WS LET T ER ED I T O R : LO U P IA N T AD O SI
* DECEASED
** FOUNDERS
New York
New York
New York
California
Illinois
North Carolina
New York
Maryland
New York
Ohio
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New Jersey
Missouri
Rhode Island
Illinois
Virginia
Maryland
New York
Illinois
Virginia
Virginia
Virginia
New York
Connecticut
Delaware
Ohio
New York
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Tennesse
e
Illinois
Virginia
New York
New York
Florida
Virginia
Illinois
Virginia
Connecticut
New York
Connecticut
Connecticut
Missouri
New Jersey
New York
New Jersey
New Jersey
New York
New Jersey
Texas
California
New Jersey
Illinois
New York
New Jersey
Nevada
Vermont
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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USS NASSAU HOSTS
DISTINGUISHED
VISITORS’ RECEPTION
IN MALTA
U.S. Navy photos by
Mass Communication Specialists
2nd Class
Sean Stafford and
Andrew King
USS Nassau (LHA 4) color guard presents the colors
during a ceremony to thank Dr. Victor Preziosi
VALETTA, Malta – The amphibious assault ship USS
Nassau (LHA 4) hosted a reception here March 15 for a
Maltese couple who have established a scholarship fund for
the children of fallen Sailors and Marines.
Dr. Victor Preziosi and Mrs. Margaret Preziosi made their
first donation of $72,400 to the Marine Corps - Law
Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF) in October 2004. Since
then they have made several other donations totaling more Capt. James R. Boorujy, Commanding Officer of USS
Nassau (LHA 4), presents gifts to Dr. Victor Preziosi
than $400,000.
and his wife, Margaret during a ceremony to thank Dr.
The funds the Preziosis donate to the MC-LEF provide Victor Preziosi for his support of U.S. service members
scholarships to help in the education of a child of a fallen
member of the U.S. Marine Corps or U.S. Navy. The fund is
called Dr. Victor and Margaret Preziosi Malta GC (George Cross) Friendship Scholarship.
United States Ambassador to Malta Molly Bordonaro, Commanding General of U.S. Marine Corps Forces
Europe Maj. Gen. Cornell A. Wilson, Jr., and Nassau Commanding Officer Capt. James R. Boorujy honored the
Preziosi’s generous support during a ceremony attended by the ship’s Sailors and Marines and Marines from the
U.S. Embassy in Malta.
Dr. Preziosi is a retired ophthalmologist who lived and worked in Washington, D.C., and New York. He met
his wife, a retired nurse, in Washington, D.C. They spent several happy years in the United States and the nation
continues to occupy a very special place in their hearts. They have said on several occasions that they want the
American people to know that there
are Maltese who appreciate what the
United States has done and continues
to do to defend freedom.
The Preziosis said the scholarship
is their way of showing appreciation
and helping the families of brave
American men and women who have
fallen in combat. It will also remind
future generations of the friendship
Commanding General of Nassau Commanding Officer
United States
enjoyed by the Maltese and the
U.S. Marine Corps
Ambassador to Malta
Capt. James R. Boorujy
American peoples.
Forces Europe Maj. Gen.
Molly Bordonaro
Cornell A. Wilson, Jr.
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General
Robert Magnus
Assistant Commandant
of the Marine Corps
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The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement
Foundation takes this opportunity to express
our deep appreciation to
General Bob Magnus
and his darling wife Rose
for all their support and assistance
to our foundation.
We are blessed to have you both as friends.
Rose Magnus was presented with a
Cerrito gold locket as a token of our love
and respect for all
she has done for MC-LEF.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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New Assistant Commandant
for the Marine Corps
General James F. Amos pinned on his fourth star today, and assumed his new duties as Assistant
Commandant of the Marine Corps during a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington.
Amos relieved Gen. Robert Magnus, who served as the Assistant Commandant since September 2005.
Magnus will retire later this month.
Amos graduated from the University of Idaho in 1970, and was designated a Naval aviator in 1971.
He served numerous tours with Marine squadrons, flying both the F-4 Phantom II and the F/A-18 Hornet.
Amos has served with NATO, where he was the deputy commander, Naval Striking Forces, Southern
Europe, and the U.S. deputy commanding general, Fleet Marine Forces, Europe, Naples, Italy. During
this tour, Amos commanded NATO’s Kosovo Verification Coordination Center, and served as chief of
staff, U.S. Joint Task Force Noble Anvil during the air campaign over Kosovo.
Other highlights of Amos’ career include: commanding various units from the squadron to the Corps’
largest air-ground task force, the Marine Expeditionary Force. During the initial phases of Operation
Iraqi Freedom, Amos commanded the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. He later served as the commanding
general of II Marine Expeditionary Force from 2004- 2006.
His previous duty assignment was the commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development
Command at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.
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AMOS
ADVANCES TO GENERAL,
BECOMES
ASSISTANT
COMMANDANT
By Gunnery Sgt. Will Price, Marine Barracks 8th & I
After advancing to
general in a July 2 ceremony presided by
the commandant of the Marine Corps,
Lt. Gen. James F. Amos assumed duties
as 31st assistant commandant of the
Marine Corps today.
Lt Gen Amos and wife, Bonnie
Among more than 300 guests at the
Marine Barracks ceremony in Crawford Hall were former commandants and
assistant commandants, including Amos's predecessor, Gen. Robert Magnus, Top Left: Son, Joshua and daughter, Jaymie pin the four-star rank
who attended with his wife Rose Magnus.
insignia on their father’s collar as
"As we bring aboard a new assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, we wife, Bonnie looks on.
say goodbye to one of our best," said Gen. James T. Conway, 34th comman- Above: Bonnie Amos applauds her
husband with great pride.
dant. "I just want to say Gen. Bob Magnus has done an absolute superb job
as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps."
Assisted by Amos' wife Bonnie, daughter Jaymie and son Joshua, Conway pinned the four-star rank
insignias on Amos’ collar.
"They say that the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree," said Conway of his new wingman. "Jim’s father
was a naval aviator for the United States Navy, and Jim became a great naval aviator for the United States
Marine Corps. I trust he will make an even greater assistant commandant."
In his speech, Amos was very thankful to his former high school classmates and to the former commandants and assistant commandants of the Marine Corps in attendance. Amos was especially moved by the
presence of his family, most notably his grandchildren.
Amos recalled his experiences with his predecessor and spoke toward the future: "Bob Magnus has spent
his entire life serving the United States Marine Corps. He is a good friend. You have taken good care of
me, and over the many, many years, you have been the go-to guy. I look forward to serving in this position
with the same honor and distinction."
Amos graduated from the University of Idaho in 1970. He was designated a Naval Aviator in 1971, and
has held a variety of operational and staff assignments since 1972.
In August 2002, he assumed command of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and deployed with 3rd MAW to
Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Amos also served as commanding general of 2nd Marine Expeditionary
Force from July 2004 to August 2006. In August 2006, Amos assumed command of the Marine Corps
Combat Development Command.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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$215,000 to SEGS4VETS
Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation
DONATES
The Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation is supporting a program through Disability Rights Advocates for
Technology (DRAFT). DRAFT has made it their mission
to use technology to assist senior citizens and people with
disabilities in improving quality of life issues.
In 2005, DRAFT founded Segs4Vets to acknowledge
and honor the battles our disabled veterans continue to fight
in their daily lives. The goal is to identify disabled veterans
whose quality of life might be improved by using a Segway
personal transportation device, train them and ultimately
supply them with the costly device.
Col Barney Barnum, USMC
(Ret), Cpl Jamel Daniels,
Gen Eberhart, USAF(Ret)
Col Barney Barnum, USMC
(Ret), Cpl Jimmy Kinsey,
Gen Eberhart, USAF(Ret)
Over 30,000 American troops have been wounded since
September 11, 2001. Among them are hundreds who are
trying to adapt to life with permanent mobility issues.
Anyone who has spent time in a wheelchair will tell you
that even the most upscale models have their drawbacks.
Being closer to the ground makes it more difficult to be
seen while crossing the street. It also means having to hold
your head back while looking someone in the eye-- often a
difficult and painful feat for someone who has sustained
back and neck injuries. In some cases standing is much
less painful than sitting and a Segway would be a great
mobility supplement, but with a price tag around $6,000,
they are only a dream for most people. Through the generosity of donors such as The Marine Corps Law
Enforcement Foundation, Segs4Vets presented over 80
Page 8
Segways to veterans last year .
Their goal is to secure funding to
provide an additional 250 veterans with the devices this year.
According to Jerry Kerr, a cofounder of Segs4Vets, a Segway keeps the user at eyelevel, which is a physical and psychological boost to users.
The goal of the program is to keep injured veterans standing and for them to enjoy the benefits of standing.
Segs4Vets has four training and assessment locations
across the country where physicians and therapists can
Col Barney Barnum, USMC
(Ret), LCpl Kyle Riley, Gen
Eberhart, USAF(Ret)
Col Barney Barnum, USMC
(Ret), LCpl Derrick Sharp,
Gen Eberhart, USAF(Ret)
evaluate disabled veterans who might improve the quality
of life by using a Segway personal transportation device.
Patients at Brook Army Medical Center (Texas), the
National Naval Medical Center (Maryland), Walter Reed
Army Medical Center (Washington D.C.) and the Naval
Medical Center San Diego (California) are assessed for the
program and potential candidates are trained. The evaluations identify those best suited to benefit from the advantages of using a Segway.
On 7 May 2008 at the Army Navy Country Club in
Arlington, VA, General Ralph Eberhart, USAF (Ret.) and
Colonel H. C. Barney Barnum USMC(Ret.) Medal of
Honor recipient and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the
Navy Reserve Affairs again presented Segways to twentynine Segs4Vets recipients.
Continued on next page
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Seg4Vets Continued from previous page
To date the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation
has awarded $215,000.00 to the Segs4Vets program, for
members of the Untied States Marine Corps and United
States Navy Corpsmen serving in support of the Marine
Corps who were
injured in combat.
The Marine Corps
Law
Enforcement
Foundation financial
support was given in
honor of Colonel
Barney Barnum
USMC (Ret) in recognition of his continuing support of all our
Corporal Merlin German
disabled veterans.
Of
the
29
Segs4Vets recipients, 5 Marines were presented their
Segways. Corporal Merlin German, a Marine who was
severely burned, has since passed away. It is a poignant
reminder that our injured veterans and their families contin-
Senator John McCain
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510
April 11, 2008
Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation, Inc
Attn: Jim Kallstrom
P.O. Box 37
Mountain Lake, New Jersey 07046
Dear Friends:
Enclosed please find my donation in the amount of $2,500.00 to
the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, Inc.
I am pleased to make a contribution to such a fine organization.
Sincerely,
John McCain
United States Senator
Photo taken at 7 May 2008 presentation Left to right- Leonard Timm,Founder & VP, Fred Kaplan,
Treasurer, Jerry Kerr, President/Founder HMI Christine
Jensen, Advisory Board, Lou Piantadosi, Barney Barnum,
MC-LEF
ue to fight a battle each day and it is important that we honor
these soldiers and the sacrifices they have made for us all.
Segs4Vets is the first organization to be recognized by the
U.S. military with a blanket waiver permitting gifts in excess
of $1,000 in value to active duty military personnel.
The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation continues to support the Segs4Vets program.
TO: MARINE CORPS-LAW ENFORCMENT FOUNDATION INC.
FROM: CAPTAIN ADOLFO ARENAS, USMC
MARINE WING SUPPORT GROUP 47,FRESNO,CALIFORNIA
ON BEHALF OF OUR SUPPORT GROUP AND ALL
MARINES WE WISH TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING
US
TO
PRESENT
THE
MARINE
CORPS--LAW
ENFORCEMENT FOUNDATION EDUCATION BONDS TO
MRS. MASDONATI AND FAMILY. WE THANK THE
FOUNDATION FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU GIVE TO
FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST SOMEONE. WE PRESENTED, ON YOUR BEHALF, THE BONDS TO MRS. LINDSEY MASDONATI TODAY AND SHE IS VERY TOUCHED
WITH THIS UNEXPECTED GIFT.
THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THOSE WHO
HAVE LOST A SERVICEMEMBER AND GOING THROUGH
VERY DIFFICULT TIMES.
SEMPER FIDELIS
CAPTAIN ADOLFO ARENAS, USMC
enclosure
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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On 29 May 2008 the 13th annual North Jersey
Golf Tournament was held at “Skytop” Country
Club, Sparta, New Jersey. A beautiful day for this
tournament! 127 golfers played on top of these
mountains for great golf. “Skytop” did an outstanding job for our foundation.
Several of our foundation members have had a
“special project” to raise funds at these tournaments. They have worked hard, and successful
with selling hole signs for the course. A “Board of
Honor” is displayed at the “Mary Oliva Memorial
13th Annual North Jersey
“Mary Oliva Memorial”
Golf Tournament
By Joe Molitoris
Tournament” - once again outstanding success!
180 folks donated for signs over $21,000! Over
the past eight years the “Board of Honor” signs
have raised $197,440 for the North Jersey
Tournament. All donors of $100 or more had a
hole sign. All donors regardless of amount had
their name on the “Board of Honor.”
This project was the idea of Ed Fredericks, and
with the help of Joe and Dottie Molitoris has
expanded with each year and the hole signs
appear at every hole, like snowflakes!
Chairman Jim Iozia and Charlene Iozia at the check in station
Jim Iozia Schools the “Helping Crew”
Two Old friends Col Joe Molitoris and MSG Ken Benson.
Ever since 1st LT and SGT
“BREAK TIME”...
Left to Right: Jim Iozia, Angelo Oliva, Joe Garvey, Tom Lenihan
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Left: Hole one
Sponsors
Ed and his “fellow citizens” of Parsippany
send out the letters, Joe and Dot receive the
answers and every donor, regardless of size of
donation gets a personal hand written letter
thanking them for their support. Basil Filippone
of Creatist Enterprises constructs the “Board.”
The “Board and Hole Sign” subcommittee of
the tournament take this opportunity to thank all
who have made this project a success. It has
grown through the years and through their generosity we are able to help the children of our
M ANY T HANKS to T O YO T A
continued sponsorship
OF
M O RRIST O WN for their
Jim Iozia Schools the “Helping Crew”
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
Right: First Tee
Sponsors
fallen Marines. This helps them get a start on
their education life and also reminds us of the
great sacrifice a father or mother made for that
education assistance...we thank our contributors.
It will be put to good use - the committee thanks
all golfers and contributors. God bless our
Marines and their families.
CplTaylor, nephew
of Tom Molitoris,
grand son of Joe
Molitoris, USMC
(Ret), VP MC-LEF
L to R: Nick Ciampo, Col Joe Molitoris USMC (Ret), 1st
SGT John Medeirus USMC (Ret), Herm Alstede, MSGT Ken
Benson, USMC (Ret) 7th Rifle Co. USMCR - Ciampo,
Alstede and Benson served with then CAPT Molitoris Co.
7th Rifle (Old Unit). Medeiros was 1st SGT I&I of “G” Co.
2nd BN, 25th MAR the new unit designation
“Heavy Hitters” Board of Honor
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L OZADA C HILDREN
In photograph are: Left to Right are U.S. Marine Reserve
Lt. Col. Stace Hayward, Stephanie Lozada, David Lozada,
Lisa Lozada, Theresa Lozada (Widow and mother) and
Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) Michael Lee of The U.S.
Secret Service Dallas Field Office.
In Memorium
Dot Molotoris, wife of Colonel Joe
Molotoris, USMC (RET) passed away
suddenly July 26, 2008. Dot was a
great fund raiser for the Foundation as
she, Joe, and pal Ed Fredericks,
worked every year “selling” hole signs
for the successful North Jersey MCLEF Golf. They have raised over
$200,000 selling hole signs! Colonel
“Joe” is a Vice President of our foundation. The Molotoris family was very
kind and requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to our foundation. The Foundation has established
a “Dorothy Molotoris Memorial
Scholarship.”
The Scholarship will be in her honor
and presented in September to a child
of a Lieutenant who recently gave his
life in Iraq.
One of Dorothy’s many grandchildren, Ryan, a Marine, now serving his
fourth tour in Iraq served in the
Lieutenant’s Unit.
Dot was a loving wife and devoted
mother, married to Joe for 56 years.
She will be missed.
Page 12
RECEIVE
SCHOLARSHIPS
Senior Corporal Victor Lozada of the Dallas,
PD was killed on Feb. 22, 2008 while on official
duty and in support of a U.S. Secret Service protective motorcade for former First Lady and
Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton in Dallas,
Texas.
Senior Corporal Lozada’s daughter Stephanie
and son, David each received a $25,000 U.S.
Education Bond from the Marine Corps-Law
Enforcement Foundation.
Marine Reserve Lt. Col Hayward is also a
Police Officer with the Dallas PD. Senior
Corporal David Beideck (not in picture) also
represented the Dallas PD at the presentation.
Dear Mr. Kallstrom,
I am writing to express my sincere appreciation to you and your organization
regarding your recent support of my efforts at Villanova University. The significance of your generosity in alleviating my financial hardship is truly immeasurable. Rather than concentrating on ways to keep my tuition account in good
standing, and financing my final semester next fall despite a lack of resources, I
can now focus solely on making the most of my remaining time at Villanova.
Your assistance was essential in allowing me to do so.
Following my discharge from the Marine Corps in June of 2004, I studied at
Delaware County Community College for two years. Doing so allowed me the
opportunity to save much of the money I would need to finance my education at
Villanova. Furthermore, the experience I gained in the Marine Corps played no
small role in my earning the grades I would need to be accepted to the
University. The skills which I learned as an infantryman have remained beneficial in civilian life. I have continued to perform well at Villanova; my GP A is
currently 3.86, and my professors have taken a genuine interest in my development. As your assistance has reconciled my financial difficulties, I can now concentrate on continued improvement, and earning acceptance to the best graduate
program available. Another aspect of my education which may be of interest to
you as a member of the law enforcement community is my forthcoming thesis.
It will be an accounting of the facts surrounding the murder of Officer Daniel
Faulkner, PPD, and the subsequent conviction of Mumia Abu Jamal for the crime.
Finally, I realize that the generous gift you have entrusted to me is not free
money. I understand that somebody's labor earned every cent of it, and I, likewise, am determined to earn it accordingly. I have been helped through the generosity, advice and example of many good people in my life, and I will remember all of them, you and your organization included. I have nothing to give you
now other than my most sincere appreciation. Hopefully, in attempting to live up
to all the help I have received from others, I will someday be in the position to
help someone else who needs it, as you have to me. If I could be of any assistance to you or your organization, please don't hesitate to reach me. I would be
happy to help in any way. Once again, thank you for your investment in my
future. The actions of yourself and your organization exemplify the Marine
Corps motto: Semper Fidelis.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Cossentino
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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Who is
Defending You?
By Frank Schaeffer
The Washington Post
Before my son became a Marine, I
never thought much about who was
defending me. Now when I read of the
war on terrorism or the coming conflict
in Iraq, it cuts to my heart. When I see
a picture of a member of our military
who has been killed, I read his or her
name very carefully. Sometimes I cry.
In 1999, when the barrel-chested
Marine recruiter showed up in dress
blues and bedazzled my son John, I did
not stand in the way. John was headstrong, and he seemed to understand
these stern, clean men with straight
backs and flawless uniforms. I did not.
I live in the Volvo-driving, higher education-worshiping North Shore of
Boston. I write novels for a living. I
have never served in the military.
It had been hard enough sending my
two older children off to Georgetown
and New York University . John's
enlisting was unexpected, so deeply
unsettling. I did not relish the prospect
of answering the question, "So where
is John going to college?" from the
parents who were itching to tell me all
about how their son or daughter was
going to Harvard. At the private high
school John attended, no other students
were going into the military.
"But aren't the Marines terribly
Page 13
Southern?" asked one perplexed mother while standing next to me at the
brunch following graduation. "What a
waste, he was such a good student,"
said another parent. One parent (a professor at a nearby and rather famous
university) spoke up at a school meeting and suggested that the school
should "carefully evaluate what went
wrong."
When John graduated from three
months of boot camp on Parris Island,
3,000 parents and friends were on the
parade deck stands. We parents and
our Marines not only were of many
races but also were representative of
many economic classes. Many were
poor. Some arrived crammed in the
backs of pickups, others by bus. John
told me that a lot of parents could not
afford the trip.
We in the audience were white and
Native American. We were Hispanic,
Arab and African American and Asian.
We were former Marines wearing the
scars of battle, or at least baseball caps
emblazoned with battles' names. We
were Southern whites fromNashville
and skinheads from New Jersey, black
kids from Cleveland wearing ghetto
rags and white ex-cons with ham-hock
forearms defaced by jailhouse tattoos.
We would not have been mistaken for
the educated and well-heeled parents
gathered on the lawns of John's private
school a half-year before.
After graduation one new Marine
told John, "Before I was a Marine, if I
N a v a l W a r C o l l e g e Fo u n d a t i o n
had ever seen you on my block I
would've probably killed you just
because you were standing there." This
was a serious statement from one of
John's good friends, an African
American ex-gang member from
Detroit who, as John said, "would die
for me now, just like I'd die for him."
My son has connected me to my
country in a way that I was too selfish
and insular to experience before. I feel
closer to the waitress at our local diner
than to some of my oldest friends. She
has two sons in the Corps. They are
facing the same dangers as my boy.
When the guy who fixes my car asks
me how John is doing, I know he
means it. His younger brother is in the
Navy.
Why were I and the other parents at
my son's private school so surprised by
his choice? During World War II, the
sons and daughters of the most powerful and educated families did their bit.
If the idea of the immorality of the
Vietnam War was the only reason
those lucky enough to go to college
dodged the draft, why did we not
encourage our children to volunteer for
military service once that war was
done?
Have we wealthy and educated
Americans all become pacifists? Is the
world a safe place? Or have we just
gotten used to having somebody else
defend us? What is the future of our
democracy when the sons and daughContinued on page 40
HONORS MC-LEF MEMBER
2008. Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award Ceremony
General James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman,
JointChiefs of Staff, was awarded the Distinguished
Graduate Leadership Award at a ceremony held on 24 April
2008 at the Washington Navy Yard. The 13th annual ceremony was preceded by a dinner hosted by the Naval War
College and the Naval War College Foundation.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
L to R are John D’Luhy, Chairman of the Foundation’s
Board of Trustees/ General Cartwright and RADM Jacob
Shuford/ USN/ College President.
Page 13
1
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MC-LEF
PROVIDES
$125,000.00
Page 14
RACING
FOR
OUR HEROES FOUNDATION
In 2006, Jason Carter
(American Le Mans Series
Driver & Owner)
launched the charitable
organization
RA CI N G FO R O UR H ERO ES
(A recognized 501 (c)3
non-profit organization).
Jason Carter is a professional
racing driver in the American Le
Mans Series as well as a U.S.
Marine Veteran (1991-1995). In
conjunction with his American
Le Mans racing, Mr. Carter founded Racing For Our
Heroes which is designed to express, in a tangible
way, a collective appreciation for the sacrifices of our
severely wounded Military Heroes who have served in
the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Racing For Our Heroes invites groups of Wounded
Warriors, as well as an accompanying family member,
to join Mr. Carter and his racing team at each of his
American Le Mans Series events throughout the
United States. Racing For Our Heroes is a galvanizing effort, intended to encourage and inspire
our Military Heroes as they endure lengthy
and difficult recovery & rehabilitation procedures. Racing For Our Heroes is designed to
provide much needed rest and relaxation as
well as an exciting and memorable experience
for our Military Heroes who have expressed a
passion for our sport of motor
racing.
Jason’s Car.
Since its’ inception in
Notice the
September 2006, Racing For
“Iwo” on
both sides.
Our Heroes has received over
Page 14
200 requests from Wounded Warriors and/or their
family members wishing to participate in the Racing
For Our Heroes program. As a result, our organization was able to host 76 Soldiers & Marines, as well
as 48 accompanying family members during the
2007 American Le Mans race season. Racing For
Our Heroes looks forward to fulfilling all of our
requests during the 2008 season.
Racing For Our Heroes absorbs all costs associated
with hosting our Wounded Warriors at each of the
American Le Mans racing events. The approximate
cost is $3,000 per Veteran, which includes; airfare,
hotel accommodations, ground transportation, meals,
VIP event tickets, VIP event parking, gift bags, tshirts, and all incidental costs. As well, Racing For
Our Heroes absorbs the costs for each Veteran’s
spouse or a close family member to travel and attend
the events.
Continued on next page
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Continued from previous page
Due to the overwhelming response from our
Wounded Warriors, Racing For Our Heroes is
unable to fund the entire budget for all of our participating Heroes. Racing For Our Heroes will be
hosting approximately 110 Wounded Marines,
Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen during the 2008
American Le Mans racing season.
These WIA LOVE Life and Racing
Jason and his wounded warriors
Mr. Jason M. Carter
Racing for Our Heroes Foundation 6611 Hillcrest
Avenue - Suite 343 Dallas, TX 75205
Dear Jason:
We are pleased to enclose our check for $125,000
for your Foundation, Racing for Heroes (RFOH) Ein 208801659.
It is a pleasure to assist you in this exciting
program and we compliment you on the idea and accomplishment in having our true heroes at the racing
events.
The program is extensive and I know it
will take much dedicated effort and
administrative time to accomplish your 2008
Season. We are positive that by having these WIA veterans will give them great support in their very difficult lives.
Keep us posted - I understand you may be in
Chicago, we have an active committee there than have
an annual dinner to support our Foundation.
Any information you can mail to me at the above and
or any business address, SOLO Management Corporation,
9 West 57th Street, New York. NY 10019. Thanks Jason,
you continue the tradition of Marines take care of
their own !{and others)
Semper Fidelis,
JIM KALLSTROM
Board Chairman, MC-LEF
Summer League Swim
Team Raises $4,600
ing the summer. Even a few Redfield moms participated in the Swim-A-Thon. Everyone was very taken
back by the amount of support and overall excitement
of the kids to swim for such a great cause. In total, over
50 miles were completed by
The Redfield Sundevil Swim35 swimmers and $4,600 was
Team of Dunwoody, Georgia
raised. The entire Sundevil
held a first ever Sundevil Swimcommunity is very touched
A-Thon this June. The fund raisthat their hard work is coner, headed by assistant coach
tributing to such a great cause.
Peter Haas, grandson of Pete and
Peter, a Junior at Marist High
Rosemary Haas, raised over
School in Atlanta, and head
$4,600 for the Marine Corps-Law
coach Kevin Gilli, a Junior at
Enforcement Foundation. The
Georgia Tech, couldn't be
swimmers, ages 6 to 17, were
The Redfield Sundevil Swim-Team
prouder of their swimmers
asked to get pledges for the number of laps they chose to swim during their practice. and this great accomplishment!
The proceeds will enable the purchase of a $10,000
There was an outstanding turnout, with children as
young as 6 swimming a surplus of 50 laps. There were Maturity Value "EE" Patriot Bond that will be presented
over 30 kids under the age of 12 to swim a mile, 72 to a young girl whose Father was recently killed in Iraq,
laps, and more! An even more astonishing fact is that freeing millions of Iraq Children. The young girl and her
not one of these kids is a competitive year around Mother live in Georgia and this is a small way our Team
swimmer, they just swim for their neighborhood dur- can help educate this family stricken by tragedy.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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ANNUAL
July 4, 2008
Recently, the New Mexico Viper Club, whose members all
own a high performance Dodge Viper automobiles, organized
an event with the sole purpose of raising money for the
Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.
The event was the 1st ANNUAL ROADRUNNER CHARITY FUN RUN
in Albuquerque. Over fifty (50) exotic sports car participated in the “poker run,” where participants picked up
playing cards at seven locations around town and at the
final stop, played their best five card poker hand.
Hand made trophies, made of engine parts, were awarded
to the top three poker hands, and over fifteen door prizes
were awarded to random entrants. With the help of an additional donation by a local business, Motiva Performance,
the NM Viper Club was able to raise a donation of $2,000
to be given to the MC-LEF.
We hope to make this an annual event, and we anticipate
an even larger donation next year.
Bill Rodway, President
New Mexico Viper Club
Right: Viper
Cars: (L-R) Viper, Viper, Bentley, Ford GT, Viper, Viper”
“NM Viper Club members and directors pose with
Sandia Mountain in the background:(L-R) Chris
Thomson, Sheila Thomson, Jan Hogstrom, Bill Rodway,
Bennie Martinez, Jim Baughman.
Page 16
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A Gift of Friendship:
Reflections of
Captain Mike Haskell, USMC
By Charles W. “Bill” Henderson
Chief Warrant Officer, USMC (Retired)
On May 28, 2008, Colonel Lou Piantadosi,
USMC (Retired), representing the Marine
Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, presented $30-thousand dollars in Series E bonds to
Elizabeth Christine Miller, the daughter of
Jason and Melissa Miller of Fredericksburg,
Left to Right: COL Lou Piantadosi, USMC (Ret) , MC-LEF
VA, and the granddaughter of the late Captain Representative, LTCOL Stan Wells, USMC (Ret), Chrissy Wells, Jason
(Major Select) Mike Haskell, USMC, killed in Miller, Melissa Miller, Elizabeth, LtGen Ron Coleman, USMC, Deputy
action in Beirut, Lebanon, October 23, 1983. Commandant for Manpower and Reserves Affairs.
Presentation was made at Quantico in the
offices of Lieutenant General Ronald S. Coleman, Deputy operations in Beirut, and every US military action
thereafter, received a gift of a $10-thousand dollar
Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
The presentation was not much different than one I bond. Thus Mike Haskell’s kids got their bonds, and I
attended on the quarterdeck at Lejeune Hall with my became a devoted and loyal follower of Pete Haas,
commander, Lieutenant General David M. Twomey, Zack Fisher, Jim Kallstrom, Dick Torykian, Lou
early in 1984, also made in tribute to Mike Haskell. Piantadosi and many others who later founded the MCThat event was my first meeting of MC-LEF President LEF, and today carry on this wonderful tradition of
Pete Haas, a man I have come to know well and revere. giving education funds to the children of our fallen
I stood with a few other Marines who served with Mike brothers and sisters.
I know without a moment’s hesitation that had Mike
Haskell in Beirut, watching as Mr. Haas presented two
$10-thousand dollars bonds to Christine Haskell on Haskell lived, he too would be a devoted supporter and
member of MC-LEF. The whole idea behind the bonds
behalf of her two small children.
The sight lives in my mind as fresh as yesterday. given to these children of our fallen comrades is to give
Chris stood in a simple print dress, an attractive yet them the greatest gift a parent can bestow on a
subdued floral design. The little boy stood a head taller child–the opportunity of a higher education. Anyone
than the little girl, their blond hair shining bright. Both who knew Mike Haskell, knew his love of education.
of them huddled close to the front of their mother as When Mike earned his Masters Degree, it was monuGeneral Twomey spoke, and honored Mike so rever- mental to him. Therefore, seeing the children of his
ently. I remember feeling my heart breaking as I saw brother Marines killed in Beirut receiving these bonds
how that little family held each other so close, the kids would have emblazoned his heart.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Dad,”
huddled tight against their mother’s legs. I remember
Melissa Haskell Miller, today a candidate to receive
how alone they looked.
That was now some 24 years ago, ten years before her PhD in Education, thanks in part to that bond she
the MC-LEF was even formed. Yet even then, the received 24 years ago, said in a letter she wrote to me
Marines that are the heart and soul of the MC-LEF recently, about her father, my friend, the late Captain
today did such deeds on their own. They were driven Haskell. Anyone who knew Mike Haskell at all can
by a passion for their fellow Marines, and love of fam- relate to Melissa’s comment. Over the years, since
Mike’s death, I find myself thinking of Mike quite freily.
In 1984, thanks to the devotion of our dear friend, quently, although I am sure not nearly as often as his
the late Zachary Fisher, every child of every American devoted daughter, or his widow, Christine, or his son,
serviceman killed in action during the peacekeeping
Continued on next page
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June 1, 2008
Dear Colonel Piantadosi,
Thank you so very much for all you did to
make such a special day for our family from
MC-LEF.
It was nice to see you again. It seems you
are enjoying your time with MC-LEF and I
know ho many people benefit from your generous work.
We feel very grateful an honored you
included us as a part of your work. I am very
touched you honor Mike’s memory with such
a generous gift to Elizabeth.
Fondly,
Christine H. Wells
Jay, short for Jason. A person cannot have known Mike
Haskell as a friend and not think of him. Think of him
often and think of him well.
Melissa also said of her dad, “Every time I meet
someone who knew Dad, they have something positive
to say and a smile on their face. I love this. I love hearing Mike stories.”
She added in that letter that her father died doing
what he loved–being a Marine. Christine says that too
about her late husband. Mike had always wanted to be
a Marine, and loved it as much as life itself. Being a
Marine and being a father is what made Mike Haskell
whole. His devotion to his wife and family is legendary. But also was his devotion to his Marine Corps.
For Mike, they were rolled into a single sphere that
was his life.
Chris and Mike first knew each other as school
mates in the small town of Westborough,
Massachusetts. Mike had moved there with his parents,
Rich and Marion Haskell and younger brother, Jeffrey,
when he was barely 14 years of age. Chris was born
and raised in Westborough, and she and Mike attended
school together. After high school Mike joined the
Marines at the tender age of 17 years old. He pulled an
enlisted tour during the Vietnam War, and then got out
in 1973 as a staff sergeant, getting his rocker while
serving as a Drill Instructor at Marine Corps Recruit
Depot, Parris Island. That same year, he enrolled at
Page 18
Framingham State College in Massachusetts, and there
ran into Chris again. They started dating, and Chris
says that she knew he was going to be her husband at
their first kiss. She also knew he would go back in the
Marine Corps, even perhaps before Mike knew it himself. He could talk of nothing but his beloved Marine
Corps. Thus, that same year he enrolled in the Platoon
Leaders Course at Framingham State, and when he
graduated in May of 1975 he headed off to The Basic
School at Quantico. Chris, a newly wed bride as of
March of 1975, immediately came to know what was
meant by the term “TBS widow” when she became one
of that elite group of lonely wives of second lieutenants.
TBS widows washed muddy utilities, skivvies and
socks, and once in awhile got a glimpse of their husbands. From there, Chris became familiar with the life
of a “West-Pac widow,” as Mike departed Infantry
Officer Course bound for Okinawa for a year of fun
and games. It wasn’t until Mike commanded a company at Marine Barracks 8th and I that they settled into
any kind of real Marine Corps family life, and started
having children. Buckaroo came first and then Sugar
Pop.
When Mike was assigned to 2nd Marine Division
and the 8th Marine Regiment, his ship had landed. He
was finally where he always wanted to be, and doing
what he loved. In short order he moved to the head of
the class, and as he shipped out with the BLT for
Beirut, he was already selected for Major.
Last time I saw my friend Mike Haskell, he had his
Majority oak leaves in hand. I joked with him about
now having to buy a boat cloak and mess dress uniform. Although still the alpha, with promotion to major
he would take over 1st Battalion, 8th Marines operations. That was in the summer of 1983, when I headed
home from Beirut.
Mike had made a special point of walking up the hill
where I had my quarters in a GP medium tent, and
telling me goodbye. As I boarded a jeep with my
seabag stuffed and an ear to ear grin on my face, he
told me, “Be careful, Hotshot.” I smile when I think of
it. “ Hotshot.”
That was part of Mike Haskell’s lexicon. He used
those quick, punchy terms to address people he liked.
Gave them names like “stick-horse” and “hotshot.”
He called his baby girl, Melissa, “Sugar Pop.” That
summer of 1983 she had just turned 4 years old, and
she was going to grow up and marry Daddy. Mike
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Page 19
adored giving her horsey rides, and had breakfast with
her and Jay before sunrise nearly every day–a typical
Marine dad. Mike would kid his baby girl, and ask her,
“Who’s your boyfriend?” “Daddy,” of course Sugar
Pop said. “Who’re you going to marry?” “Daddy!”
she’d cry. Their conversation could go on for an hour.
Fatherhood became Mike.
His son, Jay, who would be 6 years old in November
1983, was “Buckaroo.” He wanted to be just like Dad
too. As it turns out, Jason is very much like Mike.
Bright and with a heart big as the sky. To look at either
of those good looking Haskell kids today, now grown,
and Sugar Pop now a mom, they are unmistakably
Mike’s. They both look very much like Dad. More significantly, they share their father’s goodness. Funny
thing, the new granddaughter, Elizabeth, looks like
Mike too. When his granddaughter was born, grandmother Chris told Melissa and Jay, “Before Elizabeth
was born, Mike gave her a kiss and sent her to us from
Heaven.” To that Melissa adds, “So I do think they’ve
already met.”
My last days with Mike Haskell came when I was
one of the various overlapping straphangers in Beirut,
a staff officer who pulled his tour mid-pump with one
Marine Amphibious Unit (today known as Marine
Expeditionary Unit) and departed mid-pump from the
MAU that had relieved the earlier one. I had joined the
22nd MAU early spring and then departed my peacekeeping duties from the 24th MAU mid-summer.
Already by then we could see the trouble getting worse
and worse. Everyone was nervous.
Mike was the S-3 alpha, Assistant Operations
Officer of 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, the Battalion
Landing Team of the 24th MAU. Mike died on Sunday
morning, October 23, 1983, when an Islamic terrorist
drove a truck into the barracks where Mike and several hundred other Marines slept, and in the center of the
building, detonated its 3-ton capacity cargo bed filled
with bottles of acetylene and oxygen, wrapped in “det
cord” and rigged to explode with a healthy charge of
C-4. The explosion, which was on par with several tons
of TNT, took down the entire massive building, killing
Mike and 240 of our fellow Marines.
I was then honored with the difficult duty of serving
as a liaison officer at Dover Air Force Base in
Delaware, where we brought our dead home. For ten
days I served there, mostly without rest. Each night as
a C-141 would land from Germany, I supervised
Marines unloading the caskets and setting them atop
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
the concrete blocks laid out on the floor of that gigantic hangar with the American Flag dominating its back
wall. I remember walking the line and reading the
names off the tape at the foot of each casket. I will
never forget reading Mike’s name.
We who knew Mike back in the old days, back when
Marines wore “trop” trousers and matching wool
shirts–our “peanut butter” uniform–the Marine in the
plain brown wrapper, we’d joke, nicknamed Sergeant
Haskell, Iron Mike. He was the “Marine’s Marine,” as
we’d say, a tough nut, and he looked it too. No soft
spots. So, he was Iron Mike. Just like the statue that
stands in front of the old headquarters at Quantico.
Thus it was not Captain Haskell that I saw when he
came ashore in early May of 1983 with the advance
party of the 24th MAU, but a former sergeant I knew
Left to Right:
Col Lou
Piantadosi,
Jason Miller,
Melissa Miller,
Elizabeth and
LtGen Ron
Coleman
Letter from daughter of Mike Haskell...
May 29,2008
Dear Mr. Haas,
Thank you so much for your kindness and generousity with your gift from the Marine Corps Law
Enforcement Foundation to our daughter Elizabeth
Miller. We greatly appreciate your time and effort on
our behalf in securing the bonds for Elizabeth's future
education.
Elizabeth is the best thing that has ever happened to
us, and while it is a joyous time, it is bittersweet
because we know how much my dad would have loved
having a granddaughter. Your efforts in his memory
mean more to us than I could ever describe in words.
Thank you for everything you do on behalf of the
Marine Corps and for our country.
With Warmest Thanks,
Jason and Melissa Miller
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Continued from previous page
as Iron Mike. It had been a few years, but friends don’t
forget. Mike had also known my partner in crime at the
Joint Public Affairs Bureau, Beirut, its commander,
Major Fred “Flash” Lash. Unbeknownst to me, Fred
had made communications with Mike that Gunner
Henderson was out of chewing tobacco, and was biting
heads off even strangers. Because the outgoing MAU
had shut off resupply, a matter of practice to not have
to haul out a lot of garbage, we had run out of chew
several days prior. A shortage of Red Man can put a
Marine Warrant Officer in a bad mood. I wasn’t the
only one. A couple of sergeants major sang in my
angry choir. Thus when Mike came ashore his first day
and sought me out, our embrace was followed by his
presentation of not just a pouch of chewing tobacco but
an entire case! I wanted to pay him, but he would not
hear of it. He said that Major Lash had tipped him off,
and pleaded with him to bring relief. A bad tempered
Gunner is no picnic, not even for a crusty former
Recon major like Flash Lash.
I took a couple of pouches for myself, and then I
opened the case to my fellow Marines who also
chewed before breakfast, including the sergeants
major.
Such an act of kind regard for his fellow Marines
was the very persona of Mike Haskell. He felt our pain,
From: CACO, Detachment 2
Inspector Instructor Staff
To: Marine Corps-Law Enforcement
Foundation
subj: SAVING BONDS
The CACO received the saving bonds
in the amount of $60,000.00 on 17
July 2008. The saving bonds were
presented to GySgt Edward Neal’s
family. The Neal family appreciates
your organization contribution to
insure the dependants get a quality
education.
S. R. WHIPPLE
Page 20
and went out of his way to make life good for all
Marines that surrounded him. I never forgot his goodness that day or any of the many days that followed
when he would spend time at our tent, relaxing under
the line of trees we had for shade. We ate C-rations and
talked of home and family. The times we had seemed
meaningless then, insignificant at the time. Yet today,
as I recall that friendship, those meaningless moments
are like diamonds. And the gift of a handful of chewing tobacco is a priceless treasure. It came from a
friend.
When I wrote my first book, Marine Sniper, first
published in 1986, I dedicated it, along with all the
“Snuffies of the Corps” (the lance corporals and
below), to three of my brother Marines whose friendship made a difference in my life. One was to “Tony.”
That is Corporal Anthony Mack “Tony” Cass a buddy
of mine from high school, who was killed in action in
Vietnam in 1968. Second was to “Sammy,” Corporal
Samuel Medina Ramirez, also a high school chum of
mine who died in Vietnam only weeks after Tony was
killed. The third was to “Iron Mike.” Captain Mike
Haskell. Need I say more. Had Mike lived, I honestly
expect that he would have had four stars on his collar.
Anyone who knew him will agree. He would have
made a great Commandant.
Thank you for the contribution to provide my children
Trevon and Tyshon Neal an
opportunity to further their
education.
Words
can
not
express my gratitude for the
financial support your organization has provided me and my
family. Once again, on behalf
the Neal family, thank you.
Cynthia Neal
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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Mar
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It is the reason why people come from all over to
attend the annual gala and invitational golf tournament in Atlantic City. No, it is not the beach, the casino, the silent auction or delicious food provided by the
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort. It is because of four
special pages that can be found in the annual commemorative program book. It is because of the listing
of scholarship bonds titled “2007 Benefit
Distribution” by the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement
Foundation. “On behalf of the children we serve” – It
is about the many children identified on that distribution list.
The donations of those in attendance and all
contributions to the Foundation were gratefully
acknowledged by Mr. Pete Haas, President of the
Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation. Each
year, and this was no exception, Mr. Haas did a touching tribute to the mission of the Foundation by identifying situations where scholarship bonds were presented during the year.
Before the formal program began, Master of
Ceremonies Michael Fedorko recognized the dignitaries and special guests in the audience. One of the
individuals recognized was Foundation Secretary and
committee member Master Sgt. James Renwick who
recently returned from completing his 2nd tour of duty
fighting the Global War on Terror.
Fedorko then introduced Lt. Gen. Emerson
Gardner, USMC, the evening’s Military Guest of
Honor. On behalf of General James Conway,
Commandant of the Marine Corps, he extended
congratulations to the evening’s award winners, Mary
Howell and Frank McDonough. “They are truly
deserving.” Lt. Gen. Gardner added, “I would like to
add just how humble I feel standing before so many
Continued on next page
A gathering of heroes. Medal of
Honor recipients. l to r:
Sgt. Robert E. O’Malley, USMC;
Cmd. Sgt./Maj. Robert M.
Patterson, U.S.Army;
1st Lt. Brian Miles Thacker, U.S.
Army; Col. Van T. Barfoot, U.S.
Army; Major General James E.
Livingston, U.S. Marine Corps;
Sgt. Maj. Jon R. Caviani, U.S.
Army and Capt. Thomas G.
Kelley, U.S. Navy.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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Continued from previous page
recipients of our Nation’s highest honor. Thank you
for making it possible for us to even be here tonight.”
He then provided an update on the war on terror and
the impact Marines made on our Country’s freedoms.
As the evening’s program commenced, Sgt.
Major Jon Caviani USA (Ret.) CMH, introduced each
Medal of Honor recipient in attendance, and re-told
their stories of valor and heroism. This part of the
program once again silenced the Grand Ballroom of
the Trump Taj Mahal. What an honor to be in the
same room as these true American heroes. The saying. “You could hear a pin drop,” is truly applicable
during their introductions. Medal of Honor recipients
in attendance this year were Col. Van T. Barfoot,
USA; Sgt. Robert E. O’Malley, USMC; Lt.
Commander Thomas G. Kelley, USN; Major Gen.
James E. Livingston, USMC; 1st. Lt. Walter J.
Marm, Jr., USA; Cmd. Sgt./Maj. Robert M. Patterson,
USA and 1st Lt. Brian Miles Thacker USA.
Following a delicious meal of filet and shrimp, Lt.
Gen. Fred McCorkle, USMC (Ret.) had the honor of
introducing Mary L. Howell, Executive Vice
President, Textron Inc. Lt. Gen. McCorkle livened up
the crowd with his jokes and sense of humor. It was
suggested that both Lt. Gen. McCorkle and the
evenings Master of Ceremonies, Michael A. Fedorko
should not quit their day jobs after telling a few of
their jokes.
General William “Spider” Nyland then
changed the tone of the evening by presenting the
2008 Charles “Hondo” Ruch Semper Fidelis Award
recipient Mary L. Howell, Executive Vice President,
Textron Inc. Briefly, her pivotal role in the development of the V-22 Osprey program came to fruition
because of Ms. Howell. In her remarks, Ms. Howell
thanked all those in attendance, including her family
for the honor bestowed upon her with this award. Her
remarks reflected her humility in the presence of the
Medal of Honor recipients and the caliber of the
Page 22
Lt. Gen. Emerson Gardner, USMC, the evening’s Military
Guest of Honor,delivers a heartfelt message thanking those
“for the great works you have done and for those you have
yet to do.”
Marines in the audience. Through the events leading
up to her award, Ms. Howell indicated that she
learned that there was “no such thing as a former
Marine” and that “they are always doing right for the
Nation.” She then accepted the Semper Fidelis
Award on behalf of Textron Inc. to inspire and
encourage all Marines to be better professional citizens by using their knowledge and skills from their
military service.
Master of Ceremonies, Michael Fedorko read
a letter to Ms. Howell from General Jim Jones, the
32rd Commandant of the Marine Corps who was out
of the Country and unable to attend. In part, General
Jones stated that “had it not been for Mary Howell’s
relentless support for over 20 years through good
times and bad, there would be no Osprey in the air
today.”
Michael Fedorko and Michael DiFrancesco,
co-chairs of the Foundation, then presented Ms.
Howell with a certificate, encased with an American
Flag. The certificate depicted a V-22 Osprey personalized for Ms. Howell and the American flag flown on
a combat mission in a V-22 Osprey by VMM 263
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Ms. Mary Howell, Executive Vice President, Textron Inc.
recipient of the 2008 Charles “Hondo” Ruch Semper Fidelis
Award receives her personalized certificate and American Flag
flown on a combat mission in a V-22 Osprey from Michael
DiFrancesco, co-chair of the Foundation.
Mr. Paul Richardson was then introduced as the presenter of the 2008 Patrick T. McGahn Most
Distinguished American Award to Mr. Frank
McDonough, Esq. (Maj. USMC Ret.), President, New
York Shipping Association. Mr. Richardson’s touching introduction highlighted their friendship and the
admiration he has for his friend.
Mr. McDonough began by recanting his military history with some laughs, compassion, and heartfelt seriousness. He then introduced his two sons
Gunny Sgt. Patrick McDonough, USMC (Ret.) and Lt.
Michael McDonough, USN. But his most poignant
moment came when he acknowledged the “heroes in
this room.” As a “Marine Grunt,” Mr. McDonough
was inspired by the Marines that he encountered
throughout his career . Many experiences and mentors
have carried him through his personal and professional
life. He continues his relationship with the Corps by
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
using those relationships to build a secure port for our
Country. Ninety percent of the world’s cargo travels
by container through New York Harbor. What an
amazing story of the man who started as a “Marine
Grunt.”
The Commandant’s Own Drum and Bugle
Corps, Washington D.C. topped off the evening’s program in true military fashion. The highlight of their
performance “Proud to be an American” always has
those gathered in the Grand Ballroom rising to their
feet finding some with tears in their eyes.
It is all done for the children left behind. The
children are the reason why people come from all over
to attend the annual gala and invitational golf tournament in Atlantic City. No, it is not the beach, the casino, the silent auction or delicious food provided by the
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort. It is because of the
children.
Mr. Frank McDonough, President, New York S hipping
Association, recipient of the 2008 Patrick T. McGahn
Distinguished American Award, poses with his bronze eagle
award.
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&$ +
at The Clarion
Gen. William “Spider”
Nyland, USMC (Ret.)
meets with Marines from
Aberdeen, MD.
Lt. Gen. Emerson Gardner poses with the Aberdeen Marines after talking some strategy of operations with the Marines. It was a privilege to have Lt. Gen. Gardner take time to meet with these
Marines and to encourage them with his presence.
Gen. William “Spider” Nyland, USMC (Ret.) poses with HMLA-773 “Red Dogs,” Maj. Howard
Smith and LCpl. Cory Henderson.
Page 24
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l to r: MCLEF Co-Chair Michael
DiFrancesco, Brig. Gen. Don Davis, Lt.
Gen. Emerson Gardner, Lt. Gen Fred
McCorkle, USMC (Ret) and MCLEF
co-chair Michael Fedorko take time for
a photo in front of the Cobra Gunship.
John Howell, Patrick Howell, Mary
Howell, the 2008 Charles “Hondo”
Ruch Semper Fidelis Award recipient
and Larry “Bandit” Outlaw pose with
the Aberdeen Marines in front of the
Cobra Gunship.
2008 Patrick T. McGahn Most Distinguished American Award recipient Frank McDonough, Esq. (Maj.
USMC Ret) poses with his family following the gala. l to r: Karen McDonough and her husband Gy/Sgt.
Patrick McDonough, USMC (Ret.), Frank McDonough and his wife Rita, Lt. Michael McDonough, USN and
his wife Nancy.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
Page 25
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Friends and co-workers share the
evening. Seated l to r: Mr. Prabhat
Kumar, Dr. Richard Renza, Mrs.
Debbie Renza, Ms. Kim Murphy,
Dr. Manish K. Singh, Dr. Narendra
P. Singh, Mr. David Valiante and
Mr. Jeffrey J. Winegar.
Foundation President, Peter Haas meets up with fellow
MCLEF committee members Joe Looker, Col. Lou Piantadosi
and Lou’s guest Denise Parisi.
Liz Thomas (center) meets Sharon McGreevey and
Jack McGreevey, USMC (Ret.) and a proud supporter of the Foundation.
Master Sergeant James Renwick and
his wife Colleen enjoy the evening
with friends GySgt. Cain Austin and
his wife Bobbi. MSgt. Renwick
recently returned from his second tour
of duty fighting the Global War on
Terror.
Page 26
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Photo Left :
l to r: Col Rick Fuentes,
Superintendent of the New
Jersey State Police meets
with old friends “Trenton”
Joe and former New Jersey
State Police Superintendent
Col. Carl Williams (Ret.)
Photo Right:
l to r: Medal of Honor
recipient Maj. Gen.James E.
Livingston, USMC with his
wife Sara meets with
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lamaine.
Lt. Gen Fred McCorkle, USMC (Ret)
and Gen. William “Spider” Nyland,
USMC (Ret.) decide to help the 2008
Charles “Hondo” Ruch Semper
Fidelis Award recipient Mary L.
Howell display her bronze eagle award
for a photo.
Foundation friends and Federal Air Marshals pose for a photo with HMLA-773’s “Red Dogs” Commanding Officer Lt. Col.
Paul Ozmer and his wife Karen (far right). Sitting: Adam Kistler, former Director and USMC (Ret.) and his wife Debbie,
Greg McLaughlin and his wife Sue. Standing: Janna and SAC Scott McShaffery and Heather and Doug Yale.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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MCLEF committee members Marco
Polo and Joe Devine pose with Lt.
Col. Todd Erlinger, Gen. Al Gray,
USMC (Ret.), 29th Commandant of
the Marine Corps, Lt. Col. Paul
Ozmer and Maj. Howard Smith.
Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Robert E. O’Malley, USMC
meets with old friends Eileen and R ick Fuentes,
Superintendent New Jersey State Police.
Foundation member Col. Lou Piantadosi with his guest
Denise Parisi join his sisters, local residents, Rose Marie
and her husband John Conover and Lena and her husband
Florio Gentile for the evening.
Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police Col. Rick Fuentes
(center) meets with committee member Trp. Sal Lopresti and
Trp. C. DeMaise, Sgt. J. Parkinson and Tpr. S . McKinney.
Following the General Officer’s breakfast, Co-Chair
Michael DiFrancesco presents Lt. Gen Fred McCorkle,
USMC (Ret) with a certificate depicting a V-22 Osprey
personalized for the “Assassin” and an American flag
which was flown on a combat mission in a V-22
Osprey by VMM 263 "Thunderchickens" in Iraq.
Page 28
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""(
") ' ' #"
Those playing the AM round of golf started
the day in a fog, literally. The dense fog however did
not deter the excitement of the shotgun start and the
events planned for the day.
This year, Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. owner
of the Atlantic City Country Club, dedicated a plaque
to the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation.
The partnership between the Foundation and the
Atlantic City Country Club has strengthened in the
14 years since the
tournament started.
The facility goes
above and beyond to
ensure a great day of
golf, food and fellowship for the
Foundation’s guests.
By the time
the noon program
started, the fog had
lifted. It was an
amazing site with a
patriotic interlude by the Marine Corps Drum and
Bugle Corps, an LAV and the skyline of Atlantic
City in the background as Mr. Michael Bowman,
Harrah’s Entertainment, presented the plaque to
Foundation committee member Ed Hansberry, a
WWII Marine, recipient of the Navy Cross and a
graduate of Atlantic City High School. The plaque
will be placed at the base of the flagpole as you enter
the facility for all to
be reminded of the
ongoing support and
dedication of the
Atlantic
City
Country Club and
the Marine Corps
Law Enforcement
Foundation.
For the first
time, the silent auction was carried over
from Saturday night
gala. It was a hit to
all those attending
the Monday golf and
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
#
#(%" ! "'
a success for raising money for the Foundation. As
the auction closed, the golf program and presentation
of awards began. Master Sergeant James Renwick
along with the program’s Master of Ceremonies
Michael Fedorko, presented the trophies to the award
winners.
Also during the program, the name of the
winner of the 50/50 tickets was drawn. This year’s
winner was Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Maj. Jon
Caviani who donated a portion of the proceeds back
to the Foundation. A gesture that was gratefully
appreciated by the Foundation and the children it
serves.
Another amazing year with some great memories made. Thank you for your continued support
and dedication to this event.
We hope you can join us next year at the
15th Annual Gala
and Invitational G o l f
Tournament to be held
on June 13-15, 2009.
Top Photo:
Commandant’s Own Drum
and Bugle Corps performs
before the presentation of
the Foundation’s plaque.
Left: Committe member
Ed Hansberry proudly displays the plaque
presented to the
Foundation from
Harrah’s Entertainment.
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Page 30
The Foundation volunteers that make it work! Pictured left to right: Bob Woll, Mario Silvestrini, Joe Looker,
Jerry Callahan, Dino White, Sgt Lauren Caruso, Ed Hansberry, Ike Rucker, Phil Uecker and Charles Fields.
Ryan Streep, Trevor Speer, John Streep and Cliff
Mancini pose on the 10th hole during their morning
round of golf.
Richard Tyson, Daniel McGahn, Catherine McGahn
and Mercedes McGahn enjoy their time together. It
is always nice to see Mercedes at the event!
Page 30
Alan Mott, Trenton Joe, Scott Smith and Mike
Turman are always fashionably attired for the golf
tournament.
Trenton Joe follows co-chair Michael Fedorko’s
philosphy that there is always time for an afternoon nap.
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Top Left : Always ready to try for a hole-in-one are Ralph Talmadge, Sgt. Maj. Jon Caviani MOH, Ken Benson and Mac
Thacker. Top Right: A foursome of heroes, l to r: Capt. Thomas G. Kelley, MOH, 1st. Lt. Walter J. Marm, Jr., MOH, 1st Lt.
Brian Miles Thacker, MOH and Sgt./Maj. Robert M. Patterson, MOH.
, "
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What a group! Phil Perskie, Co-Chair Mike Fedorko,
Ed Kline and “Yank.”
15th
annual gala and golf tournament
SAVE THE DATE!
Invitational Gala
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Invitational Golf Tournament
A true group of winners! Mike Rossi, Joe Generario, Dr.
Yunas Talwani and Jim Rossi receive their golf award
from MSgt. James Renwick.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
Monday, June 15, 2009
Atlantic City Country Club
Northfield, New Jersey
For more information email: mclefac@aol.com or call Lisa
at 609-335-1130
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Page 32
May 4, 2008
To those at the Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation:
I heard Rush Limbaugh speak of your foundation on his show and
after deciding to do what I am doing now, I spent much time thinking about what one might say in a letter such as this.
What does one man such as me say to saviors like you? What does
one say to those who have given up and sacrificed parts of their
lives for their country so that I can be free? What does one say
to those who have spent what seems like eternities away from their
families and loved ones; mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, sons and daughters so I could be free? What does one
say to those who have bled, sweated, and eaten dirt of foreign
soil so I can be free? What does one say to those, who with the
ultimate sacrifice gave all so I could be free?
A mere “thank you” hardly seems adequate; and to tell you that
I can empathize with what it is you have done and have gone through
hardly would seem humble on my part when I have never had the honor
of doing what it is you have done for me and for America. I can
only tell you what I know:
Every time I hear the National I get a lump in my throat. Every
time I see a man or woman in uniform, it humbles me and I am grateful. Every time I get the opportunity, I thank a vet. Every time
I hear about fallen U.S. soldiers in battle, I cry and part of
me.feels like it has died. Every time I hear about how you are
shown disrespect, especially by your own countrymen, I become
enraged. Every time I hear how those in your own government spew
lies to the American people about you for their own political
gain, I see red. Every time I pray, I pray for you. Every time I
think about what you mean to this country, it makes me proud to
be an American
What is enclosed is an endorsed tax rebate check ... my tax
rebate check, but it does not belong to me. It has my name on it,
it's addressed to me, but it's not mine and I don't want it. This
money came from other Americans so those in high places could play
politics to pass themselves off as decent human beings and
Americans. Now, I'm sure as hell not giving it back to them, but
I don't want it either.
Please do something good with this. Thank you. Thank you for
all you have done, all you do, and will continue to do. I and every
other American will always be in your debt and we salute you.
-Brian Cincinnati,OH.
Hello MC-LEF Friend,
Because I did nothing to deserve a
stimulus check from the Federal
Government I’m not going to keep it,
but I’m not sending it back to
Washington.
Therefore, MC-LEF is receiving one
half and the other half is going to
PAWS with a CAUSE.
Thank you for doing what you do.
Sincerely,
R. Scott Copeland
Wyoming, MI
Page 32
MC-LEF
C O M M I T M EN T
Supporters of the Marine CorpsLaw Enforcement Foundation,
MCLEF, strongly believe that our
nation's most precious resource is its
youth. Since its inception in February
1995, MCLEF, through the continuous support of our donors, has distributed aid with a value of more than
$36,000,000 to eligible children. This
assistance has primarily been rendered to children of Marines or
Federal law enforcement personnel
who were killed on duty or died under
extraordinary circumstances while
serving our country at home or
abroad. These funds enable us to provide these children with scholarships
for their higher education.
The recent war in Iraq has certainly illuminated America's commitment
to freedom. We are reminded that
freedom is not free. The price is great.
No one knows that better than the leftbehind sons and daughters of
America's fallen heroes.
Ninety-eight percent of all donations received are used to fund programs for the children we serve and
are completely tax deductible. This
assistance has had a positive, lifechanging effect on many, many children.
With your support we can continue
to encourage the spiritual, moral,
intellectual and physical development
of children through education.
MCLEF is rated as a Four Star
Charity by Charity Navigator, and
certified as one of America's Best
Charities by Independent Charities of
America.
The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement
Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity, IRS tax
# 22-3357410, and is also registered
to participate in the Combined Federal
Campaigns (CFC #2134).
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Page 33
REACHING OUT:
ONE MARINE TO
ANOTHER IN A
TIME OF NEED
By Bill McClellan
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPA TCH
Cindy Ballman wipes tears from her eyes as Thomas Walter reads a letter
explaining why the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation donated
$60,000 in scholarship bonds to her two children.
Before Thomas Walter began the presentation, he spoke of the
memories:
“Somebody didn’t steal the American flag, but they stole my Marine
Corps flag,” said Walter, a member of the national board of directors for
the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, recalling an incident at
his Kirkwood horne. “I called it in and Tom was the one that carne over,
and we started yakking. He was a former Marine; I’m a former Marine.”
Walter presented $60,000 worth of scholarship bonds to Cindy
Ballman, widow of slain Kirkwood police officer Torn Ballman, for their
two children.
Begun in 1981 in St. Louis as the Marine Corps Scholarship
Foundation, the foundation originally granted scholarship money to the
children of U.S. Marines and former Marines, but not exclusively to those
who died during combat.
Then during Desert Storm in 1991, the foundation began giving
$10,000 scholarship bonds to the children of all U.S. military service personnel who were killed during combat.
In 1995, the foundation became the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement
Foundation in order to include members of federal law enforcement
killed in the active line of duty.
“At this point, we’ve given out $35 million worth of bonds since
1995,” Walter said.
If calculated since its original inception, the value of scholarships
awarded would total more than $100 million, Walter said.
om Walter woke up one morning several years ago
T
and noticed that the Marine Corps flag that flew in
front of his Kirkwood home was missing. He called the
police. Officer Tom Ballman was sent to take the
report. It was like Frick meeting Frack. There are former Marines who take the Marine Corps seriously and
there are former Marines who take the Marine Corps
very seriously. Walter and Ballman both fall into that
second category.
After the usual discussion of who served where and
with what unit, Walter asked Ballman if he played golf.
Well, yes, he did. It so happened that Walter, a
senior vice president at Stifel, Nicolaus & Co., had
been for many years a chairman of the local Marine
Corps Scholarship Foundation golf tournament. You’ll
have to play as my guest, said Walter.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
"
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* $%#( $ %' # #!.& &( "
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That is how Cindy Ballman heard about Tom Walter.
“He came home talking about this great guy he
met,” Cindy said.
Cindy was not surprised that the guy was a former
Marine. She first met her future husband in 1996. He
was just out of the service. In fact, he had joined the
Marine Corps two days after Christmas in 1991 and he
got out the day after Christmas in 1995. Four years
minus a day.
She met him in an odd way. One of her friends went
out with him on a blind date, and part of that date
involved going to Cindy’s apartment for dinner.
Everybody sat around talking and Tom and Cindy realized that they had been at Northeast Missouri State
University - now Truman State - at the same time.
Cindy graduated. Tom left to join the Marine Corps.
After the dinner, Cindy’s friend, Tom’s date, suggested that Tom ask Cindy out. Tom wasn’t sure that
was proper, so the friend told Cindy and suggested she
call Tom. She did. They were married in 1999.
Did he ever talk about the Marine Corps? Cindy
laughed and rolled her eyes when I asked that question.
He flew a Marine Corps flag outside their house. When
Cindy bought him presents, they were usually related
to the Marine Corps books, old recruiting posters. He
also played in a couple of the golf tournaments that
Walter helped organize.
Mostly, though, life was about family. Their first
child, Joshua, was born in
May of 2002. Their second child, Rachel, was born
in October of 2004. They were members of St. Mark
Presbyterian Church in Ballwin.
Tom was shot and killed by Charles Lee Thornton
during Thornton’s murderous rampage at Kirkwood
City Hall in February.
The outpouring of support from the community was
unbelievable, Cindy said.
“It was a blessing, and the Backstoppers have helped
us out more than I can say,” she said. “I knew they
helped families, but the extent that they’ve helped, I
couldn’t have guessed. “
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Page 34
riend of the Foundation
Atlantic City, NJ - It is when you are not
looking that you find the true blessings in life.
The man, John Spedden Streep has been a
continuous and unwavering supporter of the
Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation for
many years. He has participated in the annual
MCLEF golf tournaments in Atlantic City and
contributes to the Foundation, to Marine’s and
to their families throughout the year.
In 2007, Mr. Streep solely funded three
scholarship bonds in the name of Dominick
A.Veater, whose father LCpl. Dennis Veater died
from wounds suffered during combat operations in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on March 9,
2007. It was through the compassion and caring of Mr. Streep that the bonds were aptly designated the John Spedden Streep Special
Scholarship.
In 2008, he generously sponsored the
MCLEF Atlantic City Static Display and once
again contributed to the Foundation throughout
the entire fund-raising weekend.
But it is when you meet the man, John
Spedden Streep, that you find a true blessing
in life. When you call him a “friend of the
Foundation,” it is not only because of his
financial support , but because of who he is as a
businessman, a husband, a father, grandfather
and friend. His humility, compassion, wisdom
and sense of humor are unsurpassed to his
financial generosity. Mr. Streep is dedicated to
the mission of the Foundation and strongly
believes in the children it serves.
Thank you, John, for all that you
do and for being a true “friend” of the
Foundation.
-Atlantic City Committee
Page 34
An Expression of
Thanks...
Left to right: Lt. Col. Al Bancroft, Sue Pascal, William Pascal, Jr.,
Reese Pascal, Michael DiFrancesco and Sgt. Kevin Hayner.
It was in the Spring 2008 newlsetter that we
captured the emotion of the bond presention for
William Pascal, Jr. age 3 and Reese Pascal age 7
months. Their father, Sgt. William
Pascal, USMC died in a tragic automobile
accident while in service to his Country.
Below was a note received from his
loving wife, Sue:
“I have sat down many times in attempt to write
out this thank you card. I just can’t seem to find
the right words to express how much it meant to
our family and how grateful we are. The bonds
represent much more than monetary value to us.
It represents the Marine Corps that Bill was a part
of. I want my boys to know that part of their
Daddy. I want them to know the honor and
integrity that the Corps stands for and how proud
their Dad was to serve. You have helped me show
them these aspects and above all show them that
Bill is not and will never be forgotten. This truly
means more to me than I could ever express in
words.”
The Pascals
Sue, William Jr. and Reese
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Page 35
Lemon Sisters Receive MC-LEF Scholarships
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE
Charlotte Field Office
6302 Fairview Road, Suite 400
Charlotte, NC 28210
704.442.8370
May 8, 2008
Mr. Pete Haas, President
Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation 10
Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1007
New York, NY 10020
Left to Right, SAIC Russell Nelson, Megan Lemon,
Mary Beth Lemon, Caitlin Lemon and Col Ken
DiSimone pose for a group photo after
the presentation.
Dear Pete Haas;
On behalf of the men and women of the U.S.
Secret Service here in North Carolina, allow me to
express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the generous scholarship fund extended to Caitlin and
Megan Lemon, in loving memory of their father, Herbert “Herb” J. Lemon III, Special Agent - USSS, and
Captain - USMC. Mrs. Mary Beth Lemon will have such a greater sense of comfort, and peace of mind, not
having to worry about the funding for her girls’ college education.
Pete, please express our heartfelt thanks to the generous donors, Mr. and Mrs. Pat and Lorrill Haynes.
There expression of sympathy in the form of two $30,000 college scholarships for Herb’s two surviving
daughters is a remarkable and selfless act of extreme kindness.
Herb was such a fair, decent, and honorable man; he was a consummate public servant and a compassionate enforcer of justice and peace. Herb walked into the Charlotte Field Office every morning with a smile
and firm understanding of the importance of his chosen profession. We all will miss Herb, and I will miss
his generous nature, his remarkable sense of humor, and his dedication to duty. We cannot replace the loss
of Herb, but we will always honor his service, and we will always be steadfast in our support to Mary Beth,
Caitlin, and Megan.
Thank you for your leadership to the Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation, and for the good
work that the staff and members do each week. The Foundation has touched the hearts of many here in
North Carolina, and I am truly grateful by the genuine compassion and concern freely extended to the law
enforcement community and Marine Corps family.
Very Truly Yours,
Russell F. Nelson
Special Agent in Charge
Left - Col Ken DeSimone speaks
to girls during the presentation as
mother, Mary Beth looks on.
Right - Visiting after the presentation
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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Page 36
UNITED STATES
NAVAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE
Office of lhe Director
14 April 2008
June 26, 2008
Ms. Sarah Santos
Administrative Assistant
Ave Maria School of Law
3475 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Dear Sarah:
Many, many thanks for the most considerate donation from
Ave Maria School of Law of $470.00. Kindly thank all who participated in their "game" as their assistance will go towards an
education bond for a child of a United Sates Marine who gave
his or her life willingly to free millions of Afghanistan and Iraq
children.
Please also extend our support for the students pursuing a
most difficult education course - long hard hours but their future
in the application of the law will determine the future of
America.
Dear Pete,
I just wanted to recognize yours and the MCLEF's
generosity toward fallen Air Force Office of Special
Investigations Special Agent Thomas Crowell's family
during their time of loss. No words or acts can replace
the loss of a loved one, but actions such as yours
reflect the genuine bond amongst law enforcement professionals and their families. You have made us all
proud. Thank you!
Sincerely,
THOMAS A. BETRO
Director
Mr. Pete Haas President
Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation 10
Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1007
New York, NY 10020
THANKS...
Most sincerely,
Pete Haas President
June 13, 2008
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
3280 RUSSELL ROAD
QUANTICO, VA 22134-5103
Thank you so very much for your part in sending me the
Mr. Pete Haas
Post Office Box 37
Mountain Lakes, NJ
07046
condolences on the death of my husband, the late Lieutenant
Colonel Henry F. Carmack, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired.
Please give my deep appreciation to the Commandant for
Dear Mr. Haas,
Thank you and the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement
Foundation for the purchase of the 500 Marine Corps Rose
Pins.
Your purchase of these pins allows us to send a
Rose Pin to each next of kin of our deceased Retirees. We
greatly appreciate the assistance you and the Marine CorpsLaw Enforcement Foundation continue to provide the United
States Marine Corps Casualty Office and our Marine families. We also continue to appreciate your rapid response on
each request we have forwarded you. Your support has made
a tremendous difference for the families of our Marines.
“OohRah!”
Again, thank you for the outstanding support your
organization has provided the Marine Corps and our families.
Sincerely,
ROBERT O. Wagner
Head, Military Personnel Services Branch
By direction of the
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Page 36
Dear Capt. Pitts:
the beautiful rose pin and for making sure I got the booklet,
“Information for Survivors of Retired Marines.” The pin means
so very much to me and I’m sure I will need the references listed in the booklet at some time in the future.
My husband of 57 years was very special to me and outside
of his God, Country, and family, the Marine Corps was his life.
He was one proud Marine! I know that he would be proud of
the fact that his beloved Marine Corps has not forgotten his
family.
Sincerely,
Jaquelyn T. Carmack
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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Foundation Friends.....
The Atlantic City Gala and Golf
committee welcomes some refreshing ideas and the tireless efforts
from one of their own
If you’ve attended the Marine
Corps
Law
Enforcement
Foundation’s [Atlantic City]
Gala or Golf tournament,
received a save the date flyer, a
formal invitation or even a thank
you card in the last couple of years,
chances are you’ve seen and taken
notice to the transformation. The driving
force behind these changes…a local resident
and the Committee’s own Lisa Spengler.
Lisa, an employee at the State’s Casino
Control Commission, has been a source of
great inspiration in helping modernize the
way Atlantic City does business. She routinely goes above and beyond to bring about new
and exciting ideas in an effort to keep Atlantic
City’s Gala well organized, enjoyable and refreshed from year to
year.
Although having never
served in the Armed Forces or
in a Law Enforcement capacity, Lisa takes enormous pride
in the Foundation’s mission
and is happy to spend countless
hours to ensure the mission is
met and the foundation is successful. Her careful planning, preparation and tireless efforts can been seen in
all aspects of the Committee’s taskings; from
the way data is organized or communicated to
the design of the invitations.
Lisa, has learned and incorporated the
Marine Corps way…we improvise, we adapt
and we overcome…and for t h at , th i s
Committee is ever so thankful.
FOUNDATION DIRECTOR LAUDED
I N N A T I O N A L REV I EW
There are a few things in this world that truly live up to theirreputation for excellence: a .44 Magnum, a convertible Ferrari,Pavarotti hitting a high C, the United States Marine Corps. Also Rush Limbaugh,
who is now celebrating his 20th year of "Excellence in Broadcasting."
Rush's career and life have been full of high drama and unexpected
turns, but his listeners know that,when they hear that Pretenders bass
line, three hours of the best talk radio there is will follow. A great
friend. of this magazine, Rush puts the biggest megaphone in political
commentary at the service of the ideas that make America great--and
it's his commitment to ideas, rather than to party or candidates,that
makes him invaluable. Some listeners mistakenly believe that Rush is
kidding when he boasts of operating behind a golden microphone. He's
not, and truth be told it ought to be platinum. Here's to you, Rush, and to the next 20.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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Colonel Ripley USMC (Ret)
Becomes First Marine in Ranger Hall Of Fame
Retired Col John W. Ripley, the legendary leatherneck whose exploits in
Vietnam earned him a Navy Cross and an
eternal spot in Marine Corps lore, became
the first Marine inducted into the U.S.
Army Ranger Hall of Fame on
Wednesday. It’s pretty amazing really. I
can’t believe it,” said Ripley, who retired
in 1992 after a 35-year career. “When I
was called by Fort Benning and this sergeant first class told me what was happening, my jaw just dropped. I couldn’t
believe it.” Ripley said his famous assault
on the Dong Ha Bridge, on Easter morning
1972, was straightforward. There was a
bridge to demolish, and he was the Marine
to do it. “I was a little surprised because
the Vietnamese engineers had pre-positioned explosives there,” Ripley said.
“And that’s when I showed up.” Ripley
had to climb underneath the bridge to
avoid enemy fire and to perfectly position
the explosives to bring it down. “I had to
swing like a trapeze artist in a circus and
leap over the other I-beam,” said Ripley,
whose combat awards also include the
Silver Star and two Bronze Stars with
combat “V.” “I would work myself into
the steel. I used my teeth to crimp the detonator and thus pinch it into place on the
fuse. I crimped it with my teeth while the
detonator was halfway down my throat.”
The destruction of the bridge allowed his
unit of 735 Vietnamese Marines to hold off
several thousand approaching enemy fighters. Lt. Col. Jeff Knudson, 39, commanding officer for the Marine detachment at
By Bryan Mitchell
Fort Benning, Ga., said it’s impossible to
overstate the importance to the Corps of
Ripley’s induction into the Ranger Hall of
Fame. “At a recent ceremony here, we had
the chief of staff of the U.S. Army at the
2008 Best Ranger Competition. He said
that if the Army is the strength of the
nation, then the Ranger is the heart of the
Army,” Knudson said. “So when you hold
it in that level, with the title and distinction
of being a Ranger, to select a retired
Marine Corps officer is evidence of how
impressive his career is.” The Ranger Hall
of Fame honors and preserves the contributions of the most extraordinary Rangers
in American history, according to the Web
site of the U.S. Army Ranger Association.
It strives to identify and highlight individuals as role models for current Rangers and
to educate the public about the culture of
the U.S. Army Rangers.
The 2008 class included 13 former
Rangers, as well as Ripley. Of those, eight
served as officers while six were enlisted.
Ripley spoke to Marine Corps Times by
phone from his home in Maryland before
traveling to Georgia to be ushered into the
group on June 11. Friends, family and former comrades from across the country
were slated to join Ripley at the ceremony.
Selected for Ranger school
Ripley enlisted in the Corps in 1957 and
was selected to attend the U.S. Naval
Academy a year later. While serving as a
first lieutenant, he was selected to attend
Ranger school at Fort Benning, Ga., in
... M or e le tters
MC-LEF Members,
Thank you so much for your gener-
ous donation to our family. The money
has helped us in more ways than you’ll
ever know. Your kindness will never be
forgotten.
Thanks you so much for helping make
this difficult time a little easier.
God Bless,
SSGT Null and Family
Page 38
1965. He took the class in the dead of winter, which he recalls as being especially
brutal that year. “They had to break the ice
for us to qualify in the water survival
class,” Ripley said. “It was so cold that we
had to constantly worry about frostbite and
hypothermia. The real leadership of these
men stood out.” To create a true-to-combat
training environment, the troops were
deliberately kept hungry. “They wanted
you to continue to perform under these
extremes of physical depravation,” he said.
The training he received at Ranger school,
as well as his time serving with the British
Royal Marines, prepared him well for his
tours in Vietnam, especially his famous
destruction of the Dong Ha Bridge. “Not
once in my entire command was I ever surprised by the enemy,” he said. “On the
contrary, we surprised them. We would
ambush the enemy. So we were by far the
best.”During his assault on the bridge,
Ripley called on his skills gleaned during
his Ranger training.“That could not have
happened had I not had the training I had at
Ranger school. I was exhausted, at night,
freezing cold and when I got there you had
to rely on just your adrenaline and your
staying power,” Ripley said. After he
retired, Ripley worked in education for a
number of years before he served as the
director of history and museums for the
Marine Corps. In that position, he was
instrumental in the foundation of the
Triangle, Va.-based National Museum of
the Marine Corps.
Dear Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation:
We would like to thank you, most sincerely, for helping
us out in our time of great sorrow. You made it possible for
me, my husband, my son, and my sister to attend my son,
LCpl Drew Weaver’s memorial service in 29 Palms, CA
We got to meet the brave young men that Drew served
honorably with in this war on terrorism. They saved many
lives that fateful day, 2-21-08.
May God bless you all for your service to the families
of the fallen heroes. Semper Fi.
Sincerely,
Mike & Diane Spaulding
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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MC-LEF Members “On the Go”
Mike Difrancesco, co-chaiman of the Atlantic City Ball and his lovely
wife, Eileen join Lou Piantadosi and Pat Shane at The Caryle Restaurant
after Sgt Major Kent’s parade for the wounded Marines. Even though
Mike could not get his coffee---it was a great and fun evening.
AtlanticCity Golf Tourn.
work-a-bees. They help
make the golf tournament
the success it has become.
(L-R) Ed Hawsberry,
Jerry Callohan, Philip
Vecker, Mario Silvestrini,
Standing: Richard Tuthill,
Charles Fields.
On 16 May 2007 at the Eighth & I Reception hosted by LTGEN R. Coleman,
USMC the Philadelphia group led by Jack Cummings (far right), Pat Shane
from Shirlington, Mike Rielly’s friend, Marita, center. Mike Rielly (far left) is
a funeral director in the Philadelphia area and a supporter of the MC-LEF.
To Mike’s left is Melissa, Jack’s daughter. Fun time for all.
Rosemary Haas, Mike Fedorko, cochair of the Atlantic City Ball and
President of the Foundation, Pete
Haas are preparing to board train at
Union Station, Washington, DC,
heading home to Jersey. The trio
attended Gen Bob Magnus’ retirement ceremony at 8th &I on 17 July.
It was a great afternoon for
all...regardless of the 97 degree temperature.
On the eve of the Assistant
Commandant Gen Bob Magnus’
retirement, old friends got together
to share some camraderie.
Rosemary and Peter Haas invited
Mike Fedorko and Lou Piantadosi to
dinner at the Ritz Carlton. We had a
great time. Thanks.
Mary Jo and Ken Courey
lead the crowd to the
Torykian suite to continue
the party at the WaldorfAstoria, New York City
Gala. In the background
you can see Sgt. Major
McMichael (RET), Col Ed
Fitzgerald (RET) and the
host, Dick Torykian.
Atlantic City MC-LEF members and supporters join forces at the Eighth
and I evening parade reception hosted by the Assistant Commandant of
The Marine Corps General Bob Magnus and his wife Rose Magnus.
(L-R) Front Row: Marco Polo, Elen Fayer, Lou Piantadosi, Kitty
DiMartino, Geminia DiMartino, Back Row: Jim Hinnegan, Mary Licata,
Jerry Licata behind, Nick DiMartino, David DiMartino.
On 15 July, SGTMAJ of the Marine Corps and Mrs. Carlton
W. Kent hosted an evening parade in honor of the wounded
Marines at the Marine Iwo Jima Statue. Some of the Marines
in attendance are shown here. L-R, front row: Lcpl Bickel,
Cpl Hall, Lcpl Lopez, back row, Cpl Mitchell, Cpl Henderson,
Cpl McClellan, Sgt Basma.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
The Spengler family makes a new
friend, Denise Parisi as they
worked together to make the
Atlantic City picnic a happy event
(L-R) Tom Spengler, son Jeff, age
15, Elizbeth, age 17. Denise
Parisi from Florida and wonderful Lisa Spengler.
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Page 40
FOUND A T I ON D I RECT O R RECEI VES H I GH H O NOR
The Theodore Roosevelt American Experience Award
was presented to
General Peter Pace, USMC, (RET)
The Award is named
for the 26th President of
The Theodore
the United States, who
Roosevelt American
Experience Award is
was also one of the
presented by The Union
Club’s most eminent and
League Club to a
active members. War
national or
hero, reformer, trustinternational figure in
buster, outdoorsman and
recognition of
“outstanding service or
prolific author, Theodore
accomplishment that in
Roosevelt epitomizes the
a uniquely significant
spirit of the people of the
way has enriched the
United States of America.
American Experience or
The Public Affairs
exemplified
the American idea.”
Committee, in making its
award recommendation
to the Club’s Board of
Governors, cited General Peter Pace as follows:
From humble immigrant roots in Brooklyn, you
chose the warrior’s life, attending the U.S. Naval
Academy and becoming the first United States Marine
to rise to the pinnacle of our nation’s military leadership. You counseled the President as his chief military
adviser, and shaped the nation s response to the threat
of Islamic terrorism. While displaying in full the military leader’s indispensable qualities of courage,
dependability and self-confidence, you never lacked
the conscience, compassion and humanity that are
essential to any true fighting man’s code.
You have experienced war at every level, not only as
a general officer in the Pentagon, but also as a rifle platoon commander in Vietnam and as deputy commander of Marine forces in Somalia. While knowing war,
you never lost sight of its costs, keeping on your
Who Is Defending You?
Continued from page 13
ters of the janitors at our
elite universities are far
more likely to be put in
harm's way than are any
of the students whose
dorms their parents
clean?
Page 40
I feel shame because it
took my son's joining the
Marine Corps to make
me take notice of who is
defending me. I feel hope
because perhaps my son
is part of a future "great-
desk until
your retirement a picture of the
first man
killed fighting under
your command
in
Vietnam.
You have
also shown
yourself to
be a scholar, earning
a master’s
General Peter Pace
degree from
G e o r g e
Washington University, while also studying at
Harvard, the Marine Corps Command and Staff
College, the National War College and serving as president of the Marine Corps University.
Throughout your career, you have embodied the
Marine Corps’ official motto, “Semper Fidelis” “Always faithful” - as well as its unofficial motto, “No
better friend; no worse enemy.” That is perfectly in
keeping with the belief of Theodore Roosevelt - himself a fighting man - who said that the honor of our
nation s armed forces was secure, so long as “the soldier and sailor, while remaining good fighting men”
also remained “good citizens and good men.” We can
therefore think of no more fitting recipient for this
award named in his honor.
est generation." As the
storm clouds of war gather, at least I know that I
can look the men and
women in uniform in the
eye. My son is one of
them. He is the best I
Thanks
T O O UR M AN Y
VOLUNTEERS
YO U ARE MAKIN G A
D IFFEREN C E IN T H E LIF E
O F A CH ILD
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Marines Give $25K to Fallen Trooper's Child
JEFFREY GOLD - Associated Press Writer
L to R - Paul O'Gara Esq,, Manita Kelley, widow of DSFC Kelley, Michael A. Fedorko former Superintendent of the NJ State Police and a Board member of the MCLEF , Mushiarh
Kelley, Tpr Salvatore Lopresti of the NJ State Police and a member of the Atlantic City
Committee and also holds the rank of CWO in the Marine Reserve.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ As a New Jersey state trooper, Dwayne Kelley's life was aimed at protecting the
public. His lost his life doing the same thing in Iraq as an Army reservist.
On Friday, a group organized by U.S. Marines expressed their gratitude by making sure his daughter's
education is protected.
Mushirah Kelley received a $25,000 scholarship from the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation
so she can complete her final year of college in Philadelphia. The scholarship is in the name of Captain
Paul O'Gara USMC who is a major supporter of the MCLEF and who funded this scholarship
Her father, Army Maj. Dwayne Kelley, was killed in a bombing June 24 in Baghdad where his civil
affairs unit worked to restructure government and rebuild infrastructure. He was also a detective sergeant 1st class in the New Jersey State Police counterterrorism unit.
``He was a trooper, I was a trooper, so we made
a special arrangement to do this,'' said Michael A.
Fedorko, a Marine veteran who rose through State
Police ranks to serve as superintendent in 1999 and
is now involved with the foundation.
The foundation generally gives scholarships to
children of Marines killed in action, said Fedorko.
Scholarship
Mushirah Kelley, 21, is entering her senior year
Presentation
at University of the Arts where she is majoring in
communications and Web design, state police Lt.
Michael Parmenter said.
``She's an exceptional student,'' Parmenter said.
Without the scholarship, ``Her education would be dependent on college loans,'' he said.
The scholarship was presented to Mushirah Kelley and her stepmother at State Police headquarters in Ewing Township during a meeting of top commanders, officials said.
Dwayne Kelley, 48, a native of Willingboro who lived with his wife and daughter in South
Orange, served in the Army before joining the state police in 1988. An Arabic speaker, he was
serving in Baghdad after volunteering for a third tour of duty.
He died during the bombing of a district council building in the Sadr City section that killed
nine others, including two other Americans working to restore local government in the former
Shiite militia stronghold.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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Foundation Members and Friends
Welcome
RI Students to NYC
Serve as
Role Models to Guests
Once again, as they have done for the past eleven
years, Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation
members and friends welcomed forty-six Portsmouth
(RI) High School students on their annual N.Y. Stock
Exchange and Federal Reserve Bank visit. The trip is
the culmination of the PHS Economic class' one month
mini unit on personal finance and investments. Teacher
Michael Marra, and Ed Fitzgerald, a substitute teacher
and member of the MC-LEF organize the trip each
year.
"It's a good opportunity for the students to see first
hand how the market really operates,”Marra said.
First stop on the the April 27-28, 2008 trip was at
Ground Zero, a visit arranged by Foundation Member
Ed Boran. The following morning the students were
greeted at the N. Y. Stock Exchange by John
DeGeorge, Senior Director, Technical Security, and a
member of the Foundation. After the required security
checks, the students were escorted to the NYSEMembers-only dining room for a continental breakfast.
Shortly thereafter they were ushered to a reserved
platform that overlooked the stock exchange floor and
they awaited the opening bell signaling the open of the
day's market. They returned to the dining room where
DeGeorge introduced the group to Brian Gimlett, Vice
President, Security, NYSC. A question and answer
period followed a presentation by James M. Smith.
From the Exchange, the students walked to the NY
Federal Reserve Bank where they were greeted by
Foundation friend, Robert Sarna, Assistant Vice
President, Protection, who hosted a tour of the facilities and special luncheon for his guests.
Foundation President Peter Haas presented each student with a rare stock certificate as a souvenir of their
NYSE visit.
Apart from seeing the market in action, the students
and chaperones were overwhelmed by the generosity
received by Foundation members. One student commented "Now I know what Semper Fidelis means.
Marines do help each other."
Page 42
PHS. John deGeorge, who served as a Marine in Vietnam and
James M. Smith, VP Customer Relations, NYSE, were made
honorary members of RI’s Portsmouth High School when students Tom Conklin and Kathryne Bauchspies honored them
with gift PHS hats and other tokens of their appreciation. L-R
are Mike Marra, Tom, John, James and Kathryne. Tom’s
father is a Marine Corps Colonel who teaches at the Naval
War College. Kathryne’s grandfather is a retired U.S. Army
Colonel and a former faculty member of Newport RI’s Naval
War College.
F.R.B. Emily Gerardi (C) did the honors at the Federal
Reserve Bank by presenting Robert Sama (R) a PHS hat in
appreciation for all he did in making the NYC trip such a success. Economic teacher Mike Marra (L) looks on. Robert,a
retired FBI agent, has long been associated with the
Foundation. His father served as a U.S. Marine. Sama hosted
a luncheon in honor of his guests from RI.
FO R
ON
M O RE I N FO RM A T I O N
M C- L EF
EVEN T S
PL EA SE V I SI T O UR
WEBSI T E A T
www.mc-lef.org
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FOUNDATION
Awards
SIMMONS CHILDREN
$60,000 in Scholarships
Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation Provided
$60,000 in Scholarship Bonds to Matthew and
Gabreille Simmons, children of Los Angeles Police
Officer, Randal Simmons and Mrs. Lisa Simmons.
Mr. Richard Torykian, Vice President of the MCLEF delivered the scholarship bonds to LT Paul Snell
of the Los Angeles Police Department who made the
L - R Deputy Chief Poupoli, Chief of LA Police Dept,
personal presentation to Mrs. Simmons.
William Bratton, Pete Wilson, wife of Randal Simmons, Lisa
Officer Randal Simmons was killed in the line of Simmons, daughter, Gabrielle, son, Randal Simmons and
duty on 7 February 2008 while serving as a Los Capt. Jeff Greer
Angeles Police officer for the State of Califormia.
Officer Simmons was a Special
Los Angeles Police Department
Weapons and Tactical Team
Assistant Squad Leader for the Los
WILLIAM J. BRATTON
Angles Police Department. He was
Chief of Police
a member of that department for 27
years and an outstanding officer,
Mr Richard Torykian
30 Rockerfellar Plaza
Community leader, husband and
New York, New York
father.
The scholarship bonds have
been funded by a dear freind of our
Foundation, Mr. Tom Hayes and
Dear Mr. Torykian:
On behalf of the men and women of the Los Angeles
aptly designated as the Governor
Police Department and the family of Officer Randal
and Mrs. Pete Wilson Special
Simmons, I would like to thank you, the board and
Scholarship.
the members of the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement
Foundation again for the generous contribution to
At his funeral service held at
the children of Officer Simmons.
Crenshaw Christian Center on 15
The day of the presentation was filled with celebration and hope as we honored the life of Randy
February 2008, his fellow officers
and looked to the future of his children with
paid their respects and said:
optimism.
“The
officers
of
the
All the best,
Metropolitan Division and the
Special Weapons and Tactics team
William J. Bratton
Chief of Police
will always remember you for your
loyalty and personal friendship.
You have touched each and every
member like no other. Thank you
for being a role model for us to
emulate.”
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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It was an historic evening in the annals of the
Gala
Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation as
it honored three American statesmen - a former
U.S. Secretary of State, a US Senator, and a
California Governor.
The Waldorf-Astoria welcomed the Marine
Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF)
to its famed Grand Ballroom, the first and still
the only four-story, two-tiered ballroom in New
York.
On April 10, 2008, the hotel hosted the
thirteenth Semper Fidelis Gala in the genteel
grandeur of this elegant American landmark.
Over six hundred friends of the Foundation
gathered for the celebration to once again commemorate unprecedented success and to pledge
continued support of the Foundation's goals and
mission.
The annual Gala was a gathering of American
heroes, leading law- enforcement and intelligence officials, political leaders, business and
financial giants, spokespersons for the radio and
television industries, and military officials ranging in rank from cadet to flag officer.
The Thursday evening extravaganza began on a
solemn note with the presentation of colors by the U.S.
Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment. A brief
description of the battle streamers, proudly in place, on
the Marine Corps colors, was followed by heart-stirring renditions of the Marine Hymn and National
Anthem.
Following the retirement of colors, Foundation cofounder and Vice-Chairman of the Board, Dick
Torykian, welcomed those present and proudly proclaimed the evening's mission, "We are here tonight
for our children. Our beloved Marine Corps is the tip
of the spear and our Foundation is their shield."
While proclaiming that everyone present was a VIP
Dick begged for the audience's forgiveness as he singled out a number of guests for special recognition for
their contributions to the Foundation and to our Nation.
Monsignor James Kelly invoked the Lords blessing
on those gathered in the presence of God and asked
that He guide our young people and bless our troops,
and this food. He further asked that God help us make
a better world and that He give us peace.
Colonel Harvey "Barney" Barnum, USMC (ret), a
recipient of the Medal of Honor, the Nation's highest
military decoration, then introduced other Medal of
Page 44
New York
HONORS
AMERICAN STATESMEN
FOR FOUNDATION
... IS F INA NC IA L SU C C E SS
Honor recipients present and described the heroic acts
of each.
Foundation Chairman of the Board, James
Kallstrom, thanked everyone for joining in a salute and
celebration of the courage and sacrifice of young brave
American servicemen and servicewomen and their
families. He said, "You are all so generous to all of us,
and since 1995 we have provided over $36 million in
value of education bonds and medical assistance to
over 2200 children." Jim paused in his remarks to
show a video listing some of the names of children
who suffered the loss of a parent and who were provided scholarships and funding for future education by the
Foundation. "This says it all and this is why we exist."
Gen. James T. Conway, the Commandant of the
Marine Corps spoke about two things - the status of the
USMC and Iraq and Afghanistan. “The Marines to be
assigned to Afghanistan will be the hammer as we provide security and support to Afghan forces. Morale is
high and the Marines are handling their problems well.
The Corps will increase in size by 7000 and 96% of our
recruits are high school graduates. They are great
young Americans from great families. Our country is
behind our Marines, we are grateful for such support.
We are willing to make the sacrifices to finish the job.
Marine rifle fire-teams consist of four infantry men.
They are the tip of the sword. We often say that
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C MC AWARD . The Commandant of the
Marine Corps General James T. Conway,
USMC proudly presented the 2008
Commandant’s Leadership Award to the
Honorable James A. Baker, III in recognition of his loyal and dedicated support of the
US Marine Corps. Baker proudly served as a
Marine.
Page 45
VO LUN T EER AWARD . The Captain Patrick
T. McGahn Memorial Award was presented to
retired Marine colonel and Foundation
Director Lou Piantadosi for his dedicated service as the editor of the Foundation's newsletter.
General James T. Conway, the Commandant of
the Marine Corps had the honor of presenting
this tribute to Lou
SH ARED H O NO RS. The Commandant of
the Marine Corps, General James T. Conway
and Mrs. Norma Lerner shared the honor of
presenting the Captain Alfred Lerner
Memorial Eagle, Globe and Anchor Award to
the Honorable Governor Pete Wilson.
the Ma r in e C orps-Law
Enforcement Foundation
is the silent fifth Marine in
the fire team because of the
support and generosity of its
members. You truly do take
care of our own.”
To thunderous applause
Rush Limbaugh, a
Foundation director and GEN ERAL J AMES JO N ES USMC ( RET ) (R) CN SEN AT O R. Four term Connecticut Senator,
PRESENTS A special award to Gen, Peter Pace Joseph Lieberman (C) receives the Johnny Michael
generous benefactor took USMC (ret) and his wife Lynne for their years of Spann Memorial Semper Fidelis Award from General
the podium to discuss his loyal service to this Nation. Pace was the first James T. Conway, USMC and Foundation Chairman
of the Board James K, Kallstrom.
Marine to serve as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.
recent success in raising
$4.2 million dollars to the Foundation and of his love "Once a Marine, always a Marine."
and admiration of our service men and women. Rush
To the delight of the audience he related how, after
said he is very proud and honored to be a Director of his appointment to the office of Secretary of State.
the Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation General AI Gray, The Commandant of the Marines
because of the meaningful things it does for our mili- respectively paid a courtesy call. As a departing gift,
tary forces.
Gen. Gray presented the Secretary a box of business
General James T. Conway, the Commandant of the cards. They read "James A. Baker III, United States
Marine Corps and Military Guest of Honor then pre- Marine Corps" in large letters and in much, much
sented the prestigious Commandant's Leadership smaller letters the card read "Secretary of State".
Award to Honorable James A. Baker III, the 61st
In a more serious vein he continued by calling those
United State's Secretary of State who served from Jan. in the room "noble Americans who are the real heroes,
1989 through Aug. 1992. Baker expressed his appreci- building a better county. Men and women striving to
ation and thanks for the award. He said that the Marine preserve and protect this great nation." He applauded
Corps taught him discipline and a sense of purpose for the Marines for their service and dedication and the
life's challenges. He described himself as a proud Foundation for its inspiring service helping others in
Leatherneck and said there are no former Marines ...
Continued on next page
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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C ALIF. MARKSMAN. Governor Pete Wilson
said he was looking forward to trying out his
new weapon when he returns to California
where he served as governor from 1991 to 1999.
Andrew Chernoff(C) holds the display case
while Gala co-chair Dick Torykian looks on.
Continued from previous page
Page 46
TIGHT GRIP. The Honorable James A.
Baker III tightly grips the pistol presented to
him by Foundation co-founder and Vice
President Dick Torykian.
building another generation of patriotic citizens and for
its support of our children. The MC-LEF displays true
patriotism which will continue to flourish. Baker
closed his remarks by saying "God bless you all".
The Captain Alfred Lerner Memorial Globe and
Anchor Award was presented to the former Governor
of California, Pete Wilson, in recognition of his
extraordinary dedicated service to the United States.
Wilson served in the U.S. Marine Corps and US Senate
as well.
Prior to the presentation, Jim Kallstrom spoke with
great admiration about AI Lerner who he described as
a force for good. "He was a great American and a great
patriot...a 1950-era Marine. He believed that there are
some things worth fighting for and provided strong
leadership and courage in his quest for excellence. He
was successful and honest, a mentor and friend of the
Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, and a
giant among men. This award tonight defines AI
Lerner's legacy." Jim then invited Mrs. Norma Lerner,
a member of the Foundation's Board of Directors, to
join him in the presentation. Introducing her, he noted
that she shared the same attributes as her late husband,
and said of her, "Norma is a pillar of strength- not only
to her own beloved family, but to all who are lucky
enough to know her.”
Governor Wilson gratefully accepted the award and
proudly underscored that tonight's gathering is truly a
well-deserved testament to the Marine Corps-Law
Enforcement Foundation and a tribute to Alfred
Lerner, a Marine's Marine and a first-class human
being.
He continued by saying he was honored to receive
this special award from a very special Foundation. The
Governor related that his grandfather served as a detective with the Chicago Police Department and he died
Page 46
GUN EXPERTS. Andy Chertoff, (R) owner
of Long Island based Coliseum Gun Troders
and Foundation co-founder Richard Torykian
exchange firearm sea-stories .
one hundred years ago while protecting the citizens of
Chicago. At that time there was no MC-LEF to assist
law enforcement agents and servicemen. There was no
one to assist their families and, as a result, his grandmother had to become a housekeeper so she could provide for her children.
The Governor commented on the blood shed and
sacrifices of the brave members of the armed forces.
He reiterated that freedom is not free but must be
repurchased by each generation. He spoke glowingly
of those privileged to wear the Globe and Anchor, men
and women who are safeguarding our freedom. We
owe them our deep gratitude. It is our duty to honor
these young Americans. Those who are wounded face
special problems and challenges. He talked about medical heroes who are helping our wounded warriors and
how they are rebuilding hope for so many.
Wilson, a loyal Marine, said he was proud to be one
of the first to fight and never quit. For him Semper
Fidelis is a way of life and not merely a slogan or just
words.
Governor Wilson's remarks were met with sincere
and enthusiastic applause Jim Kallstrom, the Chairman
of the Foundation's board of directors, took the stage
with General Conway to present the Johnny Michael
Spann Memorial Semper Fidelis Award. The 2008
award was presented to the Honorable Senator Joseph
Lieberman. Prior to the presentation, Mr. Torykian
remarked that Johnny Spann was an American hero
who first served as a U.S. Marine officer and later
joined the CIA. He was the first American killed in
Afghanistan in 2001. He was a man of character- a true
patriot whose honor lives forever.
The esteemed Senator thanked the Commandant of
the Marine Corps for his moving introductory remarks
and added very complimentary praise of General Peter
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WARRIOR CMC. General Al Gray, (C) the
29th Commandant ofthe Marine Corps who is
respectfully known as the Warrior
Commandant is flanked by former governor of
California Pete Wilson (L) and Thomas W.
Hayes, the former Treasurer of the state of
California. The general is a member of the
Foundation's Board of Directors.
T EXAS GUEST S. Russell and Julia Frankel
(R) of Houston, Texas were welcomed to the Big
Apple by Gala host Tony Piscitelli (L) and his
fiancee Diana O'Brien. Tony is CEO, American
Defense Systems, Inc. and a major benefactor of
the Foundation.
Pace and of his leadership as Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff. He then turned to Rush Limbaugh with
whom he shares common friends who love our country. He praised Rush as "a man who has a heart as big
as his voice".
Senator Lieberman remembered how brave
Americans have fought on different battlefields from
Lexington to Iraq and shed their blood because of their
convictions that freedom is not free. Each generation
has given and many have left their families in need. He
said he was proud and honored with tonight's award
but more proud of the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement
Foundation for what they do for families left behind.
Military men and women are guided by the ethic
kept alive by the MC-LEF who are loyal to a cause and
loyal to each other. We all know why we are here
tonight - proud Americans who can win this fight if we
stick with and support our troops. They must not die in
vain. Tonight we make a promise that this shall not
happen. The Senator continued, "The United States of
America has given more to others as we grow stronger.
We are an idealistic nation with God given values.
Other nations have grown stronger as democracies
M US EU M EXEC U T IV. Joseph M.
Murphy, (L) Chairman, Country Bank: and
his wife, Jo-Ann welcomed retired Marine Lt.
Gen George Ron Christmas to the Gala. Joe
is a member ofthe Foundation's Board of
Directors and has played a major role in success and growth of the MC-LEF. The General
is President and CEO of the Marine Corps
Heritage Foundation.
because of the bravery and shield provided by our military forces. As a Senator I will always be faithful and
stand ready to help in any way.
Much to his surprise retired Marine Colonel and
Foundation Director Lou Piantadosi was presented the
“Captain Patrick T. McGahn Memorial Volunteer of
the Year Award” for his past services and as the new
editor of the Foundations newsletter. Over 7000
newsletters are distributed with each issue. Lou has
continued to take our message near and far.
The final event of the evening was a formal
recognition of the contributions made to our
Nation by General Peter Pace, USMC (Ret) and
his wife, Lynne, a patriotic and selfless team.
General Jones said, "They have always known
what is the right thing to do and both had the
courage to do it. Both possess integrity to the
highest degree and extended personal loyalty to
their seniors and subordinates who frequently
sought their advice and judgment."
Gen. Pace spoke of his deep love for the Foundation
and how he was proud to serve as a member of board
3 2 N D C MC . Retired General James Jones,
the 32nd Commandant of the Marine Corps (L)
exchanges greetings with NYC Gala host Dick
Torykian, a co-founder of the MC- LEF.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
DESERT STORM HERO. Retired
Lt.
Gen Bill Keyes, President & CEO, Colt
defense, LLC and his wife Gail joined their
many friends and admirers at the reception.
Bill is a recipient of the Navy Cross, the
Nations second highest military combat decoration. He played a key role in the success
of Desert Storm, the Marines first encounter
with Iraqi Forces in Kuwait
Continued on next page
BRO T H ER' S BO SS. Arnold Coleman (L) of
Philadelphia joined his brother, Lt. Gen. Ronald
S. Coleman USMC and General James T.
Conway, the 34th Commandant of the Marine
Corps for a mini-family reunion at the WaldorfAstoria Hotel.
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Page 48
of directors. He was in awe of its compassion and support for our men and women in uniform. The MC-LEF
is characteristic of what a man does when no one is
watching. The support they provide to our families and
hospitalized wounded Marines is beyond description.
Dedication and caring are hallmarks of the Foundation.
The General concluded his remarks by thanking his
wife of thirty-seven years for her loyal dedication to
her family and her Corps, “Lynne represents all that is
finest and has stood beside me and has kept the family
together, always remaining in the background.” They
departed the stage to thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
The evening award presentations came to an end and
those who waited in anticipation for another performance of the world-famous Marine Corps Drum and
Bugle Corps were not disappointed.
LUCKY GENERAL. Lt. Gen. Ronald S.
Coleman USMC is flanked by two lovely Marine
Corps ladies, Bonnie Amos (L) and Lynne Pace
during a pre-gala reception. The General serves
as Deputy Commandant for Manpower and
Reserve Affairs.
N Y GO LF. Gerard and Julie Griffin Jr. are
obviously enjoying a great evening away from
their Long Island home. Jerry is the Chairman of
the successful N.Y. Golf tournament played to
benefIt the Foundation. He also serves as the
MC-LEF Corporate Counsel and JAG.
Page 48
The "Commandant's Own" performed superbly and
delighted their listeners with another inspiring performance, especially in rendition of John Philip
Souza's "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and "God
Bless the USA." Following a standing ovation, the
Marine musicians marched off and the remainder of
the evening belonged to those who remained in the
ballroom to enjoy the company of friends, renewing
old friendships and forging new ones. It was indeed, a
memorable night for all.
Editor's Note: The 14th Semper Fidelis Gala will
be again held at the Waldorf Astoria in New
York City on Thursday March 26, 2009. Mark
your calendars and plan to attend.
SIST ERS- IN - LAWS. Richard Torykian, Jr.
is flanked by his beautiful wife Dana (L) and
his brother Jim’s wife, Melissa.
N Y S E . John de George (C), Senior Director,
Global Technical Security, NYSE Euronet Global
Security Division is joined by his Stock Exchange
friends Sgt. Ray Alt (L), NYSE Euronet Security
Div. and Sam Cocozza, VP Security NYSE Euronet.
John served as a Marine in Vietnam and is a member of the MC - LEF.
CONGRESS. Tom Manion and his beautiful
daughter Ryan join retired Maine Col. Lou
Piantadosi (L) for a photo op. Tom is currently running for Pennsylvania 8th Congressional
District seat. His son, Travis was killed in Iraq
while serving as a Marine lieutenant.
P RO U D MO T H ER.. Cynthia Webster shared
her pride of having a Marine son with retired
Marine Colonel Harvey “Barney” Barnum at the
NY Gala. Barney is the recipient of the Medal of
Honor for heroic service in Vietnam. Cynthia is
Vice President of Investigation, Interfor, Inc., a
corporate investigative organization headquartered in N.Y.C. Her son, L/Cpl William J.. Gillian
recently completed a satellite communications
school at Fort Gordon and is now stationed at
Camp Pendleton, Calif.
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MC - LEF LA D IES. Pausing from their pleasant visit these
three ladies were all smiles for a photo op. L to R are Pat
Milton, a frequent contributor to the MC-LEF newsletter,
Foundation Director Diane Jones and Jan Gray.
D AUG H T ER. Dennis Swanson, an executive with FOX
News and his lovely daughter Sue Schwein visit with the
Honorable former Governor of California. Both the
governor and Dennis served on active duty as U.S.
Marines. Swanson is a renowned forty-year-plus veteran of broadcast journalism.
FO X N EWS. George Szucs and Chase Haynes,
executives with FOX News, the Nation’s leading
fair and balanced news station are seen enjoying
the Gala. The Marine D & B performed earlier
in the day on their news channel.
P H ILLY G UEST . Ana Marie Boyle (L) visits
with her longtime friend Martha Barnum
during the reception. Ana is a member of the
MC-LEF Philadelphia team that hosts an
annual dinner celebration to benefit the
Foundation.
2 0 0 5 AWARD WIN N ER. Roger Ailes and
his beautiful wife Elizabeth paused for a
photo op prior to dinner. Roger is
Chairman and CEO, FOX News and he
was honored at the 2005 N.Y. Gala as the
recipient of the Semper Fidelis Johnny
Michael Spann Memorial Award.
BE N E FA C T O R . Foundation President
Pete Haas (R) extends his thanks to Tom
Kirch for his generous support of the MCLEF. Tom and his partner Bill Venzia of
KV Partner LLC provide pro-bono office
space in Rockefeller Center for the
Foundation
AID E- D E- C AM P . Major Rhonda C.
Martin, USMC,(R) Aide-de-Camp for the
Deputy Commandant for Manpower and
Reserve Affairs and Wendy C. Chon, a financial advisor and planning specialist, CITI
Smith Barney headquartered in NYC visit during the evening reception.
SG T MAJ O R. Retired Sergeant Major of the Marine
Corps, Alford L. McMichael (L) visits with NY banker and
friend Joseph M. Murphy. McMichael’s assignment prior to
retirement was Sgt. Major of NATO forces. Joe serves on
the Foundation’s Board of Directors and is chairman,
Country Bank. He is also an avid collector of Irish art
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
S O N S. Dick and Mary Jo
Torykian’s family played a major
role in the success of the Gala. L
to R are Richard’s wife Dana,
Richard Torykian, Jr., family
friend Don Regan and Jim
Torykian.
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USSS. Retired Director, United States Secret Service Brian Stafford is flanked by Lynne Pace (L)
and Rosemary Haas (R) during the adult beverage hour prior to the Gala. Brian is Chairman of
the Board and Managing Director, Seisint, Inc. of Boca Raton, Fl.
CMH. Three distinguished recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s
highest award for military valor are members of the Congressional Medal of
Honor Society, the most exclusive organization in our country. It was chartered by Congress in 1958. L to R are Colonel Wesley L. Fox, USMC, (ret)
Hector A. Cafferata, Jr. and retired Marine MajGen James E. Livingston
USMC (Ret).
C ALIF. VIP . Lt. General Emerson N. “Emo” Gardner, USMC,
Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources visits
with Thomas W. Hayes, of Meadow Vista, California,
President of TWH Advisors, LLC. He is the former Treasurer
of the State of California.
Page 50
MC- LEF SECRET ARY. Sue Boulhosa, the Foundation’s
administrative assistant, is joined by Foundation Director,
Col Lou Piantadosi, USMC (Ret).
RACER. Jason Carter, Founder of Dallas, Texas based “Racing for our
Heroes” was delighted to travel from the Lone Star State with his beautiful
fiancee Jennifer Bruetting. Jason’s organization honors the sacrifices our veterans make in the defense of freedom.
N EW MEXIC O VIP S. Dan Gillcrist and his beautiful daughter Marion shared a photo op
with former governor of California, the Honorable Pete Wilson and Dick Torykian. Dan
resides in Sante Fe, NM and is a close friend of Dick. They are high school classmates. Dan
served in the US Navy.
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2 0 0 5 H O N O REE. Park B. Smith and his wife Linda visit with Foundation
friends Monsignor James Kelly and Don Regan (L) during the Gala reception.
Park, a Foundation Director and benefactor was awarded the 2005
Commandant’s Leadership Award in recognition of his generous and loyal
support of the U.S. Marine Corps. He served as a Marine infantry officer from
1954 to 1956
ST . LO UIS GUEST S. A large contingent of St. Louis Missouri
VIPS gathered at the Waldorf-Astoria to celebrate the success of the
Foundation, much of what can be attributed to their support and
generosity L to R are “Mr. St. Louis Marine” Tom Walter, Gary
Keesling, Judy Braun, James McAtee, Mike Ryan, Col. Lou
Piantadosi and MGy Sgt Jim Rowe USMC (Ret).
RUSH. Foundation Director and
g e n e ro us b e n e f ac t o r R us h
Limbaugh is flank ed by beautiful
ladies Glady s Santroo and Kathry n
Rogers. Rush was honored by the
Foundation at the 2003 NY Gala.
VN P ALS. Barney Barnum (L) visits
with his Marine friend Neal Meehan.
They served together with the 9th
Marines from 1968-69 and shared
combat actions while in Vietnam.
Barney now serves as the Deputy
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for
Reserve Affairs.
G A T EWA Y F R I EN D S . Jim and
Patricia McAtee didn’t object to the
photographer snapping a photo
between dinner courses at the Gala.
They hail from St. Louis and are generous benefactors of the Foundation.
Jim is Sr. Vice President, Investments,
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc.
FLO RID A LAD Y. Joe Looker
always had an eye for a beautiful
lady and is seen greeting Doris
Cafferata, a Florida visitor. Her
husband, Hector, is a recipient of
the Medal of Honor. Joe is a
Pennsylvania executive and member
of the MC-LEF Board of Directors
LEAT H ERN EC K BRO T H ER S. Two lieutenants of Marines who are
assigned to infantry companies obviously enjoyed the Gala and their
guests. L to R are Ashley Bez, Grant Savage, Kimrie Savage, Ward
Savage and Dena Creighton. The brothers are third
generation Marines.
T ABLE 3 2 . Sharing VIP Table #32 are April Grunow, Captain
Jeffrey Mast, Amanda Cox and Captain Sean Cox. Those retired
Marines seated with this handsome and beautiful foursome all
agreed that their beloved Marine Corps is in good hands.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
H AP P Y T IMES. This foursome was delighted to take a weekend get-a-way from St.
Louis, the Gateway to the West,for a fun time at the Gala. L to R are Dennis Jones, Tom
Walter, Judy Braun and Jim Rowe. Dennis, a long-time-supporter of U.S. Marine Corps
charities, served in the Corps in the early 60’s. He was honored in 2004 as the St. Louis
Variety Man of the Year. He was the founder, chairman and CEO of Jones Pharma, a
world-class health care and pharmaceutical company.
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F A BU LO U S FO UR S O M E. Tony Piscitelli,
CEO, American Defense Systems, Inc. (ADS!) of
Hicksville, N. Y. is joined by three beautiful guests.
L to R are Tony, his fiancee Diana O’Brien, Pat
Milton and Colleen Foley. The mission of ADS! is to
protect those who protect, defend and serve our
Nation by providing blast and bullet resistant armor
to our armed forces. Dick Torykian describes Tony
an American patriot.
N Y P D . New York Police
Commissioner Ray Kelly visits with
his long-time friend Diane Jones, a
member of the Foundation’s Board
of Directors. Ray is a retired US
Marine Colonel.
GR AN D P A REN T S. Foundation Vice President John
Eric Smith and his wife Mary took an evening off from
their grandchildren baby-sitting duties to join their
legion of friends. John Eric recently retired from the
NY Stock Exchange. He was well-known for the
Marine Corps birthday celebrations he hosted annually on 10 November on the floor of the Exchange. Smith
saw extensive combat while he served as a Marine in
Vietnam.
REUN IO N . Kenneth Courey, a generous and
long.time benefactor of the Foundation, plans and
enjoys family reunions at MC-LEF Galas and events.
L to R (front row) are Seamus Garrahy, Lucille
Crawford, Linda Degnan, Mary Einhaus, Mary Jo
Courey. (Back row) Francis Einhaus, William
Burgess, Ken and Maureen Burgess. Family times
are fun times.
MID - WEST VIP ÷S. Gary and Cheryl
Keisling are obviously pleased enjoying
the evening at New York’s WaldofAstoria as they vacation from their St.
Louis home. Gary is a Senior Vice
President, A.G. Edwards & Sons ofSt.
Louis MO. Gary is a recipient of the
Purple Heart for wounds sustained in
Vietnam where he served as a U.S.
Marine.
Page 52
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C FO . Marine Colonel Peter J. O’Hagan, the
Foundations Chief Financial Officer, and his
wife Barbara (L) are joined by their New Jersey
neighbors Frank and Mary Einhaus of
Parsippany for a delightful evening of fun.
GALA VIP S. The success of the 2008 Gala
truly rested in the hands of this five-some.
L to R are Diana O’Brien, Tony Piscitelli,
Chairman, American Defense Systems, Inc.
Dick Torykian and his lady MaryLou and
Steve Giordanella, CEO & Director. Ceramic
Protection, Inc. Dick serves on the board of
directors for both companies. Tony under
wrote the entire cost of the 2008 Gala
C BS . Pat Milton who recently joined the
Investigative Unit of the CBS Evening News
with Katie Couric visits with former Secretary of
State, James A. Baker, III. Pat, is a long-time
friend of the Foundation and a frequent contributor to this Newsletter.
C AREY C LA N. Don Carey III wrote that “this photo is
great for us to have the memory captured” L to R (seated) are
Frances Carey (Clan Mother), Caroline Gortler, Richard
Gortler and Don III. Standing are Glen Carey and his girl
friend Kathy Estop, Father Colonel Don Carey, USMCR (ret)
and Micele Carey, Don’s wife. Micele’s parents, the Gortlers,
were delighted with the family photo. This is the fourth year
they all attended the Gala.
FRIEN D S VISIT . The New York Gala provided a welcome opportunity for friends and family to enjoy a minireunion. L to R are Claire Ferrari, Gay Vachris, Richard
Torykian, Jr., and Charles Vachris.
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Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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A HOLIDAY FOREVER CHANGED
By JESSICA PIERCE
Messenger Post Staff
Galbraith, 21, of Victor returned home on May 3 from his latest tour
in Iraq, and was welcomed with a party at Fandango’s in Bloomfield.
He’s being held in a circle of prayer celebrating his safe return.
Holding him are his mom, Roxann Ammerman, Joan Cooley of
Farmington, and his best friend from Victor High School, Bryan
White. In the background is Galbraith’s sweetheart, Riley Willey.
S
usan Sleeman sensed that her son, a 21-year-old Marine,
needed to be alone.
They were in Arlington National Cemetery, standing before
the grave of one of his fellow soldiers.
“He stood in front of the grave and put his hand on the marker
for a little bit,” said Susan of Canandaigua, her voice cracking.
Before leaving the vast cemetery that day, about two weeks
ago, the Sleemans visited a second grave, that of another comrade
killed in Iraq.
For young soldiers like Sleeman, Memorial Day has forever
changed from those carefree days when it mostly signified the
long weekend that started summer.
Martin Galbraith, 21, of Victor, said that hit home after he
returned from his first tour in Iraq. The day became deeply personal¬like Sleeman, he had lost buddies and even had a brush
with death himself after an explosion blew his vehicle into a canal
two years ago.
For Galbraith, not only is it a day to consider lost comrades and
those still serving but a day to feel uplifted by the public's outpouring of appreciation, in the form of somber ceremonies, smalltown parades, chicken barbecues and kind words as simple as
"thank you."
"It touched home for me," he said ofthe support he saw after
returning from his first tour a few years ago. "It made me realize
a lot of peopIe really do care about us."
Another local soldier, Phillip Beck, said he never looked at the
holiday as a "day off" - but serving in the military has deepened
his perception, nonetheless.
Page 54
"I would say 1 take it more seriously now," said Beck, 23, of
Canandaigua, who signed up for duty about four years ago, wanting to "learn and travel."
Memorial Day is bittersweet for Beck this year. His brother,
Peter, is a Marine stationed in Iraq. Worry for him dampens
Phillip's happiness about his own return _ on Monday he is
expected to arrive back home in Canandaigua, having finished up
his last tour with the Navy, an eight-month NATO deployment in
Europe and Africa.
As for Justin Sleeman, his flight is to arrive at the Greater
Rochester International AiIport at 9:42 p.rn. Friday. He has just
finished up his second seven-month tour in Iraq. Parents Gary and
Susan and older brother Graham flew to
Virginia to meet him earlier this month
and made the somber trip to Arlington.
Watching her son pay his respects in
the cemetery, Susan Sleeman considered how war had turned him into a man
and how lucky she was to still have him.
"Justin could have been in that grave
just as easily as those kids," she said. "I
kept thanking God he's here with me. I
had to turn away because I started cry- Cpl. Justin Sleeman,
shown stateside a few
ing,"
weeks ago after his
Justin has one more year left in his return from Iraq, is due
four-year enlistment. He likely won't be to return home to
returning to Iraq; though, and that does Canandaigua Friday.
his parents' hearts good.
He enlisted in the
Phillip Beck, who has also been Marines at 17, when he
deployed in an earlier tour to Britain, is was still in high school.
now on what's called separation leave
and is considered inactive. Back home,
he plans to enroll in college, and eventually work as a defense
contractor.
Galbraith, meanwhile, signed up for another four years and
will work as a field weapons training instructor for the Marines in
Parris Island, S.C., where he had gone to boot camp. He has been
back in Victor since May 3 and has been spending as much time
as he can with his family and friends before he leaves in late July.
His girlfriend, Riley Willey, will relocate with him.
He said he decided to reenlist because he was told the post is
"nondeployable," meaning he likely won't be sent back to Iraq.
As of early last week, Galbraith had no big plans for Memorial
Day other than quietly considering lost troops, and troops still
overseas. His mother, Roxann Ammerman, will spend the day, as
she always does, placing wreaths on her relatives' graves and quietly considering the sacrifices of veterans that have allowed her
the freedoms she enjoys.
"I've always looked at Memorial Day as kind of a sad day,"
said Ammerman. "It's to remember everything - everything that
everyone has sacrificed."
Memorial Day is no longer a symbol of the start of summer or a long
weekend to young local soldiers, but, rather, a day of reverence.
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Ed Seay
Invitational Banquet
with a LIVE & SILENT Auction
Cocktails & Silent Auction 6pm-7:30pm
FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2009
Dinner & Live Auction 7:30pm - ?
ST. LOUIS
MC-LEF
DINNER
The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
1000 PGA Tour Boulevard
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
O
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Ed Seay
Invitational Golf Tournament
Maryville Marriott Hotel
St. Louis, Missouri
Sawgrass Country Club
10034 Golf Club Drive
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Help us Help Marines!
Designate CFC #2134
“The Independent Charities S e a l of Excellence (Best of the CFC) is
awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local
Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent
review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis
that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the U.S. Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world. Of the
1,000,000 charities operating in U.S. today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or
exceed these standards, and of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.”
CFC is Combined Federal Campaign
Marine Corps Law-Enforcement Foundation
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Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation
10 Rockefeller Plaza
Suite 1007
New York, NY 10020
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ORANGE, VA
PERMIT #97
A F T E R R E A D I N G T H I S N E WS L E T T E R P L E A S E P A S S I T O N T O A F R I E N D
C h a n g e o f Ad d r e s s F o r m
Please Print
Date _____________________
Name: ___________________________________ New Phone: ________________________________
New Mailing Address: __________________________________________________________________
City: _____________________________________________ State: ________ Zip+4: ________
Clip or copy this form from your issue of the newsletter so that the complete mailing label below shows
and mail the completed form to: MC-LEF, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1007 New York, NY 10020
SA V E T H ESE D A T ES
2008 – 2009 FUTURE EVENTS
7th Annual Philadelphia Dinner - 10/08 - Date to be
announced
Contact: Jack Cummings
Email:Jcummings8093@comcast.net
14th Annual Huntington Golf - 10/20/2008
Huntington Country Club, New York, NY
Contact:Jerry Griffin Phone:631-261-0096
The Ed Seay Invitational Banquet with a LIVE & SILENT
Auction - 11/9/08
The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
1000 PGA Tour Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
The Ed Seay Invitational Invitational Golf Tournament
11/10/08
The Sawgrass Country Club
10034 Golf Club Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
14th Annual Morris Area Marines Luncheon - 11/10/2008
Madison Hotel - Rod’s Ranch House, Morristown, NJ
Contact:Pete O’Hagan Phone:973-285-1800
Feedback Corner
Please send more information about the Foundation
I want to help. A donation is enclosed
Sign me up! I want to join the Marine Corp-Law
Enforcement Foundation. There are no dues
Put my name on your mailing list
Enclosed is a story for the next Newsletter
3rd Annual Las Vegas Golf Event - 11/10/2008
South Shore Country Club, Lake Las Vegas, NV
Contact:Bob Scimeme Phone:702-673-0189
2009 EVENTS:
14th Annual Semper Fidelis Gala - 3/26/2009
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York, NY
Contact: Sue Boulhosa Phone: 212-332-2980
St. Louis MC-LEF Dinner - 4/3/09
Maryville Marriott Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri
15th Annual Atlantic City Gala - 6/13/09
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort
Atlantic City, New Jersey
15th Annual Atlantic City Invitational Golf Tournament
6/15/09
Atlantic City Country Club Northfield, New Jersey
Name ________________________________
Address ______________________________
City __________________________________
State ____________ Zip _________________
Phone (____) _________________________
Mail To _______________________________
Address ______________________________
Membership is approved upon receipt of application