Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 celebrates Corps' 239th Birthday

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

Master Gunnery Sgt. Dean Bearup served as the master of ceremonies. After Ben Collins and Larry Himes posted the colors, with Collins carrying the American flag and Himes, the New Mexico flag, Alyssa Carrillo, 9, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" so beautifully that it brought tears to the eyes of even Marines.

The more than 100 people at the banquet and ball then pledged allegiance to the flag.

Bearup, before the posting of the colors, recognized attendee Dan McBride, a World War II veteran, who parachuted into Normandy and was awarded over the course of the war four Purple Heart medals.

Bearup introduced those at the front table, including Pam and Frank Donohue. Frank Donohue serves as the commandant of the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328. Also seated at the front table were Robert Lopez, detachment chaplain, and his wife Danna.

"If it weren't for Betty Himes and Danna Lopez, this event wouldn't go as well as it does," Bearup acknowledged the organization of the event by the two women.

Bearup gave a brief history of the formation of the U.S. Marine Corps. "Eight months before the birth of the nation, the Continental Congress decided it needed someone to protect us," he said. "The Army of the United States was formed October 13, 1775, and the Marine Corps on Nov. 10, 1775 at Tun Tavern. Robert Mullan, the proprietor of the tavern, was commissioned by an act of Congress to raise the first two battalions of Marines, under the leadership of Samuel Nicholas, the first appointed Commandant of the Continental Marines. Next came the Navy and the Air Corps, which later became the Air Force."

He recognized attending members of each branch of the Armed Forces•members of the Army, the Navy, the Air Corps or Air Force, the Coast Guard or Merchant Marine, as well as those serving to protect the U.S. boundaries, members of the Border Patrol.

Bearup also chose to recognize those who served in each time of war, since 9/11 in the Middle East War, before 9/11 back to Vietnam, Vietnam, Korea and World War II.

He also recognized the two Gold Star mothers in attendance, Mary Cowan and Kay Beaman. "In case you don't know, these mothers have paid more than the ultimate sacrifice by losing part of themselves in a son or daughter lost to service."

He then had each Marine in the audience introduce himself and say what years he had served.

"There is no such thing as a former Marine," Bearup said. "The national commandant in 2010 declared: 'A Marine is a Marine and will always be a Marine.'"

Then the traditional custom of the POW-MIA table was featured.

The table is set for one, the one missing from the event, the prisoners of war and missing in action, as well as fallen comrades. "We call them brothers and sisters," Bearup said. "The small table shows the frailty of one person alone; the white tablecloth symbolizes the purity of service; the rose signifies the families and friends who keep the faith that their loved one will return; the lemon, the bitter fate; the salt recognizes the countless family members who wait; the inverted glass shows the person cannot toast the evening; the chair is empty, because the person is not there; and the candle is a light of hope."

He also recognized Team Donna, the Western New Mexico University cafeteria staff, representing Sodexo, for their work on the food for the banquet.

He also belatedly recognized Ron Oglesby, the father of one of the Marines, for whom the detachment was named. Kenn Oglesby was killed in Iraq.

Bearup announced Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps effort each year, to provide toys to children who might receive none at Christmas. Danna Lopez is heading up the campaign.

Marine Gene Lewis, a veteran of World War II, read the 1921 message from then Commandant, Major Gen. John A. Lejeune. Marine Ben Collins read the message from the recently appointed commandant.

The tradition of the cutting of the cake with a non-commissioned officer's sword, commenced with Marine Daniel Garcia using the sword to cut the first few pieces of cake. The first piece traditionally goes to the oldest Marine in attendance, who on this night was Leonard Pritikin, born in 1920 and who served in World War II from 1940-45. Pritikin took the first bite and passed the piece of cake to the youngest Marine in attendance, Mario Wolf, who served from 2010-2014.

After dinner, several Marines spoke briefly of what it meant to them to be a Marine.

Lopez said the corps' values stay with him•honor, courage and commitment. "I still live by those values. I became a Marine, then a reservist and then became a corpsman in the Navy to serve the Marines as a doc. The discipline I learned will remain with me. It's a way of life."

Donohue said he joined the Marines to get out of Silver City. "I wanted to be among the best. I thank God for my training; I thank God for my mother and everyone who prayed for me, so I came out of the Green Hole. The Marines gave me discipline, so when I did go to school, I could study and learn. It's been a good life, because of the Marine Corps. The discipline kept me focused. I'm proud to be part of you."

Don Spann said he and his brother joined the Marines on 24 March 1964. "We signed up together, and we served tours together in Vietnam. The Marines instill in you what it means to get things done. I did get to go to college, and that training stood me in good stead for my life. Marines just go do it."

Pritikin said he kept trying to get into the Marines, but his father wouldn't let him. He finally went into the reserves, because his father agreed. "I was told I gotta have 24 sound teeth. I went to the dentist on a Saturday afternoon, and he said I had 21 good teeth and to make an appointment to come back to get them fixed. I told him I needed them filled then, so I could join the reserves on Monday. He did. Then the reserves were federalized. Because I did not have 24 sound teeth, I didn't go to Iceland. I had already had training, but I was sent back to Boot Camp. I received a furlough transfer, and on Dec. 7, 1941, I got home. Monday war was declared, so I reported to my new station, where I spent six months on guard duty. Then I went to the base and stayed there."

Bearup told those in attendance that the wine glasses etched with the Marine Corps symbol had been donated by Marine Lewis. Toasts were made with those glasses.

The benediction was given, the Marine Hymn was sung and the colors were retired. A dance followed.