Marines of the Coastal
Valleys, including the communities of Santa Ynez, Solvang,
Buellton, Lompoc, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Orcutt, Santa
Maria, and Guadalupe are gathering together to form
a new Marine Corps League detachment.
June Topic
Purple Heart Trail
Our guests will include Tim Haley, Commandant of Marine Corps League Detachment 680 in San Luis Obispo, (a Purple Heart recipient) and Mike Madriaga, Field Representative for Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee.
The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create
a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways,
bridges, and other monuments that give
tribute to the men and women who have been
awarded the Purple Heart medal.
The Purple Heart Trail accomplishes this honorary
goal by creating a visual reminder to those
who use the road system that others have paid a
high price for their freedom to travel and live in a
free society. Signs placed at various locations
annotate those roads and highways where legislation
has been passed to designate parts of the national road system as The Purple Heart Trail.
The actual format and design of the signs varies from state to state. There are currently designated
sections in 45 states as well as Guam.
The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create
a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways,
bridges, and other monuments that give
tribute to the men and women who have been
awarded the Purple Heart medal.
The Purple Heart Trail accomplishes this honorary
goal by creating a visual reminder to those
who use the road system that others have paid a
high price for their freedom to travel and live in a
free society. Signs placed at various locations
annotate those roads and highways where legislation
has been passed to designate parts of the national road system as The Purple Heart Trail.
The actual format and design of the signs varies from state to state. There are currently designated
sections in 45 states as well as Guam.
In the early days of WW II the Marine raiders attacked Makin Island and left behind, 19 dead Marines, after asking the islanders to make sure that they received a proper burial. In 1999 the remains were discovered. This is a touching tribute.
Semper Fidelis.
For those interested in how the Marine Corps trains Marines
to properly handle death notifications
you may want to watch
this training video. You will then better understand the professionalism,
sensitivity and faithful devotion employed in this difficult
duty.
Santa Maria VA Medical Clinic
You are a Marine! Perhaps you only served 60 days and were
medically discharged, or you served 30 years and were honorably
discharged! Your service qualifies you for assistance from
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
[ http://www.va.gov ]
Do you know what you are entitled to?
The geographical area served by the Marine Corps League, Coastal
Valleys Detachment, is also served by the Santa Maria VA Medical
Clinic. Located at:
1550 East Main Street, Santa Maria,
CA 93454
[ map ]
Phone:
805-354-6000, Fax: 805-349-9542,
the Santa Maria VA Medical
Clinic is our
branch of the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.
You know the Clinic exists, but do you know what services
it provides?
That is the topic of discussion at our next meeting, September
23, 2008.
Paul Shetley, a United States Army Veteran, and a Volunteer
for the Santa Maria Community Based Outpatient, will attend
to bring up-to-date information on the Clinic. He will be bringing
eligibility forms for those not enrolled.
Can you be cavalier with your health?
General James T. Conway, Commandant U.S.M.C.
The 34th. Commandant of the United
States Marine Corps, General James T. Conway addressed The American
Legion
National Convention on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.
LegionTV, is The American Legion's newest
way to deliver updated multimedia to our members, as well as
all
other visitors to Legion.org. At LegionTV, you will be able
to view coverage of Legion events, public service announcements
and much more.
During his speech Gen. Conway was asked to address the following
topics:
How the Corps is currently doing
Health of the force
Vision of Corps future
If you want to know how the Corps is doing in these difficult
times listen to what the Commandant has to say. Gen. Conway's speech
can be viewed on LegionTV.
You may also be interested in a document titled the Commandant's
Planning Guidance that is posted on the Marine Corps' official
web site.
Veterans Can Always Salute Their Flag
Michael
Smith brought this to our attention recently. The Flag Code,
Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1 was amended with P.L.
110-116, 110th Congress, First Session, November 13, 2007 to
read as follows.
§ 9. Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing
of flag
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing
in a parade or in review, those present in uniform should render the military
salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in
uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face
the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if
applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the
left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries should
stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should
be rendered at the moment the flag passes.
July 4 Independence Day Celebration
What is the Purple Heart Trail?
You are a Marine! Perhaps you only served 60 days and were
medically discharged, or you served 30 years and were honorably
discharged! Your service qualifies you for assistance from
the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Michael
Smith brought this to our attention recently. The Flag Code,
Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1 was amended with P.L.
110-116, 110th Congress, First Session, November 13, 2007 to
read as follows.