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Marine Corps League News - Boston Area

News and Latest from the Pvt. Shutt Detachment Membership in Watertown, MA

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• Announcement: Mike Munger's Retirement Party - Family and friends will be sharing a fun filled night on February 20, 2010, 7 pm - Midnight at the American Legion Post 440, 295 California St., Newton, MA (617)244-0440. To share fond and maybe not so fond memories of Mike Munger and his years as a Watertown, and beyond, as a Law enforcer. Purchase tickets before hand ($15.00)
• REMINDER: February Monthly Meeting - The Shutt Detachment holds its February Meeting on Thursday 2/4/10 at 19:30 (7:30pm) at the detachment's meeting area located at 215 Mt Auburn St., Watertown, MA ... News on the State Convention, Marine Week coming to Boston and the Golf Tournament are just a small part of the agenda.
• Reminder: January Monthly Meeting - The first monthly meeting for 2010, for The Pvt Shutt Detachment, is Thursday, January 7, 2010 @ 7pm (19:00). Make the extra effort to attend this meeting to set the pace for 2010. With all that happened over the past year (2009) you can make the New Year's resolution to attend meetings on a regular basis because that is what fuels the events we all look forward to. Your presence and input is always appreciated.
• Some Retailers Gouging Shipping Costs to APO Addresses - On a $120 purchase, Walmart.com charged $10.35 to ship to an APO address, compared with $2.10 to a stateside address. For most items, Amazon.com charged the same to ship to an APO address as a stateside address. And Target offered shipping on a $120 purchase to an APO address for less than to a stateside address. Funny thing about it is, that it costs nothing extra to ship to an APO address for a retailer .... read the whole thing at the topic link.
• January 2, 2010 Send off PARTY for Camille - Camille will be hydrating himself with his friends before deploying to Iraq at the Shutt Detachment on January 2, 2010 -- starting at 7pm (19:00). There will be no door charge and festivities will continue till Midnight. A DJ is expected to be on hand and the watering hole has been stocked in preparation. We have made a request to building maintenance to fasten all breakable items, additional mops have been purchased and drain cleaning companies are on call ..... make your way to this one it will will probably be the talk for the year..... that is all.
• The "Birds and Bees" back on in Iraq - After pressure from four Democratic Senators (Barbara Boxer, Barbara Mikulski, Jeanne Shaheen and Kristen Gillibrand) who sent a letter asking Army Secretary John McHugh to drop the ban of pregnancies of service members . "We can think of no greater deterrent to women contemplating a military career than the image of a pregnant woman being severely punished for simply conceiving a child. That defies comprehension." The Ban on pregnancies in Iraq for service members has been rescinded.
• Does Yoga Balance PTSD Victims? - Yoga therapy has proven effective for combat veterans with PTSD in terms of positive physical, mental, and emotional growth. A Veterans Affairs doctor has suggested looking into a yoga studio in Charlestown that holds classes for veterans battling post-traumatic stress disorder and other related issues. The class is run by Gulf War veteran Sue Lynch, the class focuses on bringing veterans back to a peaceful place and helping them regain control of their lives....click the topic link for the much more on Yoga for PTSD.
• Better Keep it in Your Pants in Iraq or Else - The Army general commanding U.S. forces in northern Iraq has added pregnancy to the list of prohibitions for personnel under his command. The policy, which went into effect Nov. 4, makes it possible to face punishment, including a court-martial and jail time, for becoming pregnant or impregnating a servicemember, according to the wording of the policy and confirmations from Army officials.
• New Study: Reconstructing injured faces - The Defense Department has awarded a $1.6 million grant to the university to test advanced surgical tools that would help surgeons repair troops’ damaged faces to look like they did before they were injured. Military medical officials estimate that 26 percent of wounded servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered some kind of facial injury.
• Female Veterans struggle for Acceptance - "Female service members have much higher rates of divorce and are more likely to be a single parent. When they do seek help at VA medical centers, they are screening positive at a higher rate for military sexual trauma, meaning they indicated experiencing sexual harassment, assault or rape. Some studies have shown that female veterans are at greater risk for homelessness." .... click the link for the whole topic.
• PARTY: 12/18/2009 - "Dog's Christmas party" - Friday night, Dec. 18th, 7PM, member Dave McDonough and his wife are hosting the annual Christmas party "Dog's Christmas party", donation at the door $10. Proceeds, after expenses, to the MCL Toy program. It's a really fun party and food is by Gerry's Italian kitchen. So mark it down to be there.
• Sick and Distressed: Lenny O'Brien - For those who don't know, Nationally Recognized VAVS rep Lenny O'Brien has entered assisted living with his wife Evelyn. Christmas Cards should be sent to their new address. Lenny O'Brien, Room 315, 50 Endicott Street, Danvers, MA, 01923-4814 .... there's more at the link on his location and his award received.
• The Sudden Passing of Charles Kelley - We are saddened to be informed by son-in-law, Mike Munger, that Charles Kelley has passed at the age of 84 while at his law office on December 1, 2009. Mr. Kelley was a highly decorated Naval Officer in World War Two and the Korean War, a graduate of Mass Maritime Academy. He had a special affection for Marines. During the Korean War, he rescued Marines from the beaches in the early part of the war, and later landed Marines during the Inchon Invasion, (his ship transporting General MacArthur to the landing). His son Charles Kelley Jr. served in the Marine Corps, prior to attending law school. Mr. Kelley, a successful lawyer and philanthropist, was honored last weekend by the City of Malden, with his wife Pat, by being named the grand marshal of the Malden Holiday parade, and riding at the front of the parade. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
• Membership Reminder for 12/5/09 Two events are happening on December 5, 2009 of interest to members. On Saturday night, December 5th is the annual Toy Party, at the OPG Grille, on Waverley Ave, Watertown, MA. The OPG is a constant supporter of the Shutt Detachment's fundraisers and events. The party is very big every year and a lot of fun. We look forward to members stopping buy and showing your support of the event. Also Saturday, December 5th, 11:00 am, at the Wharf at Watertown Square, the Town of Watertown’s will be conducting it's Annual Pearl Harbor Day Observance.
• Membership Reminder for 12/3/09 As previously announced, Thursday December 3rd will be the Marine Corps League's Pvt Shutt Detachment monthly meeting at 19:30. Also The Food Drive for the Bedford VA will be collecting items from members and supporters. Early emails indicated can goods only but as posted online the needs for food are varied and broader than just can goods. On hand will be two Holiday calendar models to promote their "Support Our Troops Postcard" for 2009. The girls will be autographing and selling these highly prized items at the Shutt Detachment also on December 3rd, 2009. These cards are meant to be sent to troops overseas that could use some holiday "cheer".

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Marine Corps History and Trivia

Tidbits of knowledge about the USMC

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