This year has been significant in many ways. Through his leadership, Commandant Rufino Garcia increased the frequency and regularity of our visits with veterans in assisted living. Our outreach and support also included cosponsoring the Memorial Day and Veterans Day tributes at the Clermont Waterfront Park Pavilion which was led by Andy Smith. The Ceremonial team led by Collin Cotterell supported those events as well as several other commemorative proceedings such as the 9/11 service, and honored fallen Marines at their funerals.
With the support of Commandant Garcia, the Officers, and the Detachment, we undertook an advertising and publicity campaign that included articles and ads in local publications, and a new recruiting brochure that has elevated our profile with local government, civic, and business leaders. In addition, members set up tables outside local stores and set up a table at the Red, White, and BOOM! Independence Day celebration. Recruiting is critical to our future.
The Communications committee, led by former Adjutant Lu Garcia, published several newsletters, one of which was distributed widely among local community leaders. The website received greatly increased traffic because of the advertising and communications. Our oo-RAH! newsletter gets good circulation.
Fundraising was successful. The Detachment created our first challenge coin; Quartermaster Cotterell kept our Ship’s Store filled and kept the sales going. We introduced our new R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) shirts which sold fast necessitating a second order with a few months. In addition, our Bingo committee led by Ray Taylor continues to be successful. We held fundraisers at Outback Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse. By keeping our finances healthy, we are able to support our community and our Detachment. We are appreciative of Wilfredo Gomez for keeping track of the comings and goings of our treasury.
We increased our funding of scholarships to the South Lake High School Navy Junior ROTC, Boy Scouts of America Troop 784, and support to local veterans in need. Our healthy finances allowed us to support to our own initiatives such as Toys for Tots and veterans outreach.
Our Toys for Tots campaign, led by Ron Chappo and supported by Wally and Emily Hornbaker and several Detachment members, was another success. We were able to distribute hundreds of toys to deserving families and increased the number of businesses collecting for us.
Jim Donovan fronted the expense of our storage shed, which allowed us to lower the cost of storage and to better organize our materials.
We had excellent participation at the Department of Florida Spring Conference and made good contacts at the Annual Convention and Fall Conference.
Our Detachment’s social life is just plain awesome! Diane Taylor and her committee (Lu Garcia, Emily Hornbaker, and Andrea Lawrence) have coordinated excellent events as well as monthly dinners. Former Commandant Rufino Garcia said it best, “Including our families has made the Detachment much stronger and has increased overall membership and participation.”
Throughout the year, Commandant Garcia called on every member to come together and join in camaraderie by attending meetings and volunteering where needed. He and our other former Commandants have set the stage for a successful 2020. Several of our members invited guests to our meetings and we have gained new members because of this outreach.
Although we have faced many personal challenges in 2019, we have persevered in spite of them. In the last Detachment business meeting, we heard heartfelt thanks from members who appreciated the brotherhood and care and concern that our Detachment is known for. “Marines take care of Marines.”
Next year will be led by incoming Commandant Ray Taylor, myself as Senior Vice Commandant, Rob Keith as Junior Commandant, and Collin Cotterell as Judge Advocate. Other executive appointments will be made and announced in January.
Have a safe and happy holiday season.
Semper Fi!
Acting Commandant Jack Lawrence
