The Pikes Peak Scuttlebutt February 2021 Newsletter

2021 Pikes Peak Detachment Officers

February 2021 Monthly Meeting

Date: 20 February 2021

Time: Coffee/Donuts 0800 ☕, Meeting Starts 0900 ?️

Location: American Legion Post 209, 3613 Jeannine Dr. Colorado Springs

Note: Masks are required and social distancing is highly encouraged. ? ↔️

Donna Rae Smith will have copies of the "Covid Wellness Check" forms for all attendees to fill out and sign upon entering the building. She will also have a thermometer to check temperatures.

2021 Colorado Department Convention - 50th Anniversary

Arrival Date: Friday, 30 April 2021 (early check-in Thursday, 29 April)

Departure Date: Sunday, 2 May 2021

{Attendees are welcome to check-in the day before (Wed 28APR2021) and stay 1 day later for check-out (Mon 03MAY2021) at the contracted convention nightly rate if they wish to do some shopping or sightseeing before heading home.}

? https://mclco.org/2021-co-dept-convention

Event Photos

? Photo: Donna Rae Smith greets arrivals.

? Photo: New member Dennis Bradley.

? Photo: The passing of the flag. [Marine Corps Emblem]

Commandant's Message

Greetings motivated Marines, dedicated FMF Corpsmen, and outstanding associate members. I consider it a great honor to be elected as the Commandant of the most outstanding Detachment in the Marine Corps League. Thank you in allowing me to serve the Detachment in this important job. During my short time as Det. Commandant, I have submitted a report with the CO Secretary of State's office and submitted for this year's 990-N status with the IRS.

These are difficult times that we live in. These are times that we should provide support for each other, not look for opportunities to divide and fight. Please remember that the Marine Corps League is a fraternal veterans organization with the purpose supporting all Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Chaplains. I pledge that I will do everything in my power to ensure this happens by upholding my pledge as Commandant to not allow political or sectarian strife to enter the meetings of our Detachment. I am here for all of our members regardless. With that said the MCL is a patriotic institution by design, respect to the flag of our great country is written in our rituals. The MCL is a prayerful organization. Our membership consist of Christians of all denominations, Jews, agnostics, and those without faith. All members are welcome. That said, it is written in the rituals of the MCL, that meetings will include appropriate prayers and remembrance of our departed Marines that have gone on to their final duty station. All of this remains intact.

It was very good to have the Detachment meeting last month at the American Legion Post #209. We are family and having a family reunion (Detachment monthly meeting) is an important function. This time a big thank you to Donna Rae Smith in ensuring the Legion Post was ready for us and taking everyone's temperature when they came in. Hopefully everyone enjoyed their time there. I think we shall be using Post 209 for the foreseeable future. It is a wonderful location to meet and we are associated with an outstanding veterans organization. This time coffee and donuts were served but in the future we might be able to up our game a bit on breakfast.

The January meeting included an award ceremony with fewer awards presented during normal years past; however, the activities of the Detachment were not entirely dormant. Detachment members were still in the trenches and performing good works for the Detachment. Marianne Smith and her crew made the Bowl-a-thon a success this year despite everything going on in the world. Toys for Tots coordinator Russ Miller and gang collected enough toys to enable over 23,000 kids to have a toy for Christmas. These days are not what we would want them to be but we can still do great things and best of all be prepared to return to normal as soon as we can.

The Colorado Dept. staff meeting will be 27 March 2021 and hosted by the Pikes Peak Detachment. It was hoped the American Legion Post 209 would be a good location for this; however, the Covid restrictions enforced while at Covid level orange make the Post too small for the number of people expected to attend. An alternate location is being evaluated and this could be in Monument.

2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the MCL Colorado Department. That is an impressive milestone and this would be an outstanding year to attend the Department convention and help support the Dept. Commandant Russ Miller make this a big event.

As we begin the journey of 2021 and wait patiently for life to return to normal I want to say how thankful I am for the outstanding officers both elected and appointed that are in place to lead the task in fulfilling our mission. I am most grateful for each and every member of this Detachment. In church I learned that Christians should think of themselves as the hands and feet of Christ. I apply that thinking to the Marine Corps League as well. We are collectively the hands and feet of this Detachment. The accomplishments of the Detachment is the sum of our works.

If the good Lord's willing and the creeks don't rise we shall get back to the regular business of the Detachment sooner, rather than later. Until then we do what we can during this pandemic. I look forward to the February Det. meeting. Until then stay safe and stay well.

Semper Fi,
Terry

2021 Colorado Department Staff Meeting

Date: 27 March 2021

Hosted by: Pikes Peak Det. #29

Location: TBA

Schedule: Meet 'n' greet 1100, lunch 1200, meeting 1300

The Colorado Pack Growl will commence shortly after the meeting ends.

Senior Vice Commandant's Message

All, Thank you very much for placing your trust in me and allowing me to become your Senior Vice Commandant. I will do my best to support the League in all activities you expect of me. Semper Fi! Gunny.

Junior Vice Commandant's Message

Greetings to my Marine Corps League Family. Thank you for allowing me to serve you as your Junior Vice Commandant. I hope you are doing well and staying healthy. There will not be a St. Patrick's Day parade this year but we are registered for Territory Days scheduled for May 29-31. I am hopeful that the event will be a go this year. If it is, we will need volunteers to man the booth.

Pikes Peak Detachment has the MSTSGT BILL WALTERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND. Eligible candidates are Pikes Peak Detachment Marine Corps League Members, members' spouse, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Members must be a member of the Marine Corps League for a minimum period of one year (dues paid/current) prior to applying. Applications for the scholarship are due by April 30th. More information can be found on our website.

Other scholarships available are the Department of Colorado Marine Corps League Scholarship and The National Marine Corps League Scholarship. Information for the Department of Colorado Scholarship can be found at ? https://mclco.org/ and applications are due by April 1st. Information for the Marine Corps League National Scholarship can be found at ? https://www.mclnational.org/marine-corps-league-programs.html.

The Department Convention is April 28th - May 2nd. The convention is open to all members of the detachment and we are looking for members to go as delegates representing our detachment. Please let us know if you are interested in attending. If you are attending, make sure you go to the Department website and make your reservations for the hotel. The convention is being held at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver - Thornton. Rooms are only $89 per night and comes with 2 free breakfasts each day. This is a great deal.

Semper Fi,
Peggy

Pikes Peak Detachment Honor Guard

First Practice

Date: February 6th

Time: 0900 ?️

Location: James Irwin Charter School Gymnasium

We will have our first honor guard practice on February 6th at 0900 in the gymnasium at the James Irwin Charter School located by Astrozon and Powers Blvd. Since we will be meeting in the gymnasium, the best way to get there is to turn East onto Zeppelin Rd from Powers Blvd, then left onto the school grounds.

Our first practices will be to get familiar with our M1 rifles, manual of arms, and practice folding the flag properly. Everyone is invited to attend. If you aren't sure, come check us out and get more information. The more members we have join the honor guard the easier it will be to fulfil commitments when the time comes.

Quartermaster's Report

As announced at the January Detachment meeting, Jim Wear of Pro-Promotions has announced on Facebook that one of our biggest fund-raising events, the Salute to American Veterans and POW/MIA Rally in Cripple Creek, is cancelled indefinitely. Not just due to COVID pandemic, but many other factors. We are of course open to other ideas for events and venues for fund raising opportunities. We are also looking at possibly taking the Ship Store online as well as bringing in some new Gung-Ho Gear that you simply won't be able to live without. Since it appears that the Mid-Winter Conference in Norfolk VA will be canceled due to Virginia's current lock-down criteria, our Ship Store will be on hand for our next Detachment monthly meeting on 20 Feb 2021. So blow the moths out of your wallet and put some chits/big bones in their place. Before you know it however, we will be looking for volunteers to help man the Ship Store tent at Territory Days in May so keep your eyes open and your ears clear if waxy buildup for more details to come.

Semper Fi,
Russ

Toys for Tots Coordinator's Report

As I have been gathering information for the 50th anniversary of our Detachment and the Department of Colorado, I ran across a Convention book from 1980. Included was a letter from our then Detachment Commandant, Robert Zitnik, giving a report of the accomplishments of the Pikes Peak Detachment in the previous year. In 1979 the Pikes Peak Detachment was a sponsor along with the Gazette and KRDO of the "Toy Bowl", flag football game. Commandant Zitnik reported that we had collected and distributed toys to the largest number of needy children ever; 837. Our city has grown just a touch since then and with it so has the Toys for Tots program. This year we set a new record both locally and nationally. Locally, with the help of 58 volunteers from MCL, Women's Army Corps Assoc., Team Rubicon, Law Enforcement officers and deputies, among others, we were successful in collecting over $30,000 in monetary donations and distributing 30,158 toys to 23,261 less fortunate children. Nationally, Toys for Tots Campaigns like ours, distributed a total of 20.2 million toys to 7.3 million children. To quote LtCol Cooper from the Toys for Tots Foundation, "What is so incredible is you distributed over 1.6 million more toys to over 400,000 more children than in 2019 even with the pandemic! Congratulations and thank you!!" I echo his sentiment and say thank you to the Pikes Peak Detachment for taking up the charge and leading the way for our community. Special thanks to our band-of-misfit-toys from the Detachment that spent most of their waking hours in November and December at the warehouse making the whole thing run the smoothest it has since I came onboard. As we complete our inventory audit and pack the toys away in our semi, I have already booked our first toy drive event for the 2021 campaign and begun the search for where our warehouse will be located just in case we are unable to go back to the Chapel Hills Mall.

I recall my first year as coordinator, when a young Marine Captain, stationed here at NORAD, and his two small children stopped by to drop off some toys at our much, much, much smaller warehouse. His little 6 year old daughter asked him, "why do the Marines have so many toys?" He took a knee beside her and told her, "because Marines can find the little boys and girls that Santa can't find." Thank you for helping to bring smiles to the faces of less fortunate children on Christmas morning that might otherwise have felt lost or forgotten.

Semper Fi,
Russ

16 January 2021 Pikes Peak Detachment Monthly Meeting Minutes

Commandant Steve Schwartz opened the January monthly meeting of the Marine Corps League Pikes Peak Detachment for official business at American Legion Post 209 at 0900 with Salute to Colors and opening prayer. All Detachment officers were present except for Judge Advocate Gary George and Junior Past Commandant Paul Hinojosa, both excused.

Recognition of Dignitaries: NVC RMD/Dept Cmdt. Russ Miller, CO Senior Vice Cmdt. Steve Schwartz, RMD/Dept. Chaplain Milt "Doc" Whitaker, and Dept Judge Advocate Terry Crum.

Guests and Applications for Membership: Dennis Bradley – Retired Sgt Maj. A motion to accept Dennis as a member was made by Terry Crum and seconded by Osa Tuck. The motion carried.

A motion was made by Peggy Baldwin to accept the Det. October 2020 minutes as posted in the November newsletter and seconded by Osa Tuck. The motion carried.

Correspondences: A thank you letter from Helen Hill was read, and a thank you letter from Care and Share for Our donation and a thank you note from Christmas Unlimited for our donation.

Reports and Awards

Report of the Paymaster

The Paymaster's report and membership phone rosters are available at the head table. If you haven't already paid your annual dues, please do.

Report of the Chaplain

Vince Espinosa, his cancer is in remission. Bob Hill is back home. Chuck Schmidt is doing better. Arden Rivers is doing well.

Report of Officers

Commandant: Steve Schwartz (We will shorten the meeting for awards and election of officers.)

• Senior Vice Commandant: Terry Crum (NSTR)
• Junior Vice Commandant: Jamie Rogers (NSTR)
• Judge Advocate: Gary George (NSTR)
• Junior Past Commandant: Paul Hinojosa (NSTR)
• Quartermaster: Russ Miller (Toys for Tots had 58 volunteers this year. We distributed 30,158 toys to 23,261 children.)
• Sgt. at Arms: Osa Tuck (NSTR)
• Adjutant: Paul Reifke (NSTR)
• MODD: PDD Terry Crum (There will be a Pound 150 Growl after this meeting)

Report of Standing Committee:

Scholarship Committee consists of Cathy Schwartz (chair), Kittrie Glen, Peggy Baldwin

Report of Special Committees

NSTR

Unfinished Business: Detachment Award Ceremony

DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN BRONZE MEDAL

Awarded to: Steve Schwartz, Terry Crum, Milt Whitaker, Marianne Smith, Russ Miller (T4T), Joe G. Martinez (T4T), Vince Espinosa (T4T), Osa Tuck, Donna Rae Smith (T4T), Denise Wickersheim

DISTINGUISHED SERVICED BRONZE MEDAL

Awarded to Detachment Officers and Staff: Steve Schwartz, Terry Crum, Jamie Rogers, Gary George, Milt Whitaker, Peggy Baldwin, Osa Tuck, Paul Reifke, Russ Miller, Paul Hinojosa, Marianne Smith (Bowl a Thon)

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS

Awarded to: Russ Miller, Steve Schwartz, Joe G. Martinez, Vince Espinosa, Osa Tuck, Donna Rae Smith, Cathy Schwartz, Terry Crum, Ron Asmussen, Kittrie Glen

MERITORIOUS INDIVIDUAL

Awarded to: Osa Tuck

DETATCHMENT MARINE OF THE YEAR:

Steve Schwartz

MODD DOG OF THE YEAR:

PDD Steve Schwartz

New Business: Election and Swearing-in of 2021 Detachment Officers

Nomination for elected Officers:

• Judge Advocate: Paul Reifke
• SR. Vice Commandant: Jamie Rogers
• JR. Vice Commandant: Peggy Baldwin
• Detachment Commandant: Terry Crum

Motion to accept these Elected officers: Roger Baty. Seconded Osa Tuck. Motion carried.

Appointed Officers

• Paymaster: Jennifer Luckett
• Chaplain: Milt Whitaker
• Adjutant: Kittrie Glen

• SGT. at Arms: Osa Tuck
• Quartermaster: Russ Miller

NVC RMD Russ Miller performed the Swearing in Ceremony.

Good of the League: Peggy Baldwin will be Commander of the Honor Guard.

Closing Ceremony

The 50/50 raffle was held. $108 was collected. Osa Tuck won $54. Without any additional business Commandant Terry Crum closed the January Detachment meeting at 1010. The next meeting will take place 20 February 2021.

Respectfully Submitted,
Outgoing Adjutant Paul Reifke

Chaplain's Message

Ahoy Brothers and Sisters,

As I was perusing my latest copy of "Semper Fi" magazine (I usually go right to the Big Guy's articles cuz the rest of it is just "filler", right?) I was struck by the "Taps" section. It was a little closer to home this time as the four MCL members listed under the "Colorado" section were known to me either personally or because I had to submit or re-submit the Death Notices on each. It struck me as I was looking at the rest of the names listed that this was a long list of Marines, and it was limited to just MCL Marines!

The next thought that struck was "I hope and pray that they were ready".

In the scripted prayers that the Chaplain gives in various situations we refer regularly to our "Supreme Commandant", i.e., the Officer in Charge, the Commanding Officer, the one that has complete authority over a particular force or institution. In this case the one who has authority over ALL others. In our funeral service we also refer to this entity as "The Lord of Hosts". This expression, from the Old Testament, in Hebrew, Yahweh-Sabaoth, means "The Lord of Armies," (which can also mean "Marines" cuz we ain't Army) which contemplates His righteousness and power over both spiritual and physical armies.

We, having been military personal, are intimately familiar with the publications for books of guidance that tells us what to do and how to do it. I remember, as a junior Naval Officer spending a lot of time with my WOG & DOG (Watch Officer's Guide, and Division Officer's Guide). Those who are much more knowledgeable, who have a wealth of experience put those books together so that we may live and prosper in pursuit of our professions. Those of us who recognize the authority and wisdom of those over us follow that guidance, and WOE to those that follow their own path and thumb their nose at those in authority over them.

Our Supreme Commandant, our Lord of Hosts, has also put together a wealth of knowledge and wisdom for those who will listen. He has done that in order that we may have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). He wants us to be prepared (Matt 25: 1-13). He does this because He loves us and wants the best for us. My hope and prayer for all of you is that you are, or will be prepared.

You may, or may not have noticed that I have added an ending to our "Closing Prayer" of our MCL meetings. It is called the Priestly Prayer. In it Aaron, the High Priest of the Israelites asks the Lord to bless his people. I cannot bless you but I can petition the Lord of Hosts to do so.

So: The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:22-27)

Milt Whitaker
Chaplain and Pet Squid of Det 29.

Obituary

James Lee Humes

April 16, 1937 - January 21, 2021

? Photo: Portrait of James Lee Humes.

James Lee Humes, Sr. born on April 16, 1937 to Gilbert and Anna Humes. He died on January 21, 2021 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Jim joined his parents as well as his two little brothers, Allen and Frank "Butch" Humes; and his grandson, Jake Allen Brill, in Heaven.

He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of almost fifty-seven years, Leila Humes; and five children. James Lee Humes, Sr. was very proud of his twenty years in the United States Marine Corps. He was nicknamed "Gunny" because of his rank. He had a great love for his job and was more than a highly decorated veteran of the Korean and Vietnam War, he was a War Hero.

He received a National Defense Medal with one Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat Valor, Navy Unit Commendation with one Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Disaster Medal of Honor, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal With five Bronze Stars, and a Certificate of Commendation from the Coast Guard while serving with the United States Fleet Marine Force, Pacific Command.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Jim went on to get Master's degrees in Procurement and Materials Management as well as a Master in Business Management all while working a full-time job. Though he was extremely proud of his careers and educational endeavors, his true passion was his family.

A private Funeral Service will be held at 11:00AM, Monday, February 1, 2021 to which MCL 29 has been invited to attend at The Springs Funeral Service facility located at 6575 Oakwood Blvd., COS, CO 80923. The service will be streamed live. The link to watch the Funeral is located on Jim's Tribute Wall on The Springs Funeral Services website.

See the obituary online at: ? https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/19752601/Gysgt-James-Lee-Humes-Sr-U-s-Marine-Corps-Ret

Image: A cross silhouetted against a sunset over water.

Pikes Peak Detachment Officers 2003 – 2021