Final Formation for LCpl Layton B. Crass ~ Richmond

Lance Cpl. Layton Bradly Crass, 22, of Richmond, In. died June 14 while supporting combat operations in Farah Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

Arrangements have been made and the Patriot Guard has escorted the Marine home. Marines lets turn out to support this Marine Family at their time of need.

For details of the arrangements see: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddrkpc38_4797gcfpcd7

Thanks to Patriot Guard for the Itinerary.

26th MEU Community Outreach Day - Indy!

Thursday 12 June
Location: Indiana State Fair Grounds
Time: 10:00 a.m.

Summary: This event will feature some of the best the Corps has to offer. We will stage an 8-wheeled Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and two Humvees, while four Marine helicopters (a CH-53E, a CH-46E, a UH-IN, and an AH-1W) land on the fair grounds parking lot. Marines will debark and be available to meet with the public. Specifically, we will have an infantry squad, a Marine sniper in a ghillie suit, various weapon systems and a Marine Corps Martial Arts Demonstration.

For more information on the mission, organization, history and current status of the 26th MEU, visit the unit’s website at http://www.26meu.usmc.mil/.

The Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Central Indiana is in contact with the PAO and will advise shortly on how to attend. Check back here for details.

Update on MCL Dept of Indiana Sr Vice George Merchant

Department of Indiana, Marine Corps League, Sr. Vice Commandant George Merchant is resting comfortably after major heart surgery at St. Vincents Hospital in Indianapolis. Speaking with his family, the doctors remain optomistic about his recovery. George remains in intensive care and under sedation. Visitors should consider coming after he is moved from intensive care. Our prayers and well wishes go out for our brother Marine!

Send cards/letters to :
George Merchant
c/o Joe Merchant
3167 South 6th Road
Vincennes, IN 47591

Senate Passes Veteran Bill S 1315

The Senate recently passed S. 1315, the Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act of 2007, by a vote of 96 - 1. The act includes provisions to: (1) establish a new program of insurance for service-connected disabled veterans; (2) expand eligibility for retroactive benefits from traumatic injury protection coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance; (3) increase the maximum amount of Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance that a service-connected disabled veteran may purchase; (4) provide individuals with severe burn injuries specially adapted housing benefits; and (5) extend the monthly educational assistance allowance for apprenticeship or other on-the-job training to two years. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.

S 1315 Details: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:3:./temp/~c110EgN6Ji::::

Suggested Spring Detachment Activity

Our Marine Corps League has declared that we want a Marine License Plate in the State of Indiana.

Detachments are also wanting to do fundraising.

Do Both!!

1. Go to MCL Ships Store http://www.mcleague.com/shipsstore/index.php to purchase several gross of Marine Roses. These are the Roses to be used by Detachments participating in the Marine Rose Program. They are sold by the gross (144count) and come pre-assembled and ready for use in fund-raising.


2. Contact your local businesess for permission to set up a fundraising table by their front door on several Saturday mornings. Set up your schedule.


3. Make several copies of our Marine License Plate pettion, put them in a clipboard and bring pens to sign with (click here to print out pettions http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ddrkpc38_5ccj4c7g5)


4. Organize your Detachment members to take shifts at the table.


5. GET-R-DONE!!

2008 Department of Indiana Convention

The Department of Indiana
Marine Corps League
2008 Convention
Friday - Sunday, 6 - 8 June 2008

At the Holiday Inn at 5501 National Road,

East Richmond, IN

Phone number is 1-800-548-2473.

Room rate is $82.95 per night.
Registration for the Convention, the luncheon, and the banquet fees combined will be $40.

Host Detachment:

Whitewater Valley Detachment ~ Richmond

A Convention Announcement out

to Detachments in early May.

Tentative Agenda

(additions or corrections to Commandant Lieber)

Friday June 6, 2008
1600 - Department Staff Meeting
1900 – Joint Opening
MODD Growl after Joint Opening

Saturday, June 7, 2008
0830 – Dept of Indiana Business Meeting
- Nominations
1200 - Lunch
1330 – Dept of Indiana Business Meeting (cont)
- Elections
1800 – Dept of Indiana Banquet

Sunday, June 8, 2008
0830 – Dept of Indiana Memorial Service
0845 - Dept of Indiana Business Meeting (cont)
- Closing Ceremony

Pledge a Marine to Run the Mini Marathon!!

Pledge a Marine to Run the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon on May 3, 2008! Melissa Jacobs, Captain USMCR will run the Mini carrying the Marine Corps Flag and 100% of your contributions will go toward the community service initiatives of the H.I.Bearss Detachment #089 **Your contribution is tax deductible!!**

I would like to pledge Melissa’s Run for the League!
Name: ________________________________
Address: ______________________________
Phone Number: _________________________
Email Address: _________________________

$10 $25 $50 $100 Other: ____
Please make checks payable to: MCL HIB Detachment #089 and write “Mini” on the memo line. Mail your pledges to: Marine Corps League, Hiram I. Bearss Detachment #089, PO Box 2351, Indianapolis, IN 46206-2351

Marine Corps League, Central Division Conference

The Department Of Indiana, MCL Congratulates the Central Division on its 2008 Conference. Semper Fidelis! Dept. Commandant Mike Lieber

The 2008 Central Division Conference will be at the Executive West Hotel (Airport)830 Phillips Ln. Louisville, KY 40209 April 25, 26, 27. Room rates are seventy five dollars per night. Call 502-367-2251 for reservations.

Click here: Hotel Reservations at Executive West
Click here: Conference Registration Form
Click here: Place Your Bets !!

Former Dept of Indiana Chaplain: Marcos Botas Passes

Marcos Botas, Former Chaplain Department of Indiana, Marine Corps League has passed away.

Marcos Botas, 73, died Monday, February 04, 2008 at home in Fort Wayne.

Born in Hanapepe, HI, he was a U.S. Marine veteran, Korean Era, president of War Veterans-Quiet Warrior Chapter, Filipino American Society - Officer, volunteer chaplain with the VA Hospital and chaplain for Memorial Day Ceremonies at Covington Memory Gardens and past commander of the Allen County Council of Veterans. He served in many other veteran organizations and was a member of First Missionary Church.

Survivors include his wife, Joan; sons, Samuel M. (Shelley) Botas, David M. (Kristine) Botas all of Fort Wayne; 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son, Jonathan M. Botas in 1988.

Memorial Service is 3 p.m. Saturday at First Missionary Church, 701 W. Rudisill with calling from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church. Rev. Bob Martin & Rev. Jim Johnson officiating. Arrangements by D.O. McComb & Sons Foster Park Funeral Home, 6301 Fairfield Ave. Memorials to the family.

Click on the title above to sign the guest book for Marcos!

Toys For Tots Saturday, December 8

Toys for Tots Saturday, December 8, 2007 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Here's your opportunity to help out Central Indiana's needy children at Christmas! You and your family can be a part of the Toys For Tots Annual Toy Drive! This event will be held at the administrative offices at Crown Hill Cemetery located at 38th and Clarendon Rd, just 1 block east of 38th and Michigan. It's so easy to help out: Just bring a new, unopened, and unwrapped toy by between the hours of noon-5pm and drop it off! The Marines will be on hand to assist with collecting the toys. All toys will go to local children in need this Christmas. Steve Stuart will stop by in the WFMS Friends and Neighbors van from 12-1pm. Hope to see you there!

Marine Honor

Marine Sgt. Andrew M. Janovicz carries the U.S. flag through St. Boniface Catholic Church November 2006 during a funeral service for Sgt. Brock Babb in Evansville, Ind.

This photo of Marine Sgt Andrew Janovicz has been seen in USA Today, Evansville Courier Press, Denver Post, and Albuquerque Tribune. Sgt Janovicz is the son of Former Marine Mike Janovicz, Indianapolis.

Andy is a member Kilo Company, 3rd Bn, 24th Marines, Marine Reserve and Marine Corps League, James P. Farber Detachment 1183, Brownsburg, IN.

2006 Deptartment of Indiana, Marine Corps League Awards

In a non-profit organization there is no pay for your hard efforts, recognition is the best way to acknowledge those who get the job done. The Department of Indiana, Marine Corps League met on Saturday June 3rd to present the awards. In a rare occasion, one Marine came home with both of the state's top awards. Former Marine Russ Eaglin was awarded the 2006 Marine of the Year by the Department and the 2006 Devil Dog of the Year by the Military Order of Devil Dogs. Along with the Marine of the Year award came a Distinguished Citizen Silver medal, (the state's second highest award authorized). The inscription on the Marine of the Year read: "For Dedicated Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty".

65th Annual Convention - Marine Corps League Department of Indiana

By Department Convention Chairman Don Myers


Hiram I. Bearss Detachment #089 will host the 65th Annual Department of Indiana, Marine Corps League Convention in Indianapolis on 2, 3, & 4 June 2006. The Convention will be held at the Best Western Hotel (previously Signature Inn East) 7610 Old Trails Rd. (Just off East Washington St. Exit & I-465)
Help support the HIB detachment by attending the convention and also by placing an Ad in the Convention Booklet.
Convention Booklet Rates: Full Page - $100, Half Page - $60, Quarter Page -$35, One Eighth or Business Card - $20, In Memory Of (Two Lines for & from) - $12, Patron (Name Only) - $10.
There will be a noon Memorial Luncheon on Saturday, 3 June at 1200 and an Awards Banquet that evening with cocktails beginning at 6 PM (1800 for Marines). Cost for meals only are $17 & $24.50 respectively. (A package deal to include both meals, hotel breakfast, a convention registration fee and unlimited hospitality room $40.)
For Convention questions; call Don Myers at 317-786-4649.

Central Division Conference, Marine Corps League

Central Division Conference

Thursday April 20 - Sunday April 23, 2006

Washtenaw County Detachment #414

P.O. Box 2523

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-2523

City: Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hotel: Ypsilanti Marriott, 1275 S. Huron St. Exit, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, phone 734-487-2000 (mentionMarine Corps League).

Hotel Directions: Off I-94, Exit 183 (Huron St. exit), go south 1/8 mile on the eastside (left) of road.

Hotel Room Rates: $75.00 + 8% Tax Government Rate

Strip Ticket $35.00, Registration $5.00, Hospitality $5.00, $25.00 Dinner

Banquet (Includes continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday in the Hospitality Room)

Checks payable to: MCL Washtenaw County Det. #414

Send Registration to Crystal Witkowski, 8016 Thornhill Drive, Ypsilanti, MI 48197-6169 (Registration form available online at www.MCL414.org)

Phone 734-482-9424 Email: patridge801@aol.com

Event Chairman: PDC Tony Wade, 11728 Kenton Dr. Whitmore Lake, MI 48189-9342

Phone 734-449-2249 Email: twade3056@charter.net

Change of Command for Marine Corps League Indy

The Marine Corps League, Hiram I. Bearss Detachment in Indianapolis, In. will conduct a Change of Command on Thursday April 13, 2006. All Marines and friends of Marines are invited. See www.IndyMarines.org website for directions to the League home for the event.


1800 Social (Beverages and Appetizers)
1900 Opening Ceremony Commandant Eaglin
Roll Call of Officers
Applications for Membership
1910 Installation of Officers Commandant Eaglin
Comments Commandant Albright
Good of the League
1925 Closing Ceremony Commandant Albright
1930 Pitch In Meal (Detachment providing meat)