Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Dear Rhode Island Marine Corps League Members,
I truly hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy & safe New Year!!!
Let’s look back at 2022 and what your department has accomplished as well as a few of the events that were hosted/planned.
First off, Quad State. There are members from other Departments still talking about Quad State. How well it was planned, the events, the meal choices, the gift bags, the raffles, bagpipers and especially the guest speaker, 12th SgtMaj of the Marine Corps, SgtMaj Gene Overstreet. We had a good team that made sure that everything was thought through, and it was going to add a little something to Quad State. The statement was even made, “this was the best Quad State I’ve ever attended”. That is all because of those that took the time to assist and for that, “Thank you”. 2026 isn’t that far away, I know we can make the next one we host even better.
Along with the Young Marines, which I will be saying a lot, we participated in the Aquidnick Police
Parade. It’s been more than a few years since we’ve done that. It was successful, since we had a
different part of the state looking at us and the RIYM’s. Some of the league members went with the YM’s to the Sea Bee Museum, had our own personal tour and meet and greet.
Members of the league along with the YM”s attended and assisted with the RI Gold Star Dedication ceremony. Another event that we have done for many years is the Gaspee Day parade but this year was different. Our very own PSC/Chaplain Jane Deptula was the grand marshall and she was a big hit. Several members attended the IRR muster at the Omni in Downtown Providence. Our goal was to get the word out about the League and sign up any potential members. We were successful, the Bucci-Atwood detachment got a new member. Welcome Aboard.
With the help of the YM’s the Detachments as well as the Department held quite a few rose collections which were very successful. Kent County thought outside the box and held a cornhole tournament, it was the first one and word has it they will be planning one for 2023. Bucci-Atwood organized a golf tournament where League members from all over the Division came and played in to help raise money. The ball was done a little different this year. It was the department of Rhode Island Marine Corps Ball and Kent County Det. took the lead on the planning. It was a very successful turnout with a great guest speaker, Capt. M.J. Majors, USN Ret. There was a raffle put together and the committee decided to do something special with the monies raised, more on that in a little bit. This upcoming year the Bucci-Atwood Det. is going to take the reins for the ball, and I am sure they will do just as good of a job.
The Department requested the RI State House be lit up purple in coordination with the National Flag Foundation, on November 11th , 2022, the 240th anniversary of the establishment of the Purple Heart was observed in cities across the United States. It was officially called “Light to Unite”. Our request was granted, and the state capitol was lit up with red, white, and blue along with purple around the lower half as well as the dome of the capitol. It was rather impressive.
Back to the raffle. The money raised was used to purchase a backpack type bag which each contained much needed personal items along with a Christmas card. We wanted to wish the Veterans a Merry Christmas and to let them know they are not forgotten, and we wanted to “Thank” them for their service. They all were very appreciative, and I believe each of them felt extraordinary that the Marine Corps League took the time to recognize them and let them know we are thinking of them. It was a humbling experience that’s for sure.
During the year there were some challenging times, but as a department we got through them. The Department was able to recruit more members in 2022 than in years past, the number of new members is close to 30. With the many rose collections, we have made contact with more Marine veterans who have shown interest in the League. We can and we will grow this Department to make an even bigger impact on the Veteran community here in Rhode Island, that is what we are here for, and we must take care of our own.
The goals for 2023 is to continue our relationship with the YM’s. Working together supporting each other is a win win for both organizations. We will continue to fundraise, and we will be looking into other unconventional ways to get funds for the Department. We need to do different things to draw in interest. We are continuously updating/upgrading our website with different ideas for our visitors to be interested in what we do and how. We have been looking at maybe getting office space in order to have a” HQ” for the League, an actual physical address where potential members can come down and speak with members of the League. Midwinter (Norfolk) is in February, Quad State (Vermont) is in April and the National Convention is in Oklahoma City in August. There will be several members attending, if you’re interested in attending check out the National website for exact dates.
As a Department I believe we are going to be more successful in 2023. With some new ideas and how we proceed this year we will definitely make an impact on the Veteran Community. Having said that we will be planning some type of event (cookout/picnic) where our members and their families can come out, relax and enjoy themselves. I want every member to know, you are an asset to the League. If it wasn’t for you there would not be a League, please reach out if there is anything that you need or if you have any questions.
HAPPY NEW YEAR MARINES, MEMBERS AND VISITORS OF OUR WEBSITE.
SEMPER FIDELIS!!!!!!!!!!!
Patrick Maguire
Commandant
Marine Corps League
Department of Rhode Island
Check out this great video
Young Marines Lowney and Lopez lead Marine Corps League Member Jane Deptula to kick us off.
Jane Deptula was followed by the Marine Corps League Color Guard, Marine Corps League Members, the Young Marines banner, the Young Marines Color Guard and our group of Young Marines and Recruits from both the Rhode Island Young Marines and the Southcoast Young Marines. Also always we had our support parents grouped throughout.
4th of July , Americas Birthday, Independence Day. However you say what the day represents we must remember how fortunate we are that a group of individuals took a stance against Great Britain. They would no longer go along with taxation without representation. Over the last 247 years the people of America have been doing just that, especially those who took the oath to defend the liberties that not only we enjoy but at times take for granted.
So however you celebrate this Independence Day, take a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in the land of the free because of the brave.
Happy Birthday America!!!
Semper Fidelis!
Patrick Maguire
Department of Rhode Island
Marine Corps League
Over the last few months, I have attended multiple events and I have met and spoken to SgtMaj Tracy Lynch (USMC/RET). The most recent event was the Department of Massachusetts convention. SgtMaj Lynch was their guest speaker, in speaking with him afterwards he explained to me a situation where a color guard was needed. There was a golf tournament coming up on Monday and he was going to speak before the golfers were to tee off and then golf himself. I told SgtMaj, If he could give me the location and the time that it was needed The Department of Rhode Island would have a color guard present.
I reached out to the members about the situation, and these dedicated Marines and associate members stepped up to the plate to ensure that there was a color guard. In the pictures you will find Nick Deluca, Dave Creamer, Wayne Salisbury, Mike Sepe and myself. Behind the scenes, there were associate members, Carol Salisbury and Wayne Hamilton. SgtMaj Lynch, Patty and Roger Schiffman, cofounders of Fairways for Freedom were very appreciative that we were able to help them out. They were also happy that the Department of Rhode Island made a $250 donation to their cause. Keep up the good work supporting Veterans.
Patrick Maguire, Commandant Dept. of Rhode Island
Semper Fidelis!!
The Department wanted to come up with a different way to help Veterans. We partnered with an organization to receive La – Z – Boy recliners. We received 5 of them and then reached out to the community to find Veterans who needed a recliner. Once we got five, we scheduled a day to make the deliveries, which was the 23rdof May. We met for breakfast, loaded up our trailer and headed out. Our first stop was an 83-year-old Coast Guardsman, he was very happy to be receiving a new recliner, he was having difficulty getting out of his old one and the one he received, he would just have to push a button and it would rise to make it easier for him to get up. The next three were Navy, one being a Corpsman. One was having difficulties with his legs, his legs had to be elevated but couldn’t pull the handle to raise the footrest, with the leg issue he had a hard time getting out of the chair. Again, the new recliner was a push of a button to raise/lower his legs and to get up. The Corpsman was mobile and in need of a chair for his home. The third Navy Veteran was mobile, didn’t have income to purchase a chair so he was happy that we were able to make that addition to his home. The last Veteran is Army and served in the Vietnam War, “welcome home”. He was just amazed that he was chosen to receive a chair, with his wife commenting, “this is amazing that someone is doing something nice for you, no one has done anything nice like this for you in a very long time.”
Although, we are an organization of Marines, we are here to help all Veterans. All the recipients were grateful to receive the recliners as well as their family members. There were even some tears shed of joy.
Being the first time, the Department has done something like this, we weren’t sure how it was going to play out. The League members that participated on this day all commented how gratifying it was for them as much as the recipients. Due to the success, we are planning on receiving more recliners to put smiles on more Veterans faces in Rhode Island.
Patrick Maguire, Commandant Dept. of Rhode Island
Semper Fidelis!
The mission of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interest and to
preserve traditions of the United States Marine Corps; strengthen the
fraternity of Marines and their families; serve Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and
FMF Chaplains who wear or who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor;
and foster the ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism.
Department of Rhode Island
Copyright © 2024 Rhode Island Marine Corps League - All Rights Reserved.