WMA Liaison Report

January 4 2008

PDD Katherine Van Gorder

 

http://wmapa2.org

 

We have been researching the Detachments listed in the Wellsboro, Tioga County area of the State and find none listed in a search of the National database, nor on the Dept. of PA website. Consequently, as plans are underway to begin a Chapter of WMA in the Wellsboro area, and we would like to offer the MCL an opportunity to join forces with us to create a MCL Detachment in that area as well. We have tentative plans for in the early Spring, with lots of news media coverage and a visible presence at a restaurant in the area, inviting all Marines in the area who may be Members at Large to join us, and to attract the attention of other non-member Marines. Sources tell me that there are a lot of Marines in that area, as evidenced by the abundance of stickers supporting the USMC. I would appreciate a meeting here this weekend between the two Vice Commandants of the Divisions/Districts near or including the Wellsboro – Williamsport area, to formulate a joint effort.

Activities and accomplishments by PA-2 during the second quarter of 2007-8 include:

Oct: Our Chapter President made a trip to Washington and Parris Island with the Pron-Seton Detachment in Phoenixville. She is an active member of that Detachment, and serves on the Joint Veteran’s Council in Pottstown. We agreed to support the MCL YPF program in March to assist with coaching and judging, as needed.

We shared a recruiting booth with the Pottstown Joint Veterans Council at the Fall Festival on October 20.

We have begun planning for a trip to the monuments in Arlington and to the Marine Corps Museum. Check our Web site ( http://wmapa2.org ) regularly to see when we plan to go if you care to join us.

Nov: Seven members of PA-2 attended the annual Salute to Women Veterans luncheon at the Coatesville VA Medical facility on November 1. Wearing our Green Uniform Covers, we drew enough attention that the Keynote Speaker stopped to ask what they represented, and several other veterans approached to see if we knew of any organizations focused on their branch of service such as we have. Lesson here is: wear you uniform and/or pins when possible.

On November 3 a Veterans Day dinner was held aided by a large effort of our Chapter President and her husband who has joined our affiliate organization. Both are members of the Pron-Seton Detachment.

November 10, both also attended the Pron-Seton Marine Corps Birthday Ball, while Kathy Van Gorder escorted a disabled member of the League and his Lady (both in wheel chairs) to the Chester County Detachment Birthday Ball. November 9 Kathy also escorted this same retired disabled member to the West Chester Marine Corps Appreciation lunch given each year by a private citizen who feels compelled to say Thank You to area Marines.

November 11 a wreath laying ceremony at the Pottstown Library and another ceremony at the Pottstown Memorial Park followed still later by a flag burning service and attendance at the Marine Corps Band concert in Reading kept our President busy.

We shipped five very large boxes weighing around 14-16 pounds each filled with at least 100 toys to a unit in Iraq stationed near an orphanage, for them to distribute to the children at the orphanage.

Dec: At our Christmas Party meeting we agreed to actively pursue a bid for the 2012 Biennial WMA National Convention and have agreed on Philadelphia as the target site. If we are successful in our bid for hosting this convention, we will be looking to League Detachments in the Philadelphia area to support our effort with a Color Guard and other possible activities to promote visibility to the League and to WMA.

We are still actively supporting the "A HERO"S WELCOME" formed by George Highland’s Grand daughter. She has set up a website for this program: www.aheros-welcome.org and invites the Marine Corps League to log in to keep up to date on new events for returning veterans. Her second event had a large media presence and was seen on Fox News with Glen Beck two times. (Don’t forget to check our PA-2 website, http://wmapa2.org also.)

Three of our members attended the annual Christmas Party for the Veterans at SE PA Veterans Center and assisted the aids with transporting the vets to the dining area, serving refreshments, and delivering gifts. We are supporters of the VAVS Friend of a Veteran program and had our own "adopted" Friend to give gifts and friendship to.

PA-1 Letters are being prepared to send to members of record for this Chapter of WMA to assist with reactivating the Chapter.

PA-3 This chapter continues to actively support the MCL with projects and events at the Gino Merli Veterans Center, and the annual Armed Forces Day parade.

The Fewer, The Prouder, The Women Marines.

Respectfully Submitted, PDD Kathy Van Gorder