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Marine Corps birthday celebrated in Clearfield
Monday, November 16, 2009
By Jane Elling Staff Writer
The Continental Congress established the U.S. Marine Corps Nov. 10, 1775, and on its 234th birthday of loyal service to its country, the Sgt. William L. Dixon Detachment, Marine Corps League of Clearfield, celebrated the occasion Saturday at the Clearfield B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 540.
The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923 by Maj. Gen. Commandant John A. Lejeune. It was chartered by an Act of Congress Aug. 4, 1937, and the local detachment was organized Feb. 1, 1974. It was named for Sgt. William L. Dixon, a 23-year-old Clearfield man who died March 5, 1945, at Iwo Jima while serving with the Marine Corps in World War II.
The master of ceremonies and commandant of the Clearfield Marine Corps League, Donald DeSantis, welcomed the Marines and their guests and read Lejeune's birthday message first directed Nov. 1, 1921, that it be read throughout the globe on the birthday of the corps. Part of what was said by Lejeune is, "In every battle and skirmish since the birth of the Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term ‘Marine' has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue."
The 2009-10 officers were given the oath of office by Richard Provost, former commandant, who serves as chaplain. They include DeSantis, commandant; Donald L. Bowman, senior vice commandant; Dan Robbins, junior vice commandant; John A. Sayers, adjutant; and Jim Thorp, paymaster. Carl A. Belin Jr. is judge advocate.
Joan Robinson McMillen, Clearfield County commissioner, was the guest speaker and noted the Marines are known as the few, the strong and the proud. She said, "Proud, isn't that what we all feel that America is? Isn't that what we want for our children, to be proud, proud of how we live and how we govern?
"Many times when we talk about 9/11 we remember where we were and what we were doing at the time."
She said she took away from that terrible experience that for a time after that day, people were Americans, not Republicans or Democrats, but one country standing together.
She said people should all go out and talk to their neighbors and be a volunteer in the community. "Let's vow to listen to each other and respect each other. Those men and women that have died were neither Democrats nor Republicans. They are Americans."
An important part of each anniversary dinner is the cake cutting ceremony when the oldest and youngest Marines present use a sword to cut the decorated cake. The first piece is given to the oldest man and the second to the youngest. Fred Guarino Jr. of Curwensville, 89, and Joe Nelson, DuBois, 39, took part in the ceremony.
Thorp was announced as the 2008-09 Marine of the Year for his exemplary work for the Marine Corps League.
A moment of silence and an observance was held in memory of the 2009 deceased members: Robert Martino, Donald W. Leavitt Sr., Boyd W. Houk and Jerome Auman.
The Bob Moline Quintet was preset to play dinner music and for dancing. It also played "The Marine's Hymn" for every Marine present to stand and sing at the end of the program.
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