MCL DETACHMENT #708 IN THE NEWS
Marine Corps League 708 Receives Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service Award
For the 18th consecutive year (2009-2010), Marine Corps League Detachment 708 received the 1st place Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service Special Award for the largest number of volunteer hours. Shown in the photo with the award are National Commandant Vic Voltaggio (R) and 708 Commandant Bob Ross (L) along with the many members of the Honor Guard who work so diligently to serve our Veterans and their families.
Marine Corps League 708 Assists with Dedication of Weeki Wachee High School
On August 13, 2010, Marine Corps League Detachment 708 provided the Color Guard for the Ribbon Cutting and Dedication of the new Weeki Wachee High School. Veterans from World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam were represented. From L to R: Gene Podraza, Tom Morrin, Bob Campbelloff, Charlie Haggett, John Camara, Artie Davila and Larry Gross, Members of Marine Corps League 708 Color Guard.
Past Commandant of Marine Corps League 708 Elected National Commandant
Past Commandant of Marine Corps League 708 Vic Voltaggio was elected National Commandant of the Marine Corps League on August 13, 2010, at the National Convention in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Marine Corps League has more than 76,000 members nationwide. Seated in the photo are National Commandant Vic Voltaggio and his wife, Janet Voltaggio. Many members of Marine Corps League 708 and Marine Corps League Auxiliary, Spring Hill Unit, were in attendance and are also shown in the photo.
Marine Corps League 708 Receives Department of Florida Public Relations Award
Marine Corps League 708 recently received a public relations award from the Department of Florida Marine Corps League for its efforts in promoting the Marine Corps League and its activities in the community, for our Veterans' and our youth. From L to R: Ellen Ward, Marine Corps League Auxiliary; Bill Backes, Department of Florida Commandant and Jim Able, Marine Corps League 708.
Marine Corps League 708 Receives Department of Florida Award
Marine Corps League 708 recently received an award from the Department of Florida Marine Corps League for its outstanding newsletter entitled, "708 Mail Call". The newsletter is published every two months by Editor Bob Eisenhauer and features Detachment, Auxiliary, Young Marines, Toys for Tots and Honor/Color Guard events as well as the many community activities in which the Detachment participates. From L to R: Marine Corps League 708 Commandant Bob Ross and Department of Florida Commandant Bill Backes.
Marine Corps League 708 Assists Hernando Builders Association
Marine Corps League Detachment 708 posted the colors for the Hernando Builders Association at its meeting on July 26, 2010, at the Silverthorn Country Club. From L to R: Artie Davila, Bob Campbelloff and Don Ward, Marine Corps League 708 Color Guard Members.
Marine Corps League Attends James A. Haley Polytrauma Groundbreaking
Marine Corps League Detachment 708 (Spring Hill) and 567 (Holiday) along with Marine Corps League Auxiliary, Spring Hill Unit, members attended the groundbreaking of the James A. Haley Hospital Polytrauma Facility on Tuesday, July 20, 2010. This facility will serve Veterans suffering brain injuries, burns and blast injuries. The center will feature 56 private rooms and is scheduled for completion in 2013. From L to R: Don Ward, Detachment 708; Jean Sponheim, Spring Hill Auxiliary Unit; Evelyn Joppa, Detachment 567 and Ellen Ward, Spring Hill Auxiliary Unit.
Marine Corps League 708 Presented With Check to Help Disabled Vets
J.O. Batten, president of the DD214 Foundation, Inc., presented Marine Corps League, Spring Hill Detachment 708 a check in the amount of $15,000 to help disabled veterans. Batten, a former Marine, and his group of volunteers recently held their 6th Brooksville Old School Biker Rodeo and the funds are the proceeds from this event which draws bikers from many parts of America and Canada. Their objective is to raise money to provide financial assistance to the wounded at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa. This is the fifth major donation made to the Detachment, who help manage the distribution of the monies received. Since its inception, the DD214 Foundation has donated $90,500 to the Marine Corps League, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The beneficiaries are vets from all branches of service and all wars. The MCL salutes Batten and his colleagues for their devotion to our nation's finest and their outstanding fundraising efforts. (Pictured are L-to-R, DonV Varrieur, editor of Scootergoods Magazine, 708 Commandant Bob Ross, Ted Hobbs, Paymaster Debbie Forbes, J.O. Batten.)
Marine Corps League Detachment 708 Honors Marine Charlie Haggett
A special honor was bestowed upon Marine Charlie Haggett at the May meeting of Marine Corps League, Spring Hill Detachment 708. Haggett was presented the stars and stripes by the MCL's National Sr. Vice Commandant Vic Voltaggio. Haggett was one of the valiant Marines who stormed ashore in the first assault wave on February 19, 1945 to begin the bitter battle for the Japanese held island of Iwo Jima in World War II. Eight days into the battle Haggett was wounded and evacuated for medical care. The American flag he received was recently flown over Mount Suribachi, the site of Joe Rosenthal's Pulitzer Prize winning photograph taken on the fourth day after the initial landing. The night was made extra special as Charlie's lovely wife Lucy was able to attend the presentation. (L to R: MCL National Sr. Vice Commandant Vic Voltaggio, Marine Charlie Haggett and Detachment 708 Commandant Bob Ross.)
Marine Corps League Detachment 708 Assists in Honoring "Smiling Dave" Kalman
Marine Corps League Detachment 708's Color Guard assisted Tuffy's Auto Service on July 10, 2010, in the dedication of a flagpole in the memory of David B. Kalman (known as "Smiling Dave"). "Smiling Dave" was an employee at Tuffy's for six years and a beloved member of the community. From L to R: Marion Kelley, Artie Davila and Bob Campbelloff, Marine Corps League 708 Color Guard Members.
Marine Corps League 708 Member Installed as Department of Florida Commandant
Marine Corps League 708 Member Bill Backes was installed as the Department of Florida Commandant at the Department Convention on June 19, 2010, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition, Bob Ross was installed as District Vice Commandant and Department Toys for Tots Liaison. Skip Sponheim was installed as Department Paymaster. Vic Voltaggio, former Marine Corps League 708 Commandant and the current National Sr. Vice Commandant was the installing officer. Also, Jean Sponheim was installed as the Department Judge Advocate for the Marine Corps League Auxiliary. From L to R: Bill Backes, Department of Florida Commandant and Vic Voltaggio, Installing Officer.
Marine Corps League Detachment 708 Participates in Memorial Day Service
Marine Corps League Detachment 708 participated in the Memorial Day Services at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. From L to R: Jack Cullin, Steve Witt and David Jude, Color Guard Members of Marine Corps League Detachment 708.
League Detachment 708 Honor Guard Recognition Ceremony
On April 6, 2010, Marine Corps League Detachment 708 recognized their Honor Guard Members along with Members from Holiday Detachment 567 for conducting 400 funerals during 2009. Detachment Honor Guard Members volunteer their time throughout the year at the Bushnell Florida National Cemetery to honor our Veterans who have served our country.