Sharing And Caring Annual Boat Ride September 18, 2018
Caring & Sharing Pittsburgh invited Three Rivers Leathernecks to participate again in the river cruise it hosts annually for four days after Labor Day for Veterans. Detachment 310 performed a rifle salute while Taps played after a memorial wreath was dropped at The Point by the Cooties on Friday, September 8, 2018. Bob Abbott, Caring & Sharing Pittsburgh President for the past 13 years, sat at the reception desk, greeting the Veterans from various areas of the greater Pittsburgh area including Erie and West Virginia. Bob, a former Marine served for three years and did a tour in Korea, has volunteered with Caring & Sharing for 32 years. This well-organized event comes together only with the participation of 17 different organizations volunteering. The Salvation Army Disaster Relief provided hot coffee and donuts first thing in the morning. The Cooties presented a $2,000 check to Caring & Sharing.
2018 Marine of The Year Ed Peters
Ed has been an active member with the Three Rivers Leathernecks for eight years and held the position of Sargent at Arms for five years.
Ed lives in Franklin Park with his wife, Lynn.
Ed served in the USMC from 1960 until 1964 beginning in Parris Island. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune for two years as a radio operator for the company commander. For a short period of time he was stationed onboard a helicopter carrier during the Cuban crises. He was also stationed in Yorktown, VA where he oversaw the squad detailed guarding the nuclear weapons which were transported to Norfolk.
In civilian life, Ed worked for the Pennsylvania State Police Department for 25 years. After that, he spent the next 10 years working for the District Attorney’s office of Washington County where he established the domestic sex crime unit and interacted with all local jurisdictions.
A Farewell to our Mascot Sgt. Winston McClements
Since joining Three Rivers Leathernecks Bill and Nancy McClements have been very active in the various functions of our MCL and were always accompanied by Winston. He was a French Bulldog with a mild and friendly temperament which attracted most people. Parades were a highlight as Winston proudly walked the entire parade route with league members to the joy of the kids sitting curbside. Last year, however, Sgt. Winston rode in the Duckie vehicle with Nancy. His failing health saddened us because in our hearts he was very much a special member of our league.
Winston passed away
on July 11, 2018
at the age of 15
Meet Our New Mascot – Iwo Jima McClements
Born June 10, 2018, this coal black French Bulldog cutie is full of life. He’s been with Bill and Nancy for a couple months and is currently in a six-month boot camp training program for proper behavior in parades and social events. Unlike the English Bulldogs who weigh in at 40+ pounds, the French dogs are much smaller. The dog’s name, Iwo Jima fondly nick named ‘Iwo’ was Bill’s choice. Bill wanted an association to the military, especially the Marines. Never without a dog, the McClements had an American Eskimo dog named Sergeant prior to Winston. Bill and Nancy currently live in Murrysville. There are five grandkids who are ecstatic about the new family member. We got our first introduction to Iwo at the MCL picnic in September. We hope to see them all at upcoming events for the league.
Three Day Gun Raffle September 21 -23, 2018
THREE DAY GUN RAFFLE
Winning Number is based on the evening 7:00 PM Lottery Three Digit Drawing
Friday, September 21, 2018 – Glock 19 Gen 5 – 9MM Pistol
Saturday, September 22, 2018 – Browning A-Bolt III – .270 Rifle
Sunday, September 23, 2018 – Maverick 88 Security – .12 Gauge
DONATION $10.00 PER TICKET
PRIZES MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR EQUAL VALUE IN-STORE CREDIT
Winners claim prizes at: Island Firearms 7400 Grand Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15225 Phone: 412-264-4867
ALL UNSOLD TICKETS BECOME PROPERTY OF MCL 3 RIVERS LEATHERNECK DET. 310
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE OF PENNSYLVANIA
Tickets Donated by Johnson’s Auto Center 161 Perry Hwy. 412-913-1001
VA study finds effective, inexpensive skin cancer drug
A recent VA study has revealed an effective, cost-efficient method for the prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S. Investigators at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System discovered that, over a three-year period, patients treated with topical fluorouracil 5% (5-FU) had decreased skin cancer-related health care costs. Results suggest 5-FU could reduce the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer (and the related condition, actinic keratosis) in high-risk patients. With around 90,000 Veterans being treated for nonmelanoma skin cancer and treatment costs approaching $5 billion annually, the calculated cost savings of 5-FU therapy for VA could be as high as $69 million within three years.
COURTESY US Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC) Morning Event June 19th Christ United Methodist Church
– June 19, 2018, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
– Christ United Methodist Church, 44 Highland Rd., Bethel Park, PA (Allegheny County).
– R.S.V.P to 412-623-9029 or email Lauren@veteransbreakfastclub.com – mention DMVA Digest when you R.S.V.P.
– The cost to have breakfast is $12 and the event is free if you choose not to eat.
– The VBC is a nonprofit that creates communities of listening around veterans and their stories. Storytelling events, both morning and night, are held throughout western Pennsylvania. Veterans from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan share their stories. They are open to the public, and you don’t need to be a veteran to attend.
– Facebook page.
Persian Gulf Bonus Program From Pennsylvania
NOTE: PROGRAM ENDS AUG. 31, 2018 – APPLY NOW!
On April 24, 2006, House Bill 1820 was signed into law as Act 29 of 2006. This Bill established the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Act. On Nov. 7, 2006, Pennsylvania voters gave overwhelming approval to a ballot question to fund the program. The bond issue created a fund for the payment of compensation to, or on behalf of, eligible current and former members of the United States Armed Forces, a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, or the Pennsylvania National Guard. On Oct. 30, 2015 ACT 29 was amended through the enactment of Act 50 extending the application period to Aug. 31, 2018.
Deadline: The deadline for submitting applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program is August 31, 2018.
LINK INFORMATION http://www.dmva.pa.gov/veteransaffairs/Pages/Programs%20and%20Services/Persian-Gulf-Bonus-Program.aspx
COURTESY Pennsylvania Department Of Military And Veterans Affairs
Special Event for the Hospice Veterans
Three Rivers’ Chaplain Gerry Kunic has been intensely involved with the ‘No Veteran Should Die Alone’ program at the VA Hospitals. On Thursday, September 21 at the HJH VA Hospital, Gerry participated in hosting a Steeler Tailgate party for all the patients on the 3rd floor Hospice Center. There were 24 patients who enjoyed Steeler highlights and light refreshments with perogies. As a special entertainment the famous racing Perogies from PNC Park attended and mingled with the patients. It was a heart-warming sight to see most patients out of their rooms and participating in the celebration. Our detachment provided Steeler shirts, blankets, socks or caps for all patients. Those patients now feel they are a part of the crowd with their Steeler black and gold while watching and cheering for the home team.
What Are the Chances ?
Jerry and Debbie Barnum came to Pittsburgh from Minnesota for the first time in October to visit their daughter (a doctor at Children’s) and to see their first-born grandchild. While at Giant Eagle, he and Tom Szmed exchange a cordial ‘Semper Fi’ and, as Marines do, started talking Corps. Shortly into the conversation, they realized they were both stationed at Cherry Point in the early 1970’s, both worked in the same office together for over a year and Tom was Jerry’s Staff NCO. After three years of service, Jerry returned to Minnesota, married Debbie and together raised a daughter and son. Tom stayed in the Corps for 22 years and returned to Pittsburgh after receiving an honorable medical discharge. A happy, but extremely unexpected reunion for these two Marines! What are the chances?