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2019 Marine of the Year

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Calvin Reichhold

Each year, past recipients of the prestigious Marine of the Year award vote a new member into this brotherhood. Many aspects of a candidate’s life are taken into account such as participation in League activities, community service and those who go above and beyond. This year the unanimous choice was Junior Vice Commandant, Calvin Reichhold and presented to him at the awards dinner held at Monte Cello’s Restaurant on Babcock Blvd., on June 5, 2019.
Calvin joined Detachment #310 in 2013 and hit the ground with both feet running. For the past three years he served as Junior Vice and attended all the state and local meetings with Commandant Karl Wilzer. Calvin has participated in various League functions such as Color Guard at numerous events, funeral services, League sponsored events for the community and volunteers whenever a Marine is needed.
Calvin joined the Marine Corps in October 1966; serving three and a half years on active duty and the remainder of his time on inactive reserve. Boot camp was Parris Island, NC. Stationed at Camp Pendleton for the first 11 months of 1967, he was then shipped to Vietnam where his MOS was 1371 Combat Engineer (TAD to the 101st Airborn) and his primary duty was detection and mine sweeping. His squad was nicknamed ‘Gypsy Bravo’ as they covered a vast area to enable roads and landing strips to be constructed for Camp Eagle, Headquarters of the 101st Air Cav and Seabees. They received an Army Unit Citation for their commendable work and performance during combat conditions. He was discharged out of Camp Lejeune, Charlie Company 2nd Engineers, October 1969.
Calvin returned to his native Pittsburgh and secured a job with the Eichleay Company (a local large construction company) as a heavy equipment mechanic and promoted to journeyman within four years. He married Carol Vigliotti (from Hampton) in 1972 and they currently live in Wexford. They have a son and daughter and four granddaughters. Calvin also is a member of the American Legion and West View VFW. In addition, he is the manager for the St Paul Lutheran Church cemetery (NorthPark).

Past Marine Of Year

2018 Marine of The Year Ed Peters

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Article PDF For Download

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.

Ed Peters and wife

2017 Marine of the Year Dinner

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Three Rivers Leatherneck Detachment 310

 Come and enjoy Great Company, Delicious Food, and

Celebrate with your fellow Marines as we honor

Our 2017 Marine of the Year

Wednesday May 17, 2017

The Three Rivers Leatherneck Detachment 310

Marine of the Year 2017 Celebration will be held at Monte Cello’s Restaurant
2198 Babcock Boulevard

Buffet Dinner is at 6:00 p.m.

If you plan on attending PLEASE send the following information and a check for $15.00 per person to: Three Rivers Leatherneck Detachment 310, P.O. Box 15433, Pittsburgh, PA  15237.

Please respond on or before May 12, 2017     2017 Marine Of The Year Sign Up Form

The Chapel of Four Chaplains Award 2016

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Each year a candidate or candidates are nominated for outstanding community service.  This award was established from the heroic action of four chaplains. The Four Chaplains, also sometimes referred to as the “Immortal Chaplains” or the “Dorchester Chaplains”, were four United States Army chaplains who gave their lives to save other civilian and military personnel as the troop ship SS Dorchester sank on February 3, 1943, during World War II. They helped other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out.  They joined arms and prayed together as they went down with the ship.

During the Marines birthday dinner held on Sunday, November 6th, Janet Lindner, Chairman of The Chapel of Four Chaplains for our league, presented to Rick Barzen, George Coppola and Mark Callahan this most prestigious award; in addition, Commandant Matt Popovich presented a special Distinguished Citizen Award to Shane Callahan.2016chaplinsawardpic1

Bernard (Rick) Barzen has been a member of the MCL #310 for five years and is a familiar face at all league functions.  He and his wife, Karen, of 45 years have three children and seven grandchildren. A native of Pittsburgh Northside, Rick entered the USMC in 1967 and went to Parris Island for boot camp.  Upon completion, he was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, where he trained in recoilless rifles, flame throwers and rocket launchers.  He spent a couple months in Okinawa training in jungle warfare and shipped to Viet Nam as a rifleman; he was honorable discharged in 1970.

2016chaplinsawardpic2Rick spends many personal hours a week visiting the residents at the VA Hospital in Aspinwal and is a regular volunteer at the MCL #310 sponsored bingo at the VA.  For many years, Rick was a volunteer for the bowling and softball special Olympics.  He also sponsored a dart league for the special Olympics.  Rick participates in all the league functions including color guard, parades, rose campaign, various events at the VA and the first to volunteer when needed.  Rick has accepted the position of Quarter Master for the Three Rivers Detachment and will be working with Ed Barron, Jr. to make the transition. Rick and Karen live near their grandchildren and he finds this to be the joy of his life. He spends time nearly every day with the kids playing catch, fishing, hiking or just hanging out.

 

2016chaplinsawardpic3Mark Callahan is President of Veterans Plumbing Supplies and a member of Three Rivers Detachment.  One of his personal missions is to give back.  On a regular basis, Mark and his son, Shane, provide hours of service and many times materials free of charge to veterans in need.  Mark is setting an unselfish explain for not only his son, but for all of us.  He does honor to the Corps and his fellow veterans.

Shane Callahan is the 20-year-old son of Mark Callahan, current recipient of The Chapel of Four Chaplains Award and is also president of Veterans Plumbing Supplies. Shane is following in his father’s footsteps in providing labor and materials to veterans in need at no cost. Commandant Matt Popovich presented Shane with the Distinguished Citizens Award for his service.  He is part of a dedicated father/son team and one we all are proud and grateful.

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George Coppola (not pictured) is a Viet Nam veteran who served in the Coast Guard.  He is an associate member of Three Rivers Detachment and involved in the Purple Heart Association, VFW, American Legion and totally dedicated to helping veterans.  In 2013, George established the ‘No Vet Dies Alone’ program.  This program was implemented in 2013 and is designed to assist veterans dying who may not have loved ones or family to be with in their last 24 hours.  This program is still very active; however, the name has been changed to ‘End of Life’ which now includes hospice.  These are very special and dedicated volunteers as they can be called any time of the day or night.   George is also a certified officer for the VA which means he works with the vets coming back to complete and process all paperwork for benefits that they may not know they are entitled or just discouraged with the difficult processing.   He is an advocate for veterans and sets an example not surpassed by many.