2019 - Lincoln Land Leathernecks

Photos From 2019 Installation of New Officers Dinner.

Once again the Lincoln Land Leathernecks Marine Corps League Detachment 1174 held their Installation of Officers Banquet Saturday evening January 6th at the Greenville VFW Hall. Honored Dignitaries present were Greenville Mayor Alan Gaffner; Department of IL Commandant Bruce Blackmer,   Department of Illinois Sr. Vice Commandant Mike Sturch, Department of Illinois Chaplain Jim Carlton, Department of Illinois Quartermaster Tom Geise, Department of Illinois Sgt@Arms Kevin Enlow, Collinsville #74 Commandant Frank Christie; Litchfield #1385 Commandant Chris Gutierrez; and the Heartland Young Marines of Mt. Vernon, sponsored by members MSgt (ret.) John Kowalski and GySgt (ret.) Ed Vaughn.   Our Detachment also has the honor of having three Department Officers, Jr. Vice Commandant Ron Burns, Sr., Judge Advocate Robert Weber, and Fourth Trustee Daphine Kappos.

          Our Guest Speaker was MCL National Commandant Wendell Webb , whose speech outlined the changes in the MCL and the positive gains we are making. Mayor Gaffner's speech was one of  of appreciation for having this Detachment in his city and the pride he feels when we include him in our ceremonies.

        The Installing Officer was Bruce Blackmer, Department of Illinois Commandant.   He spoke to the crowd which once again exceeded 100 about the dedication and commitment this Detachment has given not only to the Department but National and Kennel. He too is now a witness to the rumors heard about this Detachment having it's ducks all in a row, and it was an honor for him to see this.

The following were the new Officers sworn in:
         Commandant:   Ray Hughes of Sorento
         Sr. Vice Commandant:  Henry Steiner of Mulberry Grove
         Jr. Vice Commandant:  Roger Holtgrave of Trenton
          Judge Advocate: Dan Betts of Pocahontas
Adjutant: Greg Stoff of Highland
         Paymaster: Robert Weber of Trenton
         Sergeant At Arms: Richard Niepert of Mulberry Grove
          Chaplain:  Randy VonHatten of Highland
          Web Sergeant:  Daniel Betts of Pocahontas (temporary)

Special Awards were presented to:
       Outgoing Commandant Ronald Burns, Sr. was presented with the Distinguished Citizen Medal, Gold Level (second award), by National Commandant Wendell Webb  for his tireless efforts in making the Detachment one of the best in the Department. Department Commandant Bruce Blackmer also presented Ron with the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze (his 5th award). Finally, he was presented with a wood plaque commemorating his service in the United States Marine Corps courtesy of Robert Weber and Renee McGuan, and an Exalted Crown and a bottle of Crown Royal Apple from Robert and Renee. Jr. Past Commandant Ron Burns, Sr. then presented all the honored dignitaries with a bottle of autographed wine.

     The Detachment Marine of the Year is voted on by the Detachment each December and the Award presented at this Installation. They vote for the Marine that they feel exemplifies the ideas of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps League, and the Lincoln Land Leathernecks. This year's award was presented to Greg Stoff of Highland.   He received an engraved plaque, a Marine of the Year Medallion and Ribbon.

For the last two months the members had sold raffle tickets for a Auto Ordnance 1911-A1 pistol. The winner was Jim Blankenship. He was given the choice of the pistol or $500 cash. Jim chose the pistol and it was transferred over to him by a local gun shop. During the Installation Banquet tickets were also sold for a 50/50 raffle; bottles of specially ordered and labeled wine by member Tony Gan and his Family Vine Winery; and articles of clothing and equipment. All of these funds will go towards community donations during the coming year.

Some photos below from members Betts and Burns, Jr. If you have more please send them to the Web Sgt.