and The Tradition Continues...

A radio intercept over Iraqi Air Space involving a Marine Corps FA18. The conversation went something like this:

Iranian Air Defense Radar: "Unknown aircraft, you are in Iranian airspace, identify yourself!"

FA18 reply: "I am a United States Aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace."

Iranian Air Defense Radar: "You are in Iranian airspace. If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!"

FA18 reply: "This is a United States Marine Corps FA18 Fighter. Send 'em up, I'll wait!"

Iranian Air Defense Radar: (Total Silence... No Response...)

(Source Unknown)

Earl Blane -

Earl L. Blane, former Commandant
of Marine Corps League Detach-
ment 81, passed away on Jan. 30,
2010. Born Sept. 11, 1928, in Peoria.

Our thoughts and prayers are with
Earl's family.

Semper Fi Marine.

Making A Difference

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem."

Ronald Reagan

MCL Detachment #81, 2010 Leatherneck Meeting Dates

Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month at the Navy-Marine Club at 1310 E. Seiberling Av. Peoria Heights, Il..

01/01/2013 - Happy New Years!!!

01/02/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

02/06/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

03/06/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

04/04/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

05/01/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

06/05/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.   
(June Mtg - Cancelled due to facility remodeling.)
07/03/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.
(July Mtg - Cancelled due to facility remodeling.)
08/07/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

09/04/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

10/02/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

11/06/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

11/10/13 - Marine Corps Birthday

12/04/13 - MCL Monthly Meeting @1930 hours.

Standing Watch

The embers glowed softly, in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light,
Then he sighed and he said "It's really alright.

I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That seperates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,

I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at "Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas Grams always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house, and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life for my sister and brother.

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for the time that this flag will not fall.
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be alright."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eyes welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget,
To fight for our rights back home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment