Massachusetts Marine Corps League Outreach Highlights December 24 2013

At this holiday time, if we have had good fortune we reflect on the many good things in our lives as we gather with family and friends.  We recognize that others may need a hand or that there are some who have gone before us who should be remembered.  We feel a special bond that joins us with those who have served in our Corps, those Navy personnel who have been beside us, and the parents and families who have borne the worry and burden that comes with military service. The following stories recount the efforts of Massachusetts Marine Corps League members to acknowledge and honor the service of others.

Crossing State Lines For A Good Cause

Corporal Kevin Dubois and his Spouse, Kayla

The Ribbon Cutting at Corporal Dubois' new home (Photo by Honorable Few Commandant Dave Porter)

Concern and support for fellow Marines does not stop at the state line.  Dave Porter, Commandant of the Honorable Few Detachment #1302 of Middleton, MA and MA State Chaplain Roger Hoffman led a contingent of Massachusetts Marine Corps League members to Burrillville, RI on December 21^st to witness the culmination of the Homes for the Holidays project to benefit Corporal Kevin Dubois.

While engaged in combat operations in Helmand Province in Afghanistan, Corporal Dubois was assisting in clearing a landing zone for an inbound medevac helicopter that was coming to evacuate a wounded comrade.  While performing this task, his left foot contacted the pressure plate of a concealed IED, knocking him unconscious and causing significant injuries to his limbs and lower body.  After being evacuated on the same helicopter that he was clearing a landing zone for, Corporal Dubois endured extensive infusions of blood and multiple surgeries, ultimately coming back stateside for recovery and rehabilitation, having lost both legs below the knees.

Homes for Our Troops is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 to assist injured veterans with housing that can accommodate their special needs. Utilizing grants, donated funds and materials, and volunteer labor, housing is provided at no cost to the injured veteran.   Because of their commitment and effort, Corporal Dubois and  Kayla will spend Christmas in a new home, constructed to offer him maximum mobility and access.  The Massachusetts Marine Corps League is proud and humbled to be able to participate in the Key Ceremony that marks the transfer of this house to its new owners.  More information on Homes for Our Troops can be found at http://www.hfotusa.org/who_we_are.

You Are Not Forgotten.  Rest in Peace

The Combined Forces of Cape Cod Detachment #125 and New Bedford Detachment #1399 at Bourne National Cemetery

During the holidays there is often a special focus on those who have gone before us and have touched our lives in some way.   Once we put on the Eagle Globe and Anchor, we joined a special group that has deep bonds across time and locations.  Cape Cod Detachment #125 and New Bedford Detachment #1399 combined to commemorate this in a special way by purchasing and placing wreaths at the graves of Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and Navy Clergy interred in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.  Although a larger, nationwide program exists to place wreaths at graves, the detachment felt that they could more efficiently cover the Marines with a customized wreath and began this initiative.   Created on October 11, 1980 on land appropriated from Otis Air Force Base, the National Cemetery is the final resting place for veterans and family members who desire interment there.

Detachment  #125 Commandant Jim McGuire recounted that the detachment allocated funds to purchase 110 wreaths for placement at the National Cemetery.  The detachment purchased plain wreaths from a local garden center.  Dorothy Pike, a VFW Auxiliary member from Centerville, created handmade bows for each wreath.  Working from cemetery records and advance requests, the detachment members braved snow and a wind chill factor of 0 degrees to be sure that each of 110 wreaths was placed at the grave site of a Marine or Corpsman.  This is the first year for this activity.  In the future it is hoped that more wreaths will be placed, ideally for all Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and Clergy who are among the 50,000 veterans interred here.

One notable grave in the National Cemetery is that of Medal of Honor recipient Hospital Corpsman Richard David DeWert, USNR (1931–1951), a native of Taunton, MA.  Dewert was killed on April 5, 1951 while attached to 2^nd Battalion, 7^th Marines.  Despite his own wounds, Hospitalman Dewert repeatedly moved through heavy ground fire to assist wounded Marines until he was himself killed.   Hospitalman Dewert was initially interred in Korea and later moved to a National Cemetery in New York.   When the cemetery in Bourne was opened, the family requested that he be returned to his home state.  Commandant McGuire insured that Hospitalman DeWert was included in the wreath laying in recognition of his heroism in saving Marines at the risk of his own life.  All Marines have a special place in their hearts for the Navy brethren who serve beside us.

MCL Detachment #125 members Fran Fermino, Al Boragine, Forrest Thorpe, Joe Gentile, Tom Froio, Tom Kelley, Marion McGuire, Brad & Linda Hutchenrider, David Baker, Hugh Mick, Bill Creighton, Don Brenner and others were joined by MCL Detachment #1399 members Rick Seguin, Ron St. John, Tom Hebert, John Verrier and Roger Fredette in the laying of wreaths.  This is another of example of Marines taking care of their own and we are proud of the Cape Cod and New Bedford Detachments for their effort.

Massachusetts Marine Killed in Combat Operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Fairhaven, MA native Matthew Rodriquez, a Corporal stationed at Camp Pendleton and deployed to Afghanistan was killed in combat operations on December 11, 2013.  We express our sincere condolences to the Rodriquez family on their loss.  We are grateful for the courage and commitment of young Americans who go into harm’s way and appreciate Corporal Rodriquez’ sacrifice for his country.  Marines from Numerous MCL Detachments had a presence at his wake and funeral to honor one of our own.   May God bring consolation to his family. 

 MA MCL Members Bring Joy to One of Their Own

MA State Commandant Presents WWII Marine John Russo with citation recognizing his service

WWII Marine John Russo displays the citation received from MA State Commandant Warren Griffin.  From Left Rear: Donna Vallis, Joe Caterina, Warren Griffin, Dave Dubinsky, Doug Crooker, Fred Williams;      Front:  Marine John Russo,  Roger Hoffman

Many Marines know what it is like to be lonely, especially during the holidays. New Hampshire Marine, Doug Crooker was visiting a cousin in a residential care facility when he became aware of a WWII Marine in residence care who was not getting visits and does not have family in the area. Knowing that something could be done, Crooker took the initiative to contact MA MCL State Chaplain Roger Hoffman. From that contact the wheels began to turn to find a solution.

Using his extensive contact list of MCL members, Roger put out the word that a local Marine was in need. With quick responses of interest from area members, Roger contacted the Epoch Senior Center in Melrose where he got more detail on Marine John Russo and his situation. With the permission of the Epoch Center, Roger led the charge on setting up a visit of available MCL members to see Marine Russo.

Hearing of the pending visit, Leo T. Fortier Detachment #130 member Dave Dubinsky volunteered to bring his trumpet and accompany a sing-along of seasonal tunes. As a former musician at HQMC at 8th and I, Dubinsky is an accomplished musician. He also demonstrated his skills as an overall entertainer. He and Roger Hoffman shared the stage in leading songs of the season to a room full of residents, including John Russo, the guest of honor.

Joe Caterina, Past Department Commandant and Shutt Detachment #139 member, remembered John Russo from his days in Watertown when Russo was a Shutt Detachment Member. Joe made the trip to Melrose from Watertown and offered the tidings of Russo’s former detachment. Donna Vallis from the Honorable Few Detachment #127 came in from Peabody and anticipated that she may be able to visit again in the future as the distance is not too great. Fred Williams from 1st Lt. Brian McPhillips/Metrosouth Detachment #1115 and his spouse made a long journey from the South Shore and were active in joining in song. After dealing with Rte. 128 and traffic, that is no mean feat.

A special moment in the day came when current MA Department Commandant and Metrowest Detachment #1037 member Warren Griffin presented Marine Russo with a special commendation to recognize his service. For any effort that it took to get to Melrose on a busy afternoon, the smile on John Russo’s face throughout the day and especially at that moment was worth every minute.

Congratulations to Doug Crooker, a Khe Sanh veteran, for recognizing the need and taking action. As an organization, the MA Marine Corps League can be proud that it participated in making a day special for one of our own and his fellow residents. The event was full of smiles in the audience as well as some tears as the audience drew on memories of better days. It has been said that the Marines take care of their own. This is one more example. Keep up the good work Marines.

WWII Silver Star Recipient Honored with Monument in Sharon MA

 The James A Keating Memorial in Sharon, MA

JJ McGrath and representatives of 1 Lt. Brian McPhillips/Metro South Detachment





The Army’s 26^th Division, the Yankee Division, is known as Massachusetts own.  On November 8, 1944, James A Keating, a native of Sharon, MA, was killed in action while executing the rescue of a fallen comrade, despite heavy machine gun fire.   In recognition of Keating’s bravery in leaving a safe position to save another, he was awarded the Silver Star, one of the nation’s highest military honors.   James was one of five Keating brothers to serve during WWII and the only who did not return.

Marine Corps League member J.J. McGrath is also a native of Sharon.  He is no stranger to being in uniform, having served in both the Marine Corps and the Air Force.  As the Deputy Chief for the Sharon Police, he is responsible for all uniformed officers.  When he heard of the potential for land in Sharon to be converted to a park, J. J. seized the opportunity to initiate the request to have it commemorated in honor of First Sergeant Keating.  As an amateur historian, and a lifelong Sharon resident himself,  McGrath had been interested the Keating story and was convinced that it is appropriate that 1st Sgt. Keating’s bravery be recorded and visibly remembered by all.

After his initial petition to formally name the park was approved by the town authorities, J. J. began discussions with local merchants who immediately pledged support to help with financing a worthy monument.  Combined with his own personal pledge, McGrath was able to quickly finance the down payment and commission the monument.  Prior to completion, the funding for the entire project was secured from local residents and merchants, without the need to go fully public with requests.

The engraved, obelisk style monument is patterned after a similar monument that recognizes  Private Robert McTureous, a Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient who died during the battle for Okinawa.  J.J. McGrath’s son is a Marine, who has since returned from Afghanistan and was stationed at Camp McTureous in Okinawa for a time.  J.J. ‘s interest in history led him to EBAY where he found  a portrait of Private McTureous that had formerly hung in 6^th Marine Division Headquarters.   After purchasing it, McGrath offered the portrait to the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico. Although they would be pleased to accept it, the backlog of displays would prevent the museum from having it on display for a number of years.  J.J. then offered the portrait to the McTureous Homestead and Museum in the private’s home state of Florida.  Although they offered to pay for shipping, McGrath and his wife opted to deliver it personally, making the drive to Florida with the portrait.  It was at the homestead that J. J. saw the McTureous Memorial that inspired his design of the James Keating memorial that he would erect in Sharon.

On 30 November 2013, sixty nine years after his death, 1^st Sergeant James A Keating  was officially remembered with  a  lasting memorial, due largely to the interest and effort of Deputy Chief J. J. McGrath.  His brothers in arms from 1st Lt. Brian McPhillips-MetroSouth Detachment of the Marine Corps League and State Chaplain Roger Hoffman were in attendance on a brisk day to hear McGrath and state and local politicians extol the heroism and sacrifice of 1^st Sgt. Keating.  The commitment, effort, and results achieved by Marine J. J. McGrath are a prime of the good works that the Marine Corps League is proud to be part of.