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.