Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Marine Corps League on the March Upward


It’s all about helping others.

That’s why the members of the Cpl. Joshua J. Ware Detachment #1403 of the Marine Corps League in Sequoyah County are working hard to rebuild their organization.

The detachment took a hit last year when the commander was charged with embezzlement, and eventually removed from office. That allegation has been turned over to the justice system, and the detachment is rebuilding, said present commander, Bill Brocker.

On the agenda are a toy drive for Christmas (not titled Toys for Tots), assisting the families of veterans and the military, the search for a building, buying uniforms and rifles for honor detachments, a barbecue pit, water tent, and food trailer.

“We are still in the planning stages,” Brocker said this week. “We are looking for boxes and barrels to put out for the toy drive, that we will not call Toys for Tots. But donors may still get a tax deduction.”

Brocker said all funds donated to the detachment stay mainly in Sequoyah County. A few from Muskogee County will help families there.

“We will be putting out the boxes or barrels shortly after Halloween this year,” Brocker said. Brocker said he has been visiting with those who have supported the detachment and its programs in the past.

“We’re trying to be more visible. I’ve been visiting with individuals, businesses and industries that have supported us. We’re trying to rebuild our detachment and our reputation,” Brocker said.

The detachment had booths this spring at both Old Settlers Days in Muldrow and Diamond Days in Sallisaw.

“We had a pretty good response from everybody,” he said. “We had a really positive reaction in Muldrow.

He explained detachment members see the need for assistance in the depressed area.

“We want and need to step up,” he said.

Brocker said detachment members are fundraising for a building for the organization, but haven’t forgotten the immediate needs of veterans and the military. He explained detachment members provide rides to VA Hospitals for veterans, have helped veterans pay their utility bills, and recently helped an Air Force family whose vehicle broke down near Muskogee.

Brocker said, “We helped the family repair the car and put them up for the night. We helped provide a vehicle rental so they could continue on to their duty station. These are the types of things we normally do.”

Detachment members want the organization to be open to the public.

Brocker concluded, “We are accountable to the populace, and that’s the way we want it.”

For information on the detachment contact Brocker at 918-235-4590 or Charles Cloud Sr., vice commandant, at 918-774-4497.



Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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