Marine Corps League Inc
South Hills Detachment 726 Pittsburgh

‘You just hope people don’t forget’
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
By Kaitlynn Riely, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Lake Fong/Post-Gazette

George Priatko, 86, of Plum and other World War II veterans visit “Stars & Stripes: An American Story” at the Heinz History Center on Tuesday. The exhibition runs through June.
He was the son of a man whose hands bore bayonet wounds from the first World War, yet for Tom Wiley, the news he heard over a car radio on Dec. 7, 1941, was inconceivable.

Pearl Harbor, the American naval base in Hawaii, had been attacked by the Japanese and war — a concept he believed had been ended by his father’s generation — was imminent.

Read more: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11341/1195090-50.stm#ixzz1ftUqfRtm

Kaitlynn Riely: kriely@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1707.

Our Marine Corps Ball will be held on November 12th at the South Hills Country Club. Our Guest of honor this year is CWO4 Paul Kirsch, USMC Retired. Cocktail Hour begins at 5:00 PM and the Ceremony Start Time at 6:00 pm.

This a great time and a great celebration.
Happy Birthday to all Marines and their families!

Semper Fi!

Our Marine Brother Tom Battalia passed away peacefully Sunday October 10th 2011. Tom served in WWII in the Asiatic Pacific and the American Campaigns (Saipan, Tawara, and Tinian). He received Presidential Citations: the Bronze Star, marked “V” for Valor and the Purple Heart. Tom was a dedicated member of the league and great man.

From the Commandant:

“Our sincere condolences to the family on your loss. Tom was one of our Charter members and is a great loss to our Detachment. He will be truly missed. God Bless You and Tom. Semper FI!!”

George A. Tracey, Commandant
South Hills Pitsburgh MCL Detachment 726

The 236th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps is November 10, 2011. We will be celebrating our annual Birthday Celebration at South Hills Country Club Saturday November 12, 2011.

If you are interested in being a sponsor and having your advertisement published in the Marine Corps Birthday Booklet please fill out the form below.

DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION IS SEPTEMBER 29, 2010.
EARLIER PARTICIPATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

MAIL TO:
Craig Hodgkins
1035 Raven Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
412-833-4708

**CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO:
MCL DETACHMENT 726

On July 9th the Marine Corps League Inc South Hills Detachment 726 Pittsburgh’s Rose Program was successful and raised over $1,800. This included Marines from the detachment as well as members of The Keystone Young Marines. Close to 30 Marines and Young Marines attended and helped raise money! The Rose Program demonstrated the dedication by all members who could attend in this important event.

Sept 7th Guess Speaker Dayna Brown will discuss the experience she had with the re-enactment of the Bataan Death March.

On April 9th, 1942, thousands of American and Filipino soldiers surrender to the Japanese on the Bataan peninsula. The Japanese, not prepared for the number of prisoners of war, marched their captives miles through the moutainous terrain and unbearable heat of the Bataan peninsula to the prison camp at Camp O’Donnell. Detainees, who surivived the atrocities of the Bataan Death March faced more brutal challenges as they awaited their fate either at Camp O’Donnell or in Japanese labor camps. The agonizing and horrific events that soldiers endured during this time would be reported years later. Their stories are unimaginable, and their sacrifices are deeply appreciated.

As a child living near Bagac on the Bataan Peninsula in the Phillippines, I could not begin to be aware of the cost of freedom that had been fought many years ago. My awareness grew after I was part of 2 reenactments of the Bataan Death March to earn a patch for my Girl Scout sash. Not only did our troop walk 65 miles of the march, but we also were required to research the event that we were reenacting. Being a part of this experience has helped shape my appreciation of the sacrifices of so many so that as Americans we can enjoy our freedom today.

So that these events are not forgotten, I will be covering the details fo the Bataan Death March – from the surrendor on Bataan, the Death March to the Camp O’Donnell and even conditions on the Japanese hell ships. In addition, you will see pictures of scenes from the reenactments, remnants from Corregidor Island and the Altar of Valor, a beautiful memorial commemorating the the Bataan Death March.

By:
Dayna Brown

Bernard Hoffman Voluntary Service Award
Presented July 7th 2011
Awarded April 15th 2011

Through his selfless dedication to volunteering to help fellow veterans Bernard Hoffman of our attachment was awarded the Voluntary Service Certificate from the Department of Veterans Affairs in appreciation of 2,242 hours over 15 years of volunteer service to Veterans through dedicated participation in the Voluntary Service Program at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

The Military Police Company Bravo will be having their family day on July 16th 2011 at 625 East Pittsburgh-Mckeesport Blvd, N. Versailles, PA 15137

From 07:30 – Conclusion

Contact Sgt Ron Strang
412-672-3472 ext 286 or ext 201