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Author: LukeDouglas
2025 MCL National Convention
At the grand conclusion of the National Convention in Grapevine, Texas, a true titan of the Marine Corps League was honored. Johnny Baker, the esteemed Past Commandant of the National Marine Corps League, the Department of Alabama Marine Corps League, and the McLaughlin Detachment #1091, was presented with the prestigious National Marine of the Year Award. This highest of…
Department of Alabama MOY / AMOY
Alabama Marine of the Year (MOY) and Associate Member of the Year (AMOY)
A vital function for the membership of this Department is to recognize deserving members. The Commandant shall establish an MOY and AMOY recommendation committee, and this committee shall have the responsibility of recommending deserving Department members, with the Commandant’s approval, for Department MOY and AMOY.
The committee shall be charged with recommending nominees for MOY and AMOY and the presentation of awards during the Department’s annual Awards Ceremony, which takes place on the same evening as the Convention Banquet.
- The committee shall have a chair and at least four (4) other members.
- Each Detachment is strongly encouraged to recognize deserving members by forwarding appropriate recommendations to the Department. Submission of nominees for Department MOY and AMOY shall be done in writing using the Department of Alabama MOY/AMOY Nomination form and shall be submitted to the Chair of the MOY and AMOY recommendation committee no later than 30 days prior to the Department Convention each year.
Be sure to download the MOY/AMOY NOMINATION FORM to your computer as it’s only fillable on a local device.
| Year | Past MOY Recipient | Year | Past AMOY Receipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jermaine Payne, Sgt Foster L Harrington Det #1449 | 2025 | Patricia Jeffries, Townsend Det #920 |
| 2024 | Mike Ryan, Howlin Mad Smith Det #592 | 2024 | Shelli Paul, Cpl Joseph Whitehead Det #1370 |
| 2023 | Tommy Oswalt, Cpl Matthew Conley Det #1477 | 2023 | Kimber Payne, Sgt Foster Harrington Det #1449 |
| 2022 | Jim Ribley, Cpl Joseph Whitehead Det #1370 | 2022 | John Cutright, Jesse Andrews Det #1378 |
| 2021 | N/A | 2021 | LaRue Hardinger, N.E. Alabama Det #1404 |
| 2020 | Bill Reecer, Cpl Joseph Whitehead Det #1370 | 2020 | Herschell Mason, Sgt Foster Harrington Det #1449 & Jesse Andrews Det #1378 |
| 2019 | Ed Mason - Deceased, Jesse Andrews Det #1378 | 2019 | Angie Pitts, McLaughlin Det #1091 |
| 2018 | Jim Dougherty - Deceased, Wiregrass Det #752 | 2018 | Georgia Walton, Wiregrass Det #752 |
| 2017 | Don Fisher, Townsend Det #920 | 2017 | Pat Mayme, McLaughlin Det #1091 |
| 2017 | Jerry Cherne, Jesse Andrews Det #1378 | 2016 | N/A |
| 2016 | Jack Hopping - Deceased, Howlin Mad Smith Det #592 | 2015 | Patti Findley Howlin Mad Smith Det #592 |
| 2015 | Richard McClain, Townsend Det #920 | 2014 | Kenya Thomas, Jesse Andrews Det #1378 |
| 2014 | Darrell Langford, Wiregrass Det #752 | 2013 | Peggy Bumpus, Mclaughlin Det #1091 |
| 2013 | Mike Walton, Wiregrass Det #752 | 2012 | Connie Stephens – Deceased, McLaughlin Det #1091 |
| 2012 | Dan Long - Deceased, Allen Ray Chaffin Det #1329 | 2012 | Dianna Grantham, Sgt Foster Harrington Det #1449 |
| 2011 | A.B. Grantham, Sgt Foster Harrington Det #1449 | 2011 | N/A |
| 2010 | Robert Johnson, Billy Stelpflug Det #1064 | 2010 | Geoge Winslow, Howlin Mad Smith Det #592 |
| 2009 | Johnny Baker, McLaughlin Det #1091 | ||
| 2009 | Al Chancey– Deceased, Wiregrass Det #752 | ||
| 2008 | Rescinded | ||
| 2007 | Bob Spence – Deceased, McLaughlin Det #1091 | ||
| 2006 | Charles Malone – Deceased, P.L. Wilson Det #447 | ||
| 2005 | Bill Burleson | ||
| 2004 | Geroge Lawson - Deceased, Howlin Mad Smith Det #592 | ||
| 2003 | Jim Upshaw, Howlin Mad Smith Det #592 | ||
| 2002 | Alice H Bennett - Deceased, Brandon-Wilbourn Det #820 | ||
| 2001 | Robert Johnson - Deceased | ||
| 2001 | Alfred Pawlowsik – Deceased, P.L. Wilson Det #447 | ||
| 2000 | N/A | ||
| 1999 | Clifford Ray - Deceased, Howlin Mad Smith Det #592 | ||
| 1998 | Alice H Bennett - Deceased, Brandon-Wilbourn Det #820 | ||
| 1997 | James R Edwards Jr | ||
| 1996 | Carl V Jones | ||
| 1995 | Geroge Graham | ||
| 1994 | Donald F. Keppel Jr. |
Past Department Commandants
| YEAR(S) | NAME | DETACHMENT |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2025 | William P Reecer II | Cpl Joseph Whitehead Det #1370 |
| 2022-2023 | Mike Ryan | Howlin' Mad Smith Det #592 |
| 2020-2021 | Jerry Cherne | Jesse Andrews Det #1378 |
| 2019-2020 | Don Fisher | Townsend Det #920 |
| 2017-2019 | A.B. Grantham | Sgt Foster Harrington Det #1449 |
| 2015-2017 | Jerry Cherne | Jesse Andrews Det #1378 |
| 2013-2015 | Jack Hopping | Howlin' Mad Smith Det #592 |
| 2011-2013 | Johnny Baker | McLaughlin Det #1091 |
| 2010-2011 | Walt Williams | Howlin' Mad Smith Det #592 |
| 2007-2009 | Johnny Baker | McLaughlin Det #1091 |
| 2004-2006 | George Morris | Townsend Det #920 |
| 2002-2004 | Geroge Lawson | Howlin' Mad Smith Det #592 |
| 2000-2002 | Robert Johnson | Townsend Det #920 |
| 2000 | Robert Powers | Townsend Det #920 |
| 1998-1999 | Robert Johnson | Townsend Det #920 |
| 1997 | Ralph E Knox | P.L. Wilson Det #447 |
| 1996 | Carley S McLeod | Wiregrass Det #752 |
| 1995 | James E Waldie | Wiregrass Det #752 |
| 1994 | Larry D Mullins | Brandon-Wilbourn Det #820 |
| 1993 | James S Harrell | P.L. Wilson Det #447 |
| 1992 | John F Schaffer | P.L. Wilson Det #447 |
| 1989-1991 | James S Harrell | P.L. Wilson Det #447 |
| 1988 | Malcolm W Akridge | P.L. Wilson Det #447 |
| 1987 | Prestiss H Baughman | |
| 1985-1986 | William B Jones | P.L. Wilson Det #447 |
Veteran Assistance Links
Veteran’s Benefits, Department of Veteran Affairs
Official site of the primary agency. Provides detailed information on claims submission, appeals and local VA contact information.
Request Military Service Records
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation’s record keeper. Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever. Those valuable records are preserved and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family’s history, need to prove a veteran’s military service, or are researching an historical topic that interests you.
This information will give you some insight on what your loved ones should do in case of your passing. This is something that we all never want to think about, but it is a reality. We need to have all our paper work in order for our loved ones.
TRICARE For Life is Medicare-wraparound coverage for TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries who have Medicare Part A and B.
Check with the Social Security Administration to determine if you qualify for Social Security benefits.
File your Detachment IRS Form 990-N (e-postcard) on line
Use e-Postcard.com to file your electronic Form 990-N.
Alabama Veteran Benefits
The state of Alabama provides several veteran benefits. These include Housing, Financial Assistance, Employment, Veterans Business, Education, and Other State Veteran Benefits.
Alabama State Veterans Cemetery Foundation
The Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery At Spanish Fort Foundation, Inc. is a registered charitable, non-profit organization that helps augment the services and budget of the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort.
MCL Links
MCL Southeast Division, The Magnificent Seven
We fervently believe in the spirit of the MCL Mission Statement in that we take care of each other, our fellow Marines and their families. We are active in all the various programs promoted by the League; Young Marines, Toys For Tots, Card and Label program, the scholarship programs, the Eagle Scout Awards and others.
MCL Southeast Division ConferenceSoutheast Division Conference information.
Ribbon Checker
Select your DOD ribbons and this site shows the correct order.
United States Marine Corps official website
The Marine Corps is the Nation’s expeditionary force in readiness. On a day-‐to-‐day basis, we are forward deployed, forward engaged, and prepared for crisis response. We are also ready to respond in the event of a major contingency. The American people have come to expect us to do what must be done “in any climb and place” and under any conditions. They expect us to respond quickly and to win.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC honors those who died in the Vietnam War. Their relatives and friends leave letters, poems, and photographs at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and on this web site. We bring the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to your home to help remember the sacrifices of the fallen and their families.
At the Military Reunion Center, search our database of reunions nationwide, or announce a reunion with your old military buddies.
Marine Corps Museum, including a virtual tour
The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines–past, present, and future. Situated on a 135-acre site adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and under the command of Marine Corps University, the Museum’s soaring design evokes the image of the flag-raisers of Iwo Jima and beckons visitors to this 120,000-square-foot structure. World-class interactive exhibits using the most innovative technology surround visitors with irreplaceable artifacts and immerse them in the sights and sounds of Marines in action.
The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
Camp Lejeune Drinking Water
The Marine Corps encourages all those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune in 1987 or before to register to receive notifications regarding Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water.
MCL Foundation
The Marine Corps League Foundation is the charitable subsidiary of the Marine Corps League. The Foundation, was formed in 1989 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and charitable entity for the Marine Corps League. The Foundation has grown considerably in recent years because of your generous support of the Holiday Label program. Your generosity has greatly enhanced the Foundation’s ability to support the scholarship and youth programs of the Marine Corps League.
Young Marines
The Young Marines is a 501(c)3 non-profit youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. The Young Marines is the premier youth organization in its Drug Demand Reduction Efforts.
Marine Youth Foundation
The United States Marines Youth Foundation will provide you with all the information you’ll need to get your school or youth organization involved with a fitness program that has helped young individuals reach their goals for more than 50-years. What began as an experimental competition in one New York high school is now national in scope and growing. In fact, young Americans are taking part in this program from all across the United States as well as from Great Britain, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other parts of the World. Being a part of the national program includes taking an active role in ensuring the young people of America are of sound mind and body. Will you be a part of a fitness program where everyone wins???
Chaplain – P. L. Wilson MCL, Detachment #447
Chaplain’s comments are coming….
Chaplain – Howlin’ Mad Smith MCL, Detachment #592
A word of encouragement in these trying times: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7. The world is going through extremely trying times. We have the Covid-19 pandemic, economic crisis and social unrest. I want to encourage all of us to not let fear…
Chaplain – Wiregrass MCL, Detachment #752
Chaplain’s comments are coming….
Chaplain – Brandon-Wilbourn MCL, Detachment #820
December 1, 2022
We have just celebrated three holidays; Marine Corps Birthday, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving; and now we push forward towards the birth of our Supreme Commandant, our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to wish each of you and your families a very Merry Christmas from the members of the Brandon Wilbourn Detachment of the Marine Corps League here in Huntsville, Al.
Ed Becher
Commandant/Chaplain
Chaplain – Townsend MCL, Detachment #920
Please continue your prayers and support for Karl Winn, Tommy Davis, and Bob Johson. Chaplain Charles Harris
Chaplain – LCpl William John ‘Billy’ Stelpflug MCL, Detachment #1064
Chaplain’s comments are coming….
Chaplain – McLaughlin MCL, Detachment #1091
Chaplain’s comments are coming….
Chaplain – Capt Johnny M Spann MCL, Detachment #1272
Chaplain’s comments are coming….
Chaplain – LCpl Allan Ray Chaffin MCL, Detachment #1329
Chaplain’s comments are coming….
Chaplain – Cpl Joseph C Whitehead MCL, Detachment #1370
Chaplain’s comments are coming….
Chaplain – PFC Jesse Andrews Jr. MCL, Detachment #1378
Chaplain’s comments are coming….
Chaplain – N.E. Alabama MCL, Detachment #1404
May 11, 2024
Current Sick and in Distress List:
Woody Blevins
Glen Fowler
Bruce Furlong
Fred Golden in the passing of wife Laura
Bonnie Moses
John Moses
Bill Reed
Caregivers of the Sick
Military and First Responders
There are several Unspoken Needs: (Sometimes we have needs we would rather not share publicly. God knows our needs-whether spoken or not.)
“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:2-5 NIV
Charles C. Martin
Chaplain
Chaplain – Lt Gen Victor “Brute” Krulak MCL, Detachment #1415
Chaplain’s comments are coming….