October Bonnyman Gazette is published - click here
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1st Annual Rods n' Hogs Show
Nov 15, 2020 from 10am to 3 pm
Parkway Drive-In Theater
2909 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville TN
CLICK HERE for printable flyer and registration form
Preregistration CUT-OFF Nov 9
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Commandant's Message
October 2020
Dear friends and fellow Marines,
October will soon be gone and November is on our doorstep. Next month is a busy one with the Birthday on the 10th, Veterans Day rose fundraiser on the 11th, and the Car Show on the 15th. I'm making an appeal to all - please to step up and assist with these events. Just a little help can go a long way to success.
Please attend the Birthday event to show your support. The unit has gone through some tough times this year. We have to show support for each other and our Corps. Birthdays are a special event and have been for all our lives. We care about you and sincerely hope you attend.
As you know we have been struggling with the financial end due to the loss of the Mud Run this year, therefore in order to save money, the mailing of the Gazette will cease after October and will be easily located on our website: www.MCLKnoxville.org. If you are unable to go on your computer or have another hardship that prevents you from doing so, we will mail you the Gazette.
Please also note that election is at our doorstep so all those looking to serve as an officer, call Jim Williams ( 865-740-4155) or Tim Shea (865-657-7124) regarding the position you wish.
We are in real need of members to serve in our Honor Guard. I realize that most are getting on in years and may have physical disabilities that prevent participating, but those who can please join this worthy group. At the last burial, we had only three rifles; please contact Jeff, Larry, or Tom for more info. We only go around once, please help us respect our Brothers and Sisters when laid to rest. Please pray for PC Jim Williams during his illness. We hope he gets well soon. God Bless you and carry on bravely.
Ken DeBoer, Commandant
From the Chaplain
October 2020
ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE
“For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?”
1 Corinthians 14:8
Susan Hinton was one of my classmates in Oklahoma, which provided the experience and inspiration for her well-known classic novel, The Outsiders. Francis Ford Cappola did a movie adaptation of her book in 1983, starring Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, and Patrick Swayze. The movie was filmed on location and portrayed Tulsa teenagers as being either a ‘soc’ with money, cars, and possibilities of an education; or, a ‘greaser’ who was usually a kid from or around Dawson Township, and on the outside of society; possessing only their friends and dreams of someday belonging. If S. E. Hinton’s perception of life in the 60’s was correct, then there was little doubt as to which category I belonged.
School clothes came our way at a great sacrifice for the whole family, and they needed to last the entire year....
....continued in From the Chaplain section in the Bonnyman Gazette.
Bring a new unwrapped toy to the breakfast.
Detachment 924 Christmas Breakfast
December 5, 2020 08:00 - 11:00
Bearden Banquet Hall (map here)
~ More details will be published soon ~
Casual dress. Ugly and beautiful Christmas sweaters are encouraged
Here is a very interesting article submitted by Detachment Member Jay Holmes.
Invading North Vietnam
An amphibious invasion that was planned but never happened provides surprising insights into the war in Southeast Asia.
Between 1964 and 1967, North Vietnam and the United States each poured increasing numbers of troops into the war to determine South Vietnam’s political future. U.S. commanders sought new ways to ratchet up military pressure on Hanoi. They intended to intensify the fighting inside the South as well as raise the stakes, “doubling down” by attacking more aggressively in enemy territory to break communist leaders’ will to continue the war. Planners identified options that included intensified bombing of the North, mining harbors and coastal waters, interdicting the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos with allied ground forces, and invading North Vietnam.
One invasion plan, Operation Butt Stroke, was developed by Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), in 1967. (The unfortunate name refers to a melee technique of using the butt of a rifle to attack an opponent.) This little-known operational “path not taken” underscores a critical deficiency in allied counter-fire capability seldom noted in the war’s historiography, and it highlights the self-inflicted limits of the U.S. attrition strategy. ...more
Bonnyman Detachment members:
Help!
Volunteers are needed to make the November 15th 1st Annual Rods n’ Hogs fundraiser a success. This event is meant to offset the loss of revenue from cancellation of the 2020 Mud Run.
We need
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parking directors for visitors to the event
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security personnel (observe and report) for the cash collections
Volunteers need not be MCL members. Bring your friends, neighbors, cousins, spouse, and adult kids.
We will meet at the
Parkway Drive-In Theater
2909 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville TN
at 0700 on the morning of the event.
Contact Event Coordinator Bill Paolercio at
(239) 823-4525 or email billsloco@yahoo.com to get on the volunteer staff list.
15th Annual Jim Peacock
Memorial Pistol Match
24 October. 2020
Registration commenced at 0900. The Marines welcomed the opportunity to get out of the COVID-19 bunker and put some rounds down range. With heavy rain during the Saturday wee hours, the skies turned overcast and we were good to go. After the all-important range safety brief and prayer by Chaplain Ron the centerfire match commenced with 21 shooters of which 10 were from the Bonnyman Detachment. 7 competitors were from out of state.
Jay Holmes copped the Top Gun award; Rick Arndt won the Top Marine and Jerome Hunter garnered the Top Civilian title. Marine expert, sharpshooter and marksman shooting awards went to David Prince, Dale Robinson and Larry Baldwin respectively. Civilian expert, sharpshooter, and marksman were won by Dale Holmes, Clyde Furr and Chris Vittetoe respectively. Top Senior award was won by Dale Holmes.
The shooters were treated to gourmet hot dogs and burgers with all the sides for chow catered by D&B Catering.
The rimfire match commenced right after lunch. Sgt Major Rick Arndt fired a sizzling 392/400 score to win the rimfire title. Dale Holmes, Jerome Hunter and Tim Shea earned the expert, sharpshooter and marksman honors respectively.
See you at the Jack McGivney match in 2021. Rumor has it that it will be a “feel good” match with larger targets :)
From the MCL AUXILIARY
Our plans for Veterans’ Day activities are different this year. Flags will be distributed at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Saturday, Nov 7, starting at 9 a.m.
From the ETMAC site provided by Howard "Tunnel Rat" Raines
East Tennessee State Veterans Cemeteries at Lyons View – 5901 Lyons View Pike and Gov. John Sevier - 2200 E. Governor John Sevier Hwy. will be placing Veterans Day flags at each headstone on Saturday, November 7 to honor our veterans. Flag instruction and placement will begin at 08:30.
if you plan to assist in placing flags, please remember to bring a hammer and screwdriver to help make the hole to put the flag in since the ground can be quite hard at times.
Due to COVID-19 there will be no ceremony, and volunteers are ask to wear face coverings and social distance during placement.
Veterans Day Flag Placement Info
for East Tennessee State Veterans Cemeteries
Iwo Jima Pen Drawing
Marine Susan Schmidt brought a pen and ink drawing of the Iwo Jima Memorial to the last detachment meeting. The drawing is made up of over 370 images from Marine Corps history. The cost to order one is $40.00. Half of the cost goes to Wounded Warriors. It comes with a complete list of what is included in the drawing. Call Susie to order one (unframed). 865 806-0490 email: susie92056@hotmail.com <= click to send email to Susie. Click here to view the the drawing
2020 Pistol Match Schedule
-
Jack McGivney Memorial...........Cancelled
-
Jim Peacock........Completed.......October 24
Windrock Shooting Range
Oliver Springs TN.
09:00
-
The large cal. matches must be 9mm or above, cost $25.
-
There will also be a .22 Cal. match for an extra $20.
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All matches will shoot 45 rounds.
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You will be shooting 7,10, 15 and 25 yards both matches.
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Iron sights only. Max 6-inch barrel.
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Fees include lunch.
-
BRING A LAWN CHAIR
Contact:
Jay Holmes
404-414-4225
jaysholmes@gmail.com
2020 Rifle Match Schedule
-
Bill Gersh M-1/M-1A ............. Cancelled
Rain date .................................. none
-
Gene Collins Open ................ Cancelled
Rain date .................................. none
2327 Rifle Range Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918, USA
These events are CMP matches, which is a 200 yard firing distance, a total of 35 rounds will be fired in the following order—
5 spotter rounds from the prone position
10 slow fire rounds from the prone
10 rounds from prone rapid fire (5 rounds in 2 magazines)
10 rounds Standing (off hand).
These are iron site matches, NO SCOPES of any kind.
You have to be at the front gate at 0700. The cost of the Match is $20.00 which will be taken at registration which will start at approximately 0745. We will start firing at 0815-0830. The Young Marines of Knoxville will be pulling targets so you don’t have pit duty at these matches -- there will be a tip jar for the Young Marines so bring some extra money for these young Marines, they work hard so you don’t have to.
If you want to shoot these matches but don’t have an M1 or M1A for the Bill Gersh match or a military style rifle for the Gene Collins match, the range has M-1 rifles to lend you. All you have to do is buy their ammo which is 30-06 and the cost is $20.00, this is match ammo. If you have never shot a M-1 rifle we will give you a short class on the rifle, a knowledge of shooting is required.
Contact:
Jeff Tegzes
865 988-6247
tntegzes@gmail.com
TO FIND A VA APPROVED URGENT CARE CLINIC or pharmacy near you
Click on any of the underlined text
Search- “VA Urgent Care and Retail Locations”
SELECT- “VA URGENT CARE LOCATOR"
THIS WILL TAKE YOU TO THE URGENT CARE PAGE. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE YOU CAN SELECT:
“Find a Network Urgent Care Location” or
“Fill an Urgent Care Prescription”
Select Zip Code option and enter your Zip Code
TO CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY CALL 833-483-8669
YOU WILL BE ASKED TO ENTER YOUR LAST 4 AND DATE OF BIRTH
<=== Click the image to go to the Mud Run main page.
2020 Mud Run is cancelled
CANCELLED
CANCELLED
The 70th Commemoration of First Lieutenant Mitchell for his actions in Korea on 26 November 1950.
This is an ITEM OF INTEREST. A short story about another heroic Marine
Leading his platoon in point position during a patrol in the vicinity of Hasan-ni, 1stLt Mitchell acted immediately when the enemy suddenly opened fire at point-blank range, pinning down his forward elements and inflicting numerous casualties in his ranks. Boldly dashing to the front under blistering fire from automatic weapons and small arms, he seized an automatic rifle from one of the wounded men and effectively trained it against the attackers and, when his ammunition was expended, picked up and hurled grenades with deadly accuracy, at the same time directing and encouraging his men in driving the outnumbering enemy from his position.
Maneuvering to set up a defense when the enemy furiously counterattacked to the front and left flank, 1stLt Mitchell, despite wounds sustained early in the action, reorganized his platoon under devastating fire and spearheaded a fierce hand-to-hand struggle to repulse the onslaught. Asking for volunteers to assist in searching for and evacuating the wounded, he personally led a party of litter bearers through the hostile lines in growing darkness and, although suffering intense pain from multiple wounds stormed ahead and waged a singlehanded battle against the enemy, successfully covering the withdrawal of his men before he was fatally struck down by a burst of small-arms fire. Stouthearted and indomitable in the face of tremendous odds, 1stLt Mitchell by his fortitude, great personal valor, and extraordinary heroism, saved the lives of several Marines and inflicted heavy casualties among the aggressors. His unyielding courage throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Article provided by Detachment Member Marine Ken DeBoer
Member Historical Photos
Marine Eddie Box has been added to the Active Duty photo album.
Click on flyer below for lager image
Send your photos to me for inclusion in the photo albums. Boot camp and active duty, MCL functions, etc. See the Photo Album section of this web site [CLICK HERE to view]
Click here to send me an email with your photos as attachments.
Web Sgt Tim Shea
From Knox County Veterans Services Office
Visit Aunt Bertha
Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more. Visit Aunt Bertha
https://www.auntbertha.com/
Info courtesy of the Red Cross
This site needs your input
Your content suggestions, photos, announcements, etc. are encouraged. Please contact me with any and all questions, comments and input that you want to share.
Tim Shea
Click my email address below to send me email.
WebSgt.924@gmail.com
Everything Veterans Need to Know About Accessing
On-Base Benefits
IMPORTANT BENEFIT for Vets. Includes all money making facilities on military bases. Click the link below