N.E. Alabama Marine Corps League

06/18/2026

DeKalb County Marine Toys for Tots Representative Tom Bazemore presented a thank you plaque to First State Bank in north Fort Payne AL for their generous monetary donation & toy drive in support of our 2025 Marine Toys for Tots campaign. Pictured accepting the plaque is Bank President David Henderson. We are grateful for all the years this bank & its employees have served alongside our Marine Toys for Tots volunteer team. Your generous 2025 gifts provided new Christmas presents for many local children in need!

06/18/2026

Marine Toys for Tots Volunteer Glenda Martin presented a thank you plaque to First Southern State Bank in north Fort Payne AL for their generous monetary support of our 2025 Marine Toys for Tots campaign. Pictured accepting the plaque is Bank Vice President Cole Justice. We are grateful for all the years this bank & its employees have served alongside our Marine Toys for Tots volunteer team. Your generous 2025 gifts provided new Christmas presents for many local children in need!

06/18/2026

Bring the kids and have a blast at the Third Saturday Cruise-In, coming up June 20 in downtown Fort Payne. The event features live music by Overdrive John Sells at the Main Stage and Wesley Faulk at the Coal and Iron Building, food vendors and a KIDZ zone, along with more than 300 vintage cars and trucks on display from 5-9 p.m.

https://fortpayne.org/event/third-saturday-cruise-in-21/

06/17/2026

One week from Saturday: A Memorial Celebration of Life has been planned for our FMF Corpsman, “Doc” Bob Harrell, 83, of Fort Payne.

The memorial will be held Saturday, 27 June 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, 300 Grand Avenue NW, Fort Payne, Alabama, 35967

Visitation with family and friends will be from noon until 2:00 pm, with the ‘Celebration of Bob Harrell's Life’ to begin at 2:00 pm.

Both will be in the First Presbyterian Church sanctuary.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Doc! We miss you, Brother!

Salute 🫡

06/17/2026

Happy 128th Birthday to our brothers, U.S. Navy Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen! Always providing emergency medical care of our Marine warfighters ~ our beloved “Doc”!

“Corpsman Up!”

⚓ Happy Birthday to the United States Navy Hospital Corps! ⚓

Today, the Marine Corps Reserve Association proudly joins our Marines, Sailors, Veterans, and military families in celebrating the dedicated men and women of the Navy Hospital Corps.

For generations, Corpsmen have served alongside Marines in training, combat, and humanitarian missions around the world. They have earned the trust, respect, and gratitude of every Marine by answering the call when it matters most—often placing themselves in harm's way to care for others.

The bond between Marines and Corpsmen is unlike any other. Through courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment, Corpsmen have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Marines on every battlefield, embodying the values of honor, courage, and commitment.

To all Corpsmen—past and present—thank you for your service, your dedication, and the countless lives you have touched and saved.

From the MCRA family, Happy Birthday, Navy Hospital Corps!

🇺🇸⚓🩺 "Corpsman Up!"

06/17/2026

Prayers for the loved ones of the 8 officers lost Monday in the Andrews AFB crash. 🫡

Eight crew members were recently killed in a B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base. Our prayers are with the families and communities of Col. Gregory Watson, Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, Maj. Alexander Davis, Maj. Robert Dee, Maj. Brad Hovey, Jeromy Smith, and Christopher Rischar, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. Join MOAA in recognition of their service and read more in the comments.

06/17/2026

Scenes from the Tuesday graveside funeral service of fallen U.S. Marine Major Clomer “C.J.” Holloway (Ret) of Atmore, AL ~ originally from Section AL.

Full military honors were rendered by the U.S.M.C. and American Legion Honor Guard, including TAPS, folded flag presentation to Mrs. Holloway, and gun salute.

Marine Corps League Detachment 1404 of Fort Payne was represented by Colonel (Ret) Mark King, Commandant Dave Matthews, Associate Deb Matthews, and Marine Chaplain Bud Cornwell.

USMC Colonel Mark King (Ret) led the gathering in prayer while accompanying Mrs. Holloway at graveside.

See obituary link below for details of Major Holloway’s decorated service as a Marine & Vietnam Veteran.

Fair winds and following seas to our brother in arms! Semper Fidelis!

Link to Kerby Funeral Home obituary for U.S. Marine Clomer Holloway:

https://share.google/YtrmuYLIem53djmbY

Graveside Photos: Contributed by Deb Matthews

06/17/2026

Marine Toys for Tots thank-you plaque was presented to Donna & Phil Feazell of the Donna’s Edge Talk Show on Monday for their excellent coverage of the DeKalb County AL 2025 TFT campaign.

The presentation took place at a Gadsden interview with LaRue Hardinger, Coordinator of the DeKalb County AL Chapter of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Photo, from left: Phil Feazell, DeKalb Marine Toys for Tots Coordinator LaRue Hardinger, Donna Feazell.

The publicity donated by Donna’s Edge Talk Show helps keep the public informed of scheduled Toys for Tots events.

This resulted in our Marine family volunteers providing new Christmas gifts for 2,124 local children in need in 2025.

Phil and Donna Feazell have been part of the Toys for Tots team for over a decade.

Donna’s Edge is an award-winning Fox Affiliate program, and can be heard or viewed on a variety of media platforms.

For Donna’s Edge Talk Show details, check out donnasedge.com

06/17/2026

A B-52 Stratofortress bomber carrying eight people onboard crashed shortly after takeoff on Monday at Edwards Air Force Base, California, the base posted on social media.

“Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable,” the 412th Test Wing said in a statement shortly after 3 p.m. PDT. “Emergency response personnel are on scene, and officials are working to account for all personnel.”

The crash took place at 11:20 a.m. PDT, according to Edwards Air Force Base. The 412th Test Wing said that the B-52 was on a “routine test mission” and that the crash is currently under investigation.

The crash is the latest in string of military flight mishaps in recent weeks.

06/15/2026

Scenes from our Saturday 13 June 2026 Marine Corps League Detachment 1404 meeting, in which 3 new members were sworn in by State of Alabama Department MCL Commandant Nancy Burtram.

New MCL Associate members include: U.S. Army Specialist veteran Doreen Kiewel; U.S. Army Combat Medic veteran Glenn Greeson; and U.S. Coast Guard Harbor Defense Supply veteran (Ret).

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Detachment 1404 Chaplain Bud Cornwell said a prayer; and all three new members were welcomed by the members in attendance.

Refreshments were served; Officer and committee reports were issued; and the closing ceremony included the retiring of the colors; reading of the names of fallen detachment Marines and associate members; closing prayer; and singing of the U.S. Marine Corps hymn.

Photos: Public Relations Officer LaRue Hardinger