THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
The League is the only Federally Chartered, Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country. The League was organized by then-Commandant John A. In 1937, Congress nationally chartered the League. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contribu
tions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor. The League is presided over by an elected Commandant and officers, with a fulltime Executive Director and staff located in Virginia. The League's Objectives:
Among the purposes for which the Marine Corps League was founded are:
To preserve the traditions and to promote the interests of the United States Marine Corps;
To band those who are now serving in the Marine Corps and those who have been honorably
discharged from that service together in fellowship that they may effectively promote the
ideals of American freedom and democracy;
To fit its members for duties of citizenship and to encourage them to serve as ably as citizens as they have served the Nation under arms;
To hold sacred the history and memory of the veterans who have given their lives to the Nation;
To foster love for the principles which they have supported by blood and valor since the founding of the Republic;
To maintain true allegiance to American institutions;
To create a bond of comradeship between those in the service and those who have returned to civilian life;
To aid voluntarily and to render assistance to all Marines and FMF Corpsmen and former Marines and FMF Corpsmen as well as to their spouses, orphans, and parents;
To perpetuate the history of the U.S. Marine Corps and, by fitting acts, to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines. We also try to assist, wherever possible, the active and reserve establishments in order to let them devote more of their time and attention to the preparation for duties in the national interest. Regardless of the rank a member may have held while on active or reserve duty, all members of the League are considered to be of equal rank – that of “United States Marine”. Membership Categories There are 3 classes of detachment members:
Regular Member: Anyone who is serving or has served at least 90 days in the Marine Corps or
Marine Corps Reserve, or as a US Navy Corpsman with the FMF for 90 or more days, and received an Honorable Discharge. Dues are set by the detachment and include Department and National Dues per year, unless you elect to become a Life Member. Life Membership is payable on a one time basis and covers all dues. The amount depends upon the age of the member. Associate Member: One who has reached enlistment age, does not qualify to be a Regular
Member, but espouses the principles and purposes of the MCL. Dues are the same as for Members. Associate Members may not vote on membership, election of officers nor hold elective office. Associate Members may also become Life Members. Honorary Member: One who has been of extraordinary service to the Nation, Community,
Marine Corps, or Marine Corps League. A member may join more than one Detachment, becoming a Dual Member, and may hold office in more than one Detachment, but will only have one vote in National MCL business and elections. The Organization's Levels: The Marine Corps League is a national organization of over 75,000 members and, like the Marine Corps, there are levels of the organization that enable smaller unit leadership. The levels that are set forth in the Bylaws and Administrative Procedures of the League are:
National - U.S., plus overseas members
Division - Ten regional groupings of Departments. Department - The state level organization. Detachment - The “local” level unit. Marines Corps Rose Program
The Marine Corps League - Puget Sound Detachment #336 uses the Marine Corps Rose Program proceeds to fund a Marine Support program and to donate to the Wounded Warrior Regiment*. The Marine Corps Rose Program was initiated by a Marine named Eddie Gallagher and was designed to parallel the VFW's "Poppy" program. The rose is a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice Marines have made in the defense of our country. Placing roses on the graves of fallen soldiers is a custom that goes back to 1778 during the War for Independence. It became tradition among Marines during the First World War when grateful French citizens planted roses on the graves of Marines who had been killed in the assault on the German positions at Belleau Wood. Roses are handed out by detachment members at local events and establishments in honor of our fallen Marine brothers. Donations in honor of these men is collected and used to assist veterans, their families and to provide other services to the community. We ask that whenever you see one of our members distributing these remembrances, to take one and wear it with pride. United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment
The United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment provides and enables assistance to wounded, ill and injured Marines, sailors attached to or in support of Marine units, and their family members in order to assist them as they return to duty or transition to civilian life. The Regimental headquarters element, located in Quantico, Va., commands the operations of two Wounded Warrior Battalions located at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., and multiple detachments in locations around the globe. For more information about the Wounded Warrior Regiment contact the Sergeant Merlin German Wounded Warrior Call Center 24/7 at 1-877-487-6299. Click here for more information about Wounded Warrior Battalion East or Wounded Warrior Battalion West. Toys For Tots Program
The mission of the Marine Corps League - Puget Sound Detachment, #336 Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys each year, and to deliver them to Marine Reserve units for distribution through the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services as Christmas gifts to needy children in King County, WA. The program serves to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens. To that end, the program's objectives are threefold:
To help less fortunate children in our community experience the joy of Christmas;
To play an active role in the development of our community's most valuable resource—our children, and;
To unite our community towards a common cause each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign. The Marine Corps League - Puget Sound Detachment #336, Toys for Tots campaign takes place each year during the months of November and December. It has become a very popular event for the members of our detachment and has a proven record of being a worthwhile program to the children of King County, WA. This year our Detachment was responsible for collecting over 8000 toys in addition to monetary donations. Leatherneck Honor Guard and Rifle Team. The primary mission of the Leatherneck Honor Guard and Rifle Team (not affiliated with the Marine Corps League) is to provide military honors for veterans from all branches of service at their memorial services held at the Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent Washington. All ceremonies are provided in a manner that maintains military traditions and demonstrates pride for the United States of America, the Marine Corps, our uniform and veterans past and present. The Military Honors ceremonies are conducted so that the veterans’ families and friends will recognize the appreciation that a grateful nation has for the sacrifices made by their loved ones, for our flag and country. Detachment #336 also hosts an Annual Pistol Shoot in April and an Annual Rifle Shoot in August for all Marines and FMF Corpsmen; the Marine Corps Birthday Celebration is held in November while social events such as lunchoens and poker games are scheduled throughout the year. More social outing are in develop which may included attending professional ball games, bowling and golf tournament.
