****READ RECENT NEWS RELATED TO MARINES
ON OUR RSS NEWS FEED ****

NEW COMMEMORATIVE BRICK PAVER PROGRAM IS UNDER WAY

Don't miss the opportunity to get your commemorative brick, laser cut with your name or of someone you wish to honor.  This program will have your bricks professionally installed in the Veteran Memorial adjacent to City Hall in the City of Alachua.    Read more ...

                   CLICK HERE TO PRINT OUT THE Commemorative Brick Order Form

COMING UP: ELECTIONS and MARINE OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS

At the January General Meeting, we will encourage anyone intending to run for an elected position to make their announcement and get the opportunity to build some support.  At the February meeting, we will open the floor for nominations, hold elections and then conduct the installation of officers.

Also at the January General Meeting, we will announce that we are accepting nominations for Marine of the Year.  Anyone may submit a nomination along with justificiation for the nomination.  Applications will be accepted up to the beginning of the March General Meeting.  All applications will be submitted to the detachment members present at that meeting and the membership will decide the award recipient by vote.  Submit nominations to Senior Vice Commandant Bob Gasche (Awards Chairman) at 376-0402.

Birthday Ball was Great!

On Saturday, 14 November, our Marines were joined by other members and guests at the 2009 Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Turkey Creek Golf and Country Club.  With nearly 150 present, we had a great social hour with free appetizers and a small keg of free beer (this was our Early Bird Special!)  Our Marines performed a very nice traditional Birthday Ball ceremony.  Our cake was both very attractive and delicious.  And our entertainment with Mark Copeland had the line dancing going, from country two stepping and the electric slide to new line dances that everyone learned as we went.  Our raffle featured 17 items and raised more than $250.00 for the detachment.  A Toys For Tots raffle was also available and raised $75.00 for that program.

Awards were presented, including the Jim Yakubsin Vision Award which went to Marine Bob Barnas.  Certificates of Appreciation were given by Commandant Scott DuPree to those who organized and/or participated in the evening's event.  Young Marine Alex Collins was recognized with an award from his unit for Young Marine of the Year, as well as announcing he had also been named the 1st Florida Regiment Young Marine of the Year.  Young Marine Commander Cary Hill also presented the President's Call To Service Award to Cary Hill, Jamie Hill, Bob Gasche, Dick Lester and Scott DuPree in recognition of individual contributions of more than 4,000 volunteer service hours.

The evening was a lot of fun.  There were lots of cameras.  As we receive ball photos, we will post them on the Photos Page.

For more info on the ball, go to the Birthday Ball page.    

Tribute to PFC Donald "Wayne" Vincent, USMC  

- Update 8/5/2009 - PFC Vincent arrived in Gainesville on Monday, 8/3. His journey from NAS Jax to Gainesville saw thousands of citizens along the highways in NAS Jax, Jacksonville, Starke, Waldo, Gainesville and points in between. Kudos to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and all agencies and people who put together this most memorable event to honor our fallen Marine.

Visitation was held Monday 5:30pm to 7:00pm, Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, 823 NW 143rd Street (SR241).

His funeral was on Tuesday at Westside Baptist Church.  More than 400 people attended.  Family, friends, Marines, law enforcement and others were there to pay their respects.  Marines from I&I Jax rendered military honors and the Patriot Guard Riders lined the streets and walkways with flags, as well as providing motorcycle escorts at all times.    PFC Vincent was laid to rest at Forest Meadows Central in Gainesville.

The community response, from here to Jacksonville, was awesome.  Gainesville finally got it right.

IWO TRIO ESTABLISHES THE CLAIR C. CHAFFIN YOUNG MARINE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

We all know that Clair was very proud of the Young Marine program, so much that his family requested donations to the Young Marines in lieu of flowers.  Bob Gasche and Cliff Cormier are the balance of the "Iwo Trio" and they have established a fund in Clair's name that will be made available to assist in sending Young Marines to leadership schools.  Anyone wanting to make a donation to this account should contact Bob Gasche at 352.376.0402.

REMEMBERING CLAIR C. CHAFFIN

Photo: Orville Vance, Bob Purinton and Clair Chaffin.

We have lost a great American.  Read our spotlight story on Clair.

YOUR 2009-2010 OFFICERS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED

On 26 February, Gator Detachment 990 held its annual elections and installation.  Installing Officer Dale Condy came from Live Oak to conduct the ceremony along with Past Department Commandant Walt Russell as Chaplain.  Elected and installed were Commandant Scott DuPree, Senior Vice Commandant Bob Gasche, Junior Vice Commandant Jim Yakubsin, Judge Advocate John Murdoch and Junior Past Commandant Cary Hill.  Appointees sworn in were Bob Barnas (Adjutant/Paymaster and Honor Guard Commander), Mary Hildebrand (Chaplain), Norm Froscher (Public Affairs Officer), Greg Williams (Liaison to the Veteran Advisory Board), Jim Yakbusin (Liaison to the Military Support Group), Cary Hill (Liaison to the Young Marines), Phil Newman (Americanism and Education), Steve Homewood (Historian), Anne Zecca (Librarian) and Eric Kidwell (Toys for Tots Chairman).  A few more appointed officers will be sworn in at the next meeting, including Greg Williams (Sergeant At Arms), Michael O'Brien (Master Chef) and Tom Sklens (Quartermaster).

2009 VETERAN AWARDS BANQUET - JANUARY 31ST

The 2009 Veteran Awards Banquet was held on 31 January at the Clarion Conference Center.  With close to 300 in attendance, the Gator Detachment was represented by Senior Vice Eric Kidwell, Junior Vice Scott DuPree and  his wife, Adjutant/Paymaster Bob Curti and his wife, our nominee for Veteran of the Year Michael O'Brien and his wife, and members including Bob Gasche, Clair Chaffin, Ralph and Eloise Lewis, Dick Lester and Faye ONeal, Phil Newman and Chick Wallace.  Of course, our own Greg Williams is the Chairman of the Veteran Advisory Board that ran the event and he was in attendance and very glad to see that the event was completely sold out.

JIM BRINKMAN from the Military Support Group was awarded SUPPORTER OF THE YEAR, mainly due to his golf tournament fundraising efforts on behalf of veterans (and we all know his wife Kim was a big part of that also.)  In accepting the award, his surprise could not be suppressed.  Almost overcome with emotion, he was amazed, "A room full of heros, applauding me ... I love my freedom!"

The Jim Yakbusin family received the award for The Most Patriotic Family, recognizing Jim and his three sons who have all served as Marines and who all continue to serve their communities with a high sense of patriotism.

The Bikers on Parade passed a check for over $21,000.00 to the Veteran Advisory Board, which will benefit local veteran organizations.  The program was enjoyable and the food was great.  If you didn't go this year, put it on your calendar to go next year ... last weekend in January.  To see photos of the banquet on display at Rich Rubanick's site, crookedfences.com, CLICK HERE.

BIRTHDAY BALL A SUCCESS                CLICK HERE TO SEE BALL PHOTOS

With an estimated 130 guests in attendance, the 2008 Gator Detachment Birthday Ball was an enjoyable evening.  After the initial social hour, a traditional Marine birthday ceremony was performed.  Guests were then treated to a fine buffet and birthday cake while the free keg of beer and the cash bar provided refreshments.  We had presentations by Young Marine PFC Hull and Young Marine Sergeant Collins, documenting their experiences in the program.  Young Marine Sergeant Major Kayle Hill provided an excellent account of the experiences during her career in the program, and she recognized a number of Marines, family and friends that have helped her along the way.  Entertainer Mark Copeland kept the crowd hopping for about two and half hours.  When we get photos, they will be posted on the 2008 Birthday Ball page.  Already looking forward to next year ...!

    Search for Marines by unit or name.  Find others you served with.  Contact them.  Click on banner to go to TogetherWeServed.com.  
Now over 239,000 Marines have accounts!!  Semper Fi.
Recommended by Scott DuPree.

GATORDET SERVES BREAKFAST EVERY MONTH

Because we have a solid partnership with VFW Post 2811, one of our ways of helping them is to serve breakfast the LAST Saturday of every month.  Our volunteers man the galley and fix up breakfast for all who come.  Eggs, grits, biscuits with sausage gravy, bacon, sausage, coffee, orange juice, milk, even Bloody Marys.  If you have skills that might help, contact Commandant Scott DuPree and ask him how you can help.  Otherwise, come down on Saturdays for a great breakfast for just $4.00.

Marine Cecil Adkins - Taps, October 25, 2008

Longtime Gator Detachment member Cecil Adkins passed away in his sleep on Saturday, October 25, 2008.  Cecil was a detachment member that stepped up with financial help when we needed it and with rolled up sleeves when he was able.  He actively supported the events of this detachment, as well as the SgtMaj Thomas H. Griggs Jr. Detachment in the Lake City area where he was a dual member.  Our thoughts and prayers go to his daughter, Cassie, who has been his faithful caretaker for many years.  It is reported that he will be cremated and interred in the National Cemetary in Bushnell with his wife at some time in the near future.

Marine Jim Yakbusin honored as Alachua County's VETERAN OF THE YEAR

On Saturday, January 26, Jim Yakbusin, co-founder of the Gator Detachment, was recognized at the annual Veteran Awards Banquet for his work with the Military Support Group of Alachua County.  Jim started the support group four years ago to support troops from our local area that are serving in the middle east.  Starting with just a few names, the group has grown to where they now hold two meetings per month, shipping over 200 care packages each month.  Jim has been very active with the media and the community, keeping the focus on our troops and the positive stories coming first-hand back from Iraq and Afghanistan.  The support group has also proven to be a very meaningful activity for the loved ones here, giving them a tangible way to help and stay in touch with each other here as well, sharing news, good and bad, from over there. Yakubsin, a retired Master Sergeant, has three sons (all have worn the Marine uniform).  His wife, LINDA, is to be commended as she supports and helps Jim with all of his endeavors.  (Never underestimate a Marine wife.).  Congratulations, Jim.  Job Well Done.

GatorDet Marine Receives Honor from the NHRA

Marine Veteran Norm Froscher, who serves as GatorDet's Public Affairs Officer, was inducted into National Hot Rod Association's Southeast Division 2 Hall of Fame.  The recognition honors his motor sports writing career.

Norm has been the GatorDet PAO from the time we were chartered.  As a matter of fact, he is the only charter officer still serving in his original assignment.  But I think you'll agree that he has a knack for public affairs.

The presentation was made in Orlando on January 5th.  To read more about this, click here to see the full story.

COMING UP ...