Detachment 1073 Minutes Date: 14 September 2023 Time: 1830 hours
Roll Call of Officers:
Commandant: Charlie Sheely Present
Senior Vice Commandant: Hugh Robinson Present
Junior Vice Commandant: Mark Retcho Present
Judge Advocate: Clif Addison Present
Adjutant: Robert Hall Present
Paymaster: Dr. Chuck Junek Present
Chaplain: Jim Reeves Present
Sgt. at Arms: W.C. Maples Present
Web Sgt: Kelsey McCarty Present
Junior Past Commandant: Andrew Baggott Absent
NOTE: Twenty-three (23) in attendance, per the sign-in roster.
Quorum: At least fifty-one (51) percent of the elected and
appointed officers, and fifteen (15) percent of the members
must be present to constitute a quorum. A majority of the members
present at any meeting shall be necessary for the adoption of any
matter voted upon by the members, except noted in the Bylaws.
Officers: 51% equates to a minimum of six (6) must be present.
Members: 15% equates to a minimum of nine (9) must be present.
Therefore, this meeting has fulfilled the requirement for a Quorum.
1. Sgt at Arms W.C. Maples secured quarters, presented the Colors, followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance, then led in singing the Marine Corps hymn.
2. Opening Prayer by Chaplain Jim Reeves.
3. Roll Call of Officers by Adjutant Robert Hall.
4. Commandant Sheely welcomed everyone to tonight’s meeting.
Several Applications for Membership tonight. They are: Anthony “Tony” Ortega and Anthony
Smith. Welcome aboard, Marines!
NOTE: Smokey Hartfield was previously approved by the membership to join. Smokey joined
Tony and Anthony to be sworn in.
Clif Addison motioned to accept the two Marines. W.C. Maples seconded. Motion passed.
Chaplain Jim Reeves gave a special prayer for the new Detachment members.
NOTE: One new member was absent tonight, that being Marine Keith Oubre. Gerald Rice and
Robert Hall can vouch for Keith, as we have both known Keith for many years. Keith plans to
attend the 5 October meeting, at which time, he will be sworn in.
5. Minutes from 3 August 2023: W.C. Maples motioned to abstain reading those Minutes.
Jeff Davis seconded. Motion passed.
6. Correspondence:
a. Adjutant Robert Hall read a letter from Veterans Outreach thanking Detachment 1073 for the
recent donation to their organization. This gift will be used to carry out personal help
programs for our veterans residing in the MS State Veterans Home in Collins.
b. Received a thank you note from Associate Jimmy Cabler thanking Detachment 1073 for
scholarship money for his granddaughter Riley G. Garrison. Riley will be entering nursing
school soon at Mississippi University for Women and said the money is of tremendous help.
7. Paymaster’s Report:
a. Dr. Chuck Junek read the Detachment’s Checking Account, ending 31 August 2023. The
statement will be attached to the 14 September 2023 Minutes in the Adjutant’s
binder.
b. Dr. Junek also informed the membership he had produced and went in detail about
a Profit and Loss from 1 to 13 September 2023. NOTE: This is an addendum to the normal
monthly report. The Addendum Report will be attached to the 14 September 2023 Minutes in
the Adjutant’s binder.
c. Dr. Junek informed everyone National MCL states we have twenty (20) unpaid members.
d. Per Dr. Junek, his records show the Detachment has four (4) unpaid members.
e. W.C. Maples motioned to approve the Paymaster’s Report. Clif Addison seconded. Motion
passed.
8. Sick Call Report:
W.C. Maples briefed everyone that Gerald Rice’s wife was in the Emergency Room earlier today
dealing with AFib, but is now home.
Jim Reeves informed the members about Walter Cook’s daughter with a very serious surgery.
Walter requested everyone pray for a positive outcome for his daughter.
Robert Hall talked to member Dick Hoerner recently. Dick said he is considered legally blind.
9. Veterans Hours, Mileage and Expense: Adjutant Robert Hall encouraged all members to email to
him any event pertaining to the Detachment, including date, mileage and total hours included.
Adjutant Hall further stated he intends to maintain the Detachment Quarterly Report and submit
in a timely manner to Department Adjutant.
10. Golf Tournament: Chairman Charlie Sheely recognized W.C. Maples for going over and beyond
the call of duty for the tremendous work he has done in numerous, numerous solicitations for
donations. W.C. humbly thanked the Commandant, BUT made it abundantly clear this year is the
final year he will participate. Chairman Sheely personally challenged EVERYONE to pitch in and do
their part in soliciting for sponsor donations.
Remember: We own your building now. It would behoove us one and all to do your part.
One for One and All for All is our motto!
Clif Addison placed golf brochures on the table for anyone desiring to solicit.
11. Honor Guard: Chairman Charlie Sheely informed everyone Detachment 1073 was well
represented at Life Member Jim Aust’s funeral. The Detachment provided a live plant
for the family. Thanks to all who attended.
12. Marine Corps Birthday Ball:
a. This year’s Ball is Saturday, 18 November 2023. Kelsey McCarty informed everyone this year’s
2023 Ball will take place at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on W. 4th Street.
b. Semi-Formal dress. Red Jackets if you have one, but you must wear the appropriate required
clothing to make it official.
c. Color Guard will wear the undress uniform.
d. Social begins at 1800 hours, followed by the banquet at 1830 hours.
e. Price per person will remain $35.00.
13. Scholarship Committee: No Report.
14. Old Business: No Report.
15. New Business:
a. Dr. Junek talked about a FUNDRAISER! A Superbowl Pool and College Championship is being
discussed. $25 per square. Dr. Junek motioned to move on this, as the Detachment now must
continue with fundraisers. Bob Cox seconded. Motion passed.
b. The next order of business was swearing in three new officers. They are as follows: Charlie
Sheely as Commandant; Hugh Robinson as Senior Vice Commandant; and Mark Retcho as
Junior Vice Commandant. For the record, W.C. Maples was also sworn in, as he was absent
previously. Swearing in was conducted by Judge Advocate Clif Addison. Thank you, Clif.
Thank you, Charlie, Hugh, and Mark for allowing the Detachment to be fully staffed.
We look forward to the wise guidance of Commandant Sheely in the coming remainder of the
term.
c. Commandant Sheely spoke eloquently to the membership. It is an honor and serve
Detachment 1073. Commandant Sheely reminded everyone the Marine Corps League is the
only Congressionally chartered United States Marine Corps-related veterans’ organization in the
United States. Its congressional charter was approved by the 75th Congress and signed by
President Franklin D. Roosevelt on 4 August 1937.
Commandant Sheely then read the actual charter.
d. A member asked about the status of Past Detachment Commandant Andrew Baggott.
Commandant Sheely assured everyone Andrew is OK, as he personally visited with Andrew
shortly after his resignation. Rest assured. Andrew feels better with passing the torch to
another Marine.
e. Dr. Junek informed the members at this moment, he, Dr. Junek, is the only Marine authorized
to sign checks. Dr. Junek further expressed his concern to modify the checking account.
Remove Andrew Baggott’s name from the checking account.
Add Charles L. Sheely to the checking account.
Retain Dr. Junek’s name on the checking account.
Dr. Junek motioned to all the above.
W.C. Maples seconded. Motion passed.
f. Clif Addison informed everyone we must vacate the Storage Unit NLT 30 September 2023.
Clif stated we need humans to help expedite this project. The move will take place this
Saturday, 16 September. We will meet at 0900 hours. Address is 5224 Old Hwy 42,
Hattiesburg, across from the old Hercules. The name of the facility is SQUARE-SPACE
STORAGE. Clif asked for volunteers. Clif also said he and one other Marine will each bring a
truck and trailer. Main items are four or five file cabinets plus one wall locker. One trip should
do it. We will then proceed to returning to the new building and place where required.
g. Dr. Junek requested the Sergeant-at-Arms distribute copies of a proposed Budget. Dr. Junek
reminded everyone we now own this building and it is now crucial we have a Budget to guide us
on the Detachment’s expenditures. Dr. Junek put a lot of time and effort in this Budget. Notice
there are Columns for “YTD,” “Last Year,” “Annual,” and “Monthly.” Dr. Junek motioned to
accept the proposed budget. Robert Robertson seconded. Motion passed.
The proposed Budget will be attached to the 14 September 2023 Minutes in the Adjutant’s
binder. Thank you, Dr. Junek, for your attention to detail.
h. Dr. Junek informed everyone Detachment 1073 is a 501c4 organization. No deductions allowed
on taxes.
i. Clif Addison, having returned from the MCL National Convention, presented Commandant
Sheely with a battle streamer, to be placed on the Detachment’s USMC flagpole.
j. Clif Addison informed everyone the Detachment’s Board of Trustees, on behalf of Detachment
1073, presented a $500 check to Hulett-Winstead Funeral Home to go towards offsetting funeral
costs incurred from Jim Aust’s funeral expenses. Clif also mentioned the Marine Corps
Foundation assisted financially in this matter.
k. Mary Draughn and Lyn Franklin spoke in detail about the upcoming Wreaths across America on
Saturday, 16 December 2023, at Highland Cemetery on W. 7th Street. Ceremony start time is
1100 Hours (11 a.m.). Per Mary, as of today, 1,100 wreaths have been purchased. Both Marines
have walked the entire area of Highland Cemetery, which is rather large. Eleven of the thirty-
nine sections have been covered. Mary asked for volunteers to assist herself and Lyn.
l. The future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) will join the active fleet on 7 October 2023, with a
commissioning ceremony in Tampa, FL. Thanks, Clif, for informing us. Smooth sailing for Ruby
Lucas in her travels.
m. Membership cards were presented to Ben and Mary Draughn and Lyn Franklin. Lyn has dual
memberships.
n. Gerald Rice was absent tonight. Adjutant Robert Hall has Gerald’s Paid Life Member card.
o. Stewart Ellington told everyone he has a car he desires to give to a fellow Marine. Stewart’s
intentions are to transfer into our Detachment from another Detachment. Looking forward to
your joining, Stewart.
p. Hot Rods for Heroes: Takes place on Saturday, 16 September in Brandon. Since no one
volunteered, Chuck and Cynthia Junek graciously agreed to cover this event. Thanks, Chuck and
Cynthia!
q. Laurel Gun Show: Two-day event, Saturday, and Sunday, 23 and 24 September. To date,
Charlie Sheely, Hugh Robinson, W.C. Maples, plus Ben and Mary Draughn will be working.
Thanks!
r. Pecan Festival: Dates are 29 Sep-1 Oct 2023 (Fri-Sun) at Fulmer’s Farmstead in Beaumont,
MS. Thanks to Dottie Robertson, the Detachment has a spot at no charge!
Once again, we set up a booth to sell rifle raffle tickets. Last year, we signed up several
Marines who joined our Detachment. We intend to do the same recruiting this year. To date,
Ben and Mary Draughn, Lyn Franklin, Robert and Dottie Robertson, Charlie Sheely, Chuck and
Cynthia Junek, Clif Addison and Mark Retcho will be working. Thanks!
16. Chaplain Jim Reeves conducted the closing prayer and read the names of recently
deceased Marines. They were: Royce Nation, Wiley Sellers, Clifton “Red” Ratcliff,
Vernon B. Bunnell, and James (Jim) Aust.
17. Commandant Sheely requested acting Sgt at Arms Clif Addison declare the meeting officially
closed.
The American flag was retired.
18. Senior Vice Commandant Hugh Robinson recited closing remarks.
19. Next official meeting will be Thursday, 5 Oct 2023, when it will be re-opened
for the transaction of official business.
20. Meeting concluded at 2002 hours.
Respectively Submitted
Robert Hall, Adjutant