It has been a while since I have updated you.  The Birthday Ball was held on 6 November at Clark Plantation.  The venue was well decorated and our guests were treated to great food and excellent music from Crooked Counsel.  Of course our ceremony was special.  Thanks to Dennis Wait for stepping up in the unavoidable absence of our expert MC, Sandra Torres Pintos.  Our ceremonial unit was excellent.  We had raffle winners and lots of dancing.

MARINE OF THE YEAR - we made two presentations at this event.  The Marine of the Year for 2020 was Junior Vice Commandant Matt Yakubsin, who put together the birthday celebration in 2020 at the High Springs Brewery and lined up future events there.

The 2021 Marine of the Year was presented to Adjutant/Paymaster Jim Hutto.  He has been instrumental in getting a lot of things done this year and volunteers to help everyone.  He also volunteers regularly at the VA driving a golf cart for those who need help getting to their cars or across the campus to another building.

As soon as we get the links to the photos from this event, we'll get that posted.

We are now taking reservations for the birthday ball.  It will be on Saturday, November 6th, at Clark Plantation in Newberry.  (We will soon have directions on the website.)  Tickets are $50 each and we have a maximum capacity of 250, so don't wait.

We have a beautiful venue, a live band, great prizes, a great ceremony and great catering.  You're going to enjoy it!! 

To make reservations, call Vernon Kisling 352-727-1961, Jim Yakubsin 352-222-8837 or Jim Hutto 386-984-6925.

For a few months, Commandant Kisling allowed us to meet in Gainesville and Alachua in alternating months.  The premise was to allow those from each city to attend the general meeting in their town, which would expand our participation.

What we found was that pretty much the same people traveled to the meeting, wherever it was being held.

Therefore, beginning in June, we will return to the schedule where all of our general meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the First United Methodist Church in Alachua.  We will resume the schedule of having our social hour from 1800 to 1900 including a covered dish dinner.  The entree will be provided and announced each month.  The general meeting will begin at 1900. 

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Emory Gouge.  He has been a member of the Gator Detachment for many years.  He often provided insightful opinion, usually along with some comedic relief.  He enjoyed being happy with his Marine buddies and you could always count on him for a good laugh.

He was active in other organizations as well.  He was a Korea Marine, so he held memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Korean War Veterans and the American Legion.  I am told that he was active in their fundraising activities along with his buddy Jack Harris.

He was a member of the Military Order of the Devil Dogs.  We took field trips and Emory usually made his way, even if there were just a handful of us.  We have visited a few military museums and even Blount Island.  

When we had a party for our group, it was Emory who insisted on having a Turkey Shoot with a pop gun that shot corks.  Of course you had to pay to shoot (there's the fundraiser.) But that is just Emory.  We actually had fun but we did not keep score.  I'm quite certain we were all qualified snipers with his cork gun.

There will be a service honoring him at Forest Meadows Cemetery Central in Gainesville on Friday, April 16th at 3:00pm.  Reception will follow at the American Legion Post 16.

Fair winds and following seas, Marine.

-SD

Just to let everyone know we are back to meeting and getting some business done.  These are not the official minutes - just casual notes.

First we welcomed new member Marine Joe FERNANDEZ.  

ACCOUNTS: the Commandant announced that we now have one bank account instead of three, to reduce fees and improve efficiency.

NEW GENERAL MEETING SCHEDULE - Commandant Kisling announced that the General Meeting will alternate between Gainesville and Alachua.  In the odd months (Jan, Mar, May, etc) we will meet in Gainesville.
In the even months (Feb, Apr, Jun, etc) we will meet in Alachua.
* In Alachua, dinner will be 6pm to 7pm and business meeting at 7pm.
* Meetings in Gainesville will only be the business meeting at 7pm.

Just watch the event calendar and reminders.

AWARDS - the Commandant awarded Matt Yakubsin the Distinguished Citizen Award for his hard work with the 2020 Ball.  He presented Past Commandant Jim Yakubsin with a Distinguished Service Award for his seven terms as Commandant.  He awarded Forest Hope with the Distinguished Service Award to recognize him for Most Volunteer Hours for 2018 and 2019. 

Reminder: Detachment Social at Gators Dockside on Feb 1st.

UF NROTC: Gator 990 will pay for the annual leadership award.

Chaplain Bob Wright: John Murdoch's wife Barbara has passed and Sandy Golden's mom has passed.  We are remembering those folks.

THE BALL was successful.  High Springs Brewery would like to see us come party with them again.  So we are tentatively planning a Social event there on June 12th with food trucks available.  

We are looking to have the ball on Saturday, November 6th at the soon-to-be rebuilt Clarke Plantation.

Scott DuPree mentioned that the detachment's hard drive was located with content from 2009/2010.  DuPree invited people to share their photos that could be placed on the hard drive.

NOMINATIONS: we opened nominations for the February elections.  So far the current slate of officers are nominated and for the vacant Jr. Vice position, Marine Matt Yakubsin has been nominated.  Nominations will reopen at the February meeting, followed by an election and installation.

Sgt At Arms Bill Beck spoke about the Color Guard and the need for practice.

Forest Hope mentioned that the annual Veteran Stand Down has been pushed back to October.

That's pretty much it.  Hope to see YOU at a meeting soon.

Semper Fi!

We held the Gator 990 celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday on the evening of November 10th.  During a week leading up to a tropical storm, this one evening turned clear and comfortable. Just as the first Marines gathered at Tun Tavern, about 180 of our Marines and guests gathered at the High Springs Brewing Company for an evening of outdoor celebration.

The Birthday Ball Committee did a great job, with Matt Yakubsin and Dennis Waite doing most of the heavy lifting.  Guests were treated to a flagpole dedication at 5pm, the Commandant of the Marine Corps' video message, a traditional ceremony at 6:15pm featuring Marines in Dress Blues and black masks, and a generous barbecue buffet at 7pm.  Live music was provided by the local band Crooked Counsel.  

There was a drawing for the Marine Corps Special Edition Colt .45 M1911. We had sold all of the tickets for this drawing and the winner was Stephen Homewood.  

We had six prizes claimed by guests, including a smoker, a grill,  a wooden flag and cross, a Birthday Edition Ka-Bar knife with two Bass Assassin drink containers, a Medal of Honor dog tag display with guidebook, and a gift basket.

The ceremony was streamed live on Facebook and the recording can be viewed at any time on our detachment's Facebook page.

Gator 990 will hold an outdoor Marine Corps Birthday Celebration at High Springs Brewing Company on November 10th.  This the the Tuesday evening before Veterans' Day.  We will have the entire property for our party. Social hour at 5pm and Cake Cutting Ceremony at 6pm.  Dress is casual.  Two 30'x60' tents to provide shelter with lights.  Heaters will be there if it is a cool evening.  Admission $25 includes meal catered by David's BBQ. 

Masks are mandatory and expected to be worn when not actively eating or drinking.  Set up for safe distancing.  Temperature will be taken at admission.  Big items in raffle.  Bring a toy for Toys For Tots and get a special raffle ticket.  More raffle tickets for sale.  Credit cards accepted.  Live music provide by the band Crooked Counsel.   

Brewery has beer and wine and non-alcoholic drinks for sale.  No liquor.  All of the brewery's proceeds from that night will be donated to the local Toys For Tots drive.

BY RESERVATION ONLY.  DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS IS NOVEMBER 1ST.  No more than 200 reservations will be accepted. 

For reservations, mail in Name, Email, Phone Number, number of guests and $25 per person to:

     Gator 990, PO Box 14, High Springs, FL  32655-0014.

HOTEL: for anyone traveling from out of town, the Holiday Inn Express in Alachua (near the I-75 interchange) has a special rate of $89 for our guests.  Just mention this event to receive the discount.  

If you would like a registration form or just have questions, please direct them by email to Adjutant Jim Hutto gator990@gmail.com. 

Just a quick reminder to all of our members and friends.  The Marine Corps League holds a Congressional Charter.  As an organization, we are restricted from endorsing political parties or candidates.

All of us, as individuals, are encouraged to participate in the political process, from campaigning to voting.  

The Marine Corps League asks that you respectfully refrain from wearing any of the MCL uniform items that might give the appearance of the MCL support of a candidate or party.  To do so is in violation of Marine Corps League bylaws and enforceable by a hearing.  But we would rather just ask that you refrain from violating this rule.

If attending a rally, it is appropriate to wear your attire that shows your military service.  But please do not wear a Marine Corps League cover or uniform.  To do so not only gives the appearance of support by the League, it also puts in jeopardy the charter of your unit, department or national organization.

So please feel free to support your political process and be careful out there.  It's quite a ride in 2020.  

With this pandemic continuing to affect more people with every passing day, even our little group in northcentral Florida is doing its part to help.  

Beginning in mid-March, just about every event has been cancelled.  Many businesses are either closed or working on skeleton crews providing only essential services.

As Marines, we are typically part of the solution, not the problem.  So we are acting in the best interest of our members and our community in cancelling our events.  We can make up for lost time in business.  We can take care of issues and paperwork later.  But we can't bring you back to life if we inadvertently contaminate you with a deadly virus.  

So as much as we will miss the gatherings, we will all regroup when it is safe to do so.  We'll wear our "I survived Covid-19" tee shirts and drink beer and share stories about having watched every possible show on Netflix.  And then we'll get back to business.

Stay Safe.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year!