One day until the Ball.  You have to give props to your Birthday Ball Committee.  They have pulled together a heck of an event.  They have procured sponsorships and sold ads for the program book in order to provide you with a very nice Ball.  They have used their resources to get things we need such as gifts and decorations and still allowed us to get a great meal and event to you for just $35.00!!  As the Chair, all I really have to do is watch them do their magic and help with decisions.  So this Ball is really their fine work.

Yes we are sold out at 242 seats.  There's a little fluctuation with emergencies here and there but there always seems to be someone standing by waiting for a seat to come open.  Our guests will enjoy a traditional ceremony, some USO Show style entertainment, a silent auction, a live auction, dinner and dancing, and two bars featuring free beer.  The Marines know how to throw a party.

Looking forward to tomorrow.  Once that is done, we will take a break to enjoy our holidays, then begin work on next year's event which will be on November 4th at the same location.   Semper Fi.  - Scott DuPree

Commandant Jim Yakubsin has been working diligently to assign people to tables and seats as he manages the ticket sales for the Marine Corps Ball scheduled for November 5th.  While we have seats for nearly 240 guests, the majority of the tickets were committed with purchases of tables.  At the end of August we only had about 40 tickets left.  We are down to just a handful of tickets and anytime we have a cancellation, Commandant Yakubsin is making adjustments.

The tickets can be purchased at the general meeting on October 18th or through our website as long as they are available.  You may also contact Jim at any time to obtain tickets or be put on a waiting list.

Looking forward to the party!

We will celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday in November with our friends and now you can buy your tickets for the big event!

Don't wait too long.  We have a limited number of tickets and before we have even sold the first one, we have commitments for nearly half the seats already.  But money talks.  Purchase your tickets to ensure you get a seat at our annual gala!

Just letting you know that the planning of the 2016 Birthday Ball is in full swing.  We have identified a theme and we are procuring advertisements for our program book and major sponsors.  The event will be at the Best Western Gateway Grand and we are fortunate to have General Manager Ron Gromell, a Marine, joining us for meetings.

We are looking forward to having 230 guests (perhaps a few more), a superior traditional ball ceremony, a great meal, an interesting program and an active and engaging entertainer.  We will once again feature a silent auction and we will have an auctioneer to auction off a few large items.

Tickets should be available in June after we solidify a few details.  Tickets will be limited in number.  We are expecting guests once again from out of state as well as a few other Marine Corps League detachments.  So when tickets are available, don't put it off.  Make your purchase and reserve your tickets to the big event.  Semper Fi!!

Gator Detachment raised over $600 for the cancer society in our community at the annual Relay for Life event.  SrVice Commandant Vernon Kisling led the effort as usual and did a superb job.  He solicited the support of members, citizens and businesses.  Job well done, Vernon!

As promised, the officers elected at the February general meeting were installed at the April general meeting.  Past Commandant Scott DuPree was the Installing Officer.  

The existing incumbents had been reelected and will continue for another term in their positions.  Commandant Jim Yakubsin said he was pleased that his staff had the dedication to assist him for another year.  Senior Vice Commandant Vernon Kisling has taken the monitoring of community service hours to a new level.  Junior Vice Commandant Bob Gasche has worked with the membership to combat delinquency and helping to round up those who have not been attending.  Judge Advocate John Murdoch, who also serves as the District 2 Vice Commandant, completed revisions in the past year to our bylaws and has been regularly attending Department events.

View our list of officers to see the other members who have accepted roles on the staff to help the Detachment take care of business.  And remember we can always use your help and your talents.  Come be part of a very cool team.

Again, thanks very much to our officers for dedicating their time and efforts in leading us for another year.    

Due to the Commandant and the Adjutant/Paymaster being out of state for a funeral at the time of the last general meeting, which would have been the installation of officers, the installation was postponed until the April general meeting on April 26th.

Attendance is encouraged to show our support for our detachment leaders.

RELAY FOR LIFE Contribution Opportunity

Our Detachment contributions to the local Alachua-High Springs Relay for Life cancer walk can be enhanced by the following activities.  The restaurants listed below will contribute a percentage of your bill to our team when you eat at their restaurant on the day specified below.  When you go to the restaurant tell the representative there which team you want your contribution to go to [our team is the Marine Corps League].  This offer applies to lunch or dinner (up to 7:00 PM).

Tony & Al's Italian Restaurant (Downtown Alachua)  /  March 16 (WED)

Bev's Burger-BBQ Café (High Springs) / March 22 (TUE - also our meeting date)

Great Outdoors (Downtown High Springs) / April 14 (THUR)

Brown's Country Buffet (Alachua) / April 22 (FRI)

RELAY FOR LIFE Event is on MAY 13 (FRI), 6:00 PM - 12:00 Midnight at High Springs Civic Center.  Come out and help us walk the event (does not require constant walking and you do not have to stay for the entire event - come early is best since one of the first laps is devoted to veterans and first responders).

RELAY FOR LIFE Contributions can now be made at :  relayforlife.org/alachuafl   

Search for our team [Marine Corps League] and then click the donate button/text.  Checks (made out to American Cancer Society) and money can be given to Vernon Kisling at our March and April meetings.

As of 15 January, Gunner is undergoing rehab in his home.  He has a few medical professionals that come to his house daily for treatment and rehab.  He still has pins in his hands but they hope that maybe they will come out in a few weeks.

For anyone who wishes to send a get-well card or other items, his address is 10125 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32606.  

If you have questions, you can either ask them on his Facebook page here or send text message to Amy Alexander (the SkyFrog's Angel) at 352-328-9434.  

As of about 6pm, January 8, 2016, Gunner Vasquez is in Shands Rehab 4101 NW 89th Blvd Gainesville , FL, Room 1912B. If you've wanted to send flowers or whatever, now is the time.

Please honor Gunner's wishes and coordinate visitation with Amy Alexander. She will have the schedule for therapy and find opportunities for all to visit without being overwhelming and trying on him. Also, until he is stronger, they must limit the time of visits to 20 minutes and only 2 people at a time.

This is only here at the start. As he gets better, they may remove the restrictions altogether.  Text Amy Alexander at 352-328-9434 to schedule a visit.