A database can prove to be a big deal.  After converting all records in, we noticed subtle differences in the membership levels.  So another trip through all of the records in the database to ensure every record was correct.  Putting finishing touches on each of the web pages that you see on the site.  Populating the Events - now that's pretty cool - so much functionality with the event calendar.  Making sure the PayPal payments functionality is working properly - and it is!  

It is your website.  Let us know what you think.  Now I am off to figure out how to put our sponsors' ads on our front page.  

Semper Fi.

I know you are reading this AFTER we roll this site out, but it is exciting to go in this new direction.  What we hope to gain is better communication and a site that will keep you more up to date on events and your own membership status.  

I was working with Sandy Golden this last weekend to export all the data out of our existing database and into this one (while the Commandant was on vacation in Hawaii, thank you.)  We accomplished the mission.   After a little housecleaning with the new data, we will roll this out and we hope we can count on our members to activate their accounts and help us out by updating your profile (such as phone number and address) which is strictly for our database and nobody else.

-Semper Fi

Read the latest detachment newsletter. Click here.

As I write this, the transition is taking place, bringing us to the new membership database by Wild Apricot, and the new website.  

If you are reading this, then that means the transition has been completed.  Sandy Golden and I hope to provide you with a nice website.  Be sure to click on EVENTS to see our calendar of upcoming events and significant dates.

Look for links to news items right on the front page, just like you followed this one.

If you are a member, click on the JOIN US tab and enter your email address.  If it matches the email address in our database for you, it will let you create an account. If it does not, simply contact us via the CONTACT page and let us know your email address and that you want to create an account.  We'll take it from there.

Member access will allow you to see pages meant only for members, such as the Directory of members and the Forums where topics or surveys may be posted for comment.  It will also give us a reliable way to send you information right to your email box, including the ALMAR newsletter and event reminders.  If you pay annual dues, our system will send you emails automatically to advise you when your expiration date is approaching. 

We hope you enjoy the site.

The 2015 Birthday Ball will be held on November 14, 2015 at the Best Western Gateway Grand in Gainesville, just west of the I-75 interchange on NW 39th Avenue. 

Lieutenant General John Bergman has accepted our invitation to return as our Guest of Honor for this ball, which will have the theme of Honoring The Vietnam Veterans.

TV20's Dave Snyder has agreed to return, with the support of his colleagues, for the third year as host of our USO Show.  

We look for this Ball to be more involved and therefore we will be looking for volunteers to step up to help with subtasks.  Working together we will assemble the best Birthday Ball to date.

Scott DuPree
Birthday Ball Chair

They arrived in uniforms, dresses, coats and ties.  They were Marines and other veterans, Associate members, community leaders and supporters.  They were tall, short, young and ... more mature.  But they were all there for the Marine Ball.

As the social hour yielded to the formal ceremonies, all attending witnessed a formal birthday ball with the traditional cake cutting.  This year the oldest Marine was John Murdoch while the youngest was Jamie Yakubsin.  Master of Ceremonies Sandra Torres-Pintos narrated the ceremony that she also directed.  The ceremony was highlighted by remarks from our Guest of Honor, Capt Reiss Tatum (USMC, Ret.)  His presence was special as members of his rifle company (Lima, 3/5, Vietnam 1966) were in the audience.

We missed many at the ball, but two in particular: Bob Gasche, our perpetual "oldest Marine", and Mary Hildebrand, our rough and tumble Korea-era Marine.  Bob was serving as Guest of Honor at a Ball in Brunswick Georgia and Mary was recovering from a bout with the flu.

The Commandant made some remarks and the Jim Yakubsin Vision Award was presented to Susan Dickinson.  

As dinner was served, a USO Show was performed to honor our Korean War Era Veterans.  TV20's David Snyder led the group with comedy, singing, dancing and music.  The show was enjoyed by all.

Cody Anderson was our DJ and he took the evening over with his great mixture of old and new music.  Raffle gifts were won.  Our photographer took plenty of pictures of couple in front of the flags.  

At the end of the night, we called it a good birthday ball.  As we were tucking things away into boxes for the journey home, we began to talk about what we will be doing at next year's ball.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES.   

Semper Fi.

Marines Forest Hope and Pete Briggette of our Ways and Means Committee were instrumental in acquiring $2500 worth of healthy food and flyers about healthy nutrition for the Alachua County Veteran Stand Down on September 11, 2014.  

Our members set up a table at the Honors Center where many other participants were also providing services and items for the homeless veterans.  Marine Hope was joined by SrVice Commandant Vernon Kisling and Marine Bob Barnas.

The Gator Detachment intends to seek grants to continue this generous work in our community.  We are thankful for the dedication and leadership of our Marines on this project.

The Gator Detachment has moved to a new membership database. With this move comes features we previously did not have.  The Adjutant will be working on the setup of this database over the next couple of months and we hope to roll out the carpet for all features in January 2015.  We will keep you posted.