THE COASTLAND TIMES - FEBRUARY 22, 2007

MARINES WELCOMED TO O.B. DETACHMENT

By Steve Scharff

Kill Devil Hills, NC—With a brief ceremony conducted Saturday at the Colington Harbour Yacht and Racquet Club, Doug Wendling became the commandant of the newly chartered Outer Banks Detachment of the Marine Corps League.

Only minutes prior to Wendling taking command, national vice commandant Steve Wilson presented the group with its official charter recognizing the chapter as one of hundreds of Marine Corps League units serving the needs of over 62,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, reserve, retired and honorably discharged Marine Veterans and Navy corpsmen.

The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923 by then, Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune.  With a charter approved by an act of Congress, the league is the only federally chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country.

In remarks delivered shortly after taking the oath of office, Wendling commented, "This charter... will be signed by each of our charter members: prominently displayed at each detachment meeting and serve as a reminder to each of us, our duty to continue in the service of our country and fellow citizens."

In attendance were the 25 charter members and families along with Department of North Carolina Commandant Peter Meletis, and commandant for the Down East Detachment 1186 and vice commandant for the Northeast District, Ron Cooper.

Meletis and Cooper were instrumental in assisting with the formation of the Outer Banks detachment.

Prior to awarding the charter, Wilson told the group, "On behalf of the the national Commandant, John Ryan, we congratulate you for the job you have done in the formation of this new detachment.  Welcome aboard, Marines."

 After presenting the charter, Wilson administered the oaths of office for the first leadership team for the Outer Banks Detachment.

Wilson swore into office Wendling as commandant, Robert Messinger as adjutant, Lee Baronet as judge advocate and Robert Yanacek as sergeant-at-arms.

According to Wendling, work started in July, 2006 to form the new Outer Banks Detachment.  He went on to praise his fellow officers saying, "I must acknowledge the energy and enthusiasm of our detachment officers.  You have helped to ensure that this fledging organization will grow and become one of the premier detachments in the Department of North Carolina.  We are here to assist our Marine brothers and sisters and to help you implement your ideas for helping people in our community have a better life."

The Outer Banks Detachment plans to conduct a number of projects to help those in need in the community throughout the year.

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