Marine
Corps League:
(excerpt from Warrior
Culture of the U.S. Marines, copyright 2001 Marion F.
Sturkey)
MGen. John A. Lejeune, the Marine Corps Commandant,
founded the Marine Corps League in 1923.
Congress later chartered this exclusive League on 4
August 1937. Membership
is available to honorably discharged, active duty, and reserve
Leathernecks. Members
may be officers or enlisted, male of female.
The Mission Statement reads:
| Members
of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and
fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and
promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps.
This is accomplished by banding together those who are
now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have
been honorably discharged from that service; voluntarily aiding
and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and
to their widows and orphans, and by perpetuating the history of
the United States Marine Corps through fitting acts to observe
the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest
to Marines.
|
First and foremost, the League promotes the interests of
the Corps. All else
is secondary. With
roughly 800 detachments in the United States and overseas, a
Marine can usually find a detachment close at hand.
One does not have to be a dues-paying member to enjoy
League hospitality at local detachments.
Camaraderie can take many forms, often including generous
assortments of various libations.
Under such circumstances the war stories fly thick and
fast. Usually,
"the first liar doesn't stand a chance."
A National Commandant heads the League, and 14 elected
national staff officers serve as trustees.
Day to day, an Executive Director runs the national
headquarters staff from offices in Fairfax, Virginia.
The League is classified as a veterans/military service
organization. Contributions
are tax deductible.
