League Officers

Auxiliary

COMMANDANT HICKS VISITS LANCASTER COUNTY

     Our detachment had the honor of conducting its monthly February meeting with not one, but two National Commandants.  Well actually, one current Commandant and one Past National Commandant.  To add to this we had the Department of Pennsylvania Commandant, Central Division Commandant, and not one, not two, not three but four Past Department of Pennsylvania Commandants and one Past Department of Texas Commandant and one Past Department of Nevada Commandant.  There was so much brass one would have thought the Sun had landed in Columbia, Pennsylvania. 

     The detachment welcomed, Helen Hicks, National Commandant/Past Department of Texas Commandant, Paul Hastings, Past National Commandant/Past Department of PA Commandant, Tom Tanner, Department of Pennsylvania Commandant, Hank Viola, Commandant, Central Division, John Moyse, Don Kohler and Terry Bergman, Past Department of Pennsylvania Commandants.

our Commandant and Past Department of Nevada Commandant, Troy Kreider, his wife and children and a few other leaguers spruced up the detachment home and rearranged furniture to enable approximately 50 members and visitors to join us in our monthly meeting.  Kudos to the Kreider family for putting much effort in organizing the detachment home.  The results of many long and hard hours by the Kreiders were evident. 

     There were two highlights of the evening.  First was when Commandant Kreider turned over his station to Commandant Hicks.  She began by asking for all World War II veterans to stand to be recognized.  She expressed her deepest appreciation for their service.  Commandant Hicks spoke about the league and its direction.  She made it a point to speak of the many accomplishments members of the detachment have attained.  She addressed members by name, which she only learned prior to the commencement of the meeting but recalled the details of their involvement in the League.  She made everyone feel welcomed and part of a greater fraternity.  She addressed various programs available and others on the horizon.  She 

challenged everyone to do their part in carrying on with the traditions of the Marine Corps League.  Commandant Hicks provided insight to the recovery and rehabilitation efforts in our military hospitals for our young men and women recently wounded in combat zones.  The one thing that stood out to her about these young men and women is their dedication and devotion to their units.  Regardless of their injuries, some very tragic, they exhibit an overwhelming desire to get back to their units to serve again.  This is characteristic of Marines who have served in combat in battles from days gone by.  Commandant Hicks then entertained questions from the audience. 

National Commandant Helen Hicks presents Detachment's Marine of the Year Award to Spencer Sikder, PDC.

     On behalf of the detachment and Commandant Kreider, Commandant Hicks presented the Marine of the Year award to Marine Sikder.  For his part, Marine Sikder was deeply moved by the recognition and unable to speak for sometime.  He did express his appreciation to the detachment, Commandants Kreider and Hicks.

     The second highlight of the evening was the refreshments sponsored by the Auxiliary.    Members of the Auxiliary were on hand to participate in the meeting as well as ensure the refreshments were readily available.   The honor of having so many dignitaries and the support of the Auxiliary is a reflection of the positive direction our detachment is marching forward.