In keeping with long-standing tradition, dozens of local Marines, former, active and retired, are banding together to form the first ever Coronado Detachment of the Marine Corps League. An official Charter Presentation Ceremony will be held at Star Park on the 22nd of June at 11am, followed by a reception at the VFW. If you are a veteran, know a veteran, or are free because of a veteran, we hope you will attend the ceremony.
Colonel Bill Spittler, a retired Marine said, “We in the Crown City sometimes forget our connection to the Marine Corps with famous Marines like Major General Joseph H. Pendleton, who served as our Mayor from 1928 to 1930. Besides commitment to community service, our detachment hopes to remind us all of the long and honorable legacy.”
Colonel Chris Ellinger, an active duty Marine stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego said, “Our small band of Coronado Marines asked the question ‘why is there no Marine Corps League in Coronado?’ With the Corps’ rich San Diego history dating back to the early 1900s and a large contingency of Marines stationed at the Recruit Depot, North Island and the Amphibious Base, it is time for Coronado to have its own Marine Corps League Detachment. Our goal is to unite former, current and future Marines through camaraderie, shared traditions and community involvement.”
The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923 by then Major General John A. Lejeune, and its federal charter was officially established by an Act of the 75th Congress and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937.
The Marine Corps League currently boasts a membership of more than 60,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, Reserve Marines, Marine Veterans, Navy FMF Corpsmen and Navy FMF Chaplains.
Members of this Coronado Detachment will join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps. They will band together those who are now serving and those who have been honorably discharged from the Marine Corps that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy. They will voluntarily aid and render assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.
