UPDATE: REMINDER ———--------
MONTHLY MEETING, 0900, Saturday, 28 May 2022, Wildomar VFW, 21180 Waite St, Wildomar, CA, 92595.
ALSO, look at our T4T tab (left) recognizing the Western Eagle Foundation for their incredible support. Thanks to Ken Lepore for representing the Det!
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The following MCL update was written by SgtMaj Larock Benford, USMC Retired.
We had a busy month & the same for this Friday & Saturday. On 2 April, we had representation at a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Court of Honor in which we presented a certificate signed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to the Eagle Scout & the parents also receive a certificate from the Marine Corps League. On 16 April, Ed Wiggs, Ken Lepore, & I presented Medals to Murrieta Valley HS MCJROTC Cadets, presented a $300 check to their program, & presented $500 Scholarships to two Cadets.
Friday night, 1700/29 April, is Paloma Valley HS NJROTC’s Awards Night, Ed Wiggs will be on deck presenting Medals & Certificates, & a check to the unit. If you live in Menifee, please try to attend this event. It would be nice to see some red MCL covers & red polo shirts in attendance to show support to the future leaders of tomorrow. Also, this morning, 9 Apr 2022 (Fri) is the West Coast DI Association’s 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament. 0630 – 0800 Breakfast. 0800 Shotgun Start. Legends Golf Club, Temecula. I will be on deck at 0600 to setup our Pop-up Tent. Jim Maloney will be on deck at 0900 to provide supporting fires. Ken Lepore also plans to be on deck. Then, following our meeting, 1300/30 Apr 2022, is the WCDIA 4th Annual Inland Empire DI Call, Temecula Valley VFW Post 4089. We are setting up our Table to promote & sell our products. Doors Open @ 1200, 1300 Chow Commences, 1400 Opening Ceremony, 1430 Events Start. Following our meeting, Larock would appreciate some of our members to head over to VFW Post 4089 to help set-up tables & chairs for the event.
30 March 2022
LOOK IN THE PHOTOS TAB FOR LATEST PICTURES AT THE NATIONAL VIETNAM DAY EVENT HOSTED BY THE TOWN OF MURRIETA!
UPDATE - 25 March 2022, 0130, PST-
The following announcement was written by SgtMaj Larock Benford, USMC (Retired)
We are pictured with 2 of Paul's sons PO1 Matthew Kraxberger & the oldest son Phillip Kraxberger. I am holding Paul's Life Member Card.
Paul Kraxberger's memorial services were held 1400/21 Mar 2022 onboard the Ridgecrest VFW Ship 4084.
Semper Fidelis,
SgtMaj Larock Benford
U. S. Marine Corps (Retired)
14 March 2022, 2200, PST-
The following announcement was written by SgtMaj Larock Benford, USMC (Retired)
MCL Det 1057,
I am sorry to announce that Vietnam War Veteran & former LCpl Paul M. Kraxberger (former JrViceCmdt), passed away yesterday morning, 12 Mar 2022 (Saturday).
Paul was my across-the-street neighbor living with his Navy son Matt. Once I found out he was a Marine, we became good friends. I immediately recruited him in 2016. And in 2017, he became a Life Member & he was elected to JrViceCmdt.
Paul was actively engaged in our detachment as he & I commuted together, often in his new big truck, to our meetings & MCL events, until he had to move hundreds of miles away. This was due to Paul’s son receiving orders up North to Port Hueneme Naval Base & eventually to the East coast. Therefore, they had to sell their home here in Menifee, requiring Paul to eventually move to Weldon, CA, to live with his other son Phil, until he found his own place.
Before long, Paul purchased his own home & lived there with his faithful dog in Weldon until he became too ill, due to cancer. He sold his home, & moved to Las Vegas with his other son Mark. It was there when I drove up to present Paul a Get-Well card signed by our members & some Vietnam Vet memorabilia. That made his day!
Once he became too ill, he was put into a nearby VA hospital. His son Phil brought him back to Weldon to live out his final days at his home under hospice care. I received a call from his son Phil on 9 March, which I got an update on his waning health.
On 10 March Paul & I got to talk to one another. I could tell his passing was coming soon, but that call made my day because I got to talk to my good friend. He was at peace with it & thanked me & you all for allowing him to be part of our MCL Det. I told him, Semper Fi & “We Have The Watch!” He will be missed, may the Marine Corps Gods be with him in Heaven.
Once I get the final details concerning his services, I will let you all know.
Semper Fidelis,
SgtMaj Larock Benford
U. S. Marine Corps (Retired)
--------SEMPER FIDELIS--------
"ONCE A MARINE,.....
ALWAYS A MARINE!"
Join the Marine Corps League
We count among our members, officers and enlisted. We have pounded the ground, flown in the air, saved
lives as corpsmen.
We've stormed the beaches and served at sea. We've worked in personnel and administration, and along the way, through our MOS assignments, we have also found ourselves in communication, logistics, utilities and intelligence.
We've served our nation not only at home but in conflicts in the Pacific, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Nevertheless, our common bond, that which unites us all, regardless of our current stations in life, is that We Are All Marines.
If you want to rekindle that "esprit de corps" that only Marines can share, swap old sea stories, catch up with old friends or make some new friends, we invite you to come to our meetings and see who we are and what we do.
You've already earned the title United States Marine so we'd like to welcome you aboard!
We meet the last Saturday of
every month at 0900 hours,
except in December.
-
-Wounded Warrior Program
-Toys For Tots
-Temecula Valley Young Marines
-6 High School Marine/Navy JROTCs
-Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (semperfifund.org)
-4 Paws 4 Patriots (www.4paws4patriots.org)
-VFW Motorcycle Club - Empire Chapter
-Manzanita Ranch
-Veterans Supplemental Support Network (VSSN)
-The volunteers who collect & donate gowns to Marine Corps Ball attendees at Camp Pendleton
We thank these special groups
for their enduring support:
Wildomar VFW Post 1508
Temecula Valley VFW Post 4089
Stone Church Brewery (Corona, Temecula & Riverside, CA)
Amber Waves of Grain Craft Beer Festival for Veterans
Veterans Supplemental Support Network (VSSN)
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