Shiretown receives new U.S. Marine Corps detachment

Pioneer Times photograph
SWORN IN — Officers sworn in Feb. 20 with the new U.S. Marine Corps Detachment were, from left, David Rowe, chaplain; Berny Reece, adjutant/paymaster; Edward Lake, commandant; Matthew Quint, judge advocate and Howard Hickman, sergeant at arms. Other officers absent from the photograph are George Schools, senior vice and William Marciniak, junior vice.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — The Shiretown now has a new U.S. Marine Corps League Detachment.
    During a Sunday, Feb. 20 ceremony, officers and members were sworn in as The Aroostook County Marine Corps League Detachment 1368. They were chartered as part of The Marine Corps League of the United States of America and The State of Maine.
    “I am sure the Department of Maine will be pleased and very happy with your accomplishment,” said Bob Delong, New England Commandant. “Remember, as you did in the Corps, we are all brothers.”
    The U.S. Marine Corps Detachment was created from Eddie Lake’s interest in forming a group after seeing the Bangor Detachment outside of Sam’s Club.
    “They had a table set up for a fundraiser, with their uniforms on, banner and flags,” said Lake. “I was impressed with that and thought I have to be part of this.”
    A Bangor member gave Lake an application to fill out to join the Bangor Detachment, as well as the number of State Senior Vice Commandant Richard Vargas.
    “Richard, in turn, got a hold of me and wanted to know if I would be interested in getting a Detachment going up here,” Lake explained.
    Lake then got in touch with another Marine, Berny Reece, and asked if he would be interested.
    “Berny being Berny,” Lake said, “was willing to get on board. From there, it just escalated.”
    Behind-the-scene phone calls and leg work started in late October and the U.S. Marine Corps Detachment is a full fledged chapter just four months later.
    “State officers couldn’t believe we got the turnout of people and did enough work to get up and going,” Lake said. “It usually takes six months for all of that to happen. But, we were pumped and ready to go.”
    U.S. Marine Detachments are known for their affiliation to Toys for Tots, along with parades, scholarships and generally helping each other.
    “We are still new at everything,” Lake said. “Yet, we are willing to get things going. We are excited and we want to get started to where we can help out the community itself.”
    Currently, the newly formed Detachment has 23 members and 16 more prospects.
    “It’s open to any Marine who was honorably discharged and doesn’t have a felony,” said Lake.
    Officers are Lake, Commandant; David Rowe, chaplain; Berny Reece, adjutant/paymaster; Matthew Quint, judge advocate, Howard Hickman, sergeant at arms; George Schools, senior vice and William   Marciniak, junior vice.
    Members of the U.S. Marine Corps Detachment are Edward Fitzpatrick, Andrew Marciniak, Joe Tompkins, Peter Drew, Alan Jones, Douglas MacDonald, Robert Smith, George Fitzpatrick, Joe Tompkins, Jr., Steven Graham, Russell Radatz, Douglas Guerrette, Mike Brewer, Jerry Levine, William Shaughnessey, Paul Deveau, and Bernard McMann.
    For anyone interested in joining, contact any officer or member to get an application.
    “They may turn in the application to us and then they will be sworn into the League,” Lake said.
    About 26 members and guests participated in the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday in the Community Room at the John A. Millar Civic Center. After the ceremony, participants enjoyed pizza and soda.
    “I’m thankful for everyone who showed up,” Lake said. “It’s a great time.”