ZERO TOLERANCE

Chapter Policy

Chapter 172 has always had a “zero tolerance” policy toward violence, threats, intimidation and aggressive behavior. No one either members or guest should feel uncomfortable at any Chapter event whether it is at the Chapter Home or at a different location. Let’s face it we are all a little long in the tooth and most of us have for the most part have settled down.

Recently when two members began with threats and aggressive behavior Chapter President Roger Krueger politely told them that they were no longer allowed in the Chapter and showed them the door.

Roger is to be congratulated for putting a face on this policy and insuring that the Chapter is a comfortable place to be.

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Chapter Steak Feed Another Success

Saturday, September 15 the Chapter held its annual Adult Picnic also called  the steak feed at the Mt. Savage Fire Hall, and as always it was a huge success. A pat on the back to everybody who worked and made it what it was. The fire hall is a great facility and the good folks who operate it go out of their way to help make our event nice.

The 50/50 drawing worth $333 dollars to some lucky person has not as yet been claimed the winning number is 3133470 check your tickets you have until October 15 to claim your winnings. If it is not claimed we will add that amount on to the 50/50 drawing at the Christmas Party December 1^st.

Speaking of the Christmas Party have you made your room reservation yet with the Rocky Gap Lodge? Also, don’t forget to pay for your ticket(s) $20 each at the Chapter office.

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This story says it all.  A true hero and great leader!

General Peter Pace - Marine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, hero, an American Fighting Man - recently visited Iraq and sought out the platoon he once led into combat during the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam...to hang out with his brothers one last time before leaving the service.

Gen. Pace, 2nd platoon reunited

Sept. 5, 2007; Submitted on: 09/05/2007 11:10:19 AM ; Story ID#: 200795111019
By Cpl. Ryan Blaich, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD)

KARMAH, Iraq (Sept. 5, 2007) --  Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace, made a unique visit to Marines stationed here, Sept. 4. As far as meetings with four-star generals usually go, this event was much less formal. It seemed more like a gathering of relatives, a way for Gen. Pace to connect the hardened war fighters of today to the heroes of his past. It was evident he saw himself, and his old unit, in the Marines who stood in front of him.
 
Nearly 40 years have passed since then 2nd Lt. Pace first stepped into a combat zone as a platoon commander. The year was 1968 and the battle was infamously known as the Tet Offensive in Vietnam. It was there he battled against communism and the hand of fate, which made a profound impression on Gen. Pace's commitment to country and Corps. The event marked a time in his life never to be forgotten throughout his career as a Marine infantry officer.
 
Decades later and less than a month before he retires from office, Gen. Pace returned to the battlefield to join the same platoon of Marines he led into combat as a final salute to the Corps and to those who have ever served in 2nd platoon, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
 
Gen. Pace stood stoically in front of men who have seen many recent battles, some just weeks prior. He shared much of his past with them as they stood silently, gathered around weight benches and dumbbells at their outpost, known as Observation Post 3, near downtown Karmah. Only the hum of a lone generator could be heard as Gen. Pace not only recalled the full rank and names of the men who perished under his command, but his fight to make sense of it all as well.
 
"Guys to the left of me got shot. Guys to the right of me got blown up and nothing happened to me at all. I didn't understand that. I got out of Vietnam without even a scratch on me," Gen. Pace said. "But, I made a promise to myself back then that I would continue to serve in the Corps, in their memory, and try to do my job out of respect for them."
 
Gen. Pace said he would only retire after he stopped getting promoted, and in his words, "It worked out OK."...

Read the rest to understand what a devasting blow to the military and the US Marine Corps that the PC police and the media have given us.

...Most people would agree it worked out a little better than OK.
 
On Sept. 30, 2005, Gen. Pace was appointed to his present position, making him the first Marine to ever serve as the president's top military advisor. He also serves as the military advisor to the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council and the Department of Homeland Security. Until recently, no other Marine had ever made it to vice chairman, except Gen. Pace.
 
Despite the long list of successes on Gen. Pace's resume, he never forgot where and with whom it all started.
 
"After just over 40 years of service, when I do get out, I will still owe the Marines of 2nd platoon, Golf Company, more than I could ever repay," he said. "I'm so proud to be here with you."
 
The platoon seemed in awe, almost speechless by his visit. Maybe they were trying to digest the idea of a top-ranking, four-star general who humbly made it his priority to meet each of them individually, hand out coins and take personal photographs while thanking them for their sacrifices.
 
As Marines maneuvered around the outdoor gym for a group photo with the most distinguished member of their platoon, Gen. Pace said, "I'd love to be able to show my guys from Golf, 2nd platoon, your picture. I know they'll be proud of you," referring to the Marines of his Vietnam platoon, who he still visits.
 
It is this close knit bond between Marines, officers and enlisted, which Gen. Pace said is the foundation to the health of the Corps.
 
After each Marine had their photograph taken with the general, got their coin and asked their questions, he had one final gift to give, a knife. Both symbolic and traditional, the K-bar knife has been a staple of Marine combat gear for generations. It was this he chose to bestow upon the latest platoon leader of 2nd platoon.
 
"I wanted to give you this. From one 2nd platoon leader to another," he said. "Out of respect for who you are, out of envy for your future time in our Corps and out of envy for your opportunity to lead these Marines."
 
1st Lt. Chad Cassady, a former sergeant, was the proud owner of the new knife and said he felt privileged to receive such a gift from a man he has long respected. Cassady had met Gen. Pace nearly two years ago at the Marine Corps Ball ceremony, not long after Gen. Pace was elected to chairman. He did not think their paths would ever cross again.
 
"I didn't think I'd ever see him again," Cassady said. "I never could have imagined we shared a connection."
 
Cassady does not plan to use the weapon in combat, but instead will proudly display the grand memento in his house. Not everyone there got a K-bar, but perhaps was able to take away a sense of belonging.
 
As the platoon's corpsman, Seaman Kyle Bourgeois, put it, "I just feel fortunate."
 
Silent admiration filled the eyes of lance corporals and captains alike and everyone present received something less tangible than a steel blade or a metal coin. Gen. Pace was handing to each of them an item that never fades or gets dull; a sense of pride and the relentless will to succeed.
 
The bonds formed and shared between Marines, units, and platoons are timeless.
 
"Forty years from now, you'll remember these officer's names and they'll remember yours," Gen. Pace said. "A lot of stuff is going to happen between now and then. You are going to have a lot of experiences, most of it is going to be a blur, but you remember this, you'll remember each other and I'll bet you, you'll find ways to get together."
 
"It'll be very difficult for me to walk away," he said. "I was shaking hands the day before yesterday in Afghanistan and a soldier came through and said, 'Sir, thank you for your service. We'll take it from here.' As I look at you, that's spot on. You have taken it."

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Can't believe that a Marine would wear such a thing!!!  We don't have to turn in the shirts that we already have.

-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------

Subject: FW: U S Navy Directive 16134 Inappropriate T-Shirts.doc 

 U S Navy Directive 16134 Inappropriate T-Shirts.doc

 The following directive was issued by the commanding officer of all naval installations in the Middle East, and it was obviously directed at the Marines.

  To: All Commands  Subject: Inappropriate T-ShirtsRef: ComMidEast For Inst 16134//24 K, All commanders promulgate upon receipt. The following T-shirts are no longer to be worn on or off base by any  military or civilian personnel serving in the Middle East:

       "Eat Pork Or Die" [both English and Arabic versions]

 a.. "Shrine Busters" [Various. Show burning minarets or bomb/artillery shells  impacting Islamic shrines. Some with unit logos.]

  b.. "Napalm, Sticks Like Crazy" [Both English and Arabic versions]

 c.. "Goat - it isn't just for breakfast any more." [Both English and  Arabic versions]

 d.. "The road to Paradise begins with me." [Mostly Arabic versions but some in English. Some show sniper scope cross-hairs]

 e.. "Guns don't kill people. I kill people." [Both Arabic and English versions]

 f.. "Pork. The other white meat." [Arabic version]

  g.. "Infidel" [English, Arabic and other coalition force languages.]

 The above T-shirts are to be removed from Post Exchanges upon receipt of this directive. In addition, the following signs are to be removed upon receipt of this message:

 a.. "Islamic Religious Services Will Be Held at the Firing Range At 0800 Daily."

 b.. "Do we really need 'smart bombs' to drop on these dumb bastards?"

 All commands are instructed to implement sensitivity training upon receipt.

 Mr. Timothy J. Inman GS11                                            
Air Force Engineer & Technical Services
DS N: 896-6621  Comm. (623) 856-6621

 Ok, admit it, you all want to know where to order some of these shirts…yes you do!

Another Opinion

‘Right to Carry’ Laws may be right answer

Lloyd “Pete” Waters

I have been reading lately that Hagerstown has been really concerned about those released prisoners being left at the local bus station for their trip home.

Instead of taking their seat on the bus, many local citizens, including the mayor, have suggested that many released prisoners have elected to remain in Hagerstown as opposed to returning back to Baltimore or other jurisdictions.

Maryland Public Safety Secretary Gary Maynard and others, who have studied the problem conclude that prisoners from the metropolitan area should now be released from a facility in Baltimore. The citizens of Hagerstown can now offer a happy sigh of relief.

Eureka! Problem solved Crime will be reduced and everyone can live happily ever after, and none of these hooligans will ever come back to Hagerstown.

And the Easter Bunny is a turtle.

You might feel all warm and fuzzy about this solution and think that you have resolved something, but I doubt seriously that anything has been fixed.

Certainly, if criminals can make their way to  Hagerstown from New York and Florida, I cannot imagine them having too much more difficulty making the ride up the road from Baltimore.

I bet the parole agent in Baltimore cannot tell you on any given day the whereabouts of their released clients. Remember Secretary of public of Public Safety Mary Ann Saar’s proposal at one time, where she wanted to pay the parolee $25 to show up for his monthly parole meeting? Wonder why she wanted to do that?

Remember also the fellow from Frederick who came to Hagerstown and is accused of snatching the little girl from her bedroom not long ago?

While I was examining a few other methods to address the crime problem that obliviously concerns you, I came across the Florida state legislature’s bill that led to the passage of the “Right to Carry” firearms for all law abiding citizens who might apply for a permit in that state.

Yes, I know what you are thinking.

There were many predictions of doom and gloom offered by the opponents of the bill in Florida, too. Accidents will happen, vigilante justice would surface, and the passage would lead to all sorts of tragedies.

But, something strange happened in Florida. The “Right to Carry” bill was endorsed by many sheriffs, police chiefs and other law enforcement officials. The bill passed and became law in 1987.

And guess what?

None of those doom and gloom predictions have occurred. Some 1.2 million firearms permits have been issued and only 157 revoked. Proponents of the bill have suggested that crime has been reduced as a result of its passage. In 2003, the New Mexico Supreme Court upheld a “Right to Carry” law in that state.

Shortly afterward, Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri adopted similar laws.

Nebraska, Kansas and Ohio are the most recent states to pass “Right to Carry’ laws.

Some 40 states are now considered “Right to Carry’ states – 36 of these states have “shall issue” laws that require the applicants to meet certain uniformed guidelines which have been developed by those respective state legislatures.

An application is usually made by the individual, a background check is performed and training completed.

While many states are confronting crime by permitting law-abiding citizens to apply and carry firearms Maryland’s conservative posture in regard to “Right to Carry” laws is significantly more restrictive. Wyatt Earp would have a problem getting a permit in this state. Are we then smarter or dumber in regard to a majority of states combating crime?

If our local representatives are truly concerned about the brazen criminal acts in our community and preventing them, then perhaps some brave political representative might examines some of the information contained in this column, especially in the state of Florida and pursue a similar law in Maryland.

Permitting law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their property is after all paramount to public safety. They might also want to review the ‘Stand your ground” law that Florida passed in 2005 in regard to defending your personal livelihood and property from criminal intrusion.

As our society becomes increasingly more violent with guns in the hands of people like Seung hui Cho, the Virginia Tech murderer and Paul Devoe, who is suspected of killing the elderly lady in Chambersburg, maybe it’s time to rethink our position in Maryland on providing more protection to our citizens through a “Right to Carry’ law.

Look a good posse, you might feel happy that you have chased some of the bad guys out of town, but in all reality, just like the smart sheriff of Tombstone is aware, you better know the bad guys can come back at any time.

For now, you might want to sleep with one eye open – and hope you can run fast if someone shows up at your door with a gun.

Lloyd “Pete” Waters is a Sharpsburg resident who writes for The Herald Mail. Reprinted here with the permission of the Hagerstown Herald Mail newspaper.

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I Had an Experience

This past week August 17^th my grandchildren were in town for Georgia. We decided to take them swimming at Rocky Gap, the weather was perfect. My wife, daughter, granddaughter and two grandsons went to the lake for a picnic and a swim. We went to the cove at the north beach which was fairly crowded when we got there around noon. So anyhow we took our cooler (soft drinks only) blankets and chairs to the beach and set up our area.  After we had been there a few minutes and were settled in I began to survey the beach and hillside everybody was having a grand time lots of barbeques and kids, lots of kids, did I mention lots of kids? Within a few seconds one thing became very apparent to me (us) we were the only English speaking people in the area. That’s right. This is no exaggeration we were the only non-Hispanics out of about seven or eight-hundred people.

            Now, this is where my education began, we did not pack up and leave, everything seemed cool. There was a continuous soccer game on the hillside directly behind us. The teams had uniforms, referee’s, cheering sections, the whole works. It was actually very nice. There was no profanity; no teenagers making out and all of the swimming suits were very decent. With all of the people I didn’t see a single tattoo I was looking for gang tats, there were none. There were lots of parents and they were keeping an eye on their children, for that matter all of the children.

            So now I am interested, and I start looking closer. I did not see a single bottle of beer anywhere as a matter of fact everybody but us seemed to be drinking water. All in all it was a nice day. At no time did we feel uncomfortable or threatened in any way.

            I am not sure what this all means but, maybe we do have room for the decent people. Just maybe the melting pot is doing just fine and some things aren’t as bad as they seem. 

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Children’s Christmas Party Cancelled

Due to some logistical problems and lack of interest the Chapter Children’s Christmas party has been cancelled, mainly because most of our children have aged out.

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CHAPTER OFFICE NEWS

FROM BARB & SUSAN

Well September is over and everything in the office has been going great.  We would like to thank everyone who has been in the office and taken advantage of our specials.  We have had a lot of compliments on the new look in the office.  If you have not been in yet stop by and see all of the new merchandise.  Things are always changing.

Wow, can you believe it, October already.  That means Christmas is just around the corner, unbelievable.  Start your Christmas shopping with our special for the month of October, 30% off all coffee mugs (excluding clearance).  And you never know when we just might throw in another special that is not announced, especially on a Thursday and Friday.  So stop in the office to take advantage of all the savings.

I hope everyone has been watching the paper for our ads in “Spotlight on Businesses”.  They are always at the bottom of the ad and every 22 day we have the big center ad.  The last center ad we had was great and it helped to generate business in the office.  It is amazing how many people still do not know we are here. 

Watch for our Holiday window displays.  Fall, Halloween and Christmas are fun times of the year for decorating the window. 

OCTOBER OFFICE SPECIAL

30% OFF COFFEE MUGS

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