MARINE CORPS LEAGUE MAKES FIRST 2016 AMERICANISM/FLAG HISTORY PRESENTATION

On February 12, Marines Earle Drake, Dan Fitzpatrick and Jim Mulhern, Leaguers from the General Smedley D. Butler Detachment Americanism team, presented two mini-history programs at the Chester County Youth Center on Wawaset Road in rural Chester County. Also, Marine Joe Conigliaro, a Butler Detachment member who joined the team for the day, gave an overview of Marine Corps Aviation.

The Mission of the Chester County Youth Center is to provide secure, safe custody, to promote the health and well being of youths committed to its care, and to create an environment that fosters social, emotional, intellectual and physical development.

Approximately thirty students, faculty and staff members attended the two programs. Marine Drake gave a flip chart presentation of the history of the flag, showing how the flags that flew over our country changed over time. Marine Dan Fitzpatrick, the Marine Corps League’s Ceremonial Bugler, sounded “To the Colors” and “Retreat” on his horn. Marine Mulhern gave a presentation about the evolution of the United States flag from its earliest days starting with Britain’s St. Georges Cross flag that explorer John Cabot planted in Labrador on behalf of King Henry VII, to our current flag, “Old Glory”. The history of the Pledge of Allegiance was also part of the program.

The General Smedley D. Butler Detachment of the Marine Corps League, headquartered in Newtown Square, provides educational programs for children, historically relevant exhibits in libraries and museums, and Graveside Honor Ceremonies. It also provides financial and other assistance to wounded veterans and their families.

The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923 by WWI Marine hero and then Maj. Gen. and Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, John A. Lejeune. Today the League boasts of a membership in excess of 76,000. Its sponsored programs include Marines Helping Marines, the Youth Physical Fitness Program, the Young Marines of the Marine Corps League, the Veterans Service Officer Program, the Marine Corps League Auxiliary, the Toys for Tots program, the Adopt-a-Highway program, and several scholarships.

U.S. Marine Corps General Smedley D. Butler was born in West Chester and lived much of his adult life in Newtown Square. He spent many of his final years lecturing throughout the country on behalf of veterans’ causes and good government. The general was one of only two U.S. Marines awarded two Medals of Honor for heroism in two distinct military actions.

Shown in the enclosed picture are, left to right, Joe Conigliaro, Charlie Gracie, Jr. the history teacher at CCYC, Jim Mulhern and Dan Fitzpatrick. The photo was taken by Earle Drake.