The Fighting 260

Fallen MCL Member, WWII Woman Marine Mary C. Necko

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:08:58 GMT

Our condolences to the families and friends of WWII Marine Veteran, Mary Necko.

Corporal Mary C. Necko - Born November 14, 1924 Died June 15, 2009

An outstanding and dedicated Woman Marine, Mary Necko was called by the Supreme Commandant Thursday, June 15th 2009.

The family will receive friends Thursday, June 18th from noon until 1 pm at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 pm Thursday, June 18th in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, North Carolina with full Military Honors.

One of the founding members of the Blue Ridge Detachment – Mary transferred to the Greensboro Detachment when her health required her to move to Greensboro last year. Mary was always a delightful person to speak to and was adamant that she wasn’t a Women Marine, she was a Lady Marine. Prim and proper to the bone we all can only remember her for her complete support and dedication to the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps League.

A collection of items from Mary's service in the Marine Corps can be found at the Museum of Women Veterans, UNCG Greensboro, NC. [Click Here]

We will all miss Mary and memories of her will always remain in our hearts. Her legacy will remain an important chapter of The Fighting 260.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association, Post Office Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA. 23058.

The First Annual “260” Luau (Marine Style)

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:57:00 GMT

Detachment 260 held their 1st annual Luau at their June Monday night meeting.

A touch of Hawaii hit the monthly meeting with a island cuisine meal, Hawaiian music, Hawaiian shirts and dresses. The luau theme was simply to get away from it all for one night. The 65 members that showed up enjoyed a great evening with no shortage of camaraderie.

Major Wynn came by to bid his last farewell and introduced us to the new Inspector Instructor, Major Lopez.

The entertainment committee con’d several Marines in to dancing for tips followed by two Marines in Hula skirts raising over 500 dollars for the detachment. I don’t care what anyone says Marines dancing in hula skirts always adds laughter to a crowd. Bill Moss, our resident auctioneer, auctioned several outstanding homemade cakes adding to the funds raised by the party. It was a great evening and will definitely be on the books for future events.

We thank the hard working entertainment committee Oni Bodenhiemer, Lamar Mullis, Debbie Napper for a fun filled evening!

The 260 Memorial Day Flag Raising at Friendly Center

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:37:00 GMT

As part of the annual tradition in Greensboro, The 260 and the staff at I&I Greensboro join in for a flag raising at Friendly Center Shopping Center. Veterans and Patriots attended the ceremony. Major Gregory Wynn, Inspector Instructor I&I Greensboro spoke to the crowd on the importance of Memorial Day.

The above picture is Associate Member Kevin Lucas the 260 staff photographer with Major Wynn. Kevin is the proud father of Adam Lucas one of our dearly remembered Fallen Marines from the Iraqi campaign.

Memorial Day Parade Thomasville NC

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Mon, 25 May 2009 11:42:00 GMT

North Carolina’s Only Memorial Day Parade! Festivities begin with a wreath laying ceremony followed by a parade featuring military dignitaries and equipment. Military displays, Veterans and Patriots filled the streets. Several Marine Corps League Detachments and Marines from I&I participated.

Detachments of the Marine Corps League and the Young Marines participated in the parade every year. Memorial Day in Thomasville also includes a wreath laying, special speakers, a parachute jump and many other activities in Honor of those we remember.

Photo’s by Kevin Lucas

North Carolina Memorial Day Parade

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:46:00 GMT

Memorial Day 2009 Thomasville, this is the only Memorial Day Parade in the State

Thomasville, NC
Downtown

May 25, 2009 Schedule of Events

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Update on the Changes at I&I

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:57:00 GMT

(Left to right Gunny Crawley, Gunny Thompson, Gunny Tall, Major Gregory Wynn)

As many of you are aware there are changes in staff taking place at I&I Greensboro.

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The Fighting 260

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:39:00 GMT

To honor all of those who have fallen in their Detachment the Greater Greensboro Detachment 260 out of Greensboro, North Carolina has voted to change the name of the detachment to the Fighting 260. This decision comes after a unanimous decision of the members and will come effect over the next year.

Bill Moss the founding Commandant supports the change, stating that it is a name most appropriate for the wide range of service of members in the detachment. The 260 currently has a membership of Marines from every conflict since WWII including all current conflicts.

New Greensboro Inspector Instructor

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:44:00 GMT

I&I Greensboro will soon have a new Inspector Instructor, Major Irma Lopez coming from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Major Lopez will replace Major Gregory Wynn a long time contributor to both the Marines in the Triad and the Greensboro community.

History of the Gravel Cruncher

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:18:00 GMT

The Gravel Cruncher originated in 1972 by Bill Moss the founding commandant of The Greater Greensboro Detachment 260 now known as "The Fighting 260". As Bill and a few of his new Marine members were trying to decide what to call the Detachments News Letter they where walking down a gravel road wearing their old "boon dockers" from the Corps, Bill said "Hey Listen" and the only sound was the gravel crunching under their feet, thus the news letter became the Gravel Cruncher.

The Gravel Cruncher has won numerous awards thru the years including the MCL National First Place Newsletter Award for battalion size detachments. The Cruncher once a news letter later became a magazine and now here we are in the 21st century as a syndicated news blog.

The staff of the Gravel Cruncher are now extending their expertise to develop better communications and news reporting for the State of North Carolina and other Marine groups that the League supports.

Purple Heart Stamp re-released

patricia.winsett@mcl260.org — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:26:00 GMT

With the reissuance of the Purple Heart stamp, the Postal Service honors the sacrifices of the men and women who serve in the U.S. military. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president of the United States to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action. The medal is the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made available to a common soldier. The stamp features a photograph by Ira Wexler of one of two Purple Hearts awarded to James Loftus Fowler of Alexandria, VA, who was battalion commander of the Third Battalion, Fourth Marines serving in Vietnam. This stamp was first issued in 2003. This is the fifth issue of the Purple Heart definitive postage stamp.

(Source US Postal Service)