About Marine Corps League Foothills Detachment - We are a group of Marine Corps and Navy FMF Corpsman Veterans who are actively involved.

 

Who Can Join?

The League is comprised of honorably discharged as well as reserve and active duty Marines and FMF Navy Corpsmen with over 90 days of service. Those individuals that want to participate with the Marine Corps League but do not otherwise qualify may join as Associate Members.

The purpose of the Marine Corps League:

The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines and Navy FMF Corpsmen, who proudly wear or who have worn the eagle, globe and anchor of the Corps. It takes great pride in crediting its founding in 1923 to World War I hero, then Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune. It takes equal pride in its Federal Charter, approved by An Act of the Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States of America and signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The League is the only Federally Chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country. Since its earliest days, the Marine Corps League has enjoyed the support and encouragement of the active duty and Reserve establishments of the U. S. Marine Corps. Today, the League boasts a membership of nearly 61,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, Reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine Veterans and qualified Navy FMF Corpsmen and is one of the few Veterans Organizations that experiences increases in its membership each year.

The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected National Staff Officers who serve as trustees. The National Board of Trustees coordinates the efforts of 48 department, or state, entities and the activities of over 900 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and overseas. The day-to-day operations of the League are under the control of the National Executive Director with the responsibility for the management and direction of all programs, activities, and affairs of the Marine Corps League as well as supervising the National Headquarters staff.

The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter and from its annual National Convention held each August in different major U.S. cities throughout the nation. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.

History of the Auxiliary

The Marine Corps League Auxiliary was chartered on September 4, 1937 as a subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League. On August 25, 1950, the Auxiliary was incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia as an affiliate of the Marine Corps League. The Auxiliary was formed for the purposes of promoting the interests of the U. S. Marine Corps, the Marine Corps League and to protect and advance the welfare of Marines and their dependents. Auxiliary members participate in a wide variety of programs that benefit and preserve the fundamental rights and freedoms of every person of this Nation, young and old.

Auxiliary's Purpose

(A) To Preserve the traditions and promote the interests of the United States Marine Corps; (B) To maintain true allegiance to American institutions;HISTORICAL: (C) To hold sacred the history and memory of the men and women who have given their lives to this Nation; (D) To perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts, to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines; FRATERNAL: (E) To create a bond of comradeship between the Auxiliary and the Marine Corps League, Inc.; (F) To aid voluntarily and to render assistance to all Marines and former Marines as well as to their families; (G) To help decorate the graves of all deceased Marines whenever and wherever possible; NAL: (H) To strive for the passage of legislation favorable to the Marine Corps League, Inc. and to the United States Marine Corps and its personnel; (I) To always foster love of Honesty, Loyalty and Truth, and a reverence to our God, Our Country, Our Family and Our Home.

Programs of the Marine Corps League

MARINES HELPING MARINES - WOUNDED MARINES PROGRAM

The program was created to support injured Marine Corps personnel located at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, Brooke Army hospital in San Antonio, as well as the Naval Hospitals at Balboa, Camp Pendleton and elsewhere. The scope of support encompasses; financial, visits from Marine Corps League members, off site day trips to include family outings, dinners, short trips in support of the individual Marines’ needs and professional sporting events as tickets and opportunities present themselves.

YOUNG MARINES OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

A youth program emphasizing honesty, courage, respect, industry, loyalty, dependability, and a sense of devotion to God, country, community and family. The Young Marines program receives funding from Congress and the United States Marine Corps primarily because of their drug interdiction focus on drug education and prevention.

U. S. MARINES YOUTH PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM

The League developed and administers a program that provides a physical fitness regimen that promotes a healthy, drug free life style for elementary and high school students.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

The Marine Corps League has long regarded the program of the Boy Scouts of America as in support of the Preamble of the Constitution of the League. The League supports the Boy Scouts of America as they promote traditional family values to America’s youth. The Marine Corps League participates in Scouting through assistance with units, districts, and councils, in community projects, merit badge programs, and special recognition of Eagle Scouts.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Members of the Marine Corps League fund scholarships through donations from individual members and subordinate units of the Marine Corps League and Auxiliary. Children and former Marines are eligible for academic scholarships for attendance at accredited colleges and universities.

LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

The Marine Corps League is a member of The Military Coalition and participates in National and State legislative issues that affect military readiness, benefits and entitlements of active duty personnel as well as Veterans Benefits programs effecting former and retired Marines.

VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER PROGRAM

The National Headquarters retains a full-time staff member who assists veterans in adjudicating claims against the government as a result of active duty service. Claims are processed through the Department of Veterans Affairs or other appropriate agencies of the federal government.

VETERANS AFFAIRS VOLUNTARY SERVICE PROGRAM (VAVS)

Marine Corps League members contribute thousands of man-hours each year supplementing staffs at VA Hospitals and facilities in providing morale, comfort and assistance to institutionalized veterans.

MILITARY ORDER OF DEVIL DOGS

The fun and honor society of the Marine Corps League.

TOYS-FOR-TOTS

Marine Corps League Detachments in nearly every community take part annually in the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys-For-Tots campaign to raise funds and collect and distribute toys to needy children. In communities where there is an existing Marine Corps Reserve Unit, the League works hand in hand supporting their campaign. In other communities, the Marine Corps League takes the lead, ensuring a successful campaign.

MARINE-4-LIFE/INJURED MARINE SUPPORT PROGRAM

The League works very closely with the Marine Corps’ M-4-L program, providing mentors nationwide. In areas of the country where there is no Marine Corps “point of contact”, the League works directly with M-4-L Headquarters to provide services to transitioning Marines.

ANNUAL CONVENTIONS

Members find the State and National Conventions of the League ideal vacation venues for themselves and family members. Held in a different city each year, many families attend year after year and particularly enjoy the many planned activities and tours related to these get-togethers.