Marine Corps League Week

WHEREAS, the Marine Corps League was founded by Commandant Major General, John A. Lejeune in 1923 and was chartered by an Act of Congress on August 4, 1937; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Marine Corps League is to preserve the traditions and interests of the United States Marine Corps, and to band those who are now serving and those who have been Honorably discharged together in fellowship, so they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, the Marine Corps League serves to foster love for the principles which they have supported by blood and valor since the beginning of the Republic, to hold sacred the history and memory of the men and women who have given their lives to the Nation, to maintain true allegiance to American institutions, to create a bond of comradeship between those in the service and those who have returned to civilian life, to aid voluntarily and to render assistance to all Marines and Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen and Chaplains – as well as their families, widows, and orphans – and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Department of the Marine Corps Leagues was chartered on July 1, 1985, and since that time has grown to encompass the width and breadth of the state with Detachments in Anniston, Athens, Auburn, Birmingham, Daphne, Dothan, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Gulf Shores, Hoover, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Alabama and their subordinate detachments sponsor three Young Marine Programs located in Huntsville, Madison and Anniston and four Devil Dog Pounds; and

WHEREAS, the roster of the Marine Corps League membership has swelled to over 1,000 members throughout the state of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Alabama will meet together in the Capital City of Montgomery in June 2014 to conduct the business of the Department, to host an official Order of the Devil Dog Growl; to recognize and honor those Marines who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, and to fellowship together as Marines in past and present:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim June 2 – 8, 2014, as

Marine Corps League Week

in the State of Alabama, and salute the courage and sacrifice of the members of the United States Marine Corps and the Fleet Marine Force Corpsman and Chaplain Veterans who live and work in the state of Alabama.