Marine Corps Ball Planning Meeting

Marines

I would like to start this email off by introducing myself and all the Marines on the email.  I am Cody Dumont, the Marine Corps League (MCL) Department of NH Commandant. I live in Concord with my wife and children. The other Marines on the email are:

Mike Martioski – Department Adjutant – dpnhmcladj@yahoo.com

Roger Crevier – fresun31@gmail.com (Leatherneck MC)

Richard Toussaint – dicktoussaint@yahoo.com (Jarheads MC)

Dave Dubey – dubeynh318@gmail.com (MCL – Berlin NH)

Gary Gahan – captainsven@hotmail.com (MCL – Manchester NH)

Richard Lak – dick_lak@comcast.net – (MCL – Portsmouth NH)

Len LeBrun – trawen743@gmail.com – (MCL – Lebanon NH)

Cheri Monnell – MarineAmazon@comcast.net – (MCL Milford)

Bob Patenaude – rppatenaude@aol.com – (MCL Laconia)

Meleny Nagy – MCLDetachment734@gmail.com – (MCL Bow)

Ed Knowlton – edknowlton3@gmail.com – (Marines of NH FB Group)

Now that we know each other, I would like to invite each of you to a planning meeting for our 250th Birthday. As this birthday is a milestone for the Marine Corps, I would like to suggest doing something a little different. I don’t want to interfere with the luncheon that goes on in Manchester, they have a great celebration and I hope all can attend. We are still going to have our traditional event at the state house in the morning as we raise the flag over the statehouse, and breakfast afterwards. The difference will be in the evening events for the Marine Corps Ball. In the past, the individual MCL detachments would organize a dinner and dancing event at a local restaurant or event facility. Each detachment would sell its own tickets and would celebrate our birthday separately, this is what I would like to change. Many Marine organizations are planning to have a large Birthday Ball in CT and MA, I am sure they are going to be great and if you choose go to that event. But I know I not going to be driving that far. Here is my suggested plan:

1. I would like to organize 4 to 5 ball locations around NH. The celebration would start at the same time at each location. There would be one set of ticket sales, as a group we can decide where the proceeds go. One ticket would get the attendee into any of the celebrations. The idea would be that the Marine chooses the location at the time of purchase, but we would not have 5 different events, we would have one event in 5 places.
2. The celebrations would connect together via Zoom. The birthday messages would be read and there would be a speaker at each location that would have 5 to 8 minutes to speak. I would like someone from each group to choose a speaker.
3. Each location would have an Oldest and Youngest Marine, and we do the cake cutting essentially at the same time. The leader at each site would introduce the oldest and youngest, and the pause the audio, share the video as the cake is cut.
4. After the ceremonies are complete we will disconnect the zoom, and carry on with the celebration.
5. We would also make the zoom available to any Marine in NH to join in the celebration at home, if they are not able to come. I even would like to find a way to get those Marines a piece of cake and a meal. I hope to add a connection for the Marines in the Veteran’s Home, and other medical facilities around the state.
6. I would like every dollar spent for the birthday to go to the benefit of a Marine or veteran, what does that mean? Let’s find restaurants, Bed & Breakfast or event locations that are owned by Marines. Let’s hold the event at their location. If not a Marine, then a veteran owned facility. I know in my area the Gilmanton Winery & Vineyard is owned by a GySgt, former combat photographer. I suspect each of you know locations that could be a perfect place.

There is a lot to digest in this email, but I think if we work together we can make this celebration one we will all remember and this joint operation could be foundation for many events in the future.

I am going to host a zoom meeting Monday April 7 at 8:00pm. I am choosing 8:00pm to give parents time to get kids into bed and some family time before the meeting. The objective of the meeting is to discuss this plan, modify the high level plan, and then decide if we move forward with the plan. If you know a Marine organization that I have left off this email, please invite that group to the meeting as well. If you cannot attend, please feel free to ask another person in your organization to participate in your place.

I hope all can attend and we can create a monumentous event be one to remember for many years to come.

If you would like to attend this Zoom meeting please email or call Cody Dumont and he will send you the link information.

Semper Fi

Cody Dumont
603.785.2665

mcl_cody_dumont@melcara.com