Denise Lott

Elected and appointed officers for 2018 were installed at a ceremony during the East Valley Marines, Detachment 1296, monthly meeting. Pat Connell, Department of Arizona Commandant of the Marine Corps League, was on hand to do the swearing in. Elected officers are Dave Lott (commandant), Dave Minick (senior vice commandant), David Hernandez (junior vice commandant) and Jerry Farro (judge advocate).

Appointed officers were also inducted with Sharon Jackley as adjutant, Mike Bishop as paymaster, Dick Haffner as sergeant at Arms, Kerry Rodgers as chaplain and Doug Patterson as fallen Marine representative.

The unit focuses on holding fundraising events that go toward our Marines Helping Veterans program, with emphasis on Arizona veterans. Each year, we also sponsor a USMC Birthday Ball at Oakwood Country Club. All veterans and friends are invited to attend. This year, it is on November 10. You can visit the website, www.eastvalleymarines.org, in August to download a registration form or sponsorship form.

East Valley Marines welcome visitors and prospective members at their monthly meetings. These are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Bradford Room at the Oakwood Country Club. Check out the website at www.eastvalleymarines.org for more information.