Once A Marine Always A Marine

The Marine Corps has a saying Once a Marine, Always a Marine, which is why a few good men, Mel Golberg, Bill Enell, Jerry Karl, Ira (Hoss) Cartwright, and Jamie Comacho founded the Marine Corps League Ernest G. Familier Detachment of Costa Rica during April 2010.

Their goal was simple, to offer a chance for fellowship and camaraderie to Marines and Naval FMF Corpsman living in Costa Rica, and to give back through service to our adopted country.

The Marine Corps League is not a new idea, and the original Marine Corps League was, founded in 1923 by Major General Lejeune, to preserve traditions, promote ideas of American freedom and democracy, aid and render assistance to Marines, former Marines, their widows, and orphans, promote public service and observe the anniversaries of historical occasions.

The Marine Corps League worldwide now boasts 76,000 active/inactive and FMF Corps. Although, the Costa Rica Detachment of the Marine Corps League may be a new detachment, they are already very active, and as of February 2011, had 42 members with a goal of 80 members by the end of 2011.

They provide a number of services, such as burial details for the families of deceased veterans of all branches, provide information on veterans benefits, and participate in many community activities, such as The Veterans’ Day Memorial Service, Chili Cook Off in Atenas, The Memorial Day Picnic, 4th of July Picnic, and The Marine Corps Birthday Celebration.

As humanitarians, the Costa Rica Detachment is also dedicated to providing community service as evidenced by their involvement in Children’s Day in Costa Rica, assisting the Marine Corps Security Detachment with Toys for Tots, MCL Children’s Christmas Party, and their Get Kids in School Program which provides uniforms, shoes and books for the Infants Home of Pavas, therefore, Do You Know a Marine?

We at the Costa Rica Detachment of the Marine Corps League are looking for a few good men and women Marines and Navy FMF Corpsman to enter our ranks. So join us and be part of something great, ‘The Few, the Proud, the Marines.’

Our meetings are held at 11:00 AM on the second Saturday of every month. Please contact Commandant Bill Enell at mcleaguecr@yahoo.com or visit our MarineCorpsLeagueCostaRica website here.

Once a Marine Always a Marine.

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Written by Karen Slack, MSgt, USMC, ret.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.