thedrifter
01-13-08, 09:54 PM
History mix-up with Young Marines uncovered
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Jan 13, 2008 11:17:33 EST
Ready for a 50th anniversary celebration, a group of former Marines in Waterbury, Conn., put out feelers trying to find members of the original class of Young Marines, a youth group that teaches Corps values to kids.
One problem: 2008 marks the 49th anniversary of the Brass City Detachment of Young Marines — even though Young Marines organizers in Washington D.C. and Waterbury have thought for years that the group was founded in 1958.
The error was found after a member of the original group realized that newspaper clippings in the Waterbury Republican-American show the group was founded in April 1959, making 2009 the group’s 50th anniversary.
Janelle Johnsen, spokeswoman for the Young Marines national organization, said Bob LaChance, an original member of the first Young Marines, contacted them and forwarded documentation proving the group’s birth year.
The national organization is now planning to celebrate the anniversary in 2009.
Organizers in Waterbury have not yet decided what to do, but still seek original members for whenever the anniversary celebration is held.
Ellie
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Jan 13, 2008 11:17:33 EST
Ready for a 50th anniversary celebration, a group of former Marines in Waterbury, Conn., put out feelers trying to find members of the original class of Young Marines, a youth group that teaches Corps values to kids.
One problem: 2008 marks the 49th anniversary of the Brass City Detachment of Young Marines — even though Young Marines organizers in Washington D.C. and Waterbury have thought for years that the group was founded in 1958.
The error was found after a member of the original group realized that newspaper clippings in the Waterbury Republican-American show the group was founded in April 1959, making 2009 the group’s 50th anniversary.
Janelle Johnsen, spokeswoman for the Young Marines national organization, said Bob LaChance, an original member of the first Young Marines, contacted them and forwarded documentation proving the group’s birth year.
The national organization is now planning to celebrate the anniversary in 2009.
Organizers in Waterbury have not yet decided what to do, but still seek original members for whenever the anniversary celebration is held.
Ellie