thedrifter
01-29-08, 03:51 PM
Group always faithful to comrades in arms
By: NELSY RODRIGUEZ - The Californian
MURRIETA - Whether it was during the 1950s, 1970s or this decade, these veterans went through the same training. Regardless of their job, they each held a rifle. And whether they actually saw combat, they are all welcome when the Southwest Riverside County Marine Corps League Detachment 1057 invites veterans to their monthly meeting.
With its membership dwindling, Detachment 1057 is seeking new members. Current or former Marines and Navy corpsmen are invited to join the group, which helps veterans with tasks from getting financial aid for dental work and information on home loans to finding a job and earning a high school diploma.
"We're reaching out to those (military personnel) who have recently been separated (from the Corps), because they need guidance," said Don Pechous, the organization's commandant, who especially encourages younger Marines to join. "We need new blood to stir the blood of the older people."
Pechous, a Marine during the Korean War who did not see combat, has been a member of Detachment 1057 for the last seven years. Alongside other aging veterans, Pechous attends the monthly meetings - held the last Saturday of the month at Fire Station 75, 38900 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta - during which they discuss ways to involve themselves in the community, listen to speakers and listen to each other's recollections of military life. Tales of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and now even the Iraqi War circulate from one mouth to the ears of others.
"I really stand in awe of the World War II veterans," said Detachment 1057 administrator, Don Herpy, a Vietnam veteran. "No matter what we did or where we went, we were all trained the same, so coming together as a group, from our different ages, different combat skills and active duty assignments, we come together pretty common(ly)."
While Marines take pride in their unfaltering loyalty, the group's membership is dwindling. They are now down to some 20 members with about a dozen or so who regularly attend meetings, Herpy said. Recently, their chaplain died.
More veterans are finding themselves alone. Camaraderie is something they don't take for granted. Pechous, a widower, said even though many members are from different eras, the commonality of a life in the service gives them a platform on which they build a solid friendship.
"When I think of my best friends, I usually think former Marines," Pechous said. "They always said your best friend was your rifle - you sleep with (it) - but Marines count on each other. They bond forever."
Aside from a couple of hours of reunion, members of Detachment 1057 also look for ways to contribute to the community. They collect presents for Toys for Tots drives and help organize Veterans Day parades.
Now, they are helping create the concept for the future Murrieta Veterans Memorial, and they are always looking for more to do and more help to do it.
"As we are able to grow and gain more members, we're able to have more impact on the community," Herpy said, referencing the work that organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars are able to do for the community. "We're not as big and as grand as that. Maybe someday, we will be."
Contact staff writer Nelsy Rodriguez at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or at nrodriguez@californian.com.
Veterans Group
Southwest Riverside County Marine Corps League Detachment 1057 is a resource organization for U.S. Marine Corps servicemembers and Navy corpsmen. Members can access veterans services such as information on disability pensions, educational benefits, referrals for home loans, drug treatment care, medical and dental care, small businesses, job searches and obtaining high school diplomas.
Members meet on the last Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at Fire Station 75, 38900 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta.
For information about joining, call group commandant Don Pechous at (951) 600-0062.
Ellie
By: NELSY RODRIGUEZ - The Californian
MURRIETA - Whether it was during the 1950s, 1970s or this decade, these veterans went through the same training. Regardless of their job, they each held a rifle. And whether they actually saw combat, they are all welcome when the Southwest Riverside County Marine Corps League Detachment 1057 invites veterans to their monthly meeting.
With its membership dwindling, Detachment 1057 is seeking new members. Current or former Marines and Navy corpsmen are invited to join the group, which helps veterans with tasks from getting financial aid for dental work and information on home loans to finding a job and earning a high school diploma.
"We're reaching out to those (military personnel) who have recently been separated (from the Corps), because they need guidance," said Don Pechous, the organization's commandant, who especially encourages younger Marines to join. "We need new blood to stir the blood of the older people."
Pechous, a Marine during the Korean War who did not see combat, has been a member of Detachment 1057 for the last seven years. Alongside other aging veterans, Pechous attends the monthly meetings - held the last Saturday of the month at Fire Station 75, 38900 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta - during which they discuss ways to involve themselves in the community, listen to speakers and listen to each other's recollections of military life. Tales of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and now even the Iraqi War circulate from one mouth to the ears of others.
"I really stand in awe of the World War II veterans," said Detachment 1057 administrator, Don Herpy, a Vietnam veteran. "No matter what we did or where we went, we were all trained the same, so coming together as a group, from our different ages, different combat skills and active duty assignments, we come together pretty common(ly)."
While Marines take pride in their unfaltering loyalty, the group's membership is dwindling. They are now down to some 20 members with about a dozen or so who regularly attend meetings, Herpy said. Recently, their chaplain died.
More veterans are finding themselves alone. Camaraderie is something they don't take for granted. Pechous, a widower, said even though many members are from different eras, the commonality of a life in the service gives them a platform on which they build a solid friendship.
"When I think of my best friends, I usually think former Marines," Pechous said. "They always said your best friend was your rifle - you sleep with (it) - but Marines count on each other. They bond forever."
Aside from a couple of hours of reunion, members of Detachment 1057 also look for ways to contribute to the community. They collect presents for Toys for Tots drives and help organize Veterans Day parades.
Now, they are helping create the concept for the future Murrieta Veterans Memorial, and they are always looking for more to do and more help to do it.
"As we are able to grow and gain more members, we're able to have more impact on the community," Herpy said, referencing the work that organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars are able to do for the community. "We're not as big and as grand as that. Maybe someday, we will be."
Contact staff writer Nelsy Rodriguez at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or at nrodriguez@californian.com.
Veterans Group
Southwest Riverside County Marine Corps League Detachment 1057 is a resource organization for U.S. Marine Corps servicemembers and Navy corpsmen. Members can access veterans services such as information on disability pensions, educational benefits, referrals for home loans, drug treatment care, medical and dental care, small businesses, job searches and obtaining high school diplomas.
Members meet on the last Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at Fire Station 75, 38900 Clinton Keith Road, Murrieta.
For information about joining, call group commandant Don Pechous at (951) 600-0062.
Ellie