What Makes Us "US"

Meeting Information

  • We meet at VFW Post 8738, 424 Cedarcrest Drive, Lexington, SC 29073, on the third Tuesday of each month.
  • Our meetings start at 1800 with a social mealtime
  • During our social mealtime and our business meeting no alcoholic beverages are allowed in the room
  • Our meal cost is $10.00
  • Members sign an attendance roster
  • All first-time guests at our meetings have their meal free
  • We have a signature corned beef and cabbage meal each March
  • We remember our Detachment founding each July
  • We hold a 50/50 drawing at each meeting with the Detachment portion used in part to fund the scholarship program
  • We recognize birthdays and anniversaries

Detachment Activities

  • We support the annual Birthday Ball by having a special subcommittee of the Detachment that coordinates the activities
  • We support the local USMCR unit with their Toys For Tots program
    • We have volunteers that place and collect toys donation boxes throughout Lexington County
    • We volunteer in the sorting and counting of toys
    • We volunteer in the distribution of the toys
  • We have a Scout BSA coordinator who attends their Court of Honor ceremony to deliver both a MCL certificate as well as a Detachment letter of commendation and a challenge coin to Eagle Scout award achievers
  • We have a Detachment JROTC coordinator who meets with their annual honor cadets and presents them with a MCL certificate as well as a letter of commendation and a challenge coin from the Detachment. We have 7 high schools in our area that have JROTC programs
    • Coordinate with the Senior Instructor (SI) or a representative of the JROTC program at the school on:
      • – Dates and times to prepare and present department and unit awards to their cadets.
      • – Attend upon request school supported events i.e. Veterans Day Ceremonies.
      • – MCL members serve as guest speakers or mentor while sharing experiences on leadership, discipline, and military careers
    • Other ways we can perhaps expand our influence/involvement will be:
      • – Travel Support: Sponsor cadet participation in drill competitions, leadership camps.
      • – Judging Competitions: MCL members can assist as judges or timekeepers at drill meets, inspection days, or academic bowls.
      • – Community Service: Partner with our local JROTC schools and invite their leadership/Cadets to participate in local service projects i.e. Toys for Tots drives, food bank etc.
    • We support the annual Christmas efforts of the Blue Star Mothers
    • We solicit support for our members and other military families sick and or in distress
    • We honor our namesake Medal of Honor recipient Speedy Wilson annually on the Saturday prior to Memorial Day with a graveside traditional “sharing of a beer” per his request
    • We replace American flags on the gravesites of veterans in Woodridge Memorial Park annually on the Saturday prior to Memorial Day
    • We have members in various community outreach programs and solicit donations for those causes
    • We honor our fallen by attending funeral services
    • While not finalized, we are developing a Detachment Scholarship program

Administration

  • Our members – the “redhats” – vote on all significant decisions/items and make the final decision
  • The elected officers of the Detachment hold a monthly trustee meeting to discuss pertinent Detachment topics and the agenda for the upcoming meeting
  • While we would typically wait to vote on a membership application until a month following an initial visit by a guest, there are exceptions:
    • In the case of an Associate member, if they have their application ready and their dues paid, we will swear them in that night
    • On members transferring from another Detachment, we will welcome them that night and pursue the finalization of their transfer documentation
    • On new members who have their DD-214 with them, it has been verified by the Paymaster, and they have paid their dues, we will vote on their membership that night
  • Voting on Detachment and League business
    • Only members in good standing, whether they be Regular members or Associate members, may vote on issues presented during detachment meetings. This means that if an individual’s dues have not been paid, then they are unable to vote.
  • Further, Associate members have additional restrictions regarding the voting process:
    • (a) Associate members shall not vote on a regular or associate membership application;
    • (b) Associate members shall not participate in the nomination process and/or voting for elected officers; and
    • (c) A department or detachment, by provisions in the bylaws and/or administrative procedures, may allow an associate member to vote on its internal affairs if such a vote does not affect a policy of the MCL, such as bylaws or bylaw changes.
  • It has been agreed that prior to any voting situation, an announcement will be made if the issue being voted upon is open to all members, both Regular and Associate, for voting or not.
  • Only the Detachment Commandant or the Detachment Judge Advocate can sign a contract in the name of the Detachment
  • Any correspondence to our Detachment requiring agreement or authorization should only be signed by the Commandant or their designee, with a copy of all such correspondence kept on file, others may recommend or request signature but cannot sign on behalf of the Detachment
  • We prepare an annual operating budget for member voting and approval at each June meeting
  • Our financial records are Detachment-specific confidential information; however, any member in good standing may request to review those records with the Paymaster
  • We hold our Detachment elections each February
  • We present our MOY and AMOY awards, if any, each December
  • Officers and some members attend Department quarterly meetings
  • Officers and some members attend the annual Department state convention, where, based upon our membership numbers, we currently have five (5) delegate votes
  • Several members of the Detachment also hold Department staff-level positions
  • We maintain a Detachment Ship’s Store
  • We maintain a Detachment website that has both a public and a private (members-only) section it
  • We maintain a Detachment Facebook page that is linked to our website.