The Marine Corps has deployed in Carroll County.
On Nov. 10, the Carroll County Detachment of the Marine Corps League was granted its charter by the Department of Maryland Marine Corps League. The group had its first official meeting Dec. 7 at the Westminster American Legion Post on Green Street.
"We were lucky enough to get our charter on the Marine Corps' birthday," said Mike Owens, commandant of the Carroll County Detachment. "We started meeting hit or miss in April, trying to get people interested and seeing how many we had that wanted to be a part of the thing."
After a solid core of about a dozen veterans turned out at informal meetings, the group applied for and received its charter.
"In January we'll have all of our stuff for tax-exempt things so we can start having fund-raisers," Mr. Owens said.
"We raise money to go to scholarships and to help the needy, mostly former Marines, but if somebody really needs a hand, we'll do what we can."
The Marine Corps League is a veterans organization of the Marine Corps, chartered by Congress in 1937. All Marines -- men and women, active, honorably discharged, reserve, retired -- are welcome to join.
The league observes national holidays and events of significance to Marine history, such as the anniversaries of the founding of the corps or the landings at Guadalcanal and Danang.
Members also receive a quarterly Marine Corps League magazine and benefits, such as group insurance plans, scholarships, career assistance and discounts on travel and accommodations.
The Carroll County Detachment requires a $25 application fee, and then the membership votes whether to accept the the applicant. Meetings are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at the Westminster American Legion hall.
Mr. Owens said that members of the Carroll detachment include people from Hanover, Pa., and Frederick and Baltimore counties. Later, as the group grows, members hope to start an auxiliary and associate memberships.
"Hopefully, when they join, they'll want to come to meetings and get involved with activities," Mr. Owens said.
Other Carroll detachment officers for 1995 are: Ed Hyson, senior vice commandant; Melvin Long, junior vice commandant; Susan Eyler, paymaster; Robert Brown Sr., adjutant; Kenneth Carter, judge advocate; Joseph White, chaplain; and Robert Brown Jr., sergeant-at-arms.
The group's next meeting will be Jan. 4. For information, call Mike Owens at 848-0972 or Ed Hyson at 775-2302.