Cape selected for 2003 convention of Marine Corps League

Members of the Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment of the Marine Corps League have returned from the Department of Missouri Annual Convention in St. Charles.

Cape Girardeau was chosen at the convention as the site for the 2003 state meeting.

In addition, Department of Missouri Commandant David Hunter honored two of the local detachment's members.

Another member, Bill Walker was elected to a department office.

Cape Girardeau and Kansas City detachments made bids for the 2003 convention. Ron Acord and Leonard Spicer made the presentation for the Cape Girardeau detachment's bid, with the final delegate vote overwhelmingly in favor of Cape Girardeau.

Ron MacCubbin, detachment commandant, received the Meritorious Unit Commendation on behalf of the Yarbrough Detachment from Commandant Hunter.

State Rep. Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, and Matt McGill received individual awards for actions during the year. Jetton, a member of the Yarbrough Detachment, was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Medal, Silver for the actions he and state Rep. Pat Naeger R-Perryville, took to rescue Karen Case from her overturned vehicle on Dec. 11, 2001.

McGill was named Department of Missouri Recruiter of the Year and received a Meritorious Commendation for his efforts to help make the Cape Girardeau detachment one of the fastest growing in the Marine Corps League.

Bill Walker, past commandant of the Yarbrough Detachment, was elected and installed as Department of Missouri adjutant.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Lennie Miller, a St. Louis native, was guest speaker at the honors banquet held during the convention. Miller is the last enlisted Marine on active duty who served in Vietnam during the 1968 Tet offensive. He is retiring this year after 36 years of Marine Corps service.