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Once a Marine ...... always a Marine.

River Valley Detachment #1248
Fort Smith, Arkansas

"The Marines have landed and the situation is well in hand." — Richard Harding Davis "The difficult we accomplish with ease. The impossible takes a while." "I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world." — General Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army "At Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue." — Admiral Chester Nimitz, U.S. Navy "It cannot be inherited nor can it ever be purchased. You and no one alive can buy it for any price. It is impossible to rent and it cannot be lent. You alone and our own have earned it with your sweat, blood and lives. You own it forever — the title: United States Marine." "Not as lean, not as mean, but still a Marine." "The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight." — Major General Frank E. Lowe, U.S. Army "You earned the title 'Marine' upon graduation from recruit training. It wasn't willed to you, it isn't a gift. It is not a government subsidy. Few can claim the title, no one may take it away. It is yours forever." — Tom Bartlett, Leatherneck Magazine "And they live tradition; the United States Marine bears upon his shoulders the nation's past and the nation's hope for the future." — Hanson W. Baldwin "Come on you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?" — Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly "Once a MARINE, always a MARINE." "I proudly served my country in a noble cause. I never faltered. I made personal sacrifices to keep my nation free. Brave Marines of the past are proud of me. I am one of the few and the proud. I am a Marine." "You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth — and the amusing thing about it is, they are." — Father Kevin Keany, 1st Marine Division Chaplain, Korean War "Through this hatch will pass the finest, most respected fighting man in the world: A United States Marine." "All men are created equal, then some become Marines." "Adapt. Improvise. Overcome." "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem." — President Ronald Reagan, 1985 "Civilians cannot and will not understand us because they are not one of us. The Corps — we love it, live it and shall die for it. If you have never been in it, you shall never understand it." "The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps." — Eleanor Roosevelt, 1945

Detachment Chaplain Services Available

River Valley Detachment #1248's Chaplain, Chris Remaley, as all Marines do, takes his duties very seriously and carries them out faithfully.

He has instituted many services he and several Detachment volunteers perform for Marines and their families. Chris and Detachment volunteers are always available to perform tasks which the Marine or his family members may not be capable of performing, i.e. errands, household chores, yard care, etc. Detachment members visit hospitalized Marines and make in-home visits during recuperation.

In the event of a Marine's death, our Chaplain or a volunteer is available to assist the family in obtaining Veterans' Benefits, planning for military honors for the funeral, helping with pall bearers, funeral home visits and other services, depending on the needs of the family.

If requested by the family, our Detachment will provide an Honor Guard to guard the Marine's casket during visitation hours at the funeral home. Also, upon request of the family, the Chaplain will conduct a Marine Corps League funeral if the deceased Marine was a League member.

In all cases, if requested, we will provide an Honor Guard, rifle salute, playing of Taps and folding and presentation of the Flag and Marine Corps memorabilia to the next of kin. We also do everything in our power to grant any other requests by the family and are available for follow-up after the funeral.

Marines take care of their own.

©2010 Ryan Stockwell for Marine Corps League Detachment #1248
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