Oxford News

Marine Corps veterans in the area are being invited to become charter members of a Marine Corps League chapter forming in Oxford.

Bill Brunn, who moved to this area from Findlay, said he was disappointed to find the nearest Marine Corps League chapter is 56 miles away, coming here from a very active group in Findlay. Brunn said the organization is similar to Veterans of Foreign Wars but only for Marines.

"It's the camaraderie," he said.

It's a veterans' organization for Marines, corpsmen and doctors, Brunn said, adding that it "helps keep the Marine spirit going."

He said Marines have a spirit and loyalty that is evident, but also comes out through service in the Marine Corps League.

"Whenever the 'Marine Corps Hymn' is played, you can tell who the Marines are," he said. "They're all standing at attention."

League units help keep that spirit alive through such public activities as participating in parades and services at funerals and by more private efforts as visiting fellow Marines in the hospital or helping to arrange insurance at lower group rates.

"Basically, Marines help other Marines," he said. "We're there for those who come back from Iraq and give them someone to talk to who's been there, done that."

He said they are available for "whatever Marines or Marine families would ask."

League chapters are also involved in youth activities through Young Marines chapters for boys through high school age, offering them physical fitness activities and helping them "learn the military way." There was a youth chapter in Findlay, Brunn said, giving kids from broken homes and others support.

"Nine of 10 began to excel," he said. "They got more respect for others. There was some gang activity (in Findlay). We got some kids out of gangs and on the straight and narrow."

After moving to the area when his wife, Vicki, was named principal of Talawanda High School, Brunn was surprised to find no Marine Corps League chapter in the immediate area.

"I saw a lot of Marine Corps flags around Oxford but the closest (league chapter) is in Clermont County, 56 miles away," Brunn said, adding that he then petitioned the state and national commandants about starting one here.

It took a while, but he has now received authorization to proceed and is looking for interested area Marines to obtain a charter. He will serve as commandant and appoint others to serve in the other six officer positions for the first year. Elections are held every November after that.

He is confident he will find enough interest to form a chapter here and will be able to receive a charter.

"It won't take long," he said.

Any former Marines interested in forming a Marine Corps League here can reach Brunn on his cell phone, at (419) 889-8708, or at home after 5 p.m. at (513) 756-0157.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or bratterman@coxohio.com.