Semi-Annual BBQ for September 19th, 2009
 
Our second BBQ of 2009 was once again a success and we are already looking forward to 2010. Hank Robson did the grilling (a.k.a Senior Grill Instructor!), and he had help from numerous volunteers, like Kenny Brandon (Jr. Grill Instructor), Joe Hunter, and Nancy Aubitz.  Once again, the BBQ featured half chickens grilled to perfection using Hanks special sauce, baked beans, slaw, rolls, cake and cupcakes with a special cream cheese filling. They were delicious! Stay tuned for information on our Spring BBQ and for mroe information about the upcoming Marine Corps Birthday Dinner. More details to follow. In the meantime, please view the pictures from our most recent event below. 

You are also invited to view other Detachment pictures, courtesy of Jerry Shapley at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=shapleyphotography&target=ALBUM&id=5255979809666853313&authkey=Gv1sRgCIO2h4-p5fj4Lg&invite=CML6zf4I&feat=email 


John Doty greeting (fr. l to r) Owen, Harrison (saking hands) and Jolie


Mapping strategy (fr. l to r): David Beaver; Richard Behr; Ken Merideth (guest); Kenny Brandon; Hank Robson; Bob Cole


Nancy Aubitz and her dessert with US and Marine Corps Flag placement


Fr. l to r: Richard Behr, Ken Merideth (guest); Bob Cole; Nancy Aubitz


Around the table from top left: Bonnie Erceg (guest); Jean and Hank Rosbson; Kenny Brandon; Harrison, Owen and Jolie Bishop


Fr l to r: Anne Hunter; Win (former Navy) and Mary Springs (guests)


Fr. L to R: Bob, Richard, Nancy, Flag, Joe, Kenny, Hank, John, Jerry, and Alex

Semi-Annual BBQ - May 30th, 2009

Our first BBQ of 2009 was a success and we are already looking forward to the next one. Hank Robson did the grilling, and he had help from numerous volunteers, like Kenny Brandon.  Our BBQ featured half chickens grilled to perfection using Hanks special sauce, baked beans, slaw, rolls, cake and home made ice cream sandwiches. Our next BBQ will take place in September at North Cabarrus Park on a Saturday. More details to follow. In the meantime, please view the pictures from our most recent event below. 

You are also invited to view other Detachment pictures, courtesy of Jerry Shapley at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=shapleyphotography&target=ALBUM&id=5255979809666853313&authkey=Gv1sRgCIO2h4-p5fj4Lg&invite=CML6zf4I&feat=email 

   
 
Member David Beaver and his granddaughter Emily.


Senior Grill Instructor Hank Robson making lunch


Kenny Brandon getting ready to serve others


Ronnie Hudgens and Ron Bliss

Special Visit for MCL 1175

We were fortunate to have our NC Detachment Commandant attend our June 1st meeting to install the new slate of officers. Also in attendance with Commandant Dennis Brocklin were Bill Chapman and John Grindel.

Our program for the evening was from Jim Donovan who heads up the USMC War Memorial Flag Detail. Jim spoke to us about his mission, how our detachment is involved, and what the plans are the for the USMC Memorial (pictured on the Home page). We are excited to have such  honored guests!


Fr. l to r.: NC MCL Comm. Dennis Brocklin; Immediate Past Det. 1175  Comm. Joe Hunter; Det. 1175 Comm. Alex Bishop; NC MCL Sr. Vice Comm. John Grindel;  NC MCL Jr. Vice Comm. Bill Chapman.

Toys for Tots Update


Kenny Brandon lead the Detachment for our 2008 Toys for Tots drive to benefit the children of Cabarrus County. This 3 month effort resulted in thousands of toys being donated and collected by MCL 1175. Check back again this fall for more updates and to join our collection efforts.


Kenny Brandon loading up his jeep with Toys





Thank you to everyone who was involved in our 2008 effort collect toys. Your donations, time, and effort did not go unnoticed.

TAX BENEFITS FOR HIRING UNEMPLOYED VETERANS

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009” (the “Act”). Among its many provisions, Section 1221 of the Act amends and supplements Section 51 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to create additional incentives to hire an unemployed veteran in 2009 and 2010.

Effective for 2009 and 2010, the Act includes an unemployed veteran as a member of one of the targeted group for purposes of eligibility for the “Work Opportunity Tax Credit” (WOTC). For definition purposes, an “unemployed veteran” is an individual who (i) has been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces at any time during the 5-year period ending on the hiring date (the day the veteran is hired by the employer), and (ii) is in receipt of unemployment compensation (under State or Federal law) for not less than 4 weeks during the 1-year period ending on the hiring date.

Amount of the Credit:

The credit equals 40% (if the veteran performs at least 400 hours of service to the employer) or 25% (if the veteran performs between 120 and 399 hours of service to the employer) of the first $6,000 in wages (up to a maximum credit per employee of $2,400) paid to the newly hired veteran. An employer may make the WOTC election at any time during the three (3) year period prescribed by law for filing (without regard to extensions) the federal income tax return. An employer may claim the tax credit on Form 5884, Work Opportunity Credit.

Eligibility and Restrictions:

The U.S. Employment Service will notify an eligible employer of their availability for the WOTC. The WOTC will not be available to an employer if the employee had been previously employed by the employer at any time. However, a successor employer will be entitled to the WOTC to the same extent as if they were paid by the predecessor employer.
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Need to be retrained or take college level classes? Check out this bit of news:

College tuition waived for veterans

Birmingham, Alabama – Three organizations are coordinating their efforts to assist those who have served in the military by eliminating the major costs associated with attaining a college degree. Andrew Jackson University (www.aju.edu), Ruth Adkins' Troop Walk (www.troopwalk.com), and Peter Burns' ClubE (www.clubefactory.com) are working together to provide a special program for veterans, particularly those who have recently left active duty.

Ruth Adkins, who dedicated her life post-9/11 to assisting veterans and those serving in the military, happened to see a press release from Peter Burns and ClubE about their partnership with Andrew Jackson University that eliminates tuition for Arizona residents. Adkins and Burns then contacted Don Kassner, president of Andrew Jackson University, and asked if something similar could be done for veterans. Kassner said, 'Absolutely. In fact, our bursar has served in the reserves as had our CEO, so we have a special appreciation for those who have served our country in uniform.'

Through the efforts of Ruth Adkins, Peter Burns and Don Kassner, veterans who are interested in earning one of Andrew Jackson University's eleven online degrees or taking one of the many online certificate programs can almost eliminate the cost of going back to school. Application and enrollment fees, normally $200, are waived and tuition, normally $750 per undergraduate course, is also waived for veterans. Costs are limited to a semester fee of $350 for up to four undergraduate courses, an exam proctoring fee of $30 per course, and textbooks. Discounted textbooks can be found using wecomparebooks.com or e-books are available through the university.

University president Kassner says that those serving on active duty may be eligible for Tuition Assistance from their service branch and should contact the university admissions office to learn about options available to them.

Veterans interested in this special sponsored tuition program are invited to contact Andrew Jackson University directly for more information on courses and programs offered by the accredited online school. Ruth Adkins asks that all questions regarding this special veteran's program be directed to Mr. Kassner's staff as she is leaving soon on a cross-country walk to call attention to the plights of our veterans.

Andrew Jackson University is an accredited, wholly online institution offering master's, bachelor and associate degrees and over twenty certificate programs. Contact them at 800-429-9300, option 1, or by e-mail at admissions@aju.edu .