From The Oak Ridge Commandant

Hello and welcome to the Oak Ridge Detachment Website. My name is Brian Brooks and I'd like to tell you a little about us. The Oak Ridge Detachment was founded on September 1st 1986. We are a non profit organization consisting of former Marines, as well as Veterans from other branches of the United States Military who are associate members. Essentially, we carry on the traditions and proud history of the United States Marine Corps while bettering our community through charitable action.

The Oak Ridge Detachment meets at the Moose Lodge in Greenfield at 20 School Street. Our meetings are the first monday of the month from 6 pm to 7 pm, with a social time starting at 5:30. On a month where there is a holiday such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years, it will always be the following week.

We very much enjoy being active in the Veteran Community. We do a lot of fundraising, as we are a non profit organization. The funds we raise go right back into the community through free thanksgiving and christmas dinners with all the fixings, as well as any form of assistance a Veteran or their family may require in times of emergency need. We do however like to verify actual need to ensure our donated and fundraised money is going to a place it is actually needed. We are also currently looking at starting a scholarship program for the children of veterans to attend higher learning opportunities.

If you yourself feel like donating to our Detachment, you may do so up at the top of the page, or you may mail a check to:

Oak Ridge Detachment MCL

P.O Box 544

Bernardston, MA 01337

Please write donation in the memo section, so we can deposit the check in the correct account. Any donations are greatly appreciated and will go a long way towards helping our veteran community!

To our fellow Marines and Veterans, Oak Ridge is always actively looking to increase our ranks. Camaraderie is important to us, and it is the one thing that most Veterans miss most when leaving military service. We hope you will stop by one of our meetings to see what we are all about and consider joining. The first years membership is always free, and so you have nothing to lose. All Marines and Veterans are welcome, upon proof of Honorable Discharge. Thank you, and I hope to have the chance to meet you soon.

Semper Fidelis

Brian Brooks

Commandant, Oak Ridge Detachment #628

About The Oak Ridge Detachment

-Oak Ridge provides military funeral honors to deceased veterans families in our local area.

-We rely on fundraising and donations made, in order for us to give back to the community as we are a non profit organization.

-Oak Ridge collects toys for children in our area, through the Toys for Tots program.

-Oak Ridge likes to partner with DJ Bobby C's fundraisers. This includes his Thanksgiving dinner giveaways and Franklin County Triad Ham giveaways, all to families in need.

-Oak Ridge often gives away Christmas and Thanksgiving Dinners to families in need.

-Oak Ridge enjoys donating to the Building Bridges Veterans Initiative.

-Oak Ridge Detachment now owns a new fair booth at the Greenfield Fairgrounds, located in the outfield. We hope you will stop by to try our Polish food as handed down to us from Jan who previously owned the building as the Polish Kitchen, as well as our hot and sweet sausages, loaded baked potatoes, SOS, Corn chowder and finally our mild and "not so mild" chilli. Proceeds cover costs and the profits go back to worthy causes in our local communities.

-The Oak Ridge Detachment Marine Corps League accepts all Honorably Discharged Marines, FMF Navy Corpsman, and FMF Navy Chaplains. Veterans from other branches are also accepted and entitled to Associate Member status. Verification of Honorable Discharge (final copy if multiple enlistments) is required upon membership application. The first year's membership is free paid for by the Detachment. Dues after the first free year are $35.00.

Fair Booth Update

The Oak Ridge Detachment is fundraising to repair and expand it's fairbooth at the Franklin Country Fairgrounds located in Greenfield. Photos of our progress are located here:

Fair Booth Renovation - Oak Ridge Detachment #628 Marine Corps League

Donations to our non profit are greatly appreciated, and can be sent via the Donate link at the top of the page, or a check may be mailed to:

Oak Ridge Detachment MCL

PO Box 544

Bernardston, MA 01337

About the Marine Corps League

The mission of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interests of and to preserve the traditions of the United States Marine Corps; strengthen the fraternity of Marines and their families; serve Marines, FMF Corpsmen, and FMF Chaplains who wear or who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor; and foster the ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism.

The Marine Corps League as a whole provides funeral honors support to over 10,000 funerals per year. This support allows the Marine Corps (Active and Reserve) to focus more of their resources on mission preparation.

The Marine Corps League also supports the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Semper Fi Fund, Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Mack's Marines, and the Young Marines.

We have several scholarship/award programs including the Merchant Marine Academy Marine-Option Honor Graduate, Marine Corps University LtGen Lejeune (luh-jern) Leadership Award, Delta Dental Scholarship, and college scholarships through the Marine Corps League Foundation.

One of our most critical missions is assisting transitioning Marines and their families in support of the Marine Corps' Marine for Life program.

The Marine Corps League produces a quarterly publication called the Semper Fi Magazine.

We have many programs supporting our Marines, their families, and our community:
Veteran Service Officers (VSO)
Scouting/Eagle Scout Program
Marine Roses Program
POW/MIA Remembrance
Rifle and Pistol Competition Matches
Volunteer Assistance Veterans Service (VAVS)
Color Guards