Marines celebrate 25 years of "camaraderie"

Feb. 26—The Marine Corps League (MCL) Bluegrass Detachment #1012 honored the founding members of the Bluegrass Detachment at their 25th anniversary celebration.

The celebration marked the day that the Bluegrass Detachment #1012 became a chartered 501©(4) Veteran's Service Organization in Richmond. A big spaghetti dinner was held at the Madison County Veteran's Center as a show of gratitude.

The multi-generational gathering featured Marines who served during the time of the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Cold War, Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terror. Several of the members are combat veterans.

One of those combat veterans is Jonathan Coyle, a young Marine who had previously been deployed in Afghanistan.

He recalled that he grew up dreaming of a life of military service, demonstrated by his love of playing Army, target practice with his BB guns, and wearing Army fatigues.

However, Coyle noted that what drew him to the Marine Corps was the "heritage and camaraderie" of the organization.

"Everybody knows who they are," he remarked.

Coyle explained that it can be difficult to retain the feeling of "brotherhood" in everyday life after active service. However, he says he's regained that connection after joining the local MCL.

"It brings the camaraderie back," he said. "Because we all have the same kind of sense of humor. On top of that, other members have great stories... What they could do back then is something that nobody can do now."

That's exactly why Vietnam veteran Craig Pyles worked to charter this branch of the MCL 25 years ago.

Joining the Marine Corps was a legacy begun by his father, Pyles said, as he served in World War II.

Pyles described his global travels in the Marines as "a kind of education you couldn't get any other way" and "an experience that stays with you the rest of your life."

Even though he was shot in combat, says that he wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

After 13 years in the service, he retired to focus on his family.

"The only reason I didn't stay a full 20 [years] was I started having family come along. The thing about being a Marine is you have to go on a lot of deployments aboard ship. You're going all over the world, and it's hard to raise a family that way, he explained.

While Pyles's own experience as a Vietnam veteran varies wildly from Coyle's, the MCL gives them both a place to share stories and revel in the lifelong brotherhood the Marines provide.

"I've been with it [MCL] since the beginning, and we've gone through our ups and downs. Now the organization has matured, and we are bringing in these younger guys now, and they're doing really well," Pyles said.

He said he's "tickled to death" with the direction of the MCL and is very proud of the project the organization is completing and the improvements that have been made throughout the years.

In the past 25 years, the organization has become a beloved part of the community, working to benefit the lives of veterans and the community.

For example, the Richmond MCL has provided numerous Color Guard services for parades in Richmond, Berea, and Irvine as well as annual Memorial Day and Veteran's Day Ceremonies throughout Madison County for the past 25 years.

According to Commandant Fred Baker, members of the MCL have also provided hundreds of Military Funeral Rights for Veterans throughout the Bluegrass Region as part of the Madison County Veteran's Committee Honor Guard and as an all-Marine Honor Guard.

Through various fundraising efforts and donations, the MCL has awarded thousands of dollars in college scholarships to local high school junior ROTC Cadets as well as to Marines, their spouses, and children pursuing advanced education and vocational training.

The MCL also provides assistance at Grace Now Food Bank in downtown Richmond for their Veteran's Service Saturday food distribution. As part of the Madison County Veteran's Committee, the MCL also joins with other veteran organizations to support Veteran needs and interests in the community.

After partnering with the other founders to build this legacy, Pyles is now looking forward to enjoying the fruits of his labor and letting others run the show.

"I'm just glad I've done what I could do and for all the years I spent as commandant," he said. "I'm so happy to turn it over and let these other guys run with it, you know? and I can just sit back and enjoy it."

Membership in the MCL is open to active or honorably discharged Marines and to Navy Corpsmen and Chaplains who serve or have served in the Fleet Marine Force. You can learn more and contact the MCL on their Facebook page, "Marine Corps League Bluegrass Detachment #1012".