 MARINES
HELPING MARINES - WOUNDED MARINES PROGRAM
The program was created to support injured Marine Corps personnel
located at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland,
Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, Brooke Army
hospital in San Antonio, as well as the Naval Hospitals at
Balboa, Camp Pendleton and elsewhere. The scope of support
encompasses; financial, visits from Marine Corps League members,
off site day trips to include family outings, dinners, short
trips in support of the individual Marines’ needs and
professional sporting events as tickets and opportunities present
themselves. [ http://www.marineshelpingmarines.org/ ]
 YOUNG
MARINES OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
A youth program emphasizing honesty, courage, respect, industry,
loyalty, dependability, and a sense of devotion to God, country,
community and family. The Young Marines program receives funding
from Congress and the United States Marine Corps primarily
because of their drug interdiction focus on drug education
and prevention. [ http://www.youngmarines.com/ ]
U. S. MARINES YOUTH PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM 
The National Youth Physical Fitness Program encompasses students
from kindergarten and elementary school through junior and
senior high and college. The Fitness Program is designed to
accommodate ALL Students regardless of their physical capabilities.
Youth organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Young
Marines of the Marine Corps League, the Boy Scouts, the Girl
Scouts, high school JROTC units and many others are using this
program to enhance the well-being of kids all across the country.
It teaches students to respect their bodies and helps them
build and maintain a personal resistance to drugs, alcohol
and tobacco.
The program provides a mental, moral and physical challenge
and establishes reachable goals. The fitness program also provides
important recognition, which leads to pride in one’s
self and is in many cases a building block for future self-improvement.
[ http://www.marineyouthfoundation.org/ ]
 BOY
SCOUTS OF AMERICA
The Marine Corps League has long regarded the program of the
Boy Scouts of America as in support of the Preamble of the
Constitution of the League. The League supports the Boy Scouts
of America as they promote traditional family values to America’s
youth. The Marine Corps League participates in Scouting through
assistance with units, districts, and councils, in community
projects, merit badge programs, and special recognition of
Eagle Scouts.
[ http://www.scouting.org/ ]
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Members of the Marine Corps League fund scholarships through
donations from individual members and subordinate units of
the Marine Corps League and Auxiliary. Children and former
Marines are eligible for academic scholarships for attendance
at accredited colleges and universities.
National Awards
Through its annual awards program, the Marine Corps League
accords its highest awards of recognition to deserving public
officials, members of the Marine Corps League and enlisted
Marines and Navy personnel, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps.
 THE
MARINE CORPS ROSE
In 1778, during the War of Independence, the Marine Corps
Rose was dedicated to those Marines who made the Ultimate Sacrifice
for their country. This tradition was continued by the French
during World War One when the Marines attacked the Germans
in the trenches at Beleau Wood, Roses were planted by the grateful
French people at the graves of the Fallen Marines. When and
where ever you see Leaguers or Young Marines distributing these
remembrances take and wear one proudly.
THE PROGRAM: Started by Marine Eddie Gallagher from New York,
designed to parallel the VFW "Poppy" program to provide
funds for detachments to assist veterans and youth and provide
other services to the community.
- health and comfort items for hospitalized veterans.
- Support programs such as bingo or holiday parties for hospitalized
or retired veterans in Retirement homes.
- scholarships
- assist youth programs
- Humanitarian Aid
[ The
Marine Corps Rose Program ]
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER PROGRAM
The National Headquarters retains a full-time staff member
who assists veterans in adjudicating claims against the government
as a result of active duty service. Claims are processed through
the Department of Veterans Affairs or other appropriate agencies
of the federal government.
VETERANS AFFAIRS VOLUNTARY SERVICE PROGRAM (VAVS)
Marine Corps League members contribute thousands of man-hours
each year supplementing staffs at VA Hospitals and facilities
in providing morale, comfort and assistance to institutionalized
veterans.
 MARINE
CORPS LEAGUE AUXILIARY
The Marine Corps League Auxiliary was chartered on September
4, 1937 as a subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League.
On August 25, 1950, the Auxiliary was incorporated under the
laws of the District of Columbia as an affiliate of the Marine
Corps League. The Auxiliary was formed for the purposes of
promoting the interests of the U. S. Marine Corps, the Marine
Corps League and to protect and advance the welfare of Marines
and their dependents. Auxiliary members participate in a wide
variety of programs that benefit and preserve the fundamental
rights and freedoms of every person of this Nation, young and
old. [ http://www.nationalmcla.org/ ]
MILITARY ORDER OF DEVIL DOGS 
On the battlefields of France, Marines were called "Devil
Dogs" by Germans because of their courage and tenacity
of attack. In the First World War, the Marines too part in
five operations as part of the famed Second Division of the
American Expeditionary Force (AEF) — Balleau Wood, Soissons,
St. Mihiel, Champagne, and the Meuse-Argonne. Marine units
wer decorated six times by the French during these campaigns.
The Military Order of the Devil Dogs was formed in 1939 in
the Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston during the 1939 National Convention
of the Marine Corps League. The Order was a secret fraternal
society within the League, to provide relaxation to those hard-working
Leaguers who have been selected for membership by the Devil
Dogs. In 1949 membership was by invitation through the sponsorship
of a full-fledged Devil Dog. A Marine Corps Leaguer must have
been an active member of the League for at least two years
before he can take his initiation at a National Convention
only. Before this he can become a Mongrel in a local Pound
and then a Pup at the State Pack Convention. In addition to
the hilarious fun of Devil Dog affairs, the Order also engages
in rendering service to the League and promoting Marine Welfare
Programs.
This is the fun and honor society of the Marine Corps League.
[ More informaiton about the
Devil Dogs ]
 TOYS-FOR-TOTS
Marine Corps League Detachments in nearly every community
take part annually in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
Toys-For-Tots campaign to raise funds and collect and distribute
toys to needy children. In communities where there is an existing
Marine Corps Reserve Unit, the League works hand in hand supporting
their campaign. In other communities, the Marine Corps League
takes the lead, ensuring a successful campaign.
MARINE-4-LIFE/INJURED MARINE SUPPORT PROGRAM
The League works very closely with the Marine Corps’ M-4-L
program, providing mentors nationwide. In areas of the country
where there is no Marine Corps “point of contact”,
the League works directly with M-4-L Headquarters to provide
services to transitioning Marines. [ https://www.m4l.usmc.mil/aboutus.aspx ]
NATIONAL AWARDS
Through its annual awards program, the Marine Corps League
accords its highest awards of recognition to deserving public
officials, members of the Marine Corps League and enlisted
Marines and Navy personnel, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Military Order of the Iron Mike Award and Dickey Chapelle
Awards, described in the highlighted text below, are conferred
upon deserving individuals in conjunction with the Annual Grand
Banquet held in connection with the Marine Corps League-sponsored
Modern Day Marine Military Exposition. [ National
Awards ]
ANNUAL CONVENTIONS
Members find the State and National Conventions of the League
ideal vacation venues for themselves and family members. Held
in a different city each year, many families attend year after
year and particularly enjoy the many planned activities and
tours related to these get-togethers.
The Marine Corps League is a charter member of The Military
Coalition, The National Marine Corps Council, AdHoc Committee,
Navy and Marine Corps Council, the National Veterans Day Committee,
and is represented on countless committees and programs serving
the military and veteran community.
The League participates in patriotic functions such as the
National Memorial Day Parade and the National 4th of July Parade
in Washington as well as countless statewide and community
parades around the country. We provide representation to the
U.S. Congress in legislative matters affecting the United States
Marine Corps, national security and veteran’s benefits
through our National Legislative Committee. Most importantly,
Marine Corps League Detachments are actively involved in Community
based programs throughout the country.
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Members
of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and
fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and
promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps,
banding together those who are now serving in the United States
Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from
that service that they may effectively promote the ideals of
American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering
assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows
and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States
Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries
of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines. 
The
Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of
ALL Marines and Navy FMF Corpsmen, who proudly wear or who
have worn the eagle, globe and anchor of the Corps. It takes
great pride in crediting its founding in 1923 to World War
I hero, then Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune. It takes
equal pride in its Federal Charter, approved by An Act of the
Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States of America and
signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August
4, 1937. The League is the only Federally Chartered Marine
Corps related veterans organization in the country. Since its
earliest days, the Marine Corps League has enjoyed the support
and encouragement of the active duty and Reserve establishments
of the U. S. Marine Corps. Today, the League boasts a membership
of nearly 61,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, active
duty, Reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine Veterans
and qualified Navy FMF Corpsmen and is one of the few Veterans
Organizations that experiences increases in its membership
each year.