Keweenaw Detachment #1016 Marine Corps League

This MCL Detachment was chartered about ten years ago, (May 1999) by local Houghton County  former Marines.  Our purpose is “To serve and aid Marines, their families, Veterans and local community, through promoting and observing the principles and purpose of the Marine Corps League.”  We serve the Houghton /Baraga/Keweenaw/Ontonagon Counties and aid as necessary other counties.

We are the largest of the five Marine Corps League Detachments in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  As part of the National and Department of Michigan Marine Corps League, we are a tax exempt, not for profit organization, and have access to some help from them to achieve our local goals.

The Keweenaw Detachment #1016, is an organization primarily made up of men and women who have honorably served or still serve our country in the United States Marine Corps. They range from Marine veterans of the present War on Terrorism  to WWII Marines.  The Detachment also welcomes, (and has), Associate Members from other branches of the military as well as non veterans who support our goals.

The Keweenaw Detachment provides assistance to all Veterans with benefit questions or concerns by establishing proper avenues of contact for them and their families and has provided direct help during times of distress and offers the continuing comradeship of the brotherhood of Marines.       We aid as much as possible the hospitalized veterans in Iron Mountain, in the D.J.Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, through the “Marines Helping Marines” program, as well as sending packages to our local active duty Marines in harms way.

We have Detachment Scholarships which are now being given out.

Our newsletter is provided to all members and includes information on the happenings of the detachment and other affairs of interest to the detachment. Our members also receive a National Marine Corps League “SEMPER FI” Magazine and a State Magazine the “Michigan Marine News”.

The detachment has, in the past, participated and won some awards in the National MCL Rifle/Pistol Postal Matches where shooters have their scores entered in the national competition, but due to a very busy schedule we do not participate in the shooting match every year.

We have annually a Detachment Picnic in the summer, and a Marine Corps Birthday Party in November.

Our Color Guard/Honor Guard participates in many parades and ceremonies throughout the year.  A full military funeral service is available to all Marines through our Color Guard/Honor Guard. Our members also lend support to the Copper Country Veterans Assoc. with their veteran funeral service activities throughout the area at many funerals.

The Keweenaw Detachment has supported the United States Marine Corps Reserve “Toys for Tots” program throughout all four counties for the past ten years as we are the Official Local Community Organization for the “Toys for Tots”.  The “Toys for Area Youth” Fund Drive has been established by the detachment to provide necessary items to complete wish lists for the “Toys for Tots” program, and to provide funds as needed during the year for children’s needs when called for. This fund has been “tapped” during the years several times.

The Keweenaw Detachment has helped within the community when a call for assistance is made whether  for the raising of funds or of physical help, and we have also been supportive of other Veteran Organizations.

Every year we place over 1200 United States flags on veterans graves at the Forest Hill Cemetery above Houghton before Memorial Day, where they remain until after the 4th of July.

Since our area youth are very important, the detachment offers assistance to the Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts and there is the availability of a Young Marines program, a Physical Fitness program, also H.S. band awards to area schools.  The fitness program scores are on the accomplishments of all children.

Our only limitation is the manpower and time to do all that we would like to do.

To become a Member -or- Associate Member of our Detachment, a Marine veteran or another person who supports our goals, is only required to pay a yearly dues of $30.00.  A Life Membership with the costs scaled according to age is also available to members in good standing.

Detachment meetings are 7:00pm, the third Thursday of the month, normally at the VFW hall in South Range.

For more information, visit our web site at www.kew1016.webs.com.

Finlandia University

Finlandia is dedicated to helping the Copper Dog 150 become a signature event for Calumet and northern Keweenaw County. We are pleased to be a Team Dog Sponsor this year. Finlandia sees this as an opportunity to support an exciting community event that is enjoyed by thousands of local residents and visitors to the beautiful Keweenaw.

Finlandia University, formerly Suomi College, was founded in 1896 and it has a long history of educating and developing individuals who are prepared to persist in their lives and careers—not only striving to survive, but striving to thrive.

We see a correlating commitment in the Copper Dog 150 sled dogs and their trainers, teams that spend endless hours preparing for this opportunity to excel. And just like life’s journey, this preparation and the race itself will present a series of ups and downs and the ever-present necessity to face and conquer the unknown and unexpected. The efforts of the musher and his or her team of dogs remind us of the “race to graduation” that is run by Finlandia students, faculty, and staff in pursuit of learning excellence. It’s a lot of hard work … and, may I say, it takes a lot of sisu.

–Duane Aho, Finlandia EVP for External Relations

Aspirus Keweenaw

The Copper Dog 150 is an event that we look forward to supporting every year as the official volunteer sponsor.  Our organization believes in supporting efforts like this that promote economic vitality for our area.  Our employees are always willing to step up and help out in our community and this event is no different.  That’s why it is important for us to be involved and help with securing the many volunteers that are needed to put on an event of this magnitude.

Matthew Vertin
Executive Director, Keweenaw Health Foundation
Marketing, Aspirus Keweenaw