Awards “Meritorious Service” to the Townsend Detachment Members. Department of Alabama Commandant, Jerry Cherne and National Judge Advocate Johnny Baker presented these awards to Townsend Members.
Receiving awards were Alice Cole, Adjutant; Charles Harris, Chaplain; Matt Gibson, Veteran’s Service Officer; Ken Duan, Sergeant at Arms; Dan Newcomer, Jr. Past Comm.; Larry Tuggle, Bill Nichols Veteran’s Home Liaison; Joe Dawkins, Veteran’s Day Parade supports; Brooks Barrow, Jr. Vice; Dick McClain, Toys for Tots Coordinator; Todd Kemper, Chair By Laws update committee; Richard Davis, Pay Master; Don Fisher, outgoing Commandant.
Townsend Detachment Marine of the Year, 2017 is Todd Kemper. Todd served the detachment as Judge Advocate, tasked with updating the by-laws and bringing them in sync with Department and National bylaws. Additionally, Todd coordinated our Welcome Aboard Picnic at Maxwell AFB along with a myriad of other tasks assigned throughout the year. Todd is flanked by previous detachment Marines of the Year.
Townsend Detachment Change of Command dinner, members and their guests, Old Corps versus New Corps, Member Everett Cole with his grandson Skyler; Colonel Duane Opperman and his wife, senior Marine at Maxwell Air Force Base, AWC, ACSC.
Townsend Detachment’s outgoing Commandant Don Fisher, emceed the Change of Command ceremonial evening for the detachment. In coming Jr. Vice Matt Gibson, tolled the Ships Bell in honor of each Detachment member who passed during the preceding year. Newly elected officers were sworn in by the National Judge Advocate, Johnny Baker, with remarks by Department of Alabama Commandant Jerry Baker. Outgoing Commandant Don Fisher passed the Detachment Colors to the newly elected Commandant Nancy Burtron.
