commandant's Year End message

Greetings and Semper Fi,

It's hard to believe we've completed ten months of service since this Board of Trustees took office.  We have accomplished a lot this year, but our work is not completed.  We have reviewed and revised our By-Laws in accordance with Divisional and National changes. We have changed our By-Laws by unanimous vote to make our Election coincide more with National and the fiscal year. Thus, we extended our current BOT tenure through April, 2027. Our Executive Committee, who are appointed, agreed to extend, as well, giving us the strength we need to complete our mission.

We instituted a new Executive Committee position. Activities and Volunteers Coordination Committee. Marine Lanny Busher accepted the appointment and ran with it. In his new position, he set up two successful social engagements that were well attended. First we held a Walk In The Bosque, where our tour guide took us through the beauty and anomalies of our Bosque environment. Next was the trip to the State Capitol and visit the Governor’s Mansion. Both were well attended. Additionally Marine Busher hosted two Detachment Yard Sales as a fundraiser for our Marine Corps Ball. These were both very helpful for our Ball coffers.

Early on, we had an unplanned vacancy on the Board of Trustees.  Marine Busher, again stood tall, accepting the position of Jr. Vice Commandant! What a great addition to our board he has been.  In August, at our National Convention, our Detachment was honored, being awarded 3rd place for Recruitment and Retention Nationwide.  This was a great honor for our Detachment, and a signal to all our membership that we are on the right path in the direction our Detachment is taking.  

Our Roll-Over-Raffle has again this year donated three-thousand dollars to our community from proceeds. Our Detachment unanimously voted to make the Roll-Over-Raffle the perpetual main fundraiser for our Detachment. Developed during the Covid 19 pandemic, the Roll-Over-Raffle has produced exemplary results and will continue thanks to the wisdom and support of our Detachment Membership.  For years to come we have a fundraising vehicle that will assist our Greater Community each year.

With the extension of our current BOT, we will have four extra months to bring our mission to fruition.  In April we will hold our elections for the new Board of Trustees and in May, they will assume their roles of office and appoint their next Executive Committee bringing the process a full cycle. I am proud of the accomplishments of our BOT, Executive Committee, and our full membership for all we have accomplished this year. With the steps we have taken, I believe growth and longevity is on our horizon. The only issue lagging this year has been recruitment of our future. So for the next six months I charge each member the task of recruiting and formation of a new generation of Marine Corps League members and future leaders.

To come in 2026, we look forward to our Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony,  being held at American Legion Post #118 (on our Marine Corps Birthday November 10th , ) the City of Rio Rancho’s Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, November 11th, held at the Rio Rancho Veterans Memorial Park, our Marine Corps Birthday Ball, November 14th, being held at Santa Ana Resort and Casino (tickets are still on sale and available,) and the finale event for 2026 is our Christmas Pot Luck Family Dinner, December 9th, at American Legion Post #118. Stay tuned and stay engaged!

Semper Fi and Thank You,

Mike Haas

12th Commandant 

L/Cpl Christopher Adlesperger 

Detachment #1316 

marinecorpsleague1316@gmail.com