Welcome to MCL Detachment 14, Fresno. California

The members of Detachment 14, Marine Corps League, are a polyglot of former and active duty Marines who share their pride and spirit in our Nation’s Marine Corps. Our members come from all walks of life and many different periods of Marine Corps history, but share that special bond as brothers and sisters of a unique band of warriors who have served or are serving our Nation at home and abroad. We are not a veteran’s organization that sits around telling war stories and how it was in the "real Corps." Our main purpose is to share and build upon that special bond between Marines by supporting other Marines, past and present, along with their families in time of need. Please explore our web site and see what we have to offer. We ask you to join us and rejuvenate your Marine spirit. Your families are also welcome. We look forward to greeting you and welcoming you into our fold.

Semper Fidelis,

Bob Strickland
Commandant

Marine Corps League Mission Statement

The Marine Corps League, established by General John A. LeJeune in 1928, is an organization of active duty and former Marines, and those Naval personnel having served with Fleet Marine Forces, having served in an honorable manner for the purposes of promoting camaraderie and fellowship. The Marine Corps League is joined together for preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps, the ideals of American freedom and democracy, voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all active duty Marines, former Marines, their families, widows and orphans; and, perpetuating the history of the United States Marine Corps.
 

History of Detachment 14, Fresno, California

Detachment 14, Marine Corps League, was established as one of the first detachments in the Nation on 15 April 1944. The National Charter was presented to the officers and members of Detachment 14 by the National Commandant, Thomas S. Wood, and the National Adjutant and Paymaster, Steven Brosow.

The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of all Marines and Navy FMF personnel, proudly wearing 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 personnel, and is one of the few veterans organizations that experiences increases in its membership each year.

The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected National Staff Officers who serve as trustees. The National Board of Trustees coordinates the efforts of 48 department, or state, entities and the activities of over 900 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and overseas. The day-to-day operations of the League are under the control of the National Executive Director. He has the responsibility for the management and direction of all programs, activities, and affairs of the Marine Corps League as well as supervising the National Headquarters staff.

The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter and from its annual National Convention held each August in different major U.S. cities throughout the nation. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.