Department of Maryland Marine Corps League

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Upcoming Community Events:

Town of Kensington labor day parade and festival.

Upcoming Department MCL (State) Events:

District Meeting November 1st, 2025 - 8:00am Glen Burnie

Harry L Cooper VFW Post 160

2597 Dorsey Rd, Glen Burnie, MD 21061

12:00pm Growl*

District Meeting February 21, 2025 - 8:00am Ocean City

American Legion Synepuxent Post 166

2308 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842

12:00pm Growl*

*If you are going to advance you need to go to 2 Pack growls (State). You can also attend the Mid-Winter growl as well.

Pound Growl event(s): Meatball Pound

December 14th: 8:00am

American Legion Post 86,

2013 Veirs Mill Rd, Rockville, MD 20851

Past Events:

Memorial Day Ceremonies 2025 (Town of Kensington, City of Rockville, MD)

Sgt. Jack Hettchen Jr. Detachment Participates in Memorial Day Ceremonies Across Montgomery County

Members of the Sgt. Jack Hettchen Jr. Detachment honored fallen service members by participating in several Memorial Day events throughout Montgomery County.

In the Town of Kensington, Detachment members Jim Renza and Sherwin Freeman attended a wreath-laying ceremony held on Monday, May 26, at 11:00 AM in Ernest Memorial Park. This event brought together veterans and community members to pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for our nation.

In the City of Rockville, Detachment members Mike Jadoo, Larry Williams, and Lindsey Williams participated in the city’s Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade. Founded in 1944 by William (Bill) Wood, this cherished tradition begins with a solemn ceremony honoring those who gave their lives in service. The day continues with a vibrant parade featuring over 50 units, including military groups, community organizations, marching bands, and performance troupes.

The Sgt. Jack Hettchen Jr. Detachment is proud to take part in these commemorations, standing in solidarity with our communities to honor the memory and legacy of our fallen heroes.

Montgomery College held a Volunteer Fair 2025

On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, Montgomery College held a Volunteer Fair. The objective was to have various community groups come together and have students (and others interested in volunteering) talk to different groups about volunteer opportunities with their organizations. The Sgt. Jack Hettchen detachment had set up a table to collect contact info of people who might like to volunteer with us!

Toys for Tots Season 2024

This 2024, the Sgt. Jack Hettench Detachment proudly continues its tradition of supporting Toys for Tots. The detachment supported 7 events and hosted 1 event during this year. We collected 20 boxes of toys and over 8,000 dollars of monetary donations for this year. Together, we made a difference in our community by ensuring every child experiences the joy of the holiday season.

November 9

Car Show & Lunch

December 7

Mission BBQ- Rockville, MD

Bethesda Winter Wonderland

December 8th

Republican Club of Montgomery County MD

Lake Marion Community Center Toys for Tots Concert

Line Dance Toy drive

December 11th

Congressional Country Club Party (Social Gathering)

Other Notable events: (Big donation)

December 13th

Office Party (Construction company) Breakfast Meeting toys for tots

Montgomery County Toys-for -Tots Site Clean-Up

We were thrilled to have 8 dedicated volunteers join us to help prepare for this year’s Toys for Tots program by cleaning and organizing the donation space! Together, they tackled the challenge of sweeping and dusting a massive 13,000-square-foot area, making sure everything was spotless and ready for the upcoming toy collection. Their hard work has been vital in creating a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for the thousands of toys that will soon be distributed to children in need across Montgomery County. The energy and enthusiasm of these volunteers set the stage for a successful and heartwarming holiday season, ensuring that every child experiences the joy they deserve. We’re so grateful for their commitment and can’t wait to see the positive impact this year’s program will bring!

Ukrainian Festival 2025

The Sgt. Jack Hettchen Jr. Detachment, led by Marine Mike Jadoo, Doc Jim Renza and Marine Robert Smalls, spent the weekend at the WASHINGTON UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL @ the St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Silver Spring, MD. The festival provides an opportunity for Ukrainians and the broader community to come together, learn about Ukrainian culture, and support humanitarian efforts, often in connection with Ukraine's current needs, especially given recent events. Marine Corps League members passed out American and Marine Corps mini flags to festival goers and shared the Sgt Jack Hettchen Detachment story of support the Ukrainian people with monthly humanitarian supplies since the war started.

Town of Kensington Labor Day- September 2, 2024

The Sgt. Jack Hettchen Jr. Detachment, led by Doc Jim Renza and Kim Potter, along with several dedicated members, had a fantastic Labor Day weekend participating in the Kensington Parade. The detachment proudly represented the Marine Corps League, engaging with the local community and showing their support for veterans and service members.

Their presence was met with enthusiasm from participants, as they waved flags, cheered, and shared stories of service. The event was a wonderful opportunity for the detachment to strengthen community ties and raise awareness for their ongoing efforts in supporting veterans, community, and other efforts.

August 13th - Detachment meeting Ukrainian Flag presentation to the Sgt Jack Hettchen Detachment

On August 13th, the Sgt Jack Hettchen Detachment received a Ukrainian flag personally signed by numerous Ukrainian soldiers. The signatures expressed gratitude to the detachment for their collections and support over the past two and a half years. This meaningful gesture was facilitated by Saint Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Silver Spring, MD.

Leading the initiative were DD Mike Jadoo and Jim "Doc" Renza, along with numerous members of the Sgt Jack Hettchen Detachment who contributed donations over the years. Members from LCPL Deane also made significant donations, while other Marine Corps League members helped spread the word and provided guidance on additional resources. These generous donations and supplies came from diverse communities across Maryland, including Baltimore, Frederick, Olney, Mt. Airy, Columbia, Wheaton, Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, and beyond. We acknowledge the generosity of the residents of the state of Maryland.

Montgomery County Marine recruiters July 13th Poolee field meet

July 13, 2024

The Sgt Jack Hettchen detachment participated in the Montgomery County Marine recruiters Poolee field meet for the first time. The detachment members shared their military experiences and answered questions from the Poolees. They talked about how the Marine Corps helped improve the detachment members lives in areas such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, personal growth, discipline, and work ethic.

It was a motivational day for Marines, Marine Veterans, and Poolees alike. After the event, recruiters observed remarkable positive attitude differences from their Poolees.

City of Rockville, MD MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY - May 27, 2024

The Sgt Jack Hettchen detachment participated in the wreath laying during the City of Rockville Memorial Day Ceremony, along with other military Veteran's organizations in Montgomery County, MD. Founded in 1944 by William (Bill) Wood, the Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade is a long-standing tradition in the City of Rockville. The day starts off with a ceremony remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. We remember the fallen. Those that gave their lives for our country.

Detachment meeting January 9th, 2024 - Presentation of Lifesaver Award to James (Jim) Renza!!

It was reported that towards the end of December 2023, Russian forces attacked several major cities in Eastern Ukraine. Almost 100 people were injured and as Ukrainian reserve forces were mobilized they were needed essential life saving supplies to rescue the injured.

One day before the attack, a large shipment of humanitarian supplies, collected by the Sgt Jack Hettchen detachment, finally arrived in Ukraine. Part of this collection were a large amount of emergency blankets that Jim Renza and the residents of the Town of Kensington actively purchased for Ukraine as part of the detachments monthly donations.

The amount was 100 emergency blanks which was just enough that the Ukrainian reserve forces needed to rescue the injured in the freezing cold weather. Because of Jim Renza's efforts he was awarded with the "LifeSaver" award, as Jim is a lifesaver because of his efforts.

Thank you Jim!!