Gallery - Detachment

March 5, 2020

The Installation of Officers for the President Ronald Reagan Detachment #597, Department of California, Marine Corps League took place at the Elks Lodge in Simi Valley with Christopher Chandler, Commandant of Antelope Valley Detachment #930 presiding.

The new slate of Officers are: Harry Hodges, Commandant; Benjamin Pfister, Sr. Vice Commandant; John E. Miller, Jr. Vice Commandant; Martin Spann, Judge Advocate; John Coley, Adjutant; Andrew Dobrzynski, Paymaster; Brent Kast, Chaplain; Fausto Galvan, Sgt at Arms and John Fuentes, Cpl. of the Guard.

February 4, 2020

A ceremony honoring four Medal of Honor Recipients at the Museum of Military History in the Town Center greeted Major General Patrick Brady, Capt. Paul Bucha, Command Sergeant Major Robert Patterson and Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins.

Our Sr. Vice Commandant, Martin Spann, was the Master of Ceremonies and did an outstanding job of leading the discussions and asking pointed questions of the four recipients. Some of the answers held the audience in awe while others brought laughter from the crowd.

August 12, 2019


Five members of the Detachment went to our Marine Corps League National Convention in Billings, Montana last week. Harry Hodges, Commandant of Detachment 597 spent 4 days in training to become a Petorgre Devil Dog in the Military Order of Devil Dogs, a subsidiary of the Marine Corps League. He graduated to this position on Wednesday.

It was a very successful convention with a few new By-laws being passed and a new Board of Trustees being elected.

The new National Commandant is Dennis Tobin from NY

Sr. Vice-Commandant is Johnny Baker from Alabama

Jr. Vice-Commandant is Warren Griffin from Massachusetts

Judge Advocate is TJ Morgan from Washington. TJ is the first Board member in a very long time that is West of the Mississippi.

Attached is a picture of some of the attendees from California.

L/R:

Todd Rehfuss – Chief of Staff, Department of California

Ben Pfister – President Ronald Reagan Detachment 597

Harry Hodges – Commandant, Detachment 597

Rudy Cordero – President Ronald Reagan Detachment 597

Dick Jennings – Commandant, State of California

Juan Pascicio – Jr. Vice Commandant, State of California

Fausto Galvan- Sergeant-at-Arms, Detachment 597

Jim Loorya – Senior Vice Commandant, State of California

August 6, 2019

Commandant Harry Hodges and Department of California Commandant Dick Jennings present to Marine Jean Irving the Marine Corps Leagues highest award “Distinguished Citizen Award” at the September General Meeting. This award was presented to Commandant Jennings, who was accepting for Miss Jean at the MCL National Convention in Billings, Montana.

July 23, 2019


Participated in a terrific Golf Tournament yesterday at the Wood Ranch Country Club, along with John Coley, Jim Wagner and Debbie Sands representing the President Ronald Reagan Det. 597 of the Marine Corps League. It was the 9th Annual Heroes’ Golf Tournament sponsored by “For the Troops.” This is an organization started by the wife of a Vietnam Veteran and has brought this non-profit company that sends packages to all servicemen/women that are fighting outside the US to be one of the number one charities in the country. It’s a terrific charity and Detachment 597 has designated “For the Troops” to be one of their preferential charities.

The photo is our pop-up “Big Red” on the 13th tee, Hole-in-One hole to win that SUV. No one won. I want to thank Paula Cornell for everything she has done for all our active military personnel and Detachment 597.

June 28, 2019


Last night, I had the pleasure of being the Master of Ceremonies of the President Ronald Reagan Detachment 597 “A Night with Gary Sinise.” While I was American Airlines I had the pleasure to be amongst some of the finest and not so in the Hollywood circles. Last night, I was with someone who was sincere, humble, engaging and a person who you instantly associate with. Gary Sinise is not only a very fine actor and celebrity, but he is also one of the finest human beings I have ever met. As I was asking him questions I had the feeling that I had known him my whole life.

When we finished, he graciously stayed on the stage for more than 30 minutes signing his book, signing autographs, taking “selfies” with our patrons and just smiling and joking all through the time. I know if he didn’t have to be somewhere else by 7pm, I am sure that he would still be talking to the people who attended his talk. When they call him a “Real American” whoever came up with this, they definitely knew they were talking about him.

Thank you, Gary Sinise, for everything you do for not only our forgotten Veterans but for all the First Responders throughout the country.

June 8, 2019


Change of Command Ceremony at the Marine Corps League Department of California 87th State Convention in San Diego on the 8th of June. On the left is outgoing State Commandant Ray Valenzuela and on the right is incoming State Commandant from Simi Valley, Dick Jennings.

June 2, 2019


The night was beautiful at Dodger Stadium as 50 of our Detachment members and families came to together to watch the Dodgers beat the Phillies with a walk-off home run. A wonderful bus ride, wonderful game and the comradery was especially fantastic.

May 28, 2019


PDD Ben Pfister and John Fuentes exhibit the new Detachment 597 flag which will fly over the Veterans’ Court in the Simi Town Center.

May 7, 2019


Our Detachment hosts a stall at the Simi Valley Street Fai

May 2, 2019


Our Detachment honored all Past Commandants of the then Ventura County Detachment 597 and the now President Ronald Reagan Detachment 597. Each Past Commandant, whether in attendance or not, received a Meritorious Commendation, Past Commandant Ribbon, and a Past Commandant Lapel Pin.

L/R: Ruy Pena Jr. – 2007 – 2010

Jerry Anderson – 2010 – 2012

Glenn Fiery – 2013

Matt Valenzuela – 2013 – 2017

Dick Jennings – 2018 – 2020

Jerry German – 2017 – 2018

Not in attendance:

Paul Mole – 1984 – 1991 & 1997 – 2002

Meade Phillips – 1991 – 1995

Mike Sweeney – 1995 -1997

Jim Britton – 2002 – 2003

Mark Shuster – 2003 -2007 & 2012 – 2013

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