NEW MARINE CORPS LEAGUE OFFICERS INSTALLED
New commandant kicks off Toys for Tots program


Commandant Hank Kaczmarek prepares to hand over the Jeb Seagle Detachment's top spot to Steve Reep Saturday night at the Howards Creek Veterans Center.

By Jon Mayhew (HOWARDS CREEK) -- Members of the Marine Corps League Jeb Seagle Detachment gathered Saturday night at the Howards Creek Veterans Center to laugh, reflect, remember and install new officers in the league.

Both the City of Lincolnton and Lincoln County were well-represented, with Mayor David Black of Lincolnton attending, as well as Lincolnton Police Chief Dean Abernathy; Lincoln County Sheriff Tim Daugherty; and Lincoln County Commission chairman Alex Patton. The four were made honorary members of the detachment.

Mayor Black remembered playing ball as a child with Seagle.


Commandant Steve Reep of the Marine Corps League Jeb Seagle Detachment.

“When I came to Lincolnton in 1974, one of the first people I met was Jeb Seagle,” said Black, adding he served in the military as a Lt. Colonel with the Army.

Leading the MCL’s Jeb Seagle Detachment will be new commandant Steve Reep.

Reep told the gathering at the Vet Center that the Jeb Seagle Detachment isn’t his detachment.

“It’s your detachment -- our detachment,” said Reep.

Growth is a key goal for the detachment according to Reep.

“We gotta grow,” said Reep. “We need to spread the wealth. We need more people.”

Achieving more members is going to be a tough battle for the detachment to fight.

“We have a hard job ahead of us due to the way the economy is,” said Reep. “Because of this, we’re starting Toys for Tots now.”

Besides starting the Toys for Tots drive at the MCL installation, Reep reiterated the main mission for the league and detachment.

The Marine Corps League Jeb Seagle Detachment color guard.

“Our main mission is to take care of our fellow Marines in Lincoln County,” said Reep. “There’s a lot of work to be done.”

Reep added he’d like to see more involvement in the Literacy Program here in Lincoln County.

“You can do your part in Lincoln County to help the Marine Corps with our youth,” said Reep. “We also want to work with all the county veteran organizations.”

Reep took the reigns of command from former commandant Hank Kaczmarek.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Kaczmarek recognized Thom Seagle, brother of fallen Marine Jeb Seagle.

Kaczmarek presented Thom Seagle with the copy of the proclamation Mayor Black made last year, designating Oct. 25, 2008 “Jeb Seagle Day” in Lincolnton.

Capt Jeb Seagle was the Co-pilot of an AH-1T shot down by the triple a sites while trying to assist an Army unit that was in trouble in downtown St. Georges. Capt Seagle was unhurt, however his Pilot, Capt Howard was badly wounded and had lost a hand.

The two pilots held up by a tree in the crash site and called for help. HMM-261 launched a rescue CH-46 and all understood that the crash site was completely covered by the AAA. Capt Howard drew his pistol in an attempt to shoot himself, informing Capt Seagle that he should get clear and take care of himself.

Seagle took the pistol away from Capt Howard and went towards the Army unit to seek help. He was captured and executed just north of the crash site.

(From left to right) Lincoln County Sheriff Tim Daugherty; Lincoln County Commission chairman Alex Patton; Lincolnton Police Chief Dean Abernathy; and Lincolnton Mayor David Black were all named honorary members of the Jeb Seagle Detachment Saturday night.