Having started in rough shape, the Marine House has had a marvelous facelift in the last year. Dustin White photo

Dustin White
Editor

It was nearly three years ago that the Dakota Leathernecks Deatchment  no. 1419 began in the Bismarck-Mandan area. Over those years, they have experienced a great number of accomplishments, and 2016 was no exception. 

For the Dakota Leathernecks, the year began by gaining exposure through a national contest. Pitting themselves against communities that had established themselves for much longer, and who had exceptionally larger followings, the Leathernecks made great strides. 

The contest was sponsored through Bernzomatic, and was driven completely though Facebook. With only 300 followers on their Facebook page, the Leathernecks were at a disadvantage, as other groups topped out at over 13,000 followers. But that didn’t hamper them. 



For nearly a month, members and supporters of the Leathernecks took to Facebook on a daily basis to encourage the community to vote. 

“We had a slow start,” Raymond Morrell, Detachment Commandant, said. “It was a hard fought contest for first place, only to settle for second.”

While the Leathernecks would turn up a little short, they would still receive a $10,000 grant which has went a long way to help restore the former Mandan VFW building so it can properly serve as the detachment’s Marine House.

The daily voting was just one way that the community has come out to support the Leathernecks and their Marine House project over 2016. 

“The Marine House project has been a big focus and much of its success is due in large part to the community’s support,” Morrell said. The contributions and support that we receive are simply amazing.”

Work on the Marine House will continue in 2017, with additional support being sought. When completely finished, the Marine House will become not only the club house of the Dakota Leathernecks, but a unique venue in the area. 

Developments
While the Marine House was one focus of the Leathernecks in 2016, they have also had their hands in many activities and programs in the community. 

One new development for the Leathernecks was at the request of the Mandan Braves Football program. They were called on to choreograph and host a Military Appreciation night at the Mandan Braves Football field. 

“We had about one week from concept to execution,” Morrell said. “Its impact was well received by participants and spectators alike, and I’m proud to say that we did not exclude any branch of service from being recognized.”

Not all of the work that the Leathernecks undertook in 2016 was cheerful though. Looking to continue to serve the community, they have stood up to face a serious problem. 

“We experienced firsthand an overwhelming problem within our veteran services, one of suicides,” Morrell said. “To think than our Detachment, much less North Dakota, is immune to this enigma is naive.”

Over the 2016 year, the Leathernecks were directly impacted by the attempted suicide of three North Dakota Marines, as well as three others who succeeded. Left behind were many who were unable to understand, as well as a crisis that needs to be addressed. 



In response, members of the Leathernecks have taken up developing a seminar/presentation to help veterans understand not only who they are, but as veterans, see that they are different, in a good way.

While the outside of the Marine House has taken shape, the interior, which was gutted, still has a ways to go. But local Marines, and volunteers, are making a great amount of progress. Dustin White photo

Expansion
Even though 2016 had its ups and downs, one of the many things the Leathernecks can be proud of is the expansion they have seen throughout the year. 

Leading an effort to share camaraderie with fellow Marines throughout the state, the Leathernecks have sought to help open detachments in Minot, Fargo and Dickinson. 

At home, there has also been a great amount of growth. Starting the year with 61 members, 300 Facebook likes, and a building that looked quite rough, the year finished out with 72 members, 3,300 followers on Facebook, and a Marine House, that while some work is still needed on the interior, is a great addition to the community. 

Coming together on Feb. 9, 2017, the Leathernecks celebrated this growth, and thanked those who had made 2016 such a success. Among those honored was this newspaper, who looks forward to seeing what the Leathernecks have planned for the new year.