Why are we Different?

Semper Fi;

What makes the Marine Corps League different from the other Veteran organizations?  A Federal Charter, approved by An Act of the Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States of America, and signed by President D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The Marine Corps League is the Only Federally Chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country.  This all started in 1923, when the returning WWI Marine Corps Veterans and Major General and Commandant John A Lejeune, met and decided that what they had was too important to let fade into history.  They felt the need to perpetuate the tradition and the spirit of All Marine and Navy FMF (Fleet Marine Force) Corpsmen, who proudly wear or have worn the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor of the Corps. From these meeting came our purpose or Mission.

We are proud to report, the Marine Corps League has enjoyed the support and encouragement of the active duty Marines and their Reserve Units.  Today we have over 76,000 men and women, officers and enlisted, active duty (the active duty members pay no dues to the League) and Reserve Marines.  All are honorably discharged Marine Veterans and qualified Navy FMF Corpsmen and Corpswomen.

These men and women are part of over 1000 community-based Detachments located throughout the United States and overseas.  The Commandants of each Detachment meet once a year in August at verious major U.S. cities throughout the nation.  This year, it is in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  

The MCL is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Inter Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contribution to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.

Next; What keeps then MCL so active?