History of MCAGL
Updated November 13, 2019
The Marine Corps Association of Georgia Lawyers, or “MCAGL,” was founded in late 1981, when Colonel George L. Bailey, USMC (Ret), came to Atlanta after his retirement. Here he met retired Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. (“Bob”) Stubbs, II [1]. At that time, Bob was serving as the Executive Assistant Attorney General of Georgia, the number two position in the office. Colonel Bailey and Lt. Colonel Stubbs agreed they would like to have a Marine Corps affiliated organization in the community. They brain-stormed the matter and, when they met again, formed the group and settled on the name “Marine Corps Association of Georgia Lawyers.” This history records how the Marines of MCAGL have stayed together, enjoyed camaraderie and thrived over the years.
Thereafter, from time-to-time, they met informally with other Marine officers/lawyers and, in November 1982, they gathered together for their first Marine Corps Birthday Celebration. Present at that first Birthday Celebration, held at a place known as “Emil’s” (or “Emile’s”) restaurant were lawyers: Bob Stubbs, George Bailey, Curtis Anderson, Colonel James Harper, Colonel Andy Smith, USA (Ret), Georgia Attorney General Michael J. Bowers, U. S. Attorney William L. (“Bill”) Harper and Jim Talley, Sr. At that birthday was “The Keg,” which was proudly displayed and which MCAGLstill has today. In the keg was clear alcohol of some description, which some claim was “White Lightening.” After much discussion Bob Stubbs was named (some say elected) Chairman and George Bailey was named as the second Chairman. During the initial years one of the goals was to support Marine Corps recruiting efforts in greater Atlanta. Later, as recruiting the volunteer forces became easier, and the 6th Marine Corps District of the Marine Corps Recruiting Command moved its headquarters from Atlanta to Parris Island, the importance of the group’s support for recruiting efforts lessened.
John Timmons holds a Certificate of Appreciation from George Baily that is dated November 8, 1984. This must have been the date of the Birthday Luncheon, held in Atlanta at an uncertain location on that date. Birthday Luncheons were held for a time at the meeting space in the James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Office Building Towers in Atlanta. Later they moved to the Officers’ Club at Fort McPherson
In November 1987 MCAGL made an “Award of Merit” to George Bailey in recognition of “his Outstanding Contribution toward the Perpetuation of the Ideals and Principles Espoused in the Constitution and by Laws” of MCAGL. The award is signed by Chairman Bob Wilson. However, no one recalls there ever being either a Constitution or by-laws. At about this time one birthday celebration, held atop the James “Sloppy” Floyd State Office Building, had U. S. Representative George “Buddy” Darden as Guest of Honor. A photograph from about this time shows Congressman Darden with MCAGL members Colonel Jim Harper (Co. A/1/9 – Iwo Jima) and John Timmons.
It is significant to our early history that the 6th Marine Corps District of the Marine Corps Recruiting Command was located in Atlanta from the beginning of MCAGL until July, 1996. Support of MCAGL from that command, its Commanding Officers and staff, was consistently outstanding during that period. Our Birthday Luncheons, Mess Nights and other activities were enriched by our relationship with that command and with Marine Air Group – 42 (MAG-42). For many years MCAGL made awards to recruiters who excelled in their duties. That recognition of outstanding recruiters continues with the cost of that recognition now shared with the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Georgia (“MCCCGA”).
In November 1987, through a Captain P. S. Wilkerson, Jr., at the 6th District, we learned of the existence of a Marine Corps Association of Alabama Lawyers. Although we were provided with four names of members of that group, and three telephone numbers, until February 2018, there were no records of efforts to follow-up on the contact information with such a group or the individuals. A Google search in February 2018, found no information on the group, but all four Marines were confirmed to be living and in their eighties. Investigative efforts regarding the Marine Corps Association of Alabama Lawyers resulted in one reply to an effort to contact them. That lone responder was Colonel Hobart H. Grooms, Jr., USMCR (Ret). In an email dated February 17, 2018, Colonel Grooms advised R. Dennis Withers that he knew each of the other three Marines’ whose names we had received, but he was unaware of such an organization as the Marine Corps Association of Alabama Lawyers. Later, a second response confirmed this. We are now satisfied that there never actually was such an organization.
6 Nov 1987 A program from this event is in MCAGL’s archives, but it gives comparatively little information. There is no location stated. The speaker was Judge James Horace Wood of the State Court of Jackson County. By this early date the MCAGL medallion symbol had been designed.
Past Chairman Adam Jett recalls a series of annual MCAGL Christmas season visits to the Veterans Administration Hospital on Clairmont Road. He especially recalls an older Marine patient who had fought at Iwo Jima. That Marine had a photograph next to his bed showing the award of his Purple Heart Medal from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. Regrettably, that Marine had suffered the full rages of war since that battle.
In the March 1995 issue of The Keg, it was mentioned that George Bailey and Terry Sorrells were looking into the issues related to our becoming an IRS §501(c) (3) non-profit corporation. Apparently, the decision at that time was that the benefits did not outweigh the costs and administrative issues, so no formal structure was adopted. That did not come until 2017 when MCAGL formally became an unincorporated association under Georgia law and adopted Articles of Association.
For a number of years, before settling on the Capital City Club, gatherings were held at places such as the Officers’ Clubs at Fort McPherson and Dobbins Air Force Base, American Legion clubs, the Atlanta Athletic Club, hotels and the banquet facilities atop the James H. (“Sloppy”) Floyd state office building in Atlanta.
It is George Bailey’s recollection that in about August, 1996, he inquired of the Chairman elect, how [MCAGL] was doing? George recalls the response as “Doing what?” That response did not sit well and it launched an even more active interest by Colonel Bailey in the continuing activities of this organization. That interest continues, even in 2019.
It was after this encounter, and likely in 1997, that Colonels George L. Bailey and William L. (“Bill”) Bates, Jr., a non-lawyer, got together for lunch at the Downtown Capital City Club. During that lunch they discussed the possibility of moving MCAGL events to that facility. Following the meal, a room was reserved for the upcoming Birthday Luncheon. The event has been held there annually since 1997. Colonel Bates was a member of the Club and sponsored our events until his death in 2013. This move to the Capital City Club came about because during their lunch they realized that the Marine Corps Birthday in 1997 was on a Monday. The Officers’ Club at Fort Mac, where the event had been held for several years, was closed on Mondays. In considering where the luncheon could be held, Colonel Bates suggested the Capital City Club.
The next consideration in 1997, was a speaker for the Birthday Luncheon. Georgia native, General Raymond G. Davis, a former Assistant Commandant, Medal of Honor winner and a Marine at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea (where he served with Bill Bates), was working in Atlanta. General Davis had also been awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star (2 awards), a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. At this time General Davis was the most highly decorated Marine Corps veteran alive. He accepted the invitation to attend our Birthday Luncheon as Guest of Honor and speaker. This virtually guaranteed a successful event. MCAGL was “on its way.” In those days each invitation was an original letter, signed by the Chairman and sent via U. S. Mail. Later Guests of Honor have included Major General Warren Johnson, General Richard Neal (twice – thanks to George Koenig and Ernie and John Prickett), former CMC General Carl E. Mundy, Jr. and the CMC, General James L. Jones, among other luminaries.
10 Nov 1997 Birthday Luncheon with General Davis, USMC (Ret) as Guest of Honor. Again, this was our first luncheon at the Capital City Club – Downtown, and the observance of the fifteenth (15th) year of MCAGL. Ron Gold, Chris Balch, George Bailey and Gary Bross were the moving forces executing the many details for a successful event. Also, on the program was Major General Warren Johnson, USMC (Ret). At this time Major General Johnson was retired and living in Woodstock, GA. He presented the Joe T. LaBoon Award to former MCAGL Chairman Nolan B. “Joe” Harmon. That award is given by the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Georgia (MCCCGA). Even by this early date it had become the custom for the MCCC of Ga. to present this award at MCAGL’s Birthday Luncheon. Subsequently, over the last few years, the Birthday Luncheon has become an event jointly sponsored by MCAGL and the MCCC of Ga.
It was at this event that the “passing of the gavel” from Chairman Ron Gold to Ken Bernard occurred. Dues for 1997 were thirty-five dollars ($35.00).
19 Feb 1998 MCAGL’s first Mess Night was held on this date. The date was selected to coincide with the fifty-third (53rd) anniversary of the landing on Iwo Jima. It was held at the Atlanta Athletic Club in what is now John’s Creek, Georgia. There are no records to confirm the Guest of Honor. George Bailey, John Timmons, Gary Bross and Ken Bernard attended [2]. but undoubtedly there were an unknown number of others.
21 May 1998 Chairman Ken Bernard and John Timmons took MCAGL on the road, to the Woodruff House, on the campus of Mercer University, in Macon, Georgia, for a Spring Luncheon with the Honorable Duross Fitzpatrick, Chief U. S. District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia, as Guest of Honor. Judge Fitzpatrick was an enlisted Marine from 1954-57, serving as an airborne radio operator aboard the R4Q “Flying Boxcar” aircraft with VMR 252. He was later President of the State Bar of Georgia, prior to being named a federal District Court Judge. Among the MCAGL members present at the event in Macon were past Chairmen Adam Jett, Joe Harmon and Bill Goodman.
Also, on this program in Macon was the Honorable J. Taylor Phillips, Judge of the State Court of Bibb County and Judge J. Horace Wood of the State Court of Jackson County. Judge Phillips was the recipient of a Navy Cross as a Marine enlisted man for heroism in the battle of Tarawa during WW II. John Timmons recalls Judge Phillips having a map of Tarawa on an easel as he spoke, using it to walk his audience through his experiences there. He won the Navy Cross for eliminating a Japanese soldier who was moving down a line of Marines deployed in foxholes. Judge Phillips noticed the shadows, smells, voice and movement of someone. As the Japanese soldier came into Judge Phillips foxhole, knife in hand, Judge Phillips shot him.
Judge Wood told those assembled of his service as an enlisted Marine in Nicaragua in the 1920s and in WW II as an officer in the Army. In Normandy he was captured when he was trapped in a farmhouse while outnumbered by Germans. He spent eight (8) months as a prisoner of war.
11-13 Jun 1998 It was on these dates that one of the great events in MCAGL history took place. A group of members and honorees, about 20 to 25 in all, departed from Naval Air Station - Atlanta, now Dobbins Air Reserve Base, early one morning in a Marine C-9 air craft. After arriving at Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, the group bussed to observe recruit training at MCRD, Parris Island, including the new “Crucible.” That evening the group departed Beaufort to fly to Andrews Air Force Base. The group billeted at the Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City, to rest and enjoy camaraderie. The next two days included tours of MCB Quantico, Marine Barracks 8th & I (with the sunset parade), the Vietnam Memorial Wall (in a driving rain), Arlington Cemetery, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Officers’ Club at Fort Myer (adjacent to Arlington and now part of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall), the Marine Corps War Memorial (the Iwo Jima Statue) and meetings with members of Congress at the Capitol. Among the many highlights of the trip was meeting with BGen Charles C. Krulak, (CMC 1995-99), who commented that as a recent general officer, he was “too senior to make coffee and too junior to make policy.” The trip was accomplished with strong support from the Atlanta Marine Corps Reserve units, especially MAG-42, and the OIC at the Naval Reserve Center, Marietta. They made the arrangements for one of the last great Civilian-Military Public Affairs trips before they became “politically incorrect.”
10 Nov 1998 Judge Duross Fitzpatrick had done such a fine job as Guest of Honor in Macon that our officers invited him to be honored in Atlanta as Guest of Honor at our Birthday Luncheon at the Downtown Capital City Club. The Joe T. LaBoon Award was presented by Lt. General Ernest T. Cook, USMC (Ret) to James T. (“Jim”) Williams, author of Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, Badges and Insignia of the United States Marine Corps. Mr. Williams lived in Atlanta and was a friend to all Marines in the area. Unfortunately, he died October 30, 1998, before he could receive the award. There were one-hundred twenty-nine (129) present for the luncheon. The cost of the luncheon was sixteen fifty ($16.50) per person.
It was at this event that the “passing of the gavel” from Chairman Ken Bernard to Chris Balch occurred.
31 Dec 1998 Colonel Bailey advised MCAGL in a letter dated 16 Oct 1998, that he “recently turned 65 and [has] decided to take a sabbatical from active participation in councils and associations as of December 31, 1998.” We are all left to wonder how that ever worked out for him and how long a sabbatical he took. It seems as if no one ever noticed that he was taking a sabbatical, because at no time did his involvement in the details of MCAGL lessen.
12 May 1999 Mess Night program provides the date. Two Marine Corps Generals were present, General Raymond G. Davis and General Richard I. Neal. The location is not certain, but it was likely at the State’s Floyd Office Towers in downtown Atlanta.
10 Nov 1999 The Birthday Luncheon moved to the Mirador Room at the Downtown Capital City Club. The Guest of Honor was radio personality, author (of thirteen (13) books), lawyer and Marine, Ludlow Porch. Mr. Porch served on active duty from 1951-54, working in aviation ordinance, MOS 6411. His promotion of the Marine Corps, its birthday and traditions are legendary. His radio programs were carried on fifty-five (55) stations in eight states. A favorite title of one of his books is: He Jerked Me Up by My Stacking Swivel.
Dues for 1999 remained at thirty-five dollars ($35.00) annually, payable in November and George Koenig assumed the duties of Chairman.
27 Jul 2000 Our Mess Night was held with fifty-eight (58) in attendance. The event was at The Crown Plaza Atlanta Powers Ferry hotel with former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps General Richard I. (“Butch”) Neal as Guest of Honor. Many in the audience recalled General Neal from his many television appearances during Operation Desert Storm, when he was the Deputy for Operations, serving under General H. Norman (“Stormin’ Norman”) Swartzkopf, Jr., and gave nightly briefings of the press that were broadcast across the world. The cost of the event was sixty dollars ($60.00). Chairman and President of the Mess George Koenig gives great credit to Top Travis Newberry for significant support setting up the protocol with music, scripts and Rules of the Mess.
10 Nov 2000 Birthday Luncheon was held with Senior Judge and Marine William (“Bill”) Daniel from the Superior Court of Fulton County as our Guest of Honor. Judge Daniel was in the U. S. Navy Reserve, but on active duty from 1943 until 1946. He then returned to civilian life, but in 1948 he joined the Marine Corps Reserve. Subsequently, in 1950 he was recalled to active duty with the Marines from 1950-51. The MCCC of Ga. gave its Joe T. LaBoon Award to Tom Walsh. One-hundred twenty-one (121) were in attendance.
19 Jul 2001 Mess Night held with sixty-eight (68) in attendance. The Guest of Honor was CMC General James Jones (although it may have been General Michael J. Williams, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps (2000-2002) MCAGL records are incomplete on this point). The event was held once again at the Crown Plaza Atlanta Powers Ferry, with the cost of the event remaining at sixty dollars ($60.00).
Nov 2001 Senior Judge J. Taylor Phillips of the State Court of Bibb County, Georgia, was our birthday speaker. Judge Phillips was a veteran of WW II who fought at Tarawa, winning a Navy Cross in one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific Campaign.
25 Jul 2002 Mess Night held with sixty-eight (68) in attendance. The cost of the event was increased to sixty-five dollars ($65.00).
8 Nov 2002 Birthday Luncheon held at the Capital City Club, Downtown. Robert Sutter, Marine officer, author and motivational speaker, addressed the club on how we can best serve the Corps. During the luncheon the Chairman of the MCCC of Ga., Jim Thompson, presented the Joe T. LaBoon Award to Judge Taylor Phillips, last year’s Birthday Luncheon speaker.
23 Jul 2003 The Mess Night Guest of Honor was former Commandant of the Marine Corps (1991-1995) General Carl E. Mundy, Jr., with former Assistant Commandant General Raymond G. Davis, USMC (Ret), in attendance as our Special Guest. This was the first year that the Mess Night moved to a new location at the Capital City Country Club in Brookhaven. The cost was increased to seventy-five dollars ($75.00) and ninety-four (94) attended the event.
As part of his presentation, General Mundy recalled that his first Commanding Officer, while in NROTC at Auburn, was a well-known Georgian and Marine: Vince Dooley.
Member and former long-time Treasurer Larry Anderson recalls that General Mundy wanted a car for his use in Atlanta. Local Marine Richard Pugmire had a Lincoln dealership. Larry went to the Pugmire dealership to pick-up the car. There was no contract, registration, - nothing. When he took the car to General Mundy, the General inquired as to what he should do if he were to be stopped. Larry told him, “call me!” (By way of full disclosure: at the time Larry was a Prosecutor in the office of the United States Attorney in Atlanta.)
In November 2003, Georgia Senator and former Governor Zell Miller was our Guest of Honor for the Birthday Luncheon. Senator Miller is a Marine Sergeant. An author, Miller is perhaps best known to Marines for his book, Corps Values: Everything You Need to Know I Learned in the Marines.
Colonel Steve Shi took the reins as Chairman from George Koenig, who had served in this capacity for three (3) years. Colonel Shi served as Chairman until November 2010.
22 Apr 2004 The date of what has become our annual Mess Night was moved from the Summer to a Thursday evening in April. (The third (3rd) Thursday of April has become our preferred date.) For our Mess Night at Brookhaven the Guest of Honor was the former Commanding Officer of Marine Forces Reserve, Major General James E. Livingston. MCCC of Ga. presents Major General Livingston the Joe T. Laboon Award, noting that he was born in Towns County, in north Georgia.
29 Apr 2005 Mess Night held at Brookhaven with seventy-six (76) in attendance. The Guest of Honor was Officer of Marines Vince Dooley, former Head Football Coach at the University of Georgia. Following his presentation, Coach Dooley was made an “Honorary Member of MCAGL.” This was our third Mess Night at Brookhaven and MCAGL was beginning to feel very much at home in this welcoming place. All subsequent Mess Nights in Atlanta have been held there.
10 Nov 2005 Birthday Luncheon held at the Capital City Club – Downtown, with Lt. General Dennis M. McCarthy, USMC (Ret) as our speaker and Guest of Honor. Lt. General McCarthy had retired earlier in the year after serving as CG of Marine Forces Reserve (2001-05). Later (2005), President Obama named him Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. Colonel Bailey has a 3-ring binder with prints of many photos of the Mess Night and Birthday Luncheon in 2005. We hope that album will someday be in the MCAGL archives.
20 Apr 2006 Mess Night held at the Capital City Country Club at Brookhaven with Dr. John E. Endicott, Professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech, as the Guest of Honor.
10 Nov 2006 Birthday Luncheon held at the Capital City Club – Downtown, with former Marine and with well-known University of Georgia Tennis Coach Dan McGill as the Guest of Honor.
Our Guest of Honor for the Mess Night in 2007 was General Charles E. Wilhelm. General Wilhelm served on active duty for thirty-seven (37) years, retiring in 2000. His posts included service as Commanding General of the First Marine Division (1st Mar Div), and as the Commander of the U. S. Southern Command. Later, in 2013, General Wilhelm was Guest of Honor at our Birthday Luncheon. Mess Night was once again held at the Capital City Club in Brookhaven.
9 Nov 2007 Birthday Luncheon held with ninety-seven (97) in attendance. The Guest of Honor was Lieutenant General George R. (“Ron”) Christmas, USMC (Ret), President of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. General Christmas was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions in Vietnam in 1968 during which he was seriously wounded. His last assignment, before retiring from active duty in 1996, was as Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Tickets for the event were forty dollars ($40.00).
Our Mess Night in 2008 featured, for the second time, former Commandant (1991-1995) Carl E. Mundy, Jr. It was another of our outstanding events at Brookhaven.
10 Nov 2008 Birthday Luncheon held at the Downtown Capital City Club in Atlanta with Major General Leslie M. Palm, USMC (Ret) as Guest of Honor. Before his retirement in 1998, he last served as CG of MCAGCC 29 Palms and as Director of the Marine Corps Staff at HQMC. At the time of his presentation to MCAGL General Palm was Publisher and CEO of the Marine Corps Association, publisher of Leatherneck magazine and the Marine Corps Gazette.
16 Apr 2009 Mess Night held with seventy (70) in attendance. The Guest of Honor was Colonel William L. (“Bill”) Bates, Jr. Colonel Bates may have been the most influential non-lawyer in the history of this organization. Not only did he sponsor our functions at the Capital City Club for many years, but he was a distinguished Marine officer and a friend to many of our members. He enlisted at the outbreak of WW II and was commissioned in June, 1942. He saw action while aboard the USS Lexington in Fleet Operations against Wake Island and the Kwajalein Islands. When the Korean War began, then Major Bates commanded the Weapons Company, 1st Bn, 1st Marines in the Inchon Landing, the Capture of Seoul, the Wonsan Landing and the Chosin Reservoir Operation. He received the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and the Korean Medal with five battle stars, among other awards. In his presentation as Guest of Honor he mesmerized the audience with a calm rendition of his many exploits. Colonel Bates died in 2013.
10 Nov 2009 Birthday Luncheon held at the Downtown Capital City Club with Atlanta’s own Major General Larry Taylor, USMC (Ret), as Guest of Honor. Major General Taylor told of his most recent active duty in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in 2001-2003.
22 Apr 2010 Mess Night held with eighty-nine (89) in attendance. The Guest of Honor was former Commandant of the Marine Corps (1999-2003), General James L. Jones.
A favorite memory of Past Chairman Steve McConnell from this evening is of General Ray Davis introducing General Jones. During his introduction General Davis spoke about coaching General Jones as a little league baseball player, when General Davis and the Jones family were both stationed in France. Then, describing their reconnecting years later in Vietnam when General Jones was a Lieutenant serving in General Davis’ command.
10 Nov 2010 Birthday Luncheon held at the Capital City Club (Downtown) with Lieutenant General Emil R. (“Buck”) Bedard, USMC (Ret) as Guest of Honor. He was the former Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations at HQMC. The price of the event was increased to forty-two dollars ($42.00).
Colonel T. Stephen (“Steve”) McConnell takes over as Chairman from J. Stephen (“Steve”) Shi who has held the billet for the last seven (7) years.
14 Apr 2011 Mess Night held at Brookhaven with former Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps General William L. (“Spider”) Nyland as Guest of Honor. The cost of the event was increased to eighty-five dollars ($85.00).
For our Birthday Luncheon speaker in 2011, we enjoyed a presentation by an Oklahoma lawyer and Marine, Major General Darrell L. Moore. At the time of his presentation to MCAGL, Major General Moore was serving as Director, Reserve Affairs at Quantico, VA.
19 Apr 2012 Mess Night held with one-hundred eight (108) in attendance. Our Guest of Honor was Major General Fred McCorkle. He had retired in October 2001 and last served as Deputy Commandant for Aviation at HQMC. In his career he flew over fifty-five (55) different series of aircraft.
9 Nov 2012 Birthday Luncheon held with one-hundred four (104) in attendance. Major General John M. Croley, USMC, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation, was the Guest of Honor and Speaker. The cost of the event was forty-five dollars ($45.00).
18 Apr 2013 Mess Night Guest of Honor was Major General Michael P. (“Mike”) Sullivan, former “Aviator of the Year” in 1974. He retired from active duty in 1991, after serving as Commanding General and Assistant Wing Commander of the 2nd Marine Air Wing and, simultaneously, as Commanding General of the 10th Marine Amphibious Brigade, FMF, at CLNC. There were one-hundred eight (108) in attendance.
8 Nov 2013 Birthday Luncheon held at the Capital City Club (Downtown) with eighty (80) in attendance. The Guest of Honor was General Charles E. Wilhelm, USMC (Ret), former Commanding General of the U. S. Southern Command. He retired in 2000 after thirty-seven (37) years of service. This was General Wilhelm’s second time as our Guest of Honor, but his first appearance at the Birthday Luncheon.
17 Apr 2014 Mess Night held with eighty-six (86) in attendance. Our Guest of Honor was Lieutenant General Jan C. Huly. At the time of his presentation he was President of the Marines’ Memorial Association in San Francisco.
7 Nov 2014 Birthday Luncheon with Major General Robert Flanagan, USMC (Ret), as our speaker and Guest of Honor. Major General Flanagan was responsible for Presidential flight duties with Marine Helicopter Squadron One at MCB, Quantico, as well as Air Officer at U. S. Central Command during Operation Desert Storm and at HQMC.
2015 Our Mess Night speaker was Brigadier General Patrick J. Hermesmann. At the time General Hermesmann was serving as the Commanding General of the 4th Marine Logistics Group (MLG). Remaining on active duty until at least early 2018, Major General Hermesmann is now Commander, U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Korea. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Toledo and practiced law in New Jersey from 1991 until 2001.
6 Nov 2015 Birthday Luncheon held with Mr. Patrick T. Brent as Guest of Honor. Mr. Brent was a journalist embedded with Marine units in 2003 in Kuwait and Iraq. Previously, he had served as a Marine in the 2nd Bn., 24th Marines, 4th Mar Div. He was an entertaining speaker and confided that he is a significant fan of the University of Notre Dame “Fighting Irish.” His frequent internet posts about Norte Dame athletics and the Marine Corps are enjoyed by many as he regularly reports from his home in Hawaii. The closing tag line in each of Mr. Brent’s internet posts is, “Have you done your P. T. today?”
14 Apr 2016 Mess Night held at Brookhaven with our own Atlanta General Officer, Brig. General Denis L. Shortal, USMC (Ret), as the Guest of Honor. General Shortal’s last assignment, before retiring in November 1994 was as Commanding Officer of the 2nd MEB at CLNC. General Shortal was a fighter pilot in Vietnam, flying over three hundred (300) combat missions in the F4B. In civilian life General Shortal worked as a commercial airline pilot. His son Matt is a Marine Lieutenant Colonel, a fighter pilot, a “Blue Angel” and was recognized as Marine Aviator of the year in 2004.
4 Nov 2016 Birthday Luncheon held with ___ in attendance. The speaker was Colonel Mike Boyce, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a candidate for Chairman of the Cobb County Commission in Georgia. He was subsequently elected to that post. He was previously employed by both the consulting firms of Booz Allen and Grant Thornton on projects in Macedonia and Iraq. In his Marine career he was a commander of aviation units, deputy commander of a Marine base and served in Iraq and Somalia.
20 Apr 2017 Mess Night held with seventy (70) in attendance. Former Assistant Commandant General Richard I. Neal speaks to the group at the Capital City Country Club – Brookhaven. His talk related to his experiences in the study and investigation of incidents of physical and mental abuse of recruits at MCRD, PI, and the remedial actions being implemented.
10 Nov 2017 Birthday Luncheon held with eighty-two (82) in attendance. Navy Captain John Hancock regales the crowd with tales of his WW II experiences as a seaman and enlisted fighter pilot.
At this luncheon in 2017, MCAGL recognized several of its past leaders, Steve McConnell, Steve Shi, George Koenig, Larry Anderson and Colonel George Bailey. Plaques were awarded to all, other than Colonel Bailey. Colonel Bailey received special recognition for his many years of service. The recognition was in the establishment of The Colonel George Bailey Award. The award, when conferred, “is bestowed on Georgia Marine lawyers who have demonstrated truly outstanding service to the Marine Corps Association of Georgia Lawyers, the Marine Corps and the legal profession.” Except for the fact that he refused to accept an award of any type, Colonel Bailey would have been the first recipient. It is anticipated that the award will be bestowed only infrequently, as deserving individuals are identified.
Following the Birthday Luncheon in 2017, John W. Timmons, Jr. assumed the Chairmanship from Steve McConnell. This is John’s second term as Chairman. Previously, in 1987-88, he was our Chairman. Dennis Withers took over the Treasurer’s duties from Larry Anderson, who had filled the Treasurer’s billet for the last seven (7) years.
19 April 2018 Mess Night was held at the Capital City Club – Brookhaven, with Dr. John H. Morrow, Jr., Franklin Professor of History at the University of Georgia as Guest of Honor. Dr. Morrow spoke on the roles of the Marines and air power in World War I, as part of the 100th anniversary of the peace to end that “War to End All Wars.” Eighty-six (86) members of MCAGL and their guests attended.
9 Nov. 2018 Ninety (90) persons attended at the Downtown Capital City Club. Guest of Honor was Ms. Susan K. Brubaker, Historian at the Marine Corps History Division, located at Quantico, VA. Ms. Brubaker addressed us on the roles of the Marine Corps in WWI and its development after that war. This topic followed the theme for the year as the 100th Anniversary of the end of WW I was being observed. The event was co-sponsored by the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Georgia, as has been the practice for the last few years.
11 April 2019 Mess Night is held at Brookhaven with 88 in attendance. Our Guest of Honor is Major General Daniel Yoo, Commander, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune. He wows the crowd with his knowledge, enthusiasm and personality. It is apparent why he is a Commander. MCAGL member and past Chairman George Koenig arranged for his friend since The Basic School, General Yoo, to speak to us. For the first time representatives from the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency, who have the Marine Corps advertising account and run it from their Atlanta office, attend. Former Chairman Ken Bernard serves as “Mr. Vice,” following years of service by MSgt David Holmes as Mr. Vice.
8 Nov. 2019 There were 97 in attendance at the Capital City Club – Downtown. The speaker was Ms. Andrea Villa of the Wunderman Thompson Atlanta (formerly J. Walter Thompson) advertising agency. This agency has had the Marine Corps account for seventy-two (72) years. Her discussion of the agency’s demographic studies and targets was enlightening and of general interest. Her topic was The History of Marine Corps Advertising. Additionally, through co-sponsor MCCCGA, Corporal Sean Adams, a Marine wounded in Afghanistan, spoke to the luncheon crowd about his experiences and feelings. A “Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented jointly by MCCCGA and MCAGL to Colonel George Bailey for his many contributions to both organizations. This follows a similar award made to Colonel in November 1987.
Over the course of MCAGL’s history “The Keg” has been not only a symbol of the camaraderie and fellowship that permeates our activities, but our newsletter bears that name and it has been the practice to have “The Keg” present at our functions. However, for about five (5) years “The Keg’s” location was not known to MCAGL’s leadership. In late 2017 a concerted effort was put forth to locate “The Keg.” It was located in the possession of a former officer who had not realized that a search was being conducted. “The Keg” is now back in the possession of our Treasurer. A new position, “Keeper of The Keg” has been created for an active and loyal member. It remains a part of our traditions to have The Keg at each of our events.
In the last half of 2017, MCAGL took steps to formalize its organization and structure. We adopted Articles of Association making MCAGL a tax-exempt, unincorporated association under Internal Revenue Code §501(c) (19), as an organization that benefits veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Our members share a history of past or present active duty in the United States Marine Corps, however brief that active duty may have been. MCAGL members have been admitted to the highest court of any state of the United States, have not been disbarred, are not under any present discipline or sentence from a court, civil or criminal, or state bar association, and have an affinity for the State of Georgia. It is not necessary for our members to have served as a Judge Advocate on active duty.
Only persons paying dues for the current fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) are considered members of the Association for that year. For 2017-2018 dues are forty dollars ($40.00) annually. Non-dues payers are simply “on the Roster.”
MCAGL has always provided social and recreational activities for members, sponsored activities of a patriotic nature, conducted programs for educational purposes, carried on programs to perpetuate the memory of deceased Marine veterans and assisted disabled and needy war veterans and their dependents.
Our mission is to enhance the lives of our members and support the United States Marine Corps through camaraderie and fellowship, while preserving and promoting the traditions of the United States Marine Corps by whatever means may be deemed legal and appropriate.
For many years MCAGL has sponsored an annual Birthday Luncheon in celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday and a Mess Night. These activities are open to MCAGL members, their invited guests and all Marines.
In 2018 we learned that the Marine Corps has a Trademark Office. That office has agreed to remain silent with respect to our name, since our use of our name pre-existed the existence of that Trademark Office and factually describes our membership. We have been cautioned against using Marine Corps graphic marks in branding, promotion, informational material and other social media platforms. For that reason, MCAGL does not use social media. We use Marine Corps graphic marks for the limited purpose of describing the service of our members. We are not an official Marine Corps (USMC) site or association.
By 2018 we had identified one hundred-one (101) lawyers across Georgia who qualify for membership in MCAGL. In November 2019 the number is one hundred-seven (107). We are always looking for additional lawyers who share our history of Marine Corps service, our goals and our values. Over its history MCAGL, like the Marine Corps,has engendered a number of longstanding friendships that likely would not have existed without it. Our history is rich and the future is bright.
Semper Fidelis
[1] Bob Stubbs retired from the Marine Corps in 1962. During WW II he served in the Pacific as a Communications Officer, participating in the battles at Peleliu and Okinawa. He was later part of the occupation force in China for the removal of the Japanese. After the war he attended the law school at George Washington University, graduating in 1952, later serving as a Marine executive and legal officer in Korea. He was on the faculty at Emory Law School until he accepted a position under Attorney General Arthur Bolton in Atlanta.
[2] Memorandum dated 28 Nov 1997 from Ken Bernard, Chairman, to the MCAGL Executive Committee, par. 3 on p. 1.