December 8, 2020 Press Release: 

On Monday December 7, 2020, The First State Detachment 689 Marine Corps League made a formal presentation to The Semper Fi & America’s Fund for $10,000.00 at the Ocean City Mayor and Council meeting. Funds were raised at the First annual Semper Fi Bike Ride held on the Ocean City Maryland Boardwalk on Sunday October 18th. SSgt Ramirez and Sgt Enright, active duty Marines from the Salisbury Recruiting Office, volunteered and were on hand to receive the funds on behalf of the Semper Fi & America’s Fund. Members of the Detachment and event producer’s Brad Hoffman and Bob Broderick along with local media were in attendance to show their appreciation. Hoffman and Broderick presented a framed certificate to Ocean City’s Mayor Meehan and the City Council for the Town’s support for this first-year event. 

 The presentation included a video overview of the event and briefing for the council on plans for next year’s event tentatively scheduled for Sunday October 17th 2021. Bags with event memorabilia were given to the City Clerk for the Mayor, the City Manager and each member of the council. The Detachment is looking forward to next year and our continued partnership with the Semper Fi and America’s Fund and the Town of Ocean City Maryland. First State Marines are proud of the success from this first year event knowing that the funds raised will continue the mission for the Semper Fi and America’s Fund to support Combat wounded, severally ill veterans and support for their families.

The Marine Corp League's cadre of Marines, Navy Corpsman and Associate Memebers remain committed to supporting the charities and programs that provide some of the critical needs for our local communities by participating and promoting fundraising events like "The Semper Fi Bike Ride". Come join us on October 18th, 2020 and participate in this Friendly Fun Ride on Ocean City's iconic Boardwalk. Patriotic individuals, Families and Groups of Friends are invited to sign up, sponso0r or build a tem to participate in this Friendly Fun Ride. Morris Semiatin, an Honorary Member and Veteran from the Iwo Jima Campaign will lead the group from Ocean City Inlet to 27th Street and back for this first year event. The winner of our Military Themed Custom Bike Raffle will be drawn at the Ride's finish at the Ocean City Inlet.

The Frank Conlon Memorial Golf Tournament, OC Jeep Week, The Jelly Fish Festival are a few of the events the First State Detachment will be promoting for 2020. Funds raised from these events support programs like Toys 4 Tots, The Semper Fi Fund, Homes for Our Troops, Fisher House, The Cody Childers Fund and Veterans and their Families in distress. With the support of members, local businesses and friends of the League we continue to keep our commitment to "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) and our mission of service to the Worcester and Sussex communities we serve.

• Semper Fi Bike Ride
• 15th Annual Frank Conlon Memorial Golf Tournament
• Jelly FIsh Festival
• OC Jeep Week
• Toys 4 Tots Program

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June 1, 2019, Ocean City Maryland 

On June 1st, our Detachment was honored to be invited to participate in a 93rd Birthday Celebration for Morris Semiatin on the Boardwalk here in Ocean City. We presented Morris with our Detachment Challenge coin, accompanied his family and friends with a rendition of Happy Birthday and along with Morris, sang our Marine Corps Hymn.

Morris has a storied history in his service to our Country and the Corp. It was WWII, and after graduating High School, he elected to join the Corp instead of waiting to be be drafted. He did his Boot Camp at Parris Island in 1944 with training at Lejeune and San Diego then on to Hawaii at Camp Tarawa where he joined the 31st Replacement unit. He was subsesequently shipped to the 5th Marine Division in the Marianas then staging to join the invasion group for the iconic battle for Iwo Jima.

Morris was assigned to a rocket team where he manned and supported a 3.5 rocket propelled weapon. His first job on landing was to support beach logistics moving material in support of front-line Marines. During that first week, Morris witnessed both flag raisings on Mount Suribachi. Within a week of the battle, Morris moved to the front where he ws wounded by a grenade on his first night in combat and was awarded his Purple Heart. Morris was sent to a hospital ship for his journey back to Hawaii then transferred to the US Naval Hospital in Annapolis for recovery.

After recuperating from his wounds, Morris was assigned to accompany Doc Bradley, Rene Gagnon and Ira Hayes on their famous US Bond Tours. He became best friends with Ira Hayes and was personally responsible for ensuring that Ira make appearances at bond tour events on time. Discharged in 1946 he joined Del Ankers photo Studios where he retired after 34 years as a portrait photographer. During his Ankers career, Morris worked at the White House where he made photo portraits for Presidents, Kings, Senators and famous dignitaries.

On November 10, 1954 Morris was preesent at the dedication of the Iwo Jima Memorial at Arlington, Virginia along with the three surviving flag raisers. He became best friends with Ire Hayes and shared his home with Ira for the three weeks leading up to the dedication of the Iconic Memorial dedicated to the Flag raising.

The 1st State Detachment of the MCL is pleased to honor and welcome Morris and his son, Ben, to this years celebration. And in recognition of his service to our country and our Corps, present him with this Honorary Membership Certificate presented by our Commandant.
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