Birmingham Marine Corps League

General "Howlin' Mad" Smith Detachment #592

Birmingham, Ala VA Hospital Visitation Squad

May 7, 2019

  
For over 27 years EVERY Marine patient in the Birmingham, Ala Veterans Administration hospital gets a visit each week from Marines of the Birmingham Marine Corps League "Howlin' Mad" Smith detachment #592.

These Marines and Sailors are registered VA volunteer workers in support of the doctors, nurses, and staff providing medical care to Veteran patients. This squad exhibits the Marine Corps motto "Semper Fidelis" meaning always faithful, always loyal and able to count on your fellow Marines - while in the Marine Corps and for a lifetime. We also visit with nearby Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guard Veterans.

This volunteer work is valued by the patients because nothing is better than a visit from your service buddies making sure that our Marines, Veterans, and family members are not alone during recovery at the Birmingham VA hospital.

Pictured Left to right: Douglas Dunn, David "Doc" Baldwin, Henry Williams, Kay Martin, John Birmingham, Robert Hacker, Wayne Odell, Russell Casterlin, Brian Gierlatowicz, John Whitmire

VA VISITATION SQUAD 2019 AWARDS CEREMONY 5/23/19

The Birmingham VA hospital volunteer awards banquet May 23, 2019 recognized all volunteer's service. The Birmingham Marine Corps League "Howlin' Mad" Smith Detachment #592 VA Hospital Squad was recognized for serving over 1,700 volunteer hours last year.

VA VISITATION SQUAD JOINS 2K WALK

The 9th Annual VA 2K walk was held at 9AM on 5/15/19.  Funds raised were to aid the homeless in the Birmingham, Al area.  Donations were accepted, not only monetary but cloths and personal items as well.  The start & finish points were at the VA parking deck. 

The “Howlin’ Mad” Smith VA Visitation Squad members present were, pictured from left to right, Hank Williams, Russell Casterlin, Brian Gierlatowicz, Bob Hacker, “Doc” Baldwin.   Not pictured is Douglas Dunn.  

VA VISITATION SQUAD RECEIVES SERVICE AWARD 4/4/17

Birmingham VA hospital Director Thomas C. Smith III FACHE, presented a service award plaque to the Birmingham Marine Corps League General "Howlin' "Mad" Smith detachment #592 for 25 years of volunteer service.

For over 25 years EVERY Marine patient in the Birmingham, Ala Veterans Administration hospital gets a visit each week from Marines of the Birmingham Marine Corps League "Howlin' Mad" Smith detachment #592.

These Marines and Sailors are registered VA volunteer workers in support of the doctors, nurses, and staff providing medical care to Veteran patients. This squad exhibits the Marine Corps motto "Semper Fidelis" meaning always faithful, always loyal to Corps, Country, and able to count on your fellow Marines - while in the Marine Corps and for a lifetime. The squad also visits with ALL nearby Veterans; Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guard Veterans.

John Birmingham- 2017 squad leader, Thomas Smith- Director, Birmingham VA Hospital, Jim Upshaw- founding/ charter member of the Marine Corps League Hospital Visitation Squad

Front row L to R: Kay Martin, Thomas Smith, John Birmingham, Jim Upshaw 

Back row L to R: Henry Williams, Douglas Dunn, Brian Gierlatowicz , Rod Zielger, Wayne Odell, Russell Casterlin, Rufus "Whitey" Glanton, Roger Gilbert, "Doc" David Baldwin, John Whitmire, John Hilmer.

VA VISITATION SQUAD 2017 AWARDS CEREMONY 4/21/17

The Birmingham VA hospital volunteer awards banquet April 21, 2017 recognized all volunteer's service. The Birmingham Marine Corps League "Howlin' Mad" Smith detachment VA hospital squad was recognized for serving over 3,700 volunteer hours last year.

Pictured left to right: Rod Ziegler, Henry Williams, Wayne Odell, Rufus "Whitey" Glanton, John Hilmer, Douglas Dunn, Brian Gierlatowicz, Russell Casterlin, John Whitmire, Wayne Jones, and George Thompson.

TAD: John Birmingham, Gene Hopper, Kay Martin, Jim Upshaw, David Baldwin, Roger Gilbert, Roger Ledbetter, and John Bankhead.

Marine Corps League Birmingham VA Hospital Visitation Team HANDBOOK

The Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem and the name Marine Corp© are registered trademarks of the USMC. The Marine Corps League and its subordinate organizations support the USMC and its veterans, however it is not officially connected to or endorsed by the USMC, and the name and emblem are used with permission.