New London — The Thames River Detachment of the Marine Corps League is always looking for new members. 

Prospective members must be Marines (active duty or reserve; honorably discharged; or retired); Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen; or FMF Chaplins. Individuals not qualified for regular membership in the Marine Corps League may be accepted for associate membership, if they espouse the principles and purposes of the Marine Corps League.

The setachment is involved in many activities, including: SailFest; assisting veterans in need; and a Toys for Tots Project, among others. This past year, toys were distributed to more than 1,600 less fortunate children in the local area.

A detachment picnic is held every summer, and every November a Birthday Ball celebrates the founding of the U.S. Marine Corps in 1775.

The Thames River Detachment meets at the Montville VFW the second Tuesday of every month. If you are interested in joining the TRD, please call Tom Callinan for more information at (860) 889-6648 or email him at crackerbrl@comcast.net. You can also visit the TRD's wbbsite at www.mcltrd1334.org or our National Headquarters at http://www.mclnational.org. Semper Fidelis!