First State Detachment News - page 2
October 14, 2022
Retired Marine Al Soto Sworn in as New Member of First State Detachment
When retired Marine Al Soto, a U.S. Navy Academy graduate who saw service in the Gulf War
and the Far East, moved from Orlando, FL to Milton, DE, he had no idea there was a Marine
Corps League detachment near his new home. That
changed when Al and his wife, Rhonda, who is
retired from the U.S. Air Force, attended the
Bethany Beach Arts Festival. It was there he ran into
members of the First State Detachment of the
Marine Corps League, who, as usual, were
volunteering to help out at a community event.
A few weeks later, Al attended a monthly meeting of
the First State Detachment at the Ocean City
American Legion Post, and was sworn in as a new
member.
Soto began his career as a Navy enlisted man in 1976, and attended the Naval Academy
Preparatory School, graduating in 1977, the same year he reported to the Naval Academy. On
graduation he chose to join the Marines, was trained as a helicopter pilot and served more
than 24 years before retiring in 2000 as a Major. Rhonda, his wife, retired as a Colonel from
the Air Force in 2014.
In the photo, First State Detachment Commandant Bob Broderick (L) swears new member Al
Soto into the First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League.
October 3, 2022
Don Coffin Named Judge Advocate of First State Marines
Don Coffin of Berlin has been sworn in as Judge Advocate of the First State Detachment of the
Marine Corps League. As Judge Advocate, Coffin is responsible for advising the unit on
matters of rules and regulations. Coffin was installed in the
office by Frank Del Piano of Ocean City, Commandant of the
Department of Delaware Marine Corps League, at the
detachment’s monthly meeting held at Ocean City American
Legion Post 166.
Photo Caption
Right hand raised, Don Coffin takes the oath of office as Judge
Advocate from Frank Del Piano of the Marine Corps League
First State Detachment
September 15, 2022
First State Detachment Presents $10,000 Donation to Semper Fi & America Fund
The First State Detachment of the Marine Corps League held its 16 th annual Frank Conlon
Memorial Golf Tournament at Ocean City Golf Club this summer to raise money for the
Semper Fi & America's Fund that provides
programs to assist combat wounded severely
ill veterans and their families in all branches of
the U.S. Armed Forces.
In the attached photo, First State Detachment
Commandant Bob Broderick and Frank Del
Piano, Commandant, Department of
Delaware, Marine Corps League, present a
$10,000 check to Marine Corps Major Chuck
Jedlicka and Command Sgt. Major Adrian
Lopez, who receved the funds on behalf of the
Semper Fi & America's Fund.
Over the past 16 years the MCL golf tournament has been held in the Ocean City area. From
the Golf Tournament and the Semper Fi Bike Ride, Walk or Run held on Ocean City's iconic
boardwalk, First State Marines has raised more than $93,000.00 for the Semper Fi & America
fund.
