Phone # for reservations – 1-800-233-1234
Group code = G-MCL5
Dates: Monday August 11, 2025 to Friday, August 15, 2025
Rates are $159 inclusive of taxes. Parking is free.
Schedule
Uniform Guidance for National Convention
Covers – National Conv & Conf – NJA 2016 Ruling
Monday Joint Opening Session – MCL Casual Red Blazer uniform (suggested), MCL cover required.
Monday afternoon business session – MCL Undress uniform (suggested) or polo shirt, MCL cover required.
Tuesday business session – MCL Undress uniform (suggested) or polo shirt, MCL cover required.
Wednesday – casual wear
Thursday business session – MCL undress uniform (suggested) or polo shirt, MCL cover required.
Friday business session – MCL undress uniform (suggested) or polo shirt, MCL cover required.
Friday Formal Reception / Grand Banquet – (Black Tie) MCL Evening Dress, MCL Formal Dress, or Black Tie (suggested), no MCL covers.
The MCL uniforms stated are the ‘suggested’ uniforms. With the exception of the MCL cover, any credentialed member in good standing will not be refused access to the business meetings if they are not wearing the suggested MCL uniform. MCL covers are required for wear during all business meetings of the convention.
Files & Reports
MODD Awards Banquet Schedule
Convention Delegate Registration
Reports
Reports – Board of Trustees
Reports – Committees
Reports – Departments
Reports – Other
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2026 National Convention location will be in Indianapolis, Indiana (8/10/2026 – 8/14/2026)
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2029, 2033, 2037 – Southern Quadrant – AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, OK, SC, TN, & TX
2030, 2034, 2038 – Central Quadrant – IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, & WI
2027, 2031, 2035 – Eastern Quadrant – CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV & Puerto Rico
2028, 2032, 2036 – Western Quadrant – AK, AZ, CA. CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, & WY
The 2025 John Basilone Parade will be on Sunday, September 21st at 1 PM.
John Basilone is the only Enlisted Marine:
- To be awarded both The Congressional Medal of Honor and The Navy Cross.
- To return to action after being presented the Medal of Honor and be killed in action.
- To have an annual parade in his honor
There will be a ceremony at Basilone Statue after parade around 2:30 PM.
On parade day groups participating in the parade need to “check in” at the Registration Desk at the Raritan Train Station. The desk opens at 9 AM.
You should arrive by 11am so you can park, register and get to your starting location. The people at the registration desk will point you in the direction of the person that will show you where we are in the parade lineup.
For first timers, reminder Raritan is in Somerset County next to Somerville and Bridgewater. A good GPS address to get to the Raritan Train Station is:
77 Thompson Street Raritan NJ 08869
Remember – the parade is rain or shine.
As for parking for the Basilone Parade, Raritan is a downtown with somewhat crowded side streets.
Those participating in the parade may park at the Raritan Train Station – if parking spots are available. The earlier you arrive, the better chance you have of getting a parking spot at the train station. Other parking is available on the many side-streets in Raritan. In addition, there are two banks on Raritan’s main street – Somerset Street – which have around 16 parking spots each. Those banks are the PNC Bank at 9 West Somerset Street and Somerset Savings Bank at 802 West Somerset Street. There is also parking at LabCorp which is on Johnson Drive – which is off First Avenue. Also, along the river, the southern park of town, there are several small parking lots on Canal Street and Orlando Drive.
The 2025 Stand Down of South Jersey will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025 from 8:30am to 12:30pm at the Cherry Hill Armory, Grove & Park Blvd, Cherry Hill, NJ. If you are a homeless or at risk veteran wishing to attend for services, please register on our website. If you can not register online, call 609-238-1452 to register. Veteran ID/Proof of Service will be required prior to entry. Veterans only – no family/children.
We do offer 2 Bus Shuttles for the homeless/at risk veterans that may need it. One shuttle from Trenton City Hall and one shuttle from Camden VA Clinic. Complete details on the website.
The following Services and Assistance will be available:
- VA Benefit Counseling
- Meal
- PTSO Counseling
- Mental Health
- Welfare
- Social Security
- Food Stamps
- Legal Services
- Addiction Services
- Housing
- Medical
- Employment
- Unemployment
- Haircuts
- Clothing
- Provisions
- and more!
To Register as a Volunteer, fill out our online registration form on our website.
To Apply to have a Service Provider Table, fill out our online application form on our website. Limited space, first come, first serve.
Stand Down of South Jersey is a 501 (c)(3) charity organized to provide outreach, medical screening, clothing and lunch for homeless and at-risk veterans in the ten southern counties of New Jersey.
We conduct the Stand Down of South Jersey every year at the Cherry Hill National Guard Armory which was founded by SFC Robert H. Yancey, Sr. This event is typically held on the fourth Friday of September. The event is staffed entirely by volunteers and in 2024 we had more than 200 volunteers. We hosted 160 Veterans in 2024 (17 Female and 143 male). The New Jersey National Guard provides building security and personnel to assist with setting up for the event. The New Jersey 177th Air Guard provides medical personnel to augment the nearly 75 Veterans Administration personnel. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (NJ DMAVA) provides use of the National Guard Armory building, transportation for veterans from Mercer County and administrative support.
Download Flyer and Information Packet: