Join us for a Christmas in July fundraiser on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at the American Legion Post 25, in Milltown to support the Toys for Tots Foundation presented by Toys for Tots Coordinator CWO 4 Nick D’Andrea.
Cost is $30.00 donation. Doors open at 5:30PM. Cash bar available. DJ music (Oldies 50’s & 60’s) and dancing will be from 7-10PM.
Buffet dinner will include: Ravioli in vodka sauce, kielbasa & kraut, chicken francese, sausage, peppers & onions, roast beef, string beans almondine, tossed salad, rolls, butter, beer, wine, soda, coffee, tea & dessert.
Call Janet to RSVP at 732-738-4694. No tickets will be sold at the door. Reservations are limited. Deadline is July 13, 2024.
Make checks payable to:
Toys for Tots Foundation
c/0 55 Gordon Ave.
Fords, NJ 08863
Download filer:
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.
Join us at New Jersey’s only Historic Golf Hotel, the Seaview, in Galloway for the 2026 Department of New Jersey Convention on April 23-26th. For more than a century, this iconic hotel on the Jersey Shore near Atlantic City has hosted presidents, rock stars and golf’s greatest champions—and now we’re excited to be back at the Seaview again for our 2026 Department Convention!
To make your hotel reservation by phone, please call the new Hyatt Reservation number: 609-652-1800 and press Option 1 for reservations
If the reservation agent does not immediately locate rooms under the Marine Corps League block, please provide the group code: G-MARI.
To make your reservation online: Visit the Hyatt site at: https://www.hyatt.com/loyalty/en-US and put in the Seaview Hotel and our convention dates. Use the group code G-MARI to see our rooms and rates.
All reservations must be made with the hotel by March 24, 2026. You must give them a credit card number; however, the room will not be charged to your account. Be sure to get a confirmation number.
Ad Book Registration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dept-of-nj-ad-book
Convention Registration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/98th-department-convention-delegate-registration
Banquet Registration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dept-of-nj-banquet-tickets
Sponsor and Vendor Registration:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dept-of-nj-convention-sponsor-and-vendor-form
For more information, visit the Department Convention page.
The 2026 Northeast Division Conference will feature Division business sessions, leadership development programming, and concurrent breakout discussions designed to strengthen Detachments and Departments across the Northeast. Early registration is encouraged to assist with planning and space allocation.
For more information, visit the Northeast Division Conference webpage.
Download the Northeast Division MOY and AOY protocol.
Our next Four Chaplains Award Ceremony will be held on June 20th at 10:00 am.
The annual Father Washington – Four Chaplains Award Ceremony is being hosted by Father Washington’s parish, St. Stephen’s Church, located at 141 Washington Avenue in Kearny (corner of Kearny Ave and Washington Ave).
If you haven’t seen the Four Chaplains Award Ceremony, it’s worth coming to support the winners and learn more about the program.
This is a great opportunity to recognize those in our community who do so much to help others!
I hope to see you there.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Paul Thompson at (201-320-3210) or email paulcfp@aol.com.
Join us for a festive mid‑summer celebration supporting the Toys for Tots Foundation, because “Every Child Deserves a Christmas.”
This special Christmas in July event brings together great food, music, dancing, and community spirit—all while helping ensure children in need receive a joyful holiday season.
Buffet Dinner Menu
Enjoy a full buffet featuring:
- Ravioli in vodka sauce
- Kielbasa & kraut
- Chicken Francese
- Sausage, peppers & onions
- Roast beef
- String beans almondine
- Tossed salad
- Rolls & butter
- Beer, wine, soda, coffee, tea, and dessert
Entertainment
- Oldies from the ’50s & ’60s
- DJ music and dancing from 7–10 PM
Reservation Deadline
All reservations must be received by July 10, 2026. Make checks payable to: Toys for Tots Foundation Mail to: c/o 55 Gordon Ave. Fords, NJ 08863
Join Us for a Night of Holiday Cheer in July!
Come out for great food, great music, and a great cause. Ho‑Ho‑Ho! Ooh‑rah!