By HOPE PIERSON
The Press-Enterprise

"Once a Marine, always a Marine" is a motto that members of the Southwest Riverside County Detachment 1057 of the Marine Corps League live by everyday.

Don Herpy, 72, of Wildomar, was named the new commandant of the league Aug. 23 during a meeting at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1508.

At the ceremony he was presented with a certificate of recognition for community service by William Burger from Rep. Mary Bono Mack's office.

The 26-member league meets at 9 a.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at VFW Post 1508, 21180 Waite St., Wildomar.

The league is open to all active and inactive Marines (men and women) and Fleet Marine Force Navy Corpsmen.

One of the purposes of the league is to help fellow Marines with services or concerns.

The league spotlights guest speakers and provides service programs for the community.

"In the past we have assisted widows who may want a color and honor guard for a funeral," Herpy said.

The league held a flag ceremony last Thursday honoring Sept. 11 (Patriot's Day) at the Colony in Murrieta.

"We also meet for fellowship and camaraderie and to promote the Marine Corps," Herpy said.

Herpy was a member of the Marine Corps from 1955 to 1975.

After completing high school in Utica, N.Y., at age 18, Herpy decided to join the Marine Corps. He began his career in the military with Marine Helicopter Squadron One, which was designated as the executive flight detachment for the White House and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

"It was the beginning of the use of the Marine One helicopter for travels of the president," Herpy said.

He served in the aviation division focusing on supply, support and logistics. His stateside duties were at Marine Corps Air Stations in El Toro and Tustin.

After his retirement from the military, Herpy worked at Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo.

Information: Bill Fortune at 951-672-3778 or Don Herpy at 951-678-2650.

Reach Hope Pierson at 951-375-3732 or hpierson@PE.com

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_sspot16.200bf86.html

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