About THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps. The League bands together those who are now serving in the Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service. They strive to effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy. They voluntarily aid and render assistance to all Marines, FMF Corpsmen and former Marines and FMF Corpsmen and to their widows and orphans. Members serve to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.

About the Detachment

Chartered in May of 2013 the L/Cpl Chance Phelps Detachment # 1406 is the newest detachment in the Department of Wyoming, Rocky Mountain Division, of the Marine Corps League.

The detachment is the vision and plan of our current Commandant, Jeremy Coffi and Adjutant/Paymaster, David Wenig, who also currently serves as the Department of Wyoming, Junior-Vice Commandant.

Traditionally, League Detachments are named in honor of fallen Marines, so it is fitting that we chose to honor Chance Phelps of Dubois.

Chance’s Mother, Mrs. Gretchen Mack, President and Founder of the Chance Phelps Foundation, was contacted and with their cooperation and support, the detachment was named and formed. The early planning for setting-up the detachment required them to find a meeting place, and area to serve. The L/Cpl Chance Phelps Detachment serves the Southwestern portion of Wyoming and is primarily serving Sweetwater County.

Detachment Marines are active as individuals in the community. Many are members of other Veteran and Civic groups in both Green River and Rock Springs. The detachment conducts an annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball, a formal military function that is open to the public in November. Marines of the Chance Phelps Detachment march as members of the Honor Guard for the Red Desert Round up Parade and Rodeo. The detachment awards a scholarship to High School Seniors who are children or grandchildren of military veterans. As a detachment we support and work with other area Veterans groups and community service organizations. The L/Cpl. Chance Phelps Detachment is a member of the Green River and Rock Springs Chambers of Commerce. We are a 501 (c) non-profit corporation registered in the State of Wyoming.

Our members represent service in the Marine Corps from World War Two to the present Global War on Terrorism.

Beyond our local fund raising activities, the detachment works closely with the Chance Phelps Foundation on fundraising and community events in western Wyoming. The detachment raised money that was matched by the Foundation and given toward medical expenses incurred by a young Marines’ family in Casper.

The Chance Phelps Foundation sponsors several events for veterans and their families, including snowmobile trips, guided hunting and fishing expeditions and Ranch Week in the Dubois area. Marines of the detachment volunteer and support these activities, working with the Foundation Trustees and other sponsors.

We also Support the Semper Fi Fund, a national non-profit group that provides support of wounded and injured Marines and their families. The detachment was able to make a $2080.00 donation to the fund from proceeds gained from an auction held as part of the 2013 Marine Corps Birthday Ball.

About Chance Phelps

Pfc. Chance Phelps, (July 14, 1984 – April 9, 2004) of Dubois, Wyoming and Clifton, Colorado, was killed in action in Al Anbar, Iraq, April 9, 2004. He was with the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Marine Expeditionary Force from Twenty Nine Palms, California. Chance, the son of Gretchen Mack and stepson of Jeff Mack, of Dubois, Wyoming, and son of John Phelps, of Cody, Wyoming, was the fallen Marine featured in the HBO television movie “Taking Chance“, starring Kevin Bacon. Phelps was born in Riverton, Wyoming and moved to Colorado as a young boy. He lived first in Craig and then Clifton, Colorado, where he graduated from Palisade High School in 2003. He joined the Marines motivated by the events of September 11, 2001. He attended recruit training at MCRD San Diego and artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was assigned to 3/11, and deployed in February 2004. Chance was killed in action at approximately 15:30 on April 9, 2004 (Good Friday), outside Al Ramadi, Iraq. His unit was conducting convoy escort, which included the assistant commander of the 1st Marine Division, when they came under heavy small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Despite being wounded, he refused to be evacuated, manning his machine gun to cover the evacuation of the rest of his convoy.  Upon withdrawal, he sustained his fatal wound to the head.

Chance was buried in Dubois, Wyoming on April 17, 2004. His remains were escorted home by LtCol . Michael Strobl  (on whose written accounts the HBO movie “Taking Chance” is based). In attendance at this service were his parents, stepparents, sister, Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelly Phelps, her fiancé Sgt. Rob Orndoff, U.S. Army, and members of every veteran’s organization within 90 miles along with many friends and acquaintances. Several days later, a memorial service was held by his unit, in Camp Ramadi, Iraq. Chance was awarded a posthumous promotion to Lance Corporal shortly after his death. In addition, a baseball field constructed in Camp Ramadi was dedicated Phelps Field.  In mid-2005, the Mess Hall at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty Nine Palms, CA, was dedicated Phelps Hall with his citation posted on a boulder in front. Chance is also memorialized by a  rock garden at  the 3/11 office and at the Dubois VFW post, as well as a  plaque that travels with Battery L wherever it deploys and a battery  mascot named after him.

Continue to serve, carry on the high traditions of the Marine Corps, and enjoy the many benefits of membership.

Marines and Fleet Marine Force U.S. Navy Medical Corpsmen veterans who were Honorably Discharged or are currently on Active or Reserve duty are welcome to attend meetings that are held on the second Wednesday of every month at the Archie Hay American Legion Post 24 on Broadway in Rock Springs, at 7:00 pm. Contact us on our website at mclsweetwater.org,