Marines host monthly breakfast

Harry Beaten / Courtesy photo

Left to right: Jim Pilkington, Buz DeVere, Jon Porter, Mark DeVere, Bud DeVere, Howard Getman, Jim McCarly, Dennis Sedleck, Murphy McCroy and Craig DeVere.

Courtesy of the SOS Breakfast

The monthly gathering of The Front Range Marines was held as always, rain, sleet or snow, in the parking at Roger’s Grove in Longmont on Aug. 30. This event has become a tradition in Longmont for the past fifteen years. It is always held on the last Saturday of the month at 0800. It is always open to all Marines, their friends, families, affiliate services and anyone else who would like to attend.

For many years, the public has made the mistake of referring to Marines who are no longer on active duty as “ex-Marines.” Marines have always rejected that term themselves and recently the Commandant of The Marine Corps has directed that even the traditional term of “Former Marines” be no longer used. This fulfills one of the mottoes of this unique branch of military service that, “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”.

The event is called the S0S Breakfast. This refers to the traditional military breakfast also suffered by other military branches as “Creamed Chipped Beef On Toast” and referred to by Marines as“ S*** On a Shingle.” The Longmont breakfast is currently prepared by Craig DeVere, son of retired Marine, Carl M. DeVere Sr. This past Saturday, Marines also welcomed Carl M. DeVere Jr. who is a Marine, and Mark DeVere the youngest of the three brothers. Longmont regulars Jim Pllkington and Jon Porter also attended.

The photo was taken by Longmont resident Harry Beaten, a renowned wood sculptor. Although not a Marine himself, Harry was warmly welcomed by the Marines and regaled them with tales of the Chinese invasion of his native land of Burma. Harry said that at only age 11, he picked up a British rifle and opposed the invasion. The Front Range Marines have a standing invitation to all Marines, their friends and families to attend this monthly event of hot coffee, scrambled eggs, donuts, great camaraderie and the famed breakfast dish.