June 5-6, 2026
Camp Dawson, WV
The Earl Anderson Marine Corps League Det. 342 invites you to join us for this unique celebration of military ceremony, history, and tradition.
Saturday Nov. 15, 2025
Lakeview Resort
Morgantown WV
This year’s convention will be held at Camp Dawson, 1001 Army Road, Kingwood, WV 26537 and hosted by the Earl Anderson Detachment 342. Registration is $5.00 and is due in advance. There will be no late registration or registration at the door.
TICKETS:
Friday June 5, 2026 (Schedule is subject to minor changes)
0600 -0945 Breakfast on your own
0900 -1200 MCL Registration
1000 -1200 MODD Registration 1200 -1300 Lunch on your own
1300 -1600 MCL Registration
1300 -1600 MODD Registration
1300 -1500 Bylaws and Professional Development Training
1500 -1600 Department Audit Committee
1600 -1700 Commandant’s Council – Detachment Commandants/Staff Officers meeting
1700 – Dinner on your own or pre-register for dinner buffet ($18.00)
1700 – 2230 Hospitality Room open /Silent Auction 2100
1830 -1900 MODD Pack Board Meeting*
1900 -2100 MODD Growl of the Pack
* At call of Department Commandant, MCL; Pack Leader, MODD, PMOY Chairman
Saturday June 6, 2026
0700 – Breakfast on your own or pre-register for breakfast buffet ($12.00)
0800 -1000 MCL registration
0800 -0815 Flag-Raising Ceremony
0830 – 0915 Memorial Services, all hands attending
0930 -0945 Department Budget Committee Meeting*
0930 -0945 Department Nominations Committee Meeting*
1000 -1200 MCL Business Meeting
1200-1315 Lunch Break- on your own or pre-register for breakfast buffet ($12.00)
1315 -1600 MCL Business Meeting resumed
1615 -1640 New Officer Installation & Department Officers’ Meeting
1700 -1800 Formal Reception
1800 Grand Banquet- Must pre-register for banquet buffet ($40.00) (Click Here To Register)
* At call of Chairman for Budget and Nominations Committee
Sunday June 7, 2026
0700 – Breakfast on your own or pre-register for breakfast buffet ($12.00) Before departing
Ad Book Info:
Detachments, please consider purchasing an ad in this year’s ad book to help support this year’s convention.
Detachment Pricing – Full page ads can be purchased for $100, half page for $50, and a quarter page for $25.
Please make checks out to MCL DET.342 and mail them to
MCL DET. 342,
PO Box 1507
Morgantown WV 26507
Adbook Size Specifications can be downloaded here – Ad Book Specs
Ads and questions can be sent to our Web Sergeant, Jamie Summerlin
Ads are due no later than May 1, 2026
Thank you in advance for your support!
Date
June 5-6, 2026
TICKETS:
$5.00 per person for full conference
Meals – Varies
Room Rate – $58 Per Night
Contact Commandant, Joe Heubi at 304-276-8102, or our Committee Chair, Allen Miller at 910-650-1188
Location:
Camp Dawson
1001 Army Road
Kingwood WV 26537
Registration:
Register online today
Download Paper Form & Mail Form with Check and appropriate postage To:
MCL DET. 342
PO BOX 1507
Morgantown WV 26507
or call
Det. 342 Commandant Joe Heubi at 304-904-5619 for Convention logistics questions
Convention Ad Book Chair, Jamie Summerlin at 304-826-0311 for Ad Book Questions
Base Access:
Room rate: $58.00 per night per room; including free parking and Wi-Fi Internet. Please make your room reservations directly with Camp Dawson no later than May 1, 2026, by calling (304) 791-7001.
Reservations are currently being accepted; you MUST register for the convention by May 1st and if you do not have a valid military ID, you must register with the Visitor Control Center VCC Link no later than May 1 in order to get onto the base and attend the convention. If your name is NOT on the list, you will not be allowed on site.
Other Info:
JOHN Z. HERNANDEZ
JUNIOR VICE STATE COMMANDER
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS
DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA
John Z. Hernandez is a native Californian, raised in Hollister, California.
John served in the U. S. Marine Corps for 20 years, retiring as a Master Sgt. He served in several leadership positions as a Platoon Sergeant, Senior Drill Instructor, S4 Logistics Chief, to include several overseas tours as the Combat Cargo Assistant aboard USS Boxer (LHD-4).
Hernandez participated in deployed overseas in the Arabian Gulf, Southwest Asia, and Somalia (Operations Native Fury, Eager Mace, and Continued Hope).
John attended several leadership development schools to include Drill Instructor School, U. S. Army Airborne School, and he has participated in training to become an Honorary Navy Chief.
He finished his career at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego as Operations Chief in both Assistant Chiefs of Staff (AC/S) for G-3 Operations and G-4 Logistics.
Hernandez is currently employed as a civilian contractor at Camp Pendleton, CA.
During his 30 years as a VFW member, John is a Gold Legacy member of Temecula Valley VFW Post 4089. As Post Commander, and District 3 Commander, Hernandez held positions at the Department and National level and also attained both All-State and All-American status.
Hernandez was installed in his current position as Junior Vice State Commander in June 2025.
John is also a life member of Marine Corps League Det. 1057 in Southwest Riverside County.
Hernandez has two sons who served in the U. S. Marine Corps, Sgt. John A Hernandez and Staff Sgt. Richard A Hernandez; both are VFW Lifetime members of VFW Temecula Valley Post 4089.
John is married to Mag’e Hernandez. They have four sons, one daughter, two granddaughters and two grandsons.
Military Decorations: Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two gold stars); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (one gold star); Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (one silver star); Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; National Defense Service Medal (one bronze star); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (one bronze star); Southwest Asia Service Medal (one bronze star); United Nations Service Medal.