Al joined our Detachment in 2008 and was an active member until 2014 when he began to fall chronically ill. Al was a great contributor to our mission of helping the community and our fellow veterans. Al built and displayed two parade floats honoring the marines who fought at Iwo Jima and the WWI Iron Mike statue at Paris Island.
Iwo Jima Float
The term “Iron Mike” is uniquely American slang used to refer to men who are especially tough, brave, and inspiring. Because the use of the slang term was popular in the first half of the 20th century, many statues from that period acquired the Iron Mike nickname, and over the generations the artists’ titles were largely forgotten. Parris Island’s Iron Mike is depicted carrying a Maxim machine gun over his right shoulder and an M1911 pistol in his raised left hand, created as a memorial to all of the Parris Island graduates who were killed during WWI.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Mike]Al especially enjoyed participating in the Concord Christmas and Memorial Day parades. Al as a member of the league was very quiet and did not have much to say. However, in 2010 when he became Commandant he had stuff to say about everything. We valued all his leadership and contributions to our detachment and will miss him dearly. Al was a great example of an American patriot and U.S. Marine. Semper Fidelis Marine, and may you and your family have fair winds and following seas. We know that you are now reporting for guard duty at the Heavenly Gates and we will meet again.
Al serving as Commandant of the Gary S Dillon 2010. You will be missed Marine and Friend.Al Plourde Not as Lean Not as Mean, But Still a MARINE!Al and Wife Jenny at the Joint Installation 2010, where Al was sworn in as Detachment Commandant.Al and the other Leathernecks from the Gary S Dillon Detachment joined together at the Department Picnic in 2007.Al, Roy, and Cheryl at the Joint Installation where Al receives award for building the Iwo Jima Float.Fred, Joe, Mark, Ray, Bryan, and Al at a detachment picnic in 2007.Al with wife Jenny, and George Noel at Department Picnic in 2007.
![The term "Iron Mike" is uniquely American slang used to refer to men who are especially tough, brave, and inspiring. Because the use of the slang term was popular in the first half of the 20th century, many statues from that period acquired the Iron Mike nickname, and over the generations the artists' titles were largely forgotten. Parris Island's Iron Mike is depicted carrying a Maxim machine gun over his right shoulder and an M1911 pistol in his raised left hand, created as a memorial to all of the Parris Island graduates who were killed during WWI.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Mike]](http://garysdillon.melcara.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Ironmike2.jpg)
