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Who We Are!

WE ARE MARINES “Once a Marine, always a Marine” is familiar to us all. It is that feeling you get when you see a Marine Corps sticker on a car or a home proudly displaying the Marine Corps flag. All we need to do is knock and that Marine will be there for you. It is not just a tagline for a commercial. That flag is the embodiment of our soul. Despite our many years of service to different causes and in various times, we all have that one tangible thing in common: It is the knowledge that we have all earned the privilege to wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor; a symbol that will forever be seared into our hearts.

WHAT WE DO: Promote USMC, history, & traditions Strengthen the fraternity of Marines Serve Marines and FMF Navy Personnel Foster ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism Active, reserve, retired, and veteran Marines continue the faithful tradition of looking out for the Marines to their left and right, providing mentorship, career counseling, Veteran Service Officer.

He Gave His Life for Our Freedom

In honor of

LCpl Louis W. Qualls

Louis W. Qualls was born on June 25, 1984 in Temple, Texas. Qualls was born and raised in Temple. He graduated from Temple High School in 2002. Louis Qualls spent his life preparing to join the military. He learned to shoot a rifle at a young age, competed in martial arts, and wore the Air Force blue uniform of the Junior ROTC. Mostly, though, he wanted to be like his father, who had served in the Army and the National Guard for years.

Louis learned about leadership in the JROTC Program. He was a linebacker in football, a member of the track team, and a top 10 percent graduate. Louis was a Boy Scout and grew up attending the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Qualls was also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, winning championships at the regional, state, national and junior Olympic levels. In addition, he and his father shared a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles and went riding together often.

Lance Corporal Qualls joined the Marine Corps at the age of 18. He served with the United States Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Corps Reserve, Grand Prairie, Texas. While serving on active duty during the second battle for Fallujah, Al Anbar Province, Iraq, Lance Corporal Qualls was killed in action by enemy forces on November 16, 2004. Qualls was the first Temple resident in the military to die in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was 20 years old.

“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines don’t have that problem.”

Ronald Reagan

Semper Fidelis

Our Detachment

Ooh Rah & welcome to Marine Corps League Detachment 1249.

Our Detachment is dedicated to helping the Marines in Bell County, Central Texas. We are a 501c (3) nonprofit organization. Members of The Louis W. Qualls Detachment, as good citizens and in our virtue of service, help support many groups and individuals in the Temple and Killeen Urbanized Areas of Texas. (Copperas Cove, Killeen, Harker Heights, Nolanville, Salado, Morgan’s Point, Belton, Temple, Academy, Rogers. Heidenheimer, etc.)Every year, we donate to different charitable organizations such as:

Toys for Tots
McLane Children's Hospital
Blue and Camo Santa Programs
Annual Military and First Responder's Luncheon
Salvation Army
Local Youth Sports
Belton High School JROTC, Top Cadet Merit Award
Temple High School JROTC Louis W. Qualls Award
Belton Chamber Fourth of July Parade
Devil Dog Golf Tournament
MCL Relief Fund
9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
Joint Operations with local Veteran's Groups
Members of the Military Order of Devil Dogs sponsored "Tun Tavern" Events
Department of Texas Programs and Events

If you are a Marine new to the area or just finding out about the League, then please Join! You will be welcomed and among Marines from all generations.