The Greater New Bedford Marine Corps League is looking for a few good men.

Part of a national organization, the local league welcomes former marines from Dartmouth to Wareham, and Commandant Rick Sequin said he'd like to see more folks from the tri-town.

The group got its start at the annual Marine Corps birthday party held in New Bedford. Sequin and others present started polling everyone at the party about starting a league. They got enough positive feedback to get the paperwork in order.

The group got its official charter in October 2012.

“The Marine Corps League exists to carry on the traditions of the Marine Corps and to help marines, former marines as well as the community at large,” said Sequin.

Forty-eight members, including five women, are members of the group. They range from World War II veterans to those who served more recently.

“We have a very diverse group,” Seguin said, including one man who was captured at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

One of the main functions of the group is to perform rituals at wakes and funerals for Marines and Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen. The former Marines also seek out parades to participate in, clean up the plaques at area cemeteries, and place flags on veterans’ grave sites for Memorial Day.

Seguin said he and his fellow league members don’t want veterans who have passed away or those still living to be ignored. To that end, the league also visits veterans at nursing homes.

“We let them know that they have not been forgotten,” said Seguin. “The veterans, some of them, have no one to visit them.”

Another aspect of the organization is raising funds for veterans groups such as the Wounded Warriors Project and for the community, including Toys for Tots.

“We’re currently investigating other charities – to get the biggest bang for our buck,” he said.

Seguin said the group has been busy so far, but there is much more to do. He would like to see more Marines join up.

“We find that most people don’t know that we exist,” he said. “We’re looking to get our name out there.

And aside from carrying on the mission of the Marine Corps, Seguin said, “It’s a good way for former Marines to get together and share camaraderie with other marines.”

The Greater New Bedford Marine Corps League meets at New Bedford’s Poirier Post VFW on the second Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. The post is located at at 281 Appleton St.

For more information, contact Rick Sequin at 508-496-9023 or at rseguin113@verizon.net. The group’s website is gnbmcl.ning.com.