August 2009

MajGen. Herbert L Wilkerson USMC Ret. gives keynote address at 67th Anniversary of Battle for Guadalcanal

MajGen. Herbert L Wilkerson USMC Ret. accepts cover from CC Bob Stanley.

MajGen. Herbert L Wilkerson USMC Ret. speaks with a Marine veteran.

On Aug. 12th 2009 the Marines Memorial San Francisco hosted the 67 Anniversary of the battle for Guadalcanal.

 The keynote speaker was MajGen. Herbert L Wilkerson, USMC Ret. Gen. Wilkerson recollected his memories of the battle as a PFC rifleman in 1/7 (LtCol. “Chesty” Puller, commanding and the eventual capture of Guadalcanal. He subsequentially served in combat again with the 1st Marine Division in both Korea and Vietnam where he commanded the 1st Marines, the oldest Regiment in the Corps.)

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Please contact Jack Paxton, ASAP

Will the following please contact Jack Paxton, Executive Director, concerning the approaching conference.  +1 352-748-4698; EMAIL: usmccca@cfl.rr.com;  SKYPE: Jack T. Paxton Nathan Hanks, Albany Cpl. Tyler Hill, ComCam MCAGCC Frans LaBranche, New Orleans Damien McGee, RS Salt Lake City Capt. Geraldine Carey, MarCorSystems Command 1stLt Andrew Hurd, MCAS Beaufort Mike Mink/Angela Read more…

By Jason Fudge, ago

Contribution by a Contractor/Stringer Photographer: Guenther, Powell

1st Place Contribution by a Contractor/Stringer Photographer by Joel C. Guenther: Marines overcome obstacles at Darton Challenge Course.

1st Place Contribution by a Contractor/Stringer Photographer is Joel C. Guenther: Marines overcome obstacles at Darton Challenge Course.

No sponsor for this category

1st Place (and Honorable Mention): Joel Guenther, Marine Corps Logistics Base, Albany GA.
Guenther went along with 20 Marines who took the Challenge Course at Darton College in Albany. The tower climb was one of five exercises forcing team members to work together to solve problems.

2nd Place: Art Powell, Marine Logistics Group, Albany, GA.

For more award-winning photos see below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Contribution by a Contractor/Stringer-Writer: Christine Cabaro

No sponsor for this category, no first or second place awarded.

Honorable Mention: Christine Cabaro, MCB Hawaii

Nintendo Wii therapy aids wounded

Injured service members getting into the swing of rehabilitation therapy should consider finding a Wii console.

The Nintendo gaming system is helping Wounded Warrior Company’s 3rd Marine Regiment Marines recuperate from their combat injuries. Recovering Warriors are reaping therapeutic benefits during single and multiple player Wii games.

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Art and Graphics in Support of a Publication: Zrioka, Ramirez

1st Place Art and Graphic in Support of a Publication by LCpl. Pete Zrioka: Chow hall menu graphic.

1st Place Art and Graphic in Support of a Publication by LCpl. Pete Zrioka: Chow hall menu graphic.

Category sponsored by Charles Bonilla

1st Place: LCpl. Pete Zrioka, MCAS Yuma
If you’ve been in a Marine chow line then you’ve seen this character with his ladle and his “take-it-or-leave-it” approach. The drawing highlights the chow hall menu at MCAS, Yuma.

2nd Place: LCpl Kyle Ramirez, MCAS Iwakuni

More art/graphics below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Stand Alone Photograph: DeFilippis, Chase, Medina, Barstow, Zrioka

1st Place Stand Alone Photograph by Sgt. Rocco DeFilippis: Maj. Jason P. Smith, convoy commander and amphibious assault officer, takes time away from convoy operations to interact and play with some Liberian children during a convoy to deliver humanitarian supplies throughout the city of Monrovia, Liberia.

1st Place Stand Alone Photograph by Sgt. Rocco DeFilippis: Maj. Jason P. Smith, convoy commander and amphibious assault officer, takes time away from convoy operations to interact and play with some Liberian children during a convoy to deliver humanitarian supplies throughout the city of Monrovia, Liberia.

Category sponsored by Victoria Conkel-Turney

1st Place: Sgt. Rocco DeFilippis, Marine Forces Europe
Monrovia, Liberia, was the site of this closeup showing a group of native kids having a ball with a member of the Marine unit – rubbing his very bald head, with the kids and the Marine obviously enjoying the moment.

2nd Place: LCpl. Jacob W. Chase, 26th MEU

Honorable Mention: LCpl. Robert Medina, 1st Marine Logistics Group

Honorable Mention: Cpl. Tyler Barstow, 1st Marine Logistics Group

Honorable Mention: LCpl. Pete Zrioka, MCAS Yuma

More award-winning photos below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Feature Article: Rocke, Lewis, Mathison

1st Place Feature Article

1st Place Feature Article: SSgt. Ethan Rocke

Category sponsored by Roger Combs & Bob Springer

1st Place: SSgt. Ethan Rocke, Los Angeles Public Affairs
“Scars are not Forever” was about Operation Mend, a program for treatment and rehabilitation, in this case involving its first patient, Cpl Aaron Mankin, a Marine combat correspondent seriously wounded in Iraq. Rocke’s story reports in detail on the innovative partnership between military and civilian medicine.

2nd Place: Sgt. Ray Lewis, 1st Marine Division

Honorable Mention: LCpl. Katie Mathison, II MEF

Winning stories are published below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Series: SSgt Ethan Rocke

1st Place Series: SSgt. Ethan Rocke

1st Place Series: SSgt. Ethan Rocke

Category sponsored by Mike Rhea

1st Place: SSgt. Ethan Rocke, Los Angeles Public Affairs
Rocke’s three-part series, titled “The Untouchables,” focused on Marine Corporal Tim Jeffers from Southern California, who lost both legs, half his skull and one eye when hit by an enemy IED in Iraq in 2006. A dramatic story unfolds as Jeffers survives his medical ordeal and is briefly reunited with his Marine buddies on Okinawa and stateside. Rocke sums up his work as a CC, saying “it is a priviledge to tell the Marine Corps story for a living.”

Winning story is published below

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By Jason Fudge, ago

Sports Article: Ingersoll, Alejandrez, Guard, Lavine

Category sponsored by Joanne Silva-Sullivan

1st Place: Sgt. G.P. Ingersoll, 1st Marine Logistics Group
This story described a competition in physical drills and live rifle fire between teams of U.S. Marines and Republic of Korea Marines. The ROK unit surprised their American counterparts by taking an early lead but the Americans prevailed with a winning score. “Maintaining and strengthening the alliance is a necessity,” said Marines from the 1st LAR. “In that context the competition succeeded.”

2nd Place: Cpl. Cindy Alejandrez, 1st Marine Logistics Group

Honorable Mention: LCpl. Alesha R. Guard, MCB Hawaii

Honorable Mention: Cpl. Nicole A. Lavine, Twentynine Palms

Winning stories are published below

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By Jason Fudge, ago