Obits
Hartman Slate passes in Hospital
It is with great sadness that we learned that longtime USMCCCA life member, Hartman Slate passed away this morning in a hospital in Georgia. No further information is known. We will update as info comes in.
It is with great sadness that we learned that longtime USMCCCA life member, Hartman Slate passed away this morning in a hospital in Georgia. No further information is known. We will update as info comes in.
Gunnery Sgt. Leon Branchaud, Communication Strategy and Operations chief, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea, is one of a select few who utilize their gaming talents for the Extra Life program to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The North Smithfield, R.I., native, has raised more than $9,000 for the Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, R.I.
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Story by Master Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook
Shadows conceal a squad of security forces as they quietly advance down a trash-riddled alley toward their objective. Gunnery Sgt. Leon Branchaud sends distinct hand signals to his team then relays muffled instructions through his headset.
“Coming up on the objective now. Lucky, call in Cleric for helo support once we secure the building. BREACH!”
Chaos erupts as his team crashes through a wooden door, sending occupants into a panic as they dive for cover and surrender without a second thought. Target secured; support inbound.
Suddenly, a notification bell chimes through a set of speakers and listeners hear a robotic voice announce, “$20 has been donated by Mike and Caleb.”
After powering down his PC that night, Branchaud, who streams with the handle DudeGuyBroGuy, raised $237 for the Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, bringing his 2020 donation season total to $1,915.
The setting for this esport operation could’ve been launched in any clime and place, but tonight it occurred in a barracks room on Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.
“As long as I have an internet connection, and some friends to link up with during the event, it has always been a success,” said Branchaud, Communication Strategy and Operations chief, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Korea.
For several nights and weekends every year, Branchaud is one of a select few who utilize their gaming talents for the Extra Life program to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
“Back in 2016, I was listening to a podcast to help pass the time,” explained the 34-year-old. “Someone started talking about an event where you play games with friends for 24 hours straight and all donations go to a children’s hospital of your choice. They had raised over a million dollars that year, and while I doubted I would ever get close to that amount, I wanted to give back and help those in my home state.”
Robert “Bob” Bowen
Robert “Bob” Lee Bowen passed away on November 25, 2020, after a long struggle with COPD. He was born January 12, 1941 in Huntington, W. VA.
He enlisted in 1960 and served tours at Quantico, the Armed Forces Radio and Television Station on Okinawa and Leatherneck Magazine.
While at Leatherneck, he served three tours as a combat correspondent in Vietnam. He was selected to attend a special graduate-level, two-semester program (1967-68) in photojournalism at Syracuse University, where he graduated first in his class.
His reward was another tour as a combat correspondent in Vietnam, this time with the First Marine Division. He was selected for warrant officer in 1969 and promoted in 1970. While serving as Chief, Photojournalism Instruction at the Defense Information School in Indianapolis, he was selected for the Limited Duty Officer program and promoted a first lieutenant.
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Master Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook displays the names of USMCCCA members who have passed away this year for the Disabled American Veterans 5K on Nov. 10, 2020. The names are Steve Stibbens, Tom “Ace” Peters, James “Red” Carpenter, Henry “Hank” Stackpole, Richard Bugda, Ron Keene, Herb Richardson, Read more…
Michael Birmingham sent us a job posting for a Photojournalist-Writer-GS-9: The basic mandatory requirement is this: “Bachelor’s degree in journalism, or four years of photojournalism experience, which may consist of any combination of job relevant post-secondary education including accredited college, technical training, military service and practical experience.” I wrote this Read more…
Lieutenant General Anthony Lukeman, USMC (Ret), 87, of Gainesville, VA died November 11, 2020. He was born March 24,1933 in Jamaica, NY to the late Gerald Lukeman and Marjorie Rice Lukeman. He was the former executive director of the Marine Corps Association (MCA) from December 1988 to August 1998. The Read more…
The United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association would like to welcome twenty new members to our organization. The following people were given a complimentary membership into the USMCCCA as a well-earned benefit for placing first in the 2020 Visual Information in Excellence (VIEC) Awards (for work completed in 2019). Read more…
Bob Bowen writes: The retired ranks of the Marine Corps and the combat correspondents have lost a fighter. GySgt Steve Stibbens hung up his award-winning camera on Sept 19. His heart gave out on him after 83 years. Steve was the first Marine Combat Correspondent to cover the Vietnam War. Read more…
Tom Graves, the Joe Rosenthal Chapter historian sent us a link to 75 images honoring our Marine Corps members past and present for their service and victories in Korea, including the historic Inchon Landing. Jack Paxton, our former executive director also served in Korea. Go here to view images.
Military Veterans in Journalism is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Washington Post. They have set aside one seat in their highly competitive (PAID!) internship program for Summer 2021. APPLY NOW! ( https://www.mvj.network/wapo-internship/ ) Deadline: Sept. 30, 2020 Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity. The NPR Internship had more Read more…