Gunnery Sgt. Richard Leigh Ray, USMC (ret), 66, passed away Friday, April 19, 2013.
He was born in Seattle, Wash. to the late Thomas Bennette Ray, Jr. and Frances Nadine Roddewig Ray.
Mr. Ray served in the U.S. Marines during the Vietnam War and The Siege of Beirut.
Gunnery Sgt. Bill Lisbon, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island public affairs chief, pages over old copies of “The Boot” Friday afternoon. Photo by Erin Moody/Beaufort Gazette.
Published: April 21, 2013
By Erin Moody — emoody@beaufortgazette.com
PARRIS ISLAND — You can sense Jack Paxton’s grin even across the phone as he describes how “Iron Mike” once delivered news to the Marines of Parris Island.
“Every Monday, I would be called to the general’s office, and they would kind of hint what they wanted to see in The Boot,” he said.
And occasionally, the “As I See It” column Paxton wrote using Iron Mike as a pseudonym – taken from the famed statue on the Marine Recruit Depot – would reflect those talks with higher-ups. The retired captain is convinced that might have earned him at least one promotion.
But after 70 years, The Boot, the base newspaper, printed its last edition April 12. Paxton, now executive director of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association and Foundation, called the decision disappointing but not unexpected.
The Jetstream, published by the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, will continue.
Paxton recalled the old days of publishing The Boot, in the late-1950s, when the newspaper was assembled at The Beaufort Gazette office. He helped lay out the paper to get it ready for publication each Friday.
Paxton said he and “this pink-cheeked young kid” who came to Parris Island from Okinawa would “fight like hell” as they produced the newspaper of record. He still stays in touch with that former first lieutenant – Jim Lehrer, of PBS’ “News Hour” fame.
Lehrer remembers the experience fondly. (more…)
The Third Marine Division Association will hold its 59th Annual Family Reunion at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, VA during Aug. 14-18. Anyone who served in, was attached to or served in direct support of the Third Marine Division at any time is invited to attend; especially Vietnam veterans. Read more…
The 2013 Annual Training Symposium and Conference of the USMCCCA and its Foundation is in “go” status for July 22-25 at Joint Base Andrews (aka Andrews AFB) in Maryland. Conference Chair Manny Pacheco announced on April 9 that, while governmental budget issues are still a consideration and will no doubt Read more…
If you have not yet noticed, take a look at the very top of this page. Is that an advertisement? You bet! MultiView Inc., one of the largest internet advertising companies for non-profit organizations is partnering with USMCCCA in an attempt to create another revenue stream that will help build Read more…
Remember last years’ speaker, our own CC Rod Deutschmann and his wife, Robin? They have finished a wonderful new eBook about using your digital camera on manual: The IFLC’s Complete Guide to the art of Going Manual. Forty Lessons and more than 60 in-the-field exercises to keep your practice sessions Read more…
Erik Hansen, age 78, of Lockport, NY died March 26, 2013 in Blue Ridge, GA. Born November 18, 1934 in Nunda, NY, Erik served in and retired from the United States Marine Corps following 20 years service. He served in many places throughout his Marine Corps career, mostly as a motion picture photographer, including Quantico, Camp Pendleton and Vietnam where he was exposed to Agent Orange. He also served in Korea in another occupational field before moving into photo. He retired from the USMC as a Gunnery Sergeant. He was a Life Member and strong supporter of the USMCCCA.
Defense Media Activity, (Special Staff/EEO), is looking for an Equal Opportunity Manager, GS-0260-13. The Job Opportunity Announcement (DMA-13-869550-MP) opens on Thursday, April 04, 2013 and closes on Monday, April 15, 2013. This announcement is open to Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles) .
By Paul Farhi, February 21, 2013 The Washington Post The battle had raged for four days, and would continue for 31 more, a marathon of sand and heat and unrelenting death. But at that moment there was an order from the brass: Get a bigger flag up there. The small Read more…
P.T. Brent authored a new book, 29: an Anthology of Outrageous Stories. Description on Amazon.com: U.S. Marines by their very culture are strong, bold, disciplined . . . and ultimately victorious. The Irish know how to make something from nothing . . . and still find cheeky humor in a Read more…