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As we close another successful calendar year we offer the following accomplishments from 2008 and where we hope to be in 2009.
First, our finances. Borrowing from the late Bob “Mo” Morrisey and, more recently from our own national Treasurer, Tom Kerr: “We ain’t broke.” Yes, we are definitely concerned with the sad state of the national economy and will be working diligently with our new Foundation Board to see that we survive. Fortunately, we run a bare-bones operation so major cutbacks are not as necessary as they are with some veterans organizations. Here are some 2008 highlights:

• Since 2005 we have seen the number of Merit Awards sponsorships increase from single digits to 35 in 2008. Obviously, this helps our financial picture. In 2009 we hope to add 10 more sponsorships. A word about the Merit Awards Program itself. No one has worked harder to streamline this program than our Association VP Don Knight. To somewhat alter an old adage: He shows that an “old dog” can teach some new tricks. The program is sound and getting healthier with HQMC cooperation.
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Synopsis The death of a salty old senior NCO who ran special operations in Vietnam leads Marine Gunner Shake Davis on a shocking and potentially lethal quest to find out what happened to hundreds of American POWs. Dale Dye  graduated as a cadet officer from Missouri Military Academy but there Read more…

— Do you have a story about a past or present CC you’d like to share with the rest of us? — Are you a CC chapter and have some news about programs or fund-raising events you’d like to promote? — Do you have a photo of yourself as a Read more…

Jack Paxton received a call over Christmas from CC George Fritschi, whose wife had bought him Jack Laurence’ “The Cat from Hué: A Vietnam War Story” as a Christmas present.  “After seeing my name mentioned in the book he called from Oregon for a lengthy chat.  This prompted a thought Read more…

DivPA Change:  Needing to backfill a USMC/Joint billet, the Commandant has  ordered recently-appointed PA Director, BrigGen. (s) Gregg Sturdevant to the National Military Command Center. Deputy Director, Col. Dave Lapan has again assumed the title of Acting Director of Public Affairs.  Marines will remember that Col. Lapan also held that Read more…

Also, Marine Aaron Mankin, who was severely wounded in Iraq, talks about the fears and hopes he has for his baby daughter in this story: The Hero Figure

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USMCCCA mainstay Chas Henry, retired mustang captain and noted civilian broadcast journalist, took pen in hand for the July edition of the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings . Chas takes on the emotional topic of military voting in “Lots of Bullets, Not Enough Ballots,” noting that our deployed warriors often (still) Read more…

Famed war reporter Joe Galloway (left) and Middle East News managing editor Claude Salhani are among the panelists slated to participate in 67th Annual U. S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association Annual Conference in San Antonio Aug. 12-15.  Both journalists have  a long history of field duty with the Marines Read more…

Celebrity columnist/author Jim Brady of Parade magazine fame received an honorary life membership at the business brunch Friday Aug. 15 as the 2008 USMCCCA Annual Conference wrapped up in San Antonio.  Pictured with Brady is outgoing national president Keith Oliver (left) and Leatherneck editor and publisher Walt Ford.  Watch this Read more…