Latest News

USMCCA members: My name is Andy Omdahl, son of Gunner Omdahl whom some of you may remember. I discovered your site while looking for Jim DiBernardo in an attempt to contact him. Unfortunately, I'm 2 years too late. I met Jim through my father and remember him to be an outstanding individual and highly respected Marine. RIP Major Jim DiBernardo. For info, my father passed away in 1999 after suffering a series of small strokes culminating in a pulmonary embolism. After hi

Ding Hao, tocsan, skoshi, mama san, dai wi, di di - Words Symbolizing Our Past In each of the armed conflicts we Marines have been involved in certain words, phrases, adjectives, adverbs, nouns, et al surface. Old China hands could throw out a ding h ao without worrying if anyone understood that it meant very good or was symbolized by thumbs up. In Korea we learned about the ever "flavorful kimshi , how big or small something was by tocsan or skoshi and, in Vietnam, d

The Florida Chapter of the USMCCCA will hold it's 7th annual benefit golf tournament on 3 June 2011 . The tournament will be held at Ridgewood Lakes Golf and Country Club in Davenport,FL. The tournament features an 0800 shot gun start, putting contest and lunch. As always the tournament is "kicked off" by a presentation of colors by a Marine Color Guard from the Marine Reserve Unit in Orlando, FL. There are lots of prizes, auction, raffle and door, thanks to Champions Tour

As you may be aware, a tornado ripped through Jacksonville, NC the weekend of April 16 wreaking havoc on the town and on Camp Lejeune. We have been informed that the Tarawa Terrace II housing area at Camp Lejeune has been heavily damaged and over 40 Marine families have been displaced or otherwise lost many personal items including food. If you can make a monetary contribution, please contact Amanda Crompton, at Pioneer Services of Jacksonville, at 910-577-3036 for informa

WASHINGTON -- The commandant of the Marine Corps announced April 11 his selection for the next sergeant major of the Marine Corps. “I'm pleased to announce Sgt. Maj. Micheal P. Barrett as the 17th sergeant major of the Marine Corps,” said Gen. James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps. "Sgt. Maj. Barrett, through his long and distinguished service to our nation, has demonstrated that he is particularly well-suited to serve as my senior enlisted advisor through the challenge

By Navy Lt. David Luckett Special to Soundoff! One of America's most accomplished war correspondents kept more than 100 students and faculty at the Defense Information School in awe as he intertwined his experiences of the past with lessons for the future. Joseph L. Galloway, most famous for the book he co-authored, "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young," which was later adapted into the movie "We Were Soldiers" starring Mel Gibson, spoke March 31. "I think the audience wa

The Director’s Cut: DivPA’s Monthly Newsletter to the Marine Corps’ PA Community is now online you can download it here Fellow Marines – This is truly a remarkable time in our history to be serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Marines in Afghanistan as part of Regional Command Southwest continue to secure Helmand province and to enable the Afghan government’s development and progress. Marines in Japan as part of Operation Tomodachi are reminding the world that there is still “n

Help those who support the Fl Chapter golf Tournament June 3, 2011.... N.O.T.E. 2011 SCRAMBLE (National Organization for Transplant Enlightenment) Sunday, July 17, 2011 1:00 pm 4 person Shotgun Start Dinner Following PLANTATION PALMS GOLF COURSE 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd Land O Lakes Fl 34639 For Registration Information Please Contact: Jim Britt at jbmyles01@aol.com 813-917-9698 Jim Beazel at jbeazel@tampabay.rr.com 813-949-5805

Former Marine Jim Lehrer, the USMCCCA 2007 Brig. Gen. Robert L. Denig award winner, has done it again. Lehrer, who has set a standard of broadcast excellence at PBS for more than 35 years, has been selected as the winner of the National Press Club’s 2011 Fourth Estate Award , the highest honor presented by the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. “Jim Lehrer has embodied the time-tested core values of journalism dating back to when many people had on

CCHQ has received a thank you note from the children of recently deceased Cy O'Brien . "On behalf of Cyril O'Brien's children I would like to thank you for the beautiful flowers and kind words. He loved his combat correspondent roots and the chance to share with his fellow Marines. Thank you. Patricia Cahill."

Florida Chapter member Gene Smith who is the assistant tournament director on the PGA Champions Tour is featured in the March issue of Leatherneck Magazine , written by our own executive director, Jack Paxton. Read the story by clicking on the Leatherneck link.

On 8 April 2011, the Central Florida Marine Corps Foundation (CFMCF) will be hosting its 23rd Annual Golf Event at the Timacuan Golf Club and is seeking sponsorship and donations. The CFMCF is a nonprofit organization established to support a variety of Marine Corps-sponsored causes that include Marine Reserve Key Volunteers, Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Orange County Young Marines Program, and the Central Florida Marine Corps Ball. The CFMCF has

CCHQ has announced that newly-designed window decals are now available. The beautiful 4" decals match the newly-redesigned CC logo created by Art Director Chuck Beveridge and are highly suitable for the interior or exterior of your automobile windshield. The decals are $3 each or two for $5.50. There is no charge for shipping or handling. When ordering please specify whether or not you want an exterior or interior decal. As usual, CCHQ will accept checks or credit cards

The Director’s Cut: DivPA’s Monthly Newsletter to the Marine Corps’ PA Community is now online you can download it here Marines – The New Year brings with it many changes for our Corps. Just last week, the Secretary of Defense rolled out his proposed efficiencies of which many affect our Corps. Additionally, a new Congress has rolled into town with a focus on tightening the budget belt. What this means to you as a PA professional is the requirement to demonstrate the value of

The first 2011 issue of “Now Hear This” the official USMCCCA newsletter, should be arriving in your mailbox soon. If you DO NOT receive it, then you need to make sure CCHQ has your correct mailing address. You can MAKE SURE you get future newsletters by using the membership update form here . If you are a registered member of this site, you can download the newsletter by clicking on the image to the right.

The Third Marine Division Association will hold its 57th Family Reunion at The Galt House in Louisville, KY August 10-14. Anyone who served in, was attached to, or served in direct support of the Third Marine Division at any time is invited to attend. Contact: Association Manager Don H. Gee, PO Box 254, Chalfont, PA 18914-024; Email: GYGEE@aol.com ; or call 215 822.9094; http://www.caltrap.com/

Polsinelli Shughart PC’s Phoenix office welcomes attorney John Barwell to the firm as associate to practice business litigation. Barwell, a former Marine Corps journalist, served a combat tour in Somalia, and brings strong leadership skills to the firm. He earned his law degree from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in 2010. Barwell joins Polsinelli Shughart during an unprecedented time of growth for the firm and the Phoenix office. The office has incr

Capturing war: In this 1944 photo, Cyril 'Cy' O'Brien, a former Marine combat correspondent, uses a typewriter on Guam. (Photo courtesy Pacific War Museum) Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo issued the following statement on the passing of Cyril “Cy” O’Brien, a former United States Marine combat correspondent who served during the Liberation of Guam in World War II: “I join the people of Guam in mourning the loss of Cy O’Brien,” Congresswoman Bordallo said today. “I extend

The following was received today from Cy O'Brien's daughter, Patsy: We are having his wake at Collins Funeral Home Thursday Feb.3rd with viewings at 2-4 p.m and 7-9 p.m. His funeral mass will be at St. Bernadette's Friday the 4th at 10:30 a.m.. All addresses and other information are listed below. Thanks for all the well wishes. We definitely felt all the love and respect you held for our beloved father. Collins Funeral Home 500 University Blvd. West Silver Spring, MD 20

Venerable Cy O'Brien , thought to be our oldest living CC, turns 92 on Sunday, January 30. We have been informed by his daughters as well as his friend, Ellie Bertrand, that he had recurring surgery January 24 to remove the lining from a lung due to fluid accumulation. He is also having problems with his kidney and his liver. Knowing Cy, he would - in booming voice - tell us all to get on with it. We will, but we hope all CCs will join us in a prayer and a wish for a