Latest News

All: I was advised last night of the death of Agostino von Hassell’s mother. I have attached the obituary. For those of you who do not know Agostino (Omar), he is one of the USMCCCA’s most staunch supporters and benefactors and the driving force behind the re-write of Last to Know, First To Go. A celebration of the lives of his Mother and Brother who died several weeks ago are being held at the New York Athletic Club later today. I know he would appreciate hearing from h

The third 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 the 4rd quarter newsletter by using the membership update form here. Want to download the newsletter online? If you have paid your 2009 membership dues, then you can!

The 2009 july edition of the Los Angeles Chapter is online. You can download or read it here .

The director of Marine Corps Public Affairs, Colonel Bryan Salas , visited Dinfos on July 7, to brief Public Affairs Qualification Course (PAQC) students on employing effective public affairs strategies using lessons learned from the battlefield. He emphasized the importance of publishing stories, photographs and video footage that inspire audiences by revealing the human conditions of courage, fear and cunning. Colonel Salas also discussed the significance of keeping pace w

A print judge in 2008 and National Press Club colleague, Jerry Bastarache , died Friday of melanoma (brain cancer). Services are scheduled in Falls Church, VA on Wednesday. The Club will be conducting a separate memorial service and I will keep you posted on the date. I have known Jerry for some 35 years. I worked with him at the Intelligent Transportation Society of America for several years and took over as media director when he retired from the job. He was one of the bes

One of the fun things (as well as a money-maker) at each conference are the items used as door prizes and in the silent auction that takes place in the Hospitality Suite on Thursday night. If you have room in your luggage (or car) please consider bringing an item that can either be used as a door prize or in the silent auction. Not putting a money limit on it, just consider something that someone else might like or would like to bid on. If you would rather send something t

Photographer and Honorary Life Member of the CCs, Eddie Adams (1933-2004) took pictures of hundreds of celebrities and politicians — everyone from Fidel Castro to Mother Teresa to Arnold Schwarzenegger (whom he posed in a bathtub with a little yellow rubber duck--for the cover of Parade magazine) — but some of his best-known images come from his work during the Vietnam War. Filmmaker Susan Morgan Cooper has made a film about Eddie's life, An Unlikely Weapon (narrated by Kie

Two new ports and an exciting pre-cruise option await shipmates on the 2010 Marine CC and Mustang group cruise . Past group cruisers said they wanted to visit some different ports than on previous voyages. And, most stressed that price was important. In addition, some traveling from parts of the country other than Florida said they would like a little something extra. In Louisiana, they call that lagniappe (pronounced "lanyap" ). So where else to embark on the next Marine g

CC Lee Tibbetts asks that anyone who can, please help sponsor Amanda Rose who is running in honor of former CC Major Megan McClung , USMC who was killed in Iraq in Dec 2006. Rose worked with her as a junior Marine and think it's important to remember those lost. She was a bold woman and bright spirit. Rose will be running 26.2 miles to raise money and awareness for those battling with blood cancer. She is proud to be running with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society . Please us

CC Life member, John Barwell , a third-year student at The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, was recently elected in a national search to serve a one-year term as student editor of the American Bar Association Student Lawyer magazine. For more about John please see this .

The deadline for purchasing ads for the 2009 Conference Journal has been extended until 15 July 2009. If you've already purchased your ad, the Foundation thanks you for your support. If you have procrastinated there is still time. Click here to complete your transaction ASAP. There is still time to show your pride. Semper Fi, Don O'Neal President USMCCCA Foundation

Joe Rosenthal Chapter covers are for sale at the incredibly low donation of $15.00 which includes shipping and handling, (Overseas orders slightly higher). Quality made for this low price. Checks should be made payable to Joe Rosenthal Chapter USMCCCA. Please mail checks to Bob Stanley , 1479 16th Ave., San Francisco Ca., 94122. Hurry limited supply. Covers will be mailed immediately upon receipt of check. Any questions, E-mail rcarbob51@aol.com

Bob McEwen in Egypt Bob McEwen, on a three-week trip to Israel & Egypt during May with Vantage Travel writes to his “kids”: 24May09 Today were on Lake Nasser, where the Russian-built High Dam has created what now covers 26% of Egypt’s land mass and is as much as 280 feet deep. It is a protected area and no industry is allowed along its shores to avoid pollution. We stopped at an island, formerly a mountain top, where a fortress, Qasr Ibrim, built about 2,000 years before

Past National President Keith Oliver's book, Command Attention , will be out in time for the CC Conference in Hampton , according his publisher, the U.S. Naval Institute ( www.usni.org ). The tome, with a foreword by Denig Award Winner Joe Galloway, deals with all aspects of telling the Marine Corps story, including hefty passages on the USMCCCA and some very familiar characters who pepper our roster. To order the book, visit the bookstore

Pperhaps for the first time, a public affairs officer will be a battalion executive officer at the Corps' storied boot camp at Parris Island . Mustang Maj. James Jarvis checked out of MCAS Beaufort and reports this week to the Recruit Training Regiment's 3rd Battalion. --Keith Oliver

Good news from Maryland: CC stalwart, retired Col. Tom Fields is back home following some rehab time from a stroke. The one-time DirPA and OIC of the Press Center at Da Nang, Tom expressed thanks for the good wishes from his CC teammates. PLEASE NOTE ADDRESS CHANGE FROM LATEST DIRECTORY: Tom and Patty Fields' current address is 3128 Gracefield Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20904. -- Keith Oliver

Ever wanted a career in the film industry? GI Pictures is the first-ever program for military members to access film and media opportunities. It’s a way for active armed forces members, veterans, and dependents to participate in writing, producing, directing, acting, and crewing on professional movies, television and web series. This means jobs. Money. Having your scripts produced. Appearing in movies. Building a new career. If you are interested, visit their website:...

by Norm Hatch, Major USMCR (Ret) An exemplary Marine officer, Col. Wallace M. Nelson who served for 30 years with honor, passed away recently at age 97. His military service will be well defined in other journals but there is one thing that he accomplished that will outlast all of his awards and those of his contemporaries also! He was the originator of the first Marine Corps Photographic Services in Quantico in 1941! Following is that story. In 1940 Captain Wally Nelson wa