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The Marine Corps Gazette reached back to the the photography of Sgt. Manuel Serrano's lance corporal days to accompany its May 2018 cover article on the state of Marine Air.

For those of you going to Jack Paxton's Funeral on Monday, May 14th. I have mapped the 3 stops and you can download and print a text copy or send it to your phone...(funeral, cemetery and reception). There are of few of us staying Sunday and Monday night at the Sleep Inn & Suites Wildwood – The Villages and plan to get together for dinner, etc. If interested, send me your phone number and I will keep you updated with info. 352-448-9167. — Kate Stark, Executive Director

"It's a great opportunity to give back to the Association ... (but) be prepared to give up occasional weekend afternoons and some evening hours." — Mike Frank National Board member Mike Frank , 2018 Chairman of the USMCCCA Nominating Committee, reports it's not too late to volunteer for service for the upcoming CC year (August 2018-August 2019). " Jason Huffine and Melodie Snarr are fresh faces on the slate for Director positions," said Frank, "which leaves us with stil

Your professional association's own Staci Reidinger , a member of the USMCCCA's National Board of Directors, is the featured "Profiles in PR" leader in this month's PR Strategy & Tactics, published by the Public Relations Society of America . Those who know the retired Mustang major are familiar with Staci's super-hero energy, but she knows how important downtime is, as well. She told the magazine that her favorite place to travel is "anywhere tropical that does not have i

We heard from legendary CC Marcus McAllister this week. Retiring as a CWO3 as a CBRN Defense Officer four years ago, he has stayed in that biz as a civilian and soon will be serving as the Mission Assurance Program Manager at 8th and I. Mac's Marine Corps storytelling career had him serving in roles that ran the gamut from CC to Sports Anchor to Managing Editor to PANCO to DINFOS instructor. McAllister pulled two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan – and was the PA Chief

Saluting 100 years of women in our Corps Enjoy this Cpl. Victoria Decker -produced video ... and look for her and fellow 4500 warrior, Sgt. Jade Wooden , on the screen. Semper Fi!

The first time I remember being published in Leatherneck Magazine I was a young lance corporal at a dusty, sweltering, June to August Combined Arms Exercise (09-'02 if I recall correctly) in Twentynine Palms, Calif. I wasn't long out of DINFOS and was eager to cover something with a bit more "action" than a meritorious promotion dinner, change of command article or 'What's new at the Base Hobby Shop?' on Camp Lejeune. We arrived at night and I remember the Marines sitting

Hank Ehlbeck is back at the hospital - Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona - having suffered a setback from the stroke he suffered last week. The good news is that he is alert, talking and eating. Our Florida Chapter vice president is undergoing tests and he can receive visitors.  His companion,  Ramona Hall , says his home address is the best place to send cards: Hank Ehlbeck 6188 Knotty Pine Court Port Orange, FL 32127

This space is replete with updates on our fellow Marine storytellers who have gone on to great success in careers related to the imagery and wordsmithing biz. But many, like Tony Sinagra , have found a fulfilling niche elsewhere. "I have a passion for helping veterans get their lives turned around after sustaining injuries or wounds on active duty," the 13 year CC and Desert Storm vet said. Tony completed UCLA's Substance Abuse Counseling program last March and now serve

UPDATE: Visitation for Jack Paxton will begin at 10 a.m., May 14 with service immediately following at Banks/Page Theus, 410 N. Webster Street, Wildwood, Fla., 34785. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Bushnell National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Fla., 33513 CC Family, It is my sad duty to report that Capt. Jack Paxton , USMC (ret), has died. Our longtime Executive Director, a combat veteran of both Korea and Vietnam, passed away this morning, Tuesday April 17

CC Hank Ehlbeck is in physical therapy near his home in Orange Park, Florida following a stroke last week. "Hank is coming along," reports companion Ramona Hall (who Hank refers to as his "special, special lady"). At this writing, the entire CC Family also continues to keep watch on the Association's 13-year Executive Director Jack Paxton , also a stroke victim, and now residing at the Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Florida. Ehlbeck sustained no paralysis, according

CC Family, UPDATE: Our do-it-all Executive Director Jack Paxton moved to hospice Sunday - the highly regarded Cornerstone House in The Villages , Florida. The family requests "no visitors, please" at this time but cards are always welcome. Pat says best to send to the home address/CCHQ: Capt. Jack Paxton, USMC (ret) 110 Fox Court Wildwood, FL 34785 Pat will read every card and note to Jack ... By way of "keeping the light on," here's the Duke University lamp which the

CC Family, Just off phone with Pat Paxton - she says tough ol' Jack is hanging in. But Pat is very clear that they are in a hard place right now. So far, Jack has been able to respond to Pat with a squeeze of his right hand. The medical team is continuing to push strong antibiotics to fight an infection that began in the kidneys - this in addition to the serious stroke he suffered on Saturday. Jack was moved to a private room yesterday and cards (but no flowers yet, ple

Our executive director Jack Paxton is at the Regional Medical Center, Leesburg, Fla. having suffered a stroke over Easter weekend. We will keep you posted in this space and, on behalf of Pat and the entire Paxton Clan, thanks to everybody for your continued prayers and support. In the interim, for USMCCCA matters, please contact our web manager, Kate Stark kate@usmccca.org or call 352-448-9167.

By Bob Bowen Author, “ My Life and Lens, the story of a Marine Corps Combat Correspondent ” The Marine Corps Combat Corespondents Association had its origins in World War Two. Following that war, the group was held together in an informal way through the volunteer efforts of Gladys McFarland of the Marine’s New York Information Office and the civilian staff at Leatherneck Magazine . Col. Don Dickson , Editor-Publisher of Leatherneck, along with director of photography Lou

Marine Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer (left) was among those attending USAA's Military Appreciation Night with the NBA's San Antonio Spurs on March 15. Sgt. Meyer is pictured with USAA's Mike Kelly , retired Air Force PAO and DINFOS instructor - and one of the USMCCCA's truest corporate friends for more than a decade.

Send in your tale of landing your first (or favorite) photo or byline in Leathernenck - for 100 years "The Magazine of the Marines." First to respond receives a pair of free tickets to the Welcome Reception at the 2018 USMCCCA Professional Development and Training Symposium in New Bern, N.C. Aug. 21-24. Send to Tales of Lcat

Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens  says she uses her "background in PR and journalism," both courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps, as executive director of the Plymouth Historical Museum in Michigan. The longtime CC member's organizational skills are enhanced by Corps-funded bachelor's and master's degrees along with her insatiable interest in history. This year marks Liz' 20th as a certified genealogist and she often participates in reenactments. Busy as ever, the former Marine major