Yoo to be guest of honor at Banquet

Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, Commanding General, MCRD San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, has been named guest of honor for the 2012 USMCCCA Annual Merit Awards Banquet, Thursday, September 13 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. A Marine warrior, Brig. Gen. Yoo was twice decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for combat action.  Additional decorations include the Legion of Merit.  He is a Marine Combatant Diver, a Military Freefall Parachutist and is a graduate of the U. S. Army Ranger School.He was commissioned in 1985 and beginning in 1986 subsequently served with the 1st Marine Division as a rifle platoon commander, heavy machine gun platoon commander, weapons company executive officer and a rifle company commander. Ordered to the 3d Marine Division in 1989 he served in various positions as a recon Marine including a tour as a company commander. The news of Brig. Gen. Yoo's assignment as GOH ensures that we will have a successful Merit Awards ceremony.  Commands are also beginning to advise us that their Merit Awards attendees will be in attendance.  We have also received confirmation that a musical ensemble from the Recruit Depot Band will provide music and the Recruit Depot Color Guard will be on hand. Now, what is extremely important is that we have a crowd on hand to welcome the Marines and Brig. Gen. Yoo.  If you have not yet registered, we need you to do so ASAP.  We need to show the active duty Marines that we are capable of running a great conference in spite of cutbacks in active duty budgets. If you are just emerging from seclusion or you have not read the newsletter, Now Hear This, or seen the news on the website www.usmccca.org, our Conference will begin at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Wednesday morning, September 12.  We will have sessions of interest to everyone throughout Wednesday and Thursday. The Welcome Reception, a modified luau, will be held on Wednesday evening, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  We assure you there will be sufficient pupuus on hand so that you will not need a meal following. On Thursday the pre-banquet reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner being served shortly after 7 p.m.  Our nationally renowned emcee, Pat Coulter will hold forth with a program beginning shortly thereafter. On Friday morning we will bus attendees to the Recruit Depot for a recruit graduation ceremony.  Also, for those wishing to stay over, we will induct former first executive director and president, Bob Morrisey into the Mount Soledad Memorial in nearby LaJolla at 10 a. m. on Saturday morning.