A Certificate of Special Recognition was presented to Angel Aviles, president of the Military Officers Association of America Pendleton Chapter, Nov. 5, in acknowledgment of being selected as Camp Pendleton's 2010 Veteran of the Year for his outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Aviles has served this nation since 1953 as a soldier, a coast guardsman, a U.S. Custom Service Inspector and an Intelligence officer. - A Certificate of Special Recognition was presented to Angel Aviles, president of the Military Officers Association of America Pendleton Chapter, Nov. 5, in acknowledgment of being selected as Camp Pendleton's 2010 Veteran of the Year for his outstanding and invaluable service to the community. Aviles has served this nation since 1953 as a soldier, a coast guardsman, a U.S. Custom Service Inspector and an Intelligence officer.

Anthony A. LoBue, better known as Tony the Vet (left), embarks on his journey near Camp Pendleton’s Main Gate with his close friend Robert F. Satterfield, a retired Navy chaplain, Sept. 28. Tony is walking across America in hopes to be at Ground Zero, by Sept. 11, 2011. - Anthony A. LoBue, better known as Tony the Vet (left), embarks on his journey near Camp Pendleton’s Main Gate with his close friend Robert F. Satterfield, a retired Navy chaplain, Sept. 28. Tony is walking across America in hopes to be at Ground Zero, by Sept. 11, 2011.

The 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James T. Conway, speaks during a monument dedication ceremony, Sept. 15, in honor of those who gave their lives at the Chosin Reservoir. The Camp Pendleton South Mesa Club now exhibits the 3,000 pound granite monument to remind those present of the military's service and sacrifice during the reservoir's bitter campaign in which the 1st Marine Division fought a prodigious battle. - The 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James T. Conway, speaks during a monument dedication ceremony, Sept. 15, in honor of those who gave their lives at the Chosin Reservoir. The Camp Pendleton South Mesa Club now exhibits the 3,000 pound granite monument to remind those present of the military's service and sacrifice during the reservoir's bitter campaign in which the 1st Marine Division fought a prodigious battle.

Cpl. Luke R. Venis, automotive mechanic, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, looks into future employment opportunities at the Department of Defense’s Civilian Personnel Management Service Hiring Heroes Career Fair at Camp Pendleton’s South Mesa Club, July 20. The Hiring Heroes Program is the DoD’s main outreach effort and program for providing assistance to wounded, ill and injured service members whose careers were cut short due to injuries received in Iraq and Afghanistan. - Cpl. Luke R. Venis, automotive mechanic, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, looks into future employment opportunities at the Department of Defense’s Civilian Personnel Management Service Hiring Heroes Career Fair at Camp Pendleton’s South Mesa Club, July 20. The Hiring Heroes Program is the DoD’s main outreach effort and program for providing assistance to wounded, ill and injured service members whose careers were cut short due to injuries received in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Retired Gunnery Sgt. Lewis D. Beatty (left), talks with Vietnam War survivors during the opening of Camp Pendleton’s "Images at War's End" exhibit at the Santa Margarita Ranch House, April 8. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, nearly half of the 130,000 Vietnamese refugees that resettled in America passed through the gates of Camp Pendleton. Thirty-five years later, base historians are now honoring their story with the museum exhibit, a 36-photo display that commemorates the lives of those who fled North Vietnamese communist oppression. - Retired Gunnery Sgt. Lewis D. Beatty (left), talks with Vietnam War survivors during the opening of Camp Pendleton’s "Images at War's End" exhibit at the Santa Margarita Ranch House, April 8. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, nearly half of the 130,000 Vietnamese refugees that resettled in America passed through the gates of Camp Pendleton. Thirty-five years later, base historians are now honoring their story with the museum exhibit, a 36-photo display that commemorates the lives of those who fled North Vietnamese communist oppression.

Eddie Gray, a former Marine rifleman with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, sits on top of his pack for a brief rest in Oceanside, Calif., Dec. 3, before continuing a 12,000-mile walk around America’s perimeter. Gray began the walk to honor the sacrifices of all service members after losing more than 14 comrades in the Iraqi and Afghan conflicts. The journey began almost two years ago and he expects to finish in the next three years. - Eddie Gray, a former Marine rifleman with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, sits on top of his pack for a brief rest in Oceanside, Calif., Dec. 3, before continuing a 12,000-mile walk around America’s perimeter. Gray began the walk to honor the sacrifices of all service members after losing more than 14 comrades in the Iraqi and Afghan conflicts. The journey began almost two years ago and he expects to finish in the next three years.

Sgt. Maj. Ramona D. Cook, sergeant major, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, addresses members of the San Diego County Sergeants Major Association Christmas Luncheon and Toys for Tots event at the Camp Pendleton South Mesa Club, Dec. 5. The association received more than 3,000 toys towards the Toys for Tots drive this year. - Sgt. Maj. Ramona D. Cook, sergeant major, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, addresses members of the San Diego County Sergeants Major Association Christmas Luncheon and Toys for Tots event at the Camp Pendleton South Mesa Club, Dec. 5. The association received more than 3,000 toys towards the Toys for Tots drive this year.

Pottery made by Camp Pendleton’s two native tribes, the Luiseno and Juaneno, remain on display at the base’s historic Santa Margarita Ranch House. As Native American Heritage Month continues throughout the month of November, the static display reminds local residents of the base’s rich American Indian heritage. - Pottery made by Camp Pendleton’s two native tribes, the Luiseno and Juaneno, remain on display at the base’s historic Santa Margarita Ranch House. As Native American Heritage Month continues throughout the month of November, the static display reminds local residents of the base’s rich American Indian heritage.

Lance Cpl. Norby W. Buchhorn, military police K-9 handler, Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, walks Sgt. Adam L. Cann’s German shepherd, Bruno, around the base’s K-9 kennel, Oct. 30. - Lance Cpl. Norby W. Buchhorn, military police K-9 handler, Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, walks Sgt. Adam L. Cann’s German shepherd, Bruno, around the base’s K-9 kennel, Oct. 30.

Cpl. Brandon C. Kelley, a corrections specialist with Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, asks Tony Morocco about the career opportunities at EOD Technology, Inc. The 22nd Annual Fall Career and Education expo attracted about 2,500 Marines, sailors and family members to the South Mesa Club, Sept. 25. - Cpl. Brandon C. Kelley, a corrections specialist with Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, asks Tony Morocco about the career opportunities at EOD Technology, Inc. The 22nd Annual Fall Career and Education expo attracted about 2,500 Marines, sailors and family members to the South Mesa Club, Sept. 25.