Stories

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.

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.

(From left to right) Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Marino, Sgt. Mark Plummer, Cpl. Ricky Giden, and Lance Cpl. Oscar Gracia, sit proudly after receiving their Purple Heart medals at Camp Pendleton’s Wounded Warrior Battalion West barracks, Aug. 20. Since April 5, 1917, the Purple Heart has been an honorary award received by military members who have been injured or killed in battle. - (From left to right) Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Marino, Sgt. Mark Plummer, Cpl. Ricky Giden, and Lance Cpl. Oscar Gracia, sit proudly after receiving their Purple Heart medals at Camp Pendleton’s Wounded Warrior Battalion West barracks, Aug. 20. Since April 5, 1917, the Purple Heart has been an honorary award received by military members who have been injured or killed in battle.

Col. Stephen W, Davis, deputy commander, Marine Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, speaks at 1st Marine Special Operation Battalion's change-of-command and ribbon cutting ceremony at Camp Pendleton, July 13. Command of Camp Pendleton’s 1st MSOB changed hands as Lt. Col. Jeffrey D. Tuggle relinquished responsibility for the unit to Lt. Col. Michael A. Brooks during the two-hour ceremony. In addition to new leadership, the battalion also opened their recently built 33-acre complex and six different training facilities during the two-hour ceremony. - Col. Stephen W, Davis, deputy commander, Marine Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, speaks at 1st Marine Special Operation Battalion's change-of-command and ribbon cutting ceremony at Camp Pendleton, July 13. Command of Camp Pendleton’s 1st MSOB changed hands as Lt. Col. Jeffrey D. Tuggle relinquished responsibility for the unit to Lt. Col. Michael A. Brooks during the two-hour ceremony. In addition to new leadership, the battalion also opened their recently built 33-acre complex and six different training facilities during the two-hour ceremony.

Lt. Col. Darrel L. Akers (right), executive officer, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, accepts the Small Unit of the Year Award (149 volunteers or less), on behalf of Combat Logistics Regiment 1, from Col. Nicholas F. Marano (center), commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Also on stage, representing the unit, is Capt. Darius L. James (left), commanding officer, Headquarters & Support Company and Cpl. Clinton Murray, electro-optical ordinance repairer. Camp Pendleton commemorated April’s National Volunteer Appreciation with its 11th annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, themed "Celebrating People in Action." - Lt. Col. Darrel L. Akers (right), executive officer, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, accepts the Small Unit of the Year Award (149 volunteers or less), on behalf of Combat Logistics Regiment 1, from Col. Nicholas F. Marano (center), commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Also on stage, representing the unit, is Capt. Darius L. James (left), commanding officer, Headquarters & Support Company and Cpl. Clinton Murray, electro-optical ordinance repairer. Camp Pendleton commemorated April’s National Volunteer Appreciation with its 11th annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, themed "Celebrating People in Action."

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.

(From left to right) 2nd Lt. Jeffery Newman, Lance Cpl. Robert Roach, Lance Cpl. Zachary Galauskas, and Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Trimble, all members of Combat Logistic Battalion 13’s rifle team, were presented with the Wharton Trophy for their firing excellence during the 2010 Western Division Matches marksmanship competition, hosted at Camp Pendleton, March 8 – 19. The Wharton Trophy is awarded to the best Western Division rifle team representing a Marine Corps unit west of the Mississippi River, whose unit strength is less than 600 personnel. - (From left to right) 2nd Lt. Jeffery Newman, Lance Cpl. Robert Roach, Lance Cpl. Zachary Galauskas, and Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Trimble, all members of Combat Logistic Battalion 13’s rifle team, were presented with the Wharton Trophy for their firing excellence during the 2010 Western Division Matches marksmanship competition, hosted at Camp Pendleton, March 8 – 19. The Wharton Trophy is awarded to the best Western Division rifle team representing a Marine Corps unit west of the Mississippi River, whose unit strength is less than 600 personnel.

Master Sgt. Kevin Buckles, drum major with “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, 8th and I, Marine Barracks Washington, directs 90 Marine musicians during the annual Battle Color ceremony at Camp Pendleton, March 19. The event also featured a performance by the Silent Drill Platoon and an appearance by the official Marine Corps Color Guard. - Master Sgt. Kevin Buckles, drum major with “The Commandant’s Own” U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, 8th and I, Marine Barracks Washington, directs 90 Marine musicians during the annual Battle Color ceremony at Camp Pendleton, March 19. The event also featured a performance by the Silent Drill Platoon and an appearance by the official Marine Corps Color Guard.

Cole Jones (left), Camp Pendleton Mixed Martial Arts team member, attempts to block a kick from Omar B. Askew, Twentynine Palms MMA team member, during the heavyweight bout of the Armed Forces Championship Fight Series at Camp Pendleton’s Paige Fieldhouse, March 6. All branches of the U.S. military were represented by service members competing in the event that ended with an overall victory by the Camp Pendleton team. - Cole Jones (left), Camp Pendleton Mixed Martial Arts team member, attempts to block a kick from Omar B. Askew, Twentynine Palms MMA team member, during the heavyweight bout of the Armed Forces Championship Fight Series at Camp Pendleton’s Paige Fieldhouse, March 6. All branches of the U.S. military were represented by service members competing in the event that ended with an overall victory by the Camp Pendleton team.

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.

Students from School of Infantry West line up, ready to depart and enjoy a home cooked Thanksgiving dinner at the home of local community families during the Armed Services Young Men's Christian Association Home Hospitality event, Thanksgiving day 2008. That year the ASYMCA served more than 48,000 service members and their families with various holiday events. - Students from School of Infantry West line up, ready to depart and enjoy a home cooked Thanksgiving dinner at the home of local community families during the Armed Services Young Men's Christian Association Home Hospitality event, Thanksgiving day 2008. That year the ASYMCA served more than 48,000 service members and their families with various holiday events.

(Left to right) Colin, Meigan and Alexandria Grabman, play with two dogs in the new dog play area at Camp Pendleton’s Animal Shelter, Nov. 14. The new 1,500 sq. feet area is enclosed by a snake fence, has a dog house, a real fire hydrant and a seating bench. - (Left to right) Colin, Meigan and Alexandria Grabman, play with two dogs in the new dog play area at Camp Pendleton’s Animal Shelter, Nov. 14. The new 1,500 sq. feet area is enclosed by a snake fence, has a dog house, a real fire hydrant and a seating bench.