Stories

U.S. Marine veteran John Campbell, a World War II pilot and Pearl Harbor survivor awaits his lunch during a Veterans Day Luncheon at La Vida Del Mar in Solana Beach, California, Dec. 6. - U.S. Marine veteran John Campbell, a World War II pilot and Pearl Harbor survivor awaits his lunch during a Veterans Day Luncheon at La Vida Del Mar in Solana Beach, California, Dec. 6.

Camp Pendleton vet uses Marine Corps skills to teach at Palomar College - Retired U.S. Marine Capt. Serena Reid enlisted in the Marine Corps as a combat videographer in June 1986. Reid rose through the ranks, eventually transitioning from staff sergeant to warrant officer, then to captain before retiring. Reid, a Cleveland native, was stationed on Marine Corps bases all over the United States, from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, to Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. She also deployed twice in support of the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Melissa I. Ugalde)

MCCS host Retiree Expo on Camp Pendleton - Attendees of the annual Retiree Expo listen to a brief by the Marine Officers’ Association of America at the Pacific Views Event Center on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 7, 2019. The event was open to retired service members of any branch of service in the surrounding area, and offered career opportunities and resources from various organizations that cater to or support military retirees. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dylan Chagnon)

Recovering service members, veterans, volunteers and their loved ones prepare for a group photo during the 12th Annual Operation Amped Surf Camp at San Onofre Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 18, 2018. Operation Amped is a nonprofit organization that supports wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans throughout their recovery. - Recovering service members, veterans, volunteers and their loved ones prepare for a group photo during the 12th Annual Operation Amped Surf Camp at San Onofre Beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 18, 2018. Operation Amped is a nonprofit organization that supports wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans throughout their recovery.

Camp Pendleton hosts the 71st Iwo Jima Commemoration, Feb. 18-20, 2016. The Iwo Jima Commemoration included a tour of various units and facilities, a Sunset Memorial involving the laying of the commemorative wreath and a banquet. (Marine Corps Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Leo Salinas/RELEASED) - Camp Pendleton hosts the 71st Iwo Jima Commemoration, Feb. 18-20, 2016. The Iwo Jima Commemoration included a tour of various units and facilities, a Sunset Memorial involving the laying of the commemorative wreath and a banquet. (Marine Corps Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Leo Salinas/RELEASED)

Jim Russell sits in the middle of the The Janice Griffiths Gallery with his rotund service pug, Mr. Beau, resting on his lap. The dim lights and cool interior of the gallery offer both some relief from the heat of the day as Russell recounts his tale of his life journey from military discipline to artistic expression. - Jim Russell sits in the middle of the The Janice Griffiths Gallery with his rotund service pug, Mr. Beau, resting on his lap. The dim lights and cool interior of the gallery offer both some relief from the heat of the day as Russell recounts his tale of his life journey from military discipline to artistic expression.

Camp Pendleton and Iwo Jima Monument West hosted an event to raise awareness for Iwo Jima veterans at the Pacific Views Event Center here, May 22. Nine veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima were in attendance to recount their tales of the historic amphibious landing, the raising of the flag atop Mount Suribachi and the days that followed. - Camp Pendleton and Iwo Jima Monument West hosted an event to raise awareness for Iwo Jima veterans at the Pacific Views Event Center here, May 22. Nine veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima were in attendance to recount their tales of the historic amphibious landing, the raising of the flag atop Mount Suribachi and the days that followed.

There are various traditions in the military to honor and remember service members who’ve died. Monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, which lists 58,000 names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and the Arlington National Cemetery, home to 400,000 deceased service members, are testaments to those who have served their country.Paying respect to fallen comrades is a common tradition in militaries across the globe. But the United States Marine Corps has a unique way of honoring their veterans. The honor guard is a team of volunteer Marines who provide a military funeral service for fallen Marines.The Headquarters and Support Battalion Honor Guard team stands down after three months of providing Honor Guard services to Marine veterans here, Aug. 21. - There are various traditions in the military to honor and remember service members who’ve died. Monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, which lists 58,000 names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and the Arlington National Cemetery, home to 400,000 deceased service members, are testaments to those who have served their country. Paying respect to fallen comrades is a common tradition in militaries across the globe. But the United States Marine Corps has a unique way of honoring their veterans. The honor guard is a team of volunteer Marines who provide a military funeral service for fallen Marines. The Headquarters and Support Battalion Honor Guard team stands down after three months of providing Honor Guard services to Marine veterans here, Aug. 21.

Robert Reid (right), a retired staff sergeant, reaches for a brochure during Camp Pendleton's 18th Annual Military Retiree Expo at the base's South Mesa Club, Sept. 17. The expo, which was sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services, featured various vendors who offered information to the retirees and their family members to help them throughout the course of their retirement. - Robert Reid (right), a retired staff sergeant, reaches for a brochure during Camp Pendleton's 18th Annual Military Retiree Expo at the base's South Mesa Club, Sept. 17. The expo, which was sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services, featured various vendors who offered information to the retirees and their family members to help them throughout the course of their retirement.

Nathan Peck, a cyclist, shot-put and discus thrower for the Battalion West Team, awaits the command with other participants at the start line of the 2011 Marine Corps Trials 10 kilometer hand-cycling portion of the race at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 23. Peck, a native of Salmon, Idaho, suffered lower back injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after a 2009 tour of duty in Iraq. - Nathan Peck, a cyclist, shot-put and discus thrower for the Battalion West Team, awaits the command with other participants at the start line of the 2011 Marine Corps Trials 10 kilometer hand-cycling portion of the race at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 23. Peck, a native of Salmon, Idaho, suffered lower back injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after a 2009 tour of duty in Iraq.