The Garage at the Harley-Davidson Museum was packed tight with over 300 Marines, and friends of the Corps, for the Marine Corps Association and Foundation’s first professional dinner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Garage at the Harley-Davidson Museum was packed tight with over 300 Marines, and friends of the Corps, for the Marine Corps Association and Foundation’s first professional dinner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
06 JUNE 2013
The Garage at the Harley-Davidson Museum was packed tight with over 300 Marines, and friends of the Corps, for the Marine Corps Association and Foundation’s first professional dinner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The dinner helped bring together the Wisconsin and northern Illinois Marine family to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Marine Corps Association, to network and bring old friends back together and to raise awareness about what the association does for Marines.
“There are a host of civilian Marines out there that really need to hear our story,” said James Mosel, a MCA&F board member.
In order to get the word out three board members from MCA&F decided to host a dinner in Milwaukee because of the locally active Marine presence and business community in the area.
“Traditionally MCA&F functions have been held on the coasts,” John Lowry, a MCA&F board member, said. “Yet there are thousands of people in the heartland who have worn the uniform … we wanted to give those people a chance to strengthen their connection with our Corps.”
The theme of the dinner was "Together we help Marines win battles.” The association accomplishes this goal by providing Marines with the tools for leadership and professional development, recognition of Marine Excellence, and by connecting them to the rich culture of the Corps through its various programs.
Marines from all walks of life attended the dinner, which helped Mosel achieve another goal— getting the word out to the community about wounded warriors.
“Wounded Warriors from two battle fronts live among us … Wisconsin needs to see first hand Marines in dress blue uniforms, wounded warriors, veterans, and businesses coming together in a professional dinner,” Mosel said.
MCA&F is a strong believer in the “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” philosophy and provides the same professional programs for Wounded Marines as active duty and Reserve Marines.
“Gen John A. Lejeune was one of the charter members of the association in 1913, and at the core of what he wanted was an organization that advanced professional thinking,” said Maj Gen Ed Usher, USMC (Ret), President and CEO of MCA&F.
The association keeps wounded warriors thinking like Marines by providing them with on-the-job training and libraries of enrichment programs on iPods, as well as Kindles and audio books, for Marines who gave up limbs or sight for their country.
Having influential and top Marine Corps leaders as guest speakers is another way MCA&F supports Marines. These speakers enrich the understanding of Marines by explaining the concept of leadership and what it means to be in the Marine Corps.
General Peter Pace, USMC (Ret), 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave a moving speech about his time in Vietnam as a young Lieutenant and how he carries the names of his men with him every where.
“Being a Marine is like a really good bottle of wine,” said Pace. “When you taste it initially, it’s really good. If you are fortunate to have a few more bottles and you let them age they just get better and better. That’s how the Corps has been to me.”
All Photos are by Brad Chaney