The 2013 Dedicated Member Campaign officially kicks off March 1. Letters to members explaining the campaign were put into the mail February 27 from Foundation President Don O’Neal. Included with the letter is a contribution envelope addressed to CCHQ. Members contributing will have their names shown in upcoming newsletters, the […]
By Jack T. Paxton, Executive Director
For photos of the event click here
There have been many highlights in this organization’s long and glorious history dating back to the late 1940s but none would match that associated with the dedication of the Brig. Gen. Robert L. Denig Sr. Memorial at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Va., on November 17.
With more than 70 members, friends, and relatives of two of the original “Denig Demons” looking on, the Memorial was officially unveiled by Mrs. Bernice Stavisky, Mrs. Maria O’Leary, and Brig. Gen. Paul A. Kennedy, Director of Public Affairs, and Bill Hauptfleisch, President of the USMCCCA.
Bernice, wife of Sam Stavisky, said at the unveiling, “This was Sam’s dream. He loved this Association and loved being a Marine…”
Bernice and Maria are the only two surviving wives of Denig’s Demons and, if you went by the smiles (and some tears) each was thrilled to be included in the festivities. Bernice said, following the unveiling, “This was Sam’s dream. He loved this Association and loved being a Marine in World War II although it took a waiver from the Commandant of the Marine Corps for him to serve…”Fred Lash, past USMCCCA President, read a letter that Sam wrote to him just prior to his death requesting that the Association do everything it could to honor Brig. Gen. Denig and the concept of the combat correspondent program which started in 1942 and continues today. The Denig Memorial is the only edifice of its kind at the Museum that recognizes Marines serving in the 4300 and 4600 occupational fields.
The program began inside Semper Fidelis Chapel with President Bill Hauptfleisch welcoming everyone and introducing special guests. He then introduced Chaplain (Commander, CHC, USN) William D. Stallard for the invocation. Bill then turned the program over to Brig. Gen. Paul A. Kennedy, Director of Public Affairs, HQMC.In his comments, General Kennedy reminded the audience that what General Denig started in 1942 continues today. “Today’s Marines recognize those who came before them and are definitely aware of the legacy they have inherited.” He assured the audience that they, too, are continuing to tell the Marine Corps “story” to the American public.
The 2012 USMCCCA Foundation President’s Award was belatedly presented to John and Dale Dodd on November 16 during ceremonies at the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, MD. Executive Director Jack Paxton, subbing for Foundation President Don O’Neal, made the dual presentation to John for his service as Treasurer and to […]
My Fellow CCs:With our 2012 conference in San Diego fast approaching, some of you may have heard rumors that I will not be attending our annual confab. I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight. It is true that I will not be attending the conference but […]
CCHQ was advised by the Deputy Director of Information at HQMC July 3 that the Public Affairs Leadership Conference for 2012 in San Diego has been cancelled. We have also been advised by the Director of Public Affairs, Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) that their anticipated participation with the PA […]
Col. Bryan F. Salas, former Director of Information at HQMC, will formally retire from the Corps on January 19 during ceremonies at the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes. Col. Salas became Director of Information in 2009, shortly after his promotion to colonel. During his three years in that position he became […]
Dorothy Jeanne Crane
(Ed. Note: We learned two things recently: One, old timers do come back to us and, when they do, it can be gangbusters! The second thing we learned was there were Woman Marine combat correspondents in World War II, at least one we now know of. In an email, former CC Crane Davis notified us he was making a contribution to the Denig Memorial Fund and wanted to know if we could list it in memory of his Mom and Dad, both CCs during that war. While space is limited on the left side of our web page we assured Crane we would do our best if he could enlarge upon his parents’ service. Here’s Crane’s reply with a great photo of his mom with the World War II CC tools of the trade: typewriter, steel pot, and the-then traditional cigarette. P.S. He also sent in his membership application.)
In early September 1941, my dad, Bob Davis, was a junior at University of Maine and a reporter at the Bangor Daily News, with a beat that included recruiters. The Marine Corps announced a program to recruit radio and print reporters, then train them as publicity men for local recruiters and return them to their hometown. Bob ended up working in Portland, then set up a new office in New Hampshire. My guess is that he put in for combat correspondent in the winter of 1942-43 and he said that he was almost immediately sent to Londonderry for almost a year. In early 1944, he went to Camp Pendleton, where the 5th Division was just forming.
By Jack T. Paxton, Executive Director We were a bit remiss for taking a short vacation before making an assessment of the 2011 annual conference in New Orleans. In his upcoming Now Hear This column President Don O’Neal used three letters to describe our annual event: WOW! We could reiterate […]