Category Archives: Marines

The last original Navajo Code Talker awarded Audie Murphy award.

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Chester Nez, the last of the original 29 Marine Navajo Code Talkers was given the Audie Murphy award on November 9. The risk of torture and death for these warriors was an everyday reality.

The Native Americans used the Navajo language to transmit coded messages concerning Japanese military operations.

“I was very proud to say that the Japanese did everything in their power to break that code but they never did,” Nez said in an interview with Stars and Stripes the day before the award ceremony.

The service of these brave men saved the lives of many Marines.

Marine Corps officials: 4 Marines killed in training accident at Camp Pendleton in California

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SAN DIEGO – Four Marines were killed Wednesday in a training accident at Camp Pendleton in Southern California, base officials said.

The accident happened at 11 a.m. during a range maintenance operation at the San Diego County coastal base. Officials were investigating the cause and provided no further details on the training or the accident.

The identities of the dead were being withheld pending notification of relatives.

“We offer our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families of the Marines lost today in this tragic accident,” said Brig. Gen. John W. Bullard, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “Our first priority is to provide the families with the support they need during this difficult time.”

More at FOX News

Project Appleseed coming to Flagstaff shooting range

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Project Appleseed will be holding a clinic at the Northern Arizona Shooting Range in Flagstaff on August 24th and 25th at 8:30 am each day. The clinic will focus on rifle marksmanship skill.

The skill will include the six steps to firing a shot, natural point of aim, sling use and other skills in firing rifles. They also discuss the history of the beginning of the American War for Independence and the heritage of the nation.

The clinic costs $80 per man, $40 for each woman and under $20 for people under 18. Active duty military, law enforcement officers and elected offficials are free. The $7 range fee is not included and must be paid by all on entry. Your own rifles and ammunition are required. You can find more information at their web site.

Project Appleseed, according to their web site,

…is an activity of The Revolutionary War Veterans Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to teaching every American our shared heritage and history as well as traditional rifle marksmanship skills. Our volunteer instructors travel across the country teaching those who attend about the difficult choices, the heroic actions, and the sacrifices that the Founders made on behalf of modern Americans, all of whom are their posterity.

“Our rifle marksmanship program complements our history and heritage. We teach the traditional American marksmanship skills,” their web site states.

The Northern Arizona Shooting Range is located on USFS Road 128A 3.8 miles past the junction of USFS Roads 82 and 128. It is east of Flagstaff and south of the Winona exit #211 on I-40. (Map and directions)

Coconino Rises for County’s First Stand Down May 17-18

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CC Stand Down 2013 - update

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Event aids homeless, at-risk veterans and their families with services

FLAGSTAFF—Coconino County, in conjunction with area veteran’s advocate groups, will host the First Annual High Country Stand Down event May 17 to 18 to connect area homeless veterans and their families with the services they need.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 17, County-area homeless and at-risk veterans will have access to a host of services aimed at helping those who served our country. The Stand Down continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18, with breakfast and the Armed Forces Day Parade in Downtown Flagstaff.

“It is an honor to be a part of Coconino County’s first veterans stand down,” said District 4 County Supervisor Mandy Metzger, who convened the event. “Providing critical and basic services is the very least we should be doing for those who have bravely safeguarded our freedoms, but have become homeless or are at-risk of becoming homeless.”

“The High Country Stand Down is the first of what we hope becomes an annual tradition to continue creating positive impacts for veterans and their family’s within our communities. No veteran will be turned away,” Metzger added.

The event May 17 event will be held at the Flagstaff Armory at 320 N. Thorpe Road. During this event, veterans will be offered free dental exams, haircuts, clothing, hygiene kits and showers or they can receive ID assistance, Veteran’s Affairs healthcare and housing information and much more. That evening, veterans will also be offered a bed to sleep indoors and a hot dinner.

On May 18, veterans will convene for breakfast at the American Legion Post 3 at 204 W. Birch Ave. in Flagstaff. At 11 a.m. they can attend the Armed Forces Day Parade. The veteran’s services fair will continue throughout the day until 5 p.m.

“Our veterans had the courage to rise and serve when our nation called on them. It’s only fitting that we rise to aid them in their time of need,” said John Davidson, who helped coordinate the event. “It’s been a great privilege to work with Coconino County in a unified effort to host this event. Our service groups, Native American communities, statewide organizations and other partners stepped up to help our veterans.”

In addition to Coconino County, the event is a collaboration among multiple organizations, including the Coconino County Courts, County Public Health Services District, the Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, American Legion Post 3, Salvation Army, Arizona Stand Down, Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness, Madison Street Veterans Association, US Veterans Administration, Arizona Department of Veterans Services, United for Change, US Veterans Association and many others.

Marine kills two at Quantico base, takes own life

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WASHINGTON | Fri Mar 22, 2013 1:04pm EDT

(Reuters) – A Marine shot dead two fellow service members at a base in Quantico, Virginia, then killed himself, the Marines said on Friday.

The shootings took place late on Thursday near the officer candidate school at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, and all three people who died were active-duty Marines, base commander Colonel David Maxwell said.

“The shooter, an active-duty Marine, was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound by law enforcement at the scene,” he told a news conference carried by local media.

Maxwell gave no motive for the shooting and an investigation is under way. The two slain Marines, a man and a woman, were permanent personnel assigned to the officers school, as was the shooter, he said.

Read more at Reuters News