From the Editor

Los Angeles Chapter USMCCCA P.O. Box 15353, Beverly Hills, CA 90209

ADDRESSEE:

FOLD HERE

Address All Editorial To:

Frank Lee 907 Ronda Sevilla, Unit B

Laguna Woods, CA 92637

Phone: 949-246-6767 E-mail: fl1946@.earthlink.net

The Los Angeles Chapter

U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association Raffle: Bring a Gift

BRING A GIFT FOR OUR RAFFLE

I can still vividly recall my parents lamenting about how fast time was passing. I really didn’t take their comments seriously. But now looking back, reality sets in. Less than a decade ago World War II Marines filled our chapter roster. Now only Harold Nebenzal, Herb Schlosberg, Tiger Palmer and a few

others are with us on a consistent basis, which we deeply appreciate and honor.. Korea seems to have come and went and in the intervening years Vietnam, Beirut, Bosnia, the Gulf War and now the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. From this scroll perch, we need to get the word out to our newest veterans about the CCC and especially the L.A. Chapter. Let them know that they stand to inherit a legacy which no other sister chapter can match. Semper fi,

Long-time L.A. Chapter mem-ber and staunch supporter and activist of the Marine Corps Toys for Tots pro-gram, Agnes “Jackie” Squires died September 30, 2008. Jackie brought tremendous leadership to the Toys for Tots that made her program one of if not the most suc-cessful in Los Angeles. For her tireless effort to the Toys for Tots, Jackie was given the title of Honorary Sergeant Major by the Com-mandant of the Marine

Farewell “Jackie” Corps, a special honor awarded to few. In addition to her dedication to Toys for Tots, Jackie was the administrative assistant to 9th Circuit Court Judge Harry Pregerson, also a for-mer combat Marine and hon-orary member of the Los An-geles CC Chapter. A memorial will be held on October 11, 2008, beginning at 10 A.M. at 18411 Hatteras St., Unit 120, Tarzana, CA. 91356. Jackie Squires was 78 years old.

DON’T FORGET! NEXT L.A. CHAPTER LUCHEON

OCTOBER 18 at 11:00 A.M. SMOKE HOUSE RESTAURANT

CALL TOM PETERS

310-273-7550

11th MEU Stories

The Los Angeles Chapter

SEPTEMBER—OCTOBER 2008 VOLUME VII

U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents

Association

Inside this issue:

Sneak Peeks 2 SSgt Jimenez Story 2

Joe Bender, Guest

Speaker 3

11th MEU Change of Command

3

Chapter Luncheons 4 Vietnam: Then & Now

for Two CCer’s 5

Joe Torres 5

George Putnam 3

Farewell Jackie 6

From the President…

Friends and fellow CCs:

September 29, 2008 I had visitors at the office this morning, a couple of soldiers in camo. LtCol. F. Lee Reynolds and SSgt. Joseph Williams wanted to talk TV news. They are the CO and NCOIC of the 222d Broadcast Operations Detachment, USAR. I learned that the unit motto is “Always there…ON THE AIR”.

(Continued on page 2)

L.A. Chapter Marine Returns

Like all Marines know, it is inevitable that at some point while in the Marine Corps, a change of duty station will occur. For SSgt. Sergio Jimenez it came just a little later — which allowed him to actively participate and contribute to the activities of our chapter. Jimenez got his transfer papers and in a blink he was off to Camp Pendleton, attached to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, (“MEU”), a Marine Air Ground Task Force of about 2,200 personnel composed of a command element, a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite helicopter squadron and a logistics combat element. From November 2007 until June 2008, the 11th MEU was deployed throughout the western Pacific and Arabian Gulf. During this float they participated in exercises in the Horn of Africa and Kuwait. Here are some stories and photos taken by the 11th MEU Marines and SSgt. Jimenez.

SSgt. Sergio Jimenez recently returned from FMF WestPac tour with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and gave our Chapter a presentation of his tour. While not deep in combat and fighting, they were on an even higher and important mission: saving lives and coordinating aid for the hundreds and thousands of people devastated by deadly storms, war and relocation.

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (Jan. 21, 2008) – Staff Sgt. Nathaniel J. Knuck-les, Combat Logistics Battalion 11, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif., tells a Marine where all vehicles should be parked at the Udairi Range Complex during a weapons shoot here. CLB-11 is the MEU’s combat logistics element and comprised of a headquarters element and personnel from supply, military police, transportation support, engi-neers, maintenance and health ser-vices detachments. Their purpose is to support all the elements of the 11th MEU in accomplishing their mis-sions and to serve as the lead force ashore during humanitarian assis-tance, evacuation control center, and mass casualty response team mis-sions. The 11th MEU is conducting sustainment training in Kuwait as part of their scheduled six-month deployment through the Western Pa-cific Ocean and Arabian Gulf region

The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of The U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Assn, Los Angeles Chapter (USMCCCLA). Although every effort has been made to provide timely and accurate information, USMCCCLA shall have no liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this newsletter. This publication is intended to provide general-ized information only and not to render professional advice.

Page 2

U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association

I told them that ours is “First to Go…Last to Know”. They seemed to like it. They also seemed to like the bronzed combat boots I keep on my desk filled with dried flowers, boots older than either one of them. Reynolds and Williams will be taking their men and women to Baghdad in May, where they will be responsible for the U. S. command’s main radio and TV operations in Iraq. The CO works for Universal Studios as an operations supervisor for the theme park. The NCOIC is a freelance news cameraman. Most of their reservists don’t work in broadcasting, so they want my newsroom to help get them up to speed. We’ll be happy to do it, and since my return to Los Angeles, we have provided similar experiences for Marine unit commanders and senior NCOs. I invited Reynolds and Williams to our October 18th meeting.

(Continued from page 1) President’s Letter

(Continued on page 4)

OFFICERS

Robert Long…………....President Frank Lee….….Vice President/Editor Tom Peters……….…..Secretary & Treasurer Harold Nebenzal…...Chaplain

Eddie Kafafian…………...Sgt at Arms

J. Rapley, Sgt Maj (ret)………U.S. Marine Corp Liaison

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Robert Long Tom Peters J. Rapley, SgtMaj (ret) Jon Goodman Eddie Kafafian Frank Lee

in the remote villages of Goubetto, Chabelley and Dammerjog.

The doctors, dentists and Navy and Marine Corps hospital corpsmen also conducted preventive health presentations and delivered basic hygiene items to one of the poorest regions in the world.

The goodwill projects, known as Civil Military Operations were requested by village elders through the 354th CAB. All four villages are sites of ongoing CJTF-HOA Civil Affairs operations.

In addition to the goodwill projects, Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, the MEU’s ground combat element, spent several days taking part in patrolling, combined arms and amphibious exercises and firing an array of small arms, medium and heavy machine guns and mortars aboard desert training ranges near the camp. BLT 1/5 snipers and reconnaissance platoons also fired their weapons and took part in small boat ship-to-shore exercises and helicopter boat casting. During this exercise, Recon

Pilots and crew from HMM-166 (Reinforced), also honed their aerial combat skills inland at remote ranges by firing a variety of precision-guided munitions and providing deep-strike and close-air support to the infantry Marines on the ground.

“They made a positive impact in the area and are fostering positive relationships with the people of Djibouti. They are also demonstrating the U.S. government's commitment to helping local residents and improving their infrastructure,” said Cmdr. Alan Philippi, public health physician, functional specialty team, 354th CAB.

According to Philippi, the Djiboutian people were not the only ones to benefit

(Continued on page 5)

More Sneak Peeks

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (April 3, 2008) – SSgt. Sergio Jimenez.

Marines and sailors from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit completed medical and construction goodwill projects in several villages and sustainment training near Camp Lemonier in the East African nation of Djibouti April 3, a small strategically important country located just north of Somalia in the Horn of Africa. Camp Lemonier is home to the headquarters of the U.S.-led Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

The Marines began going ashore March 29 via CH-53E Super Stallions and CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 (Reinforced), the MEU’s aviation combat element, from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego. They also arrived aboard landing craft utility and air-cushioned landing craft from the amphibious assault ships USS Tarawa, USS Germantown and USS Cleveland in the Gulf of Aden.

Marines from Engineer Detachment, Combat Logistics Battalion 11, used their building skills to make playtime a little more comfortable for children by constructing sunshades and picnic tables at primary schools in the villages of Chabelley and Douda.

Also, a medical and dental team from the 11th MEU/Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group collaborated with Soldiers of the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, CJTF-HOA, from Camp Lemonier, to provide basic medical and dental treatment to hundreds of Djiboutian citizens during a series of Medical Civil Action Projects

CALL TOM PETERS

FOR YOUR LUNCH RESERVATIONS

310-273-7550

YES, I will be attending the upcoming Marine Corps Combat Correspondents luncheon at the Smoke House Restaurant. I will be bringing ______guests. Enclosed is my check payable to the Los Angeles Chapter, covering my guest(s) and me. For more information, call: 310- 273-7550. Address: Tom Peters, P.O. Box 15353, Beverly Hills, CA 90209

Total Attendees ____ X $25.00/person = $_______________ #____Beef #____Chicken

Name ____________________________________________

Page 5

from these projects. The joint missions were a great opportunity for members of the different branches of the military to work together and learn from each other.

(Continued from page 2)

More Sneak Peeks

Then and Now: Vietnam ‘67; July ‘08

While scrounging for material to publish, an old photo turned up which this editor thought would be of interest. The photo on the left is your editor (second from right) back after to weeks in the bushes. The person to the left is Scott Leighty. We were all part of 3rdMarDiv Photo. (Note how sharp his utilities and belt buckle are. One squared away Marine!) Glad to have you with us, Scott.

Mother’s Passing

The Los Angeles Chapter of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Corre-spondents Assn. wish to extend con-dolences to Robert (Bob) Torres, L.A. Chapter member, two time president and newsletter editor in the pass-ing of his mother,

Hortensia Torres. Mrs. Torres passed away on September 13, 2008, leaving behind four sons,16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and numerous other family members. Mrs. Torres would have been 90 years old in January 2009. We pray for your loss, Bob, and shall walk in step with you as you journey through this difficult time. (Photo: Bob Torres at Bud Lesser memo-rial)

Colonel Olson was Director for

Senate Liaison, Office of

Legislative Affairs, HQMC. He is a

graduate of the U.S. Naval

Academy. His most recent

operational billets include serving

with the 15th MEU during

Operation Enduring Freedom,

Operation Iraq Freedom, and

battalion command in Fallujah,

Iraq, February 2004.

(Continued from page 3) 11th MEU Change of Command

It takes a SgtMajor to coordinate the raffle. Shown above is SgtMajor Rapley and his friend hawking raffle tickets. The prizes are getting better and better. For this upcoming meeting on October 18, don’t forget to bring something for the giveaway.

Page 4

Readers, please note: if you see yourself in different attire, fear not, you are not losing your mind. Coordinating the National Conference forced us to com-bined photos from two luncheons. You were not Superman and we didn’t make you change in the telephone booth.

L. A. Chapter Luncheons

Colonel Herb Schlosberg and his daughter pose for the camera. The L.A. Chapter presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Herb for his long-time support of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association.

Another raffle winner, Brad Fagerstrom holds up his prize. The L.A. Chapter is pleased to have Brad as a regular member attending our luncheons and functions. Brad was with the Thundering Third, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines in Vietnam.

Speaking at this meeting will be a young man I discovered by watching my own newscast. Reporter Cary Berglund was doing a piece on a website called InTheirBoots.com, and the host of their weekly series of “true stories” about fighting men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. The host is Jan Bender, a CC who served with 3/1 in Iraq in 2004-5. I thought his work was interesting, both the subject matter and the use of the Internet for distribution. The InTheirBoots project is a co-production of something called The Brave New Foundation and America’s oldest continuously published magazine, The Nation. Yes, I know. The Nation sees itself as a beacon of liberal thinking in America, and has ever since the immediate post-Civil War period. And I know that I am the only one in our chapter who remotely qualifies as “liberal”. I do not, however, detect any propagandizing going on in these stories and I think you will find them and Jan Bender interesting examples of a modern Marine CC telling contemporary stories with today’s technology. I’m writing this Monday, September 29th, after the nearly 800 point stock market plunge. Now that we’re all officially broke, we might as well huddle together at The Smoke House on the 18th for warmth and consolation. A Bloody Mary or two won’t hurt and we’ll find out how a young former CC is trying to make some sense of a screwed up world. Until then. Until then...

(Continued from page 2) President’s Letter

Maury Starr admires the bottle of vino he won at the Chapter’s raffle. This is also a reminder to bring a gift for the next luncheon meeting...and Maury, don’t bring that bottle back.

Marine, Sgt. John Phillips was the recipient of an “official” USMC baseball cap from our raffle which is usually held at our luncheons. The Chapter is pleased to be the first to announce that Sgt. Phillips just completed sniper school last Friday, 9/19 at Camp Pendleton. Congratulations John. Our best to you.

MGSgt Tony, good friend of SgtMajor Junior Rapley and a L.A. Chapter member at our July meeting. He was with Marine Recon while in service.

Debora Masterson and Craig Ingraham, co-producers of “Above and Beyond,” a video story about Cpl. William Perkins, first combat correspondent in military history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor The co-producers hosted a showing of the video at our meeting.

LtCol. (Ret) Jerry Broeckert was a surprise guest at the luncheon when he stopped by on his way back to Minneapolis. Broeckert was the Executive Director of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Historical Society, San Diego. Most of us remember Jerry as the long time PAO at Camp Pendleton. It’s always good to see him, perhaps more as Minnesota goes into winter hibernation. You bet’cha.

ATTENTION ON DECK! NEXT

CHAPTER MEETING

11:00 a.m. OCTOBER 18

SMOKEHOUSE

BE THERE !

Semper Fi

CALL TOM PETERS

FOR RESERVATIONS

310- 273-7550

Page 3

George Putnam, the pioneer television news anchorman and conservative commentator whose distinctive stentorian voice was a mainstay of Southern California broadcasting for decades, has died. He was 94.

VOLUME VII George Putnam 1914-2008

Beginning at KTTV Channel 11 in the early 1950s, Putnam quickly became a dominant and influential force in Los Angeles TV news. The winner of three Emmy Awards, he reportedly at one time was the high-est-rated and highest-paid TV news anchor in Los Angeles. "George Putnam established the template, the prototype of the local news anchorman that everyone came to accept -- the deep voice, the carefully groomed hair, the friendly I'm-talking-directly-to-you-and-no-one-else presentation," Joe Saltz-man, a USC journalism professor, s a i d F r i d a y v i a e - m a i l . "He became a friend ('George') to thousands of viewers, and his 'One Reporter's Opinion' was one friend talking directly to another and ex-plaining how he felt about the is-sues he spoke about on the news," s a i d S a l t z m a n . "George was the great communica-tor, before that title was ever ap-p l i e d t o . On KTTV in the 1950s and early '60s, Putnam would conclude his early evening news broadcast with his signature theatrical flair. "And that's the up-to-the-minute news, up to the minute, that's all the news," he would say, then add: "Back at 10, see you then!" George Putnam was a long-time member of the Los Angeles Combat Correspondents Chapter since World War II.

Iraq Marine CC Vet Looks at the Battle at Home

October Guest Speaker

In Their Boots is a compelling new magazine show about the dramatic impact the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are having on us - the people here at home. The show features our Iraq and Afghanistan service men and women, and their families, in stories that have universal appeal. In Their Boots trailer, funded by a grant from the Iraq Afghanistan Deployment Impact fund (IADIF) and produced by Brave New Foundation, In Their Boots is streamed exclusively online. In Their Boots is hosted by Jan Bender, a veteran of the war in Iraq who served as a rifleman/combat correspondent in Iraq with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines from 2004 to 2005. Every week a live episode is built around a dramatic and emotional In Their Boots "Real Story," a non-fiction narrative about how our service people, their families, and their communities have been profoundly changed by the nation's campaigns in Iraq and Afghani-stan. Then, in a live forum, Jan Bender, our host, interviews the participants and leads a discussion that includes experts, service-providers and individ-ual viewers in an interactive discussion of the issues raised.

Former Marine Corps CC, Jan Bender who covered the war in Iraq hosts new show featuring returning service men and women , and their families . Jan may be a familiar face to some. He was on MTV’s News Presents: Iraq Uploaded.” What happens after the battle is a heartfelt and compelling story every week.

C o l o n e l J o h n W . B u l l a r d

relinquished command of the 11th

Marine Expeditionary Unit to

Colonel Gregg P. Olson during a

change of command ceremony at

Camp Pendleton June 26. Colonel

Bullard served as commander since

May 2006. His next assignment will

be Aviation Department, HQMC.

(Continued on page 5)

11th MEU Change of Command