NEWS

Dennis E. Provencher, the district commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9723, Okinawa salutes the Ernie Pyle Monument April 19, after placing a floral wreath at the foot of the epitaph on Ieshima, Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa citizens, service members, veterans, Boy Scouts, and families gather to honor the 70th anniversary of Ernest T. “Ernie” Pyle’s death at the sight where he was killed in 1945 during the battle of Okinawa. Pyle was a Pulitzer Prize winner and served as a war correspondent from 1935 through most of World War II, famous for his columns for the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain. Pyle volunteered to deploy with the men of the Army’s 77th Infantry Division to report first-hand during the battle of Okinawa. - Dennis E. Provencher, the district commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9723, Okinawa salutes the Ernie Pyle Monument April 19, after placing a floral wreath at the foot of the epitaph on Ieshima, Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa citizens, service members, veterans, Boy Scouts, and families gather to honor the 70th anniversary of Ernest T. “Ernie” Pyle’s death at the sight where he was killed in 1945 during the battle of Okinawa. Pyle was a Pulitzer Prize winner and served as a war correspondent from 1935 through most of World War II, famous for his columns for the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain. Pyle volunteered to deploy with the men of the Army’s 77th Infantry Division to report first-hand during the battle of Okinawa.

Kin Town residents leave the bases exchange Jan. 17 during Camp Hansen’s Friendship Saturday. Friendship Saturday is an event where community members are allowed on the base, unescorted but with passes, and enjoy some of the facilities on the camp. They visited various facilities including the Exchange, The Palms and bowling alley. Free balloons were handed out for children to enjoy during the event. - Kin Town residents leave the bases exchange Jan. 17 during Camp Hansen’s Friendship Saturday. Friendship Saturday is an event where community members are allowed on the base, unescorted but with passes, and enjoy some of the facilities on the camp. They visited various facilities including the Exchange, The Palms and bowling alley. Free balloons were handed out for children to enjoy during the event.

Gunnery Sgt. Shane R. Bertrand, from Ontario, Oregon, helps children put together paper pilgrim and American Indian hats Nov. 23 during the second annual Thanksgiving celebration with Tai Chu En Children’s Home at the Camp Kinser Chapel. This was the second annual Thanksgiving event with the children’s home and the Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 35. Following the crafts, the children and volunteers sat down for a Thanksgiving feast including turkey, corn and pumpkin pie. Bertrand is the logistics chief for CLR 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary. - Gunnery Sgt. Shane R. Bertrand, from Ontario, Oregon, helps children put together paper pilgrim and American Indian hats Nov. 23 during the second annual Thanksgiving celebration with Tai Chu En Children’s Home at the Camp Kinser Chapel. This was the second annual Thanksgiving event with the children’s home and the Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 35. Following the crafts, the children and volunteers sat down for a Thanksgiving feast including turkey, corn and pumpkin pie. Bertrand is the logistics chief for CLR 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary.

A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land Nov. 5 during a simulated tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise as part of exercise Blue Chromite 15 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. The landing zone was near combat town, the last known location of the downed aircraft crew members. Upon arriving in combat town, the Marines had to engage opposing forces and track the crew members’ location. The CH-53E is with HMH-XXX, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force - A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land Nov. 5 during a simulated tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise as part of exercise Blue Chromite 15 at LZ Dodo in the Central Training Area. The landing zone was near combat town, the last known location of the downed aircraft crew members. Upon arriving in combat town, the Marines had to engage opposing forces and track the crew members’ location. The CH-53E is with HMH-XXX, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force