Welcome to our newly redesigned Leatherneck Web site. The new design is focused on delivering even more Marine Corps content in an easily navigated and appealing format—plus, we’ve added more social-networking opportunities. So, “noodle” around the site, get a feel as we work out the small bugs and let us read your comments: leatherneck@mca-marines.org
In your May magazine, we provide a unique assortment of Marine Corps aviation content including articles on night fighters on Ulithi and the island life; helicopters in the Korean War, and; a profile on three-war Marine aviation hero, Ken Reusser, who was shot down and wounded in three wars.
These, plus for Marines who remember the glory days of the Quantico Relays and the tremendous stable of Marine track stars in the 50s, 60s and early 70s, we include an article on Marine track and field. ESPN track and field commentator Larry Rawson, a former Marine captain who was a Marine track star prior to deploying to Vietnam, penned this look into leatherneck sports history.
Do you remember 1stLt Billy Mills, an Oglala Lakota Indian, and his Olympic record in the 10,000-meter race at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Mills is the only American to ever win this event, and while his qualifying time was far slower than favorite Ron Clarke of Australia, who finished third, Mills shattered the old record with a tremendous kick at the finish. Mills continues to serve America today as a spokesman for “Running Strong for American Indian Youth,” a national organization encouraging native youth with his message of character, dignity and pride. See www.indianyouth.org
Don’t forget to log onto the digital edition to read this article … there you will find that we’ve added a photo slideshow from the glory days of Marine track and field.
Coming up in the June magazine, we focus on education and the options available to active-duty leathernecks and those leaving active duty or “transitioning” to civilian life. Online or on campus, higher education is there for you to reach out and leverage for your future. Speaking of your future and transitioning, there is a vast network of support across America that wants to help you get the job you want. You can tap into that network through the Marine Executive Association. Don’t know what that is? Read, “Taking Care of Our Own,” in the June issue and take advantage of more options for your future.
For those Marines who come to Leatherneck to stay connected to our Corps and its Marines, I encourage you to check out the National Marine Corps Council Web site and read the available information from the Council’s April 17, 2010 meeting.
The Council members come to Quantico to hear from the Commandant and other senior leaders of the Corps, find out more about the Commandant’s priorities and take that information back to their Marine-related organizations. You can read the current operations briefings and find out other information from the Council Web site.
As usual, we can only improve if you remain in touch. We would like to hear your thoughts, so e-mail us at: leatherneck@mca-marines.org or call toll-free: 800-336-0291, ext. 115.
Thank you for your continuing support and I remain,
Semper Fidelis
Col Walt Ford, USMC (Ret)
Editor, Leatherneck Magazine
The Marine Corps Association & Foundation remembers the past and honors the present. Review the first one hundred years of MCA via historical photos and film clips of the organization that serves the men and women of the Marine Corps. Click 
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Comments
Mad As Hell!!!
After reading the two articles listed below, I'm Mad As Hell, at the IGNORANCE and POLITICAL CORRECTNESS that has apparently dug into our Corps!
These two articles go into some of what is wrong with the current policy or the interpretation of it, so I won't dwell on it. I just want to offer my two cents, and the disgust at the ignorance and cowardice of the upper echelon who have opened our Corps to this.
The Confederate Battle Flag is no more a symbol of racism, than the stars and stripes are. Some will try to make the point that Confederate Battle Flag has been used by rasist organizations, and is therefore a racist symbol. The Stars and Stripes have also been displayed by racist organizations as well. Does that make the Stars and Stripes a racist symbol? Some will say that the Confederate Battle Flag is offensive to certain groups of people. My response to those people is, study our history before you go running your motor mouths.
There are plenty of books, articles and archives from the era of the Civil War/War of Northern Aggression, that give an honest and eye opening account of that time of our history, unlike the distorted, revisionist and biased history that is being taught in our schools today. Alot of Southeners have served and fought in the ranks of our Corps and sister services with distinction and honor, who held and looked upon the Confederate Battle Flag with pride of their heritage and history, just to name a few, "Chesty Puller", George S. Patton, Jr, Douglas McArthur, Chester Nimitz, even New Yorker "Teddy Roosevelt"! Maybe some of you who are reading this have heard of them. Those of you who haven't, are probably part of the problem that has infected our society.
I would recomend that before anyone opposing the display of the Confederate Battle Flag, read the book; "Black Confederates" availible from www.pelicanpub.com ISBN 1-56554-937-6, It'll open your eye's and maybe your mind to events and people selectively excluded from our history. To those too narrow minded to dig into the facts, YOU are more offensive than any symbol could ever be. WAKE UP, AMERICA!!!
"Semper Fi"
Gerald R. Baxter
Msgt USMC Retired
U.S. Marines boot recruits with Confederate tattoos
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=149729
Marines battle back on Confederate flag tattoos
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=155377
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