presents
Carolina Museum of the Marine and Civic Institute
"The Draft" Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 9 September 2021
Carolina Museum of the Marine and Civic Institute

We understand the importance of preserving the legacy of Carolina Marines and Sailors and are excited to enhance that mission with The Civic Institute - an educational component founded by General Al Gray, 29th Commandant - that will teach citizens of all ages about the ideals that are the foundation of our nation as so ably demonstrated by Marines since 1775. Courses will be offered on location at schools and businesses, online and - when the museum is completed - onsite.
Honoring the legacy, sustaining the ideals,
keeping the flame burning brightly
for future generations.

What is happening with plans to build
the Museum and Institute?
Multimedia Intern Kevin Sweeney
helps launch Civic Institute
Kevin Sweeney, 2021 graduate of James Madison University, spent the month of August with Carolina Museum of the Marine and Civic Institute. Sweeney's education and training provided much-needed talent and technical know-how as he helped Marine veteran Jim Danielson, PhD and SgtMaj Joe Houle, USMC (Ret) create nine segments of the Institute's first online video class, "Critical Thinking for Civic Engagement".

Sweeney also worked with Danielson to create
several episodes of "Civilized Discourse", the Institute's podcast.
Podcast guest John Ligato, retired FBI agent and also a Marine veteran, sat in for an interview with Danielson that will air when the Institute's YouTube channel goes live this fall.

"He did superlative work here," says Danielson. "Kevin's talent and work ethic are impressive. We wish he could stay in Jacksonville." That sentiment is shared by Museum & Institute staff and board members alike. The organization continues to thank Sack Family Foundation for its strong support of the Institute. And we wish you well, Kevin!

Photos:
Top: Kevin receives completion certificate presented by Chairman of the Board BGen Dick Vercauteren, USMC (Ret)
Left: Kevin sports his "new" helmet.
Right: L to R: SgtMaj Joe Houle, USMC (Ret), Dick Koeckert, Sweeny, BGen Vercauteren, and professor Jim Danielson
How Much Do you Know
about the Ninth Amendment?
History on the Net.
THE COMMANDANT AND THE DRAGON
by LtCol Lynn "Kim" Kimball, USMC (Ret)

The decade of the 80s saw the Marine Corps modernizing and replacing many of the components of its tactical vehicle fleet in order to meet the increasing mission requirements of developing global contingencies. Serendipitously, a revolutionary new vehicle was now available that would provide the Corps with its first true cross-country capability for high- volume logistics support. Also of great importance, it was the first wheeled vehicle that could stay apace of the M-1 Abrams tank in mechanized operations, as was amply demonstrated later during Operation Desert Storm and the subsequent Iraqi War. This vehicle, the LVS (Logistics Vehicle System, M-48 Series), would enhance combat logistics support to the degree that Marine aviation was enhanced by the advent of the jet-powered helicopter. It was, as famously predicted by LtGen Gary McKissock, subsequently the Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics (DC/S I&L) at Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), but in 1981 the Commanding Office of the 8th Motor Transport Battalion (MT Bn) under the 2nd Force Service Support Group (2nd FSSG) at Camp Lejeune: “Going to change the way we do business.”
The Marine Corps brought three prototypes to Camp Lejeune in April 1981 for evaluation as part of the extensive R-A-M-D (Reliability-Availability-Maintainability-Durability) testing required of a new vehicle, especially in the case of the LVS, which despite its similarity to other “Dragon Wagons,” was unique with its specific Marine Corps alterations. The Corps had a proud history of tactical innovation, but there was still a streak of conservatism that questioned the viability of this innovative new vehicle in an amphibious role. Col Jack James, then head of the Tactical Motor Transport Branch under the DC/S I&L, HQMC, preached the attributes of the LVS to every general officer he could corner.
September

Important Dates
in U.S. History
September 2, 1789 - The third Presidential cabinet department, the U.S. Treasury, was established by Congress.

September 2, 1945 - President Harry Truman declared V-J Day (Victory over Japan Day) commemorating the formal Japanese surrender to the Allies aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

September 3, 1783 - The Treaty of Paris was signed by John Adams, Ben Franklin and John Jay, formally ending the American Revolutionary War between Britain and the United States.

September 5, 1774 - The First Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia with 56 delegates, representing every colony, except Georgia. Attendants included Patrick Henry, George Washington, Sam Adams and John Hancock.

September 7, 1994 - The U.S. Army closed its headquarters in Berlin, ending the American military presence in the once-divided city after nearly half a century.

September 8, 1565 - The first Catholic settlement in America was founded by Spaniard Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles at St. Augustine, Florida.

September 8, 1883 - The Northern Pacific Railroad across the U.S. was completed.

September 8, 1900 - A hurricane with winds of 120 mph struck Galveston, Texas, killing over 8,000 persons, making it the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. The hurricane and tidal wave that followed destroyed over 2,500 buildings.

September 8, 1935 - Louisiana Senator Huey P. Long was shot and mortally wounded while attending a session of the state House of Representatives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He died two days later.

September 9, 1776 - The United States came into existence as the Continental Congress changed the name of the new American nation from the United Colonies.
September 11, 2001 - The worst terrorist attack in U.S. history occurred as four large passenger jets were hijacked then crashed, killing nearly 3,000 persons.

September 13, 1788 - The U.S. Congress chose New York as the Federal capital of the new American government.

September 13, 1814 - The Battle of Fort Henry in Baltimore Harbor occurred, observed by Francis Scott Key aboard a ship. He watched the British attack overnight and at dawn saw the American flag still flying over the fort, inspiring him to write the verses which were later coupled with the tune of a popular drinking song and became the U.S. National Anthem in 1931.

September 17, 1787 - At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, delegates from twelve states voted unanimously to approve the proposed U.S. Constitution.

September 18, 1947 - The U.S. Air Force was established as a separate military service.

September 20, 1873 - The New York Stock Exchange was forced to close for the first time in its history as a result of a banking crisis during the financial Panic of 1873.

September 25, 1789 - The first U.S. Congress proposed 12 Amendments to the Constitution, ten of which, comprising the Bill of Rights, were ratified.

September 29, 1789 - Congress created the United States Army, consisting of 1,000 enlisted men and officers.
9-11 Memorial at Lejeune Memorial Gardens.
Photo by LCpl Isaiah Gomez,
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Click on the Eagle, Globe and Anchor
for our project update.

2020-2021 Board of Directors

Executive Committee
BGen Dick Vercauteren, USMC (Ret) - Chairman
Mr. Mark Cramer, JD - Vice Chairman
CAPT Pat Alford, USN (Ret) - Treasurer
Col Joe Atkins, USAF (Ret) - Secretary
Col John B. Sollis, USMC (Ret) - Immediate Past Chairman
General Al Gray, USMC (Ret), 29th Commandant - At-Large Member
LtGen Gary S. McKissock, USMC (Ret) - At-Large Member

Members
Mr. Terry Branton
Mr. Tom DeSanctis
MyGySgt Osceola Elliss, USMC (Ret)
Col Chuck Geiger, USMC (Ret)
Col Bruce Gombar, USMC (Ret)
LtCol Lynn "Kim" Kimball, USMC (Ret)
CWO4 Richard McIntosh, USMC (Ret)
CWO5 Lisa Potts, USMC (Ret)
Col Grant Sparks, USMC (Ret)
GySgt Forest Spencer, USMC (Ret)

Staff

Ashley Danielson, Executive Director
SgtMaj Joe Houle, Operations Director
Richard Koeckert, Accounting Manager