presents
The Marine Experience and Civic Institute
"The Draft" Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 3 February 2020
The Marine Experience 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 core values of our founding fathers 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, preserving the values,
keeping the flame burning brightly
for future generations.
Byrd Family Foundation
Names Patriots Walkway

Keith Byrd and his father, Fred R. Byrd, served in the United States Marine Corps and, with their family, want to preserve the legacy of Carolina Marines and Sailors.

The Byrd Family Foundation made a gift of $100,000 to Carolina Museum of the Marine and Civic Institute on February 4, 2020 to assist in its $28M capital campaign. “The General Assembly has generously included support for the Museum in the current budget bill and we look forward to breaking ground as soon as possible after the budget impasse is resolved successfully,” said Museum board chairman, John Sollis, Colonel, USMC (Ret). 

Keith and Ginger Byrd, understanding the impact of this delay, stepped up with their generous philanthropic gift. “We are thankful for the opportunity to stand in the gap for this important mission,“ said Keith Byrd. “We hope our faith in this project inspires others to give as well.” 

Museum Board member Gary S. McKissock, Lieutenant General, USMC (Ret) and executive director, Ashley Danielson, were on hand for the check presentation at the campaign’s completed Phase I:  Reflection and Celebration Park. The Patriots Walkway at the Park and future museum site will be named for the Byrd Family Foundation in recognition of their generous gift. “The Byrds are a very generous and community-minded family,” said SgtMaj Joe Houle, operations director at Carolina Museum of the Marine. “It is an honor to have their name so strongly associated with our mission.”

Carolina Museum of the Marine and Civic Institute is being constructed in two phases. Phase I, Reflection and Celebration Park was completed in May 2016 and is a popular destination at Lejeune Memorial Gardens. The Park boasts the world’s largest Eagle, Globe and Anchor statue, which is consistently the most “Instagrammed” site in Onslow County. The Park and its Patriots Walkway, with EGA, reflecting pool, tribute bricks and benches, hosts numerous local events including promotion, retirement and reenlistment ceremonies. 

Phase II, the 40,000 square foot Museum and Institute, will bring to life the many accomplishments and innovations of Carolina Marines and Sailors and their host communities. “It is our greatest pleasure to help make this dream become a reality!” said Ginger Byrd.  

Pictured L-R: Ginger Byrd; Museum board member LtGen Gary McKissock, USMC (Ret); Keith Byrd)
Leaders Can Be Made

Meet the graduating class of "Leaders Can Be Made", the pilot program developed by Major General Mel Spiese, USMC (Ret) and introduced by ethics professor, J im Danielson, PhD at Swansboro High School, Swansboro, NC. "I learned critical thinking skills," says student Rodolfo Heredia , " and that really helps when I'm making decisions ." The Marine Experience and Civic Institute thanks Swansboro High School principal, Dr. Helen Gross , and teacher, Mr. Erik Matticola, for hosting this exciting pilot project.

More Quotes from the Students

“ This class helped me see that sometimes there is no right or wrong answer.  Sometimes you make the  decision based on which is more ethical.”

“Leaders do make mistakes no matter how much experience they’ve had.  Mistakes are just part of living and that learning from them can make us stronger and able to make better future decisions.”

“I learned that when you’re in a debate, the first person who resorts to name-calling is the loser.”

“I learned that leaders must actively listen.  And that when you speak as a leader, you can’t assume the person listening understands exactly what you mean.  So, you have to listen carefully and communicate clearly.”

“I learned that people can be good friends without having to agree on everything.”

"Sometimes someone you’re leading doesn’t agree with the plan.  It’s important to listen to them but not to get bogged down in discussing things to death because the mission is still the mission.  I learned that sometimes, to be a good leader, you have to say, ‘no’.”

Students in the semester-long course learned "how to think, not what to think", active listening skills, clear communications, strategic thinking, and ethical applications for everyday decisions. The course, originally designed for adults in university or corporate settings, is being adapted for younger students as "Leading Self". Plans include expanding the geographic reach of The Civic Institute. Thank you to our good friends at Anonymous Trust for their grant of $25,000 in support of further development of this project!
Pictured L-R: Staff and ExCom. SgtMaj Joe Houle, Col John "Jay" Sollis, CAPT Pat Alford, BGen Jerry McKay, BGen Dick Vercauteren, LtGen Gary McKissock, Col Bruce Gombar, Richard Koeckert. Ashley Danielson (not pictured)
Many Thanks to
BGen Jerry McKay, USMC (Ret)

Carolina Museum of the Marine and Civic Institute benefitted on 24 January 2020 from the wisdom and experience of BGen Jerry McKay, USMC (Ret).

McKay served as Chief Operating Officer for Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, overseeing the construction of the beautiful National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA. His willingness to serve as a consultant for us as we prepare to build our own museum and institute is of inestimable value to us and to those we seek to honor. Thank you, BGen McKay! And many thanks to Glenn Hargett , Assistant City Manager for City of Jacksonville, NC, for hosting our meeting.
Core Value: COURAGE

"The heart of our Core Values, courage, is the mental, moral, and physical strength ingrained in Marines that sees them through the challenges of combat and the mastery of fear, and to do what is right, to adhere to a higher standard of personal conduct, to lead by example, and to make tough decisions under stress and pressure. It is the inner strength that enables a Marine to take that extra step". United States Marine Corps


Civics Quiz!
Forms of Government

We hear lots of discussion these days about various forms of government, including socialism, as well as our own form of government, a constitutional republic .

How much do you know about the different forms of government?
Commendation for
Carolina Museum of the Marine

Many thanks to SgtMaj Joe Houle, USMC (Ret), Dick Koeckert and board member CWO5 Lisa Potts, USMC (Ret)!

They ensured that the Marine Corps Ball aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune had authentic and pristine historic uniforms for the Living Memorial Tribute produced by former board member, SgtMaj Yolanda Mayo, USMCR (Ret) . We understand the the uniforms worn in tribute to eras gone by were inspiring - just as were the Marines who wore those uniforms in service.

Thank you, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Commanding General MajGen Julian D. Alford, USMC for recognizing Carolina Museum of the Marine!
 The Many Firsts of
Carolina Marines and Sailors

Follow this column in our monthly newsletter as we feature the many firsts of
Carolina Marines and Sailors...
MONTFORD POINT
LtCol Lynn "Kim" Kimball, USMC (Ret)
A peninsula projecting conspicuously into the New River at its major junction with Northeast Creek, Montford Point (initially Montfort Point) has enjoyed a remarkable history dating to pre-colonial times.

Prior to the immediate area’s acquisition by the Marine Corps, it was considered the foremost recreation destination in Onslow County, even being described as the county’s “Riviera,” [1] and was being planned for development as part of the county’s nascent tourism and real estate industry [2]. When the Marines arrived in 1941, it was housing an abandoned Civilian Conservation Corps encampment along with the homes of many of Onslow’s prominent citizens. Shortly thereafter, the area served as the site of Camp Lejeune’s second base headquarters, as a recruit training camp, as the home of the Corps’ only war dog training school and as part of the Naval Medical Field Research Laboratory [3].
10th Annual Golf Classic
presented by Coastal Enterprises
12 June 2020
Jacksonville Country Club

Save the Date!

Contact SgtMaj Houle for more info
910-545-9995
jhoule@museumofthemarine.org


Thank you, Terry Branton,
Golf Committee Chairman!
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