Members of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River chapters of the National Naval Officers’ Association take a moment to pose in front the ship after the commissioning ceremony of the Navy destroyer, USS Gravely, at the State Ports, Wilmington, N.C., Nov. 20. The destroyer was named after the late pioneer Vice Adm. Samuel Lee Gravely Jr., who was the first African-American in the U.S. Navy to be commissioned, first to serve aboard a fighting ship as an officer, the first to command a Navy ship, become a fleet commander and a flag officer. - Members of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River chapters of the National Naval Officers’ Association take a moment to pose in front the ship after the commissioning ceremony of the Navy destroyer, USS Gravely, at the State Ports, Wilmington, N.C., Nov. 20. The destroyer was named after the late pioneer Vice Adm. Samuel Lee Gravely Jr., who was the first African-American in the U.S. Navy to be commissioned, first to serve aboard a fighting ship as an officer, the first to command a Navy ship, become a fleet commander and a flag officer.

A metal dog, made from nuts, cotter pins, carriage bolts and other assorted scrap, sits on display during the biannual holiday craft fair hosted by the Hidden Talents craft store at the Paradise Point Officers' Club, Nov. 20 and 21. Local artisans come to this event, specializing in various craft projects from jewelry to woodwork to needlework, where locals are able to shop for gift ideas prior to holiday plans. - A metal dog, made from nuts, cotter pins, carriage bolts and other assorted scrap, sits on display during the biannual holiday craft fair hosted by the Hidden Talents craft store at the Paradise Point Officers' Club, Nov. 20 and 21. Local artisans come to this event, specializing in various craft projects from jewelry to woodwork to needlework, where locals are able to shop for gift ideas prior to holiday plans.

Motorcyclists with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, prepare to start the 2010 Poker Run, hosted by the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Department of Public Safety, Nov. 19. Participants from Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Stations New River and Cherry Point ride a pre-designated route with multiple checkpoints, collecting a playing card from each and seeing who has the winning hand at the end. - Motorcyclists with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, prepare to start the 2010 Poker Run, hosted by the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Department of Public Safety, Nov. 19. Participants from Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Stations New River and Cherry Point ride a pre-designated route with multiple checkpoints, collecting a playing card from each and seeing who has the winning hand at the end.

Participants Katie Cauble and her father near the finish line of the Turkey Trot 5K along Holcomb Boulevard, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Nov. 18. The event was part of the Liberty Fun Run series sponsored by Semper Fit, which holds a 3-mile race before every holiday period. - Participants Katie Cauble and her father near the finish line of the Turkey Trot 5K along Holcomb Boulevard, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Nov. 18. The event was part of the Liberty Fun Run series sponsored by Semper Fit, which holds a 3-mile race before every holiday period.

A detail of Swansboro Young Marines salute a passing color guard as they hold a total of 107 balloons with the names of local veterans tied to the ends during the 6th annual Veterans Appreciation Spaghetti Dinner at the Woodsmen of the World Lodge 1405, Nov. 14. These two events are part of the annual veterans appreciation week where the Young Marines must hold three events that honor military veterans. - A detail of Swansboro Young Marines salute a passing color guard as they hold a total of 107 balloons with the names of local veterans tied to the ends during the 6th annual Veterans Appreciation Spaghetti Dinner at the Woodsmen of the World Lodge 1405, Nov. 14. These two events are part of the annual veterans appreciation week where the Young Marines must hold three events that honor military veterans.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Col. Daniel J. Lecce, commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, (right), and Sgt. Maj. William C. Rice, (left), sergeant major of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, along with the youngest and oldest Marines walk off the field after conducting the cake cutting ceremony during the Joint Daytime Ceremony honoring the Marine Corps' birthday aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Nov. 10. Every year Marines across the world celebrate the birthday with cheer and enthusiasm and proudly carry on the tradition of Semper Fidelis. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Col. Daniel J. Lecce, commanding officer of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, (right), and Sgt. Maj. William C. Rice, (left), sergeant major of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, along with the youngest and oldest Marines walk off the field after conducting the cake cutting ceremony during the Joint Daytime Ceremony honoring the Marine Corps' birthday aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Nov. 10. Every year Marines across the world celebrate the birthday with cheer and enthusiasm and proudly carry on the tradition of Semper Fidelis.

Elements of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune render salutes to a wreath in honor of Timothy McHugh, third sergeant major of the Marine Corps, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Nov. 10. As set forth by the Marine Corps Casualty Procedures Manual, wreaths are to be placed at the graves of all former commandants and sergeants major of the Marine Corps, no matter where in the world they have been laid to rest. - Elements of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune render salutes to a wreath in honor of Timothy McHugh, third sergeant major of the Marine Corps, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Nov. 10. As set forth by the Marine Corps Casualty Procedures Manual, wreaths are to be placed at the graves of all former commandants and sergeants major of the Marine Corps, no matter where in the world they have been laid to rest.