Photos

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Adolfo Garcia Jr., second from right, the commander of Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, shares a meal with local elected officials during a luncheon on MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 19, 2023. The luncheon reinforced partnerships between the U.S. Marine Corps and surrounding communities while promoting discussions among civil and military leaders about potential opportunities that could be mutually beneficial in the future. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds)

Photo by Jennifer E. Douds

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Adolfo Garcia, commander, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, delivers a speech during the opening of the United Service Organizations (USO) on MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 14, 2023. The USO offers a place for service members to relax and use the resources offered by the USO to include television, videogames, food, and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tanner Bernat)

Photo by Cpl. Tanner Bernat

Marines, sailors and civilians salute and stand for the national anthem during the United Service Organizations (USO) opening on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 14, 2023. The USO offers a place for service members to relax and use the resources offered by the USO to include television, videogames, food, and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tanner Bernat)

Photo by Cpl. Tanner Bernat

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Adolfo Garcia, commander, Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, delivers a speech during the opening of the United Service Organizations (USO) on MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 14, 2023. The USO offers a place for service members to relax and use the resources offered by the USO to include television, videogames, food, and entertainment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tanner Bernat)

Photo by Cpl. Tanner Bernat

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Marshalee E. Clarke, left, commanding officer of Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools, Sharon Anderson, center left, chapel manager, Dave Mason, center right, chapel pastor, and retired Sgt. Maj. Johnny B. Young Jr., right, president of Montford Point Marine Association Chapter 10, cut the ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Camp Gilbert H. Johnson Chapel on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 30, 2023. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially commemorate the reopening of the Camp Johnson Chapel after it suffered significant wind and water damage from Hurricane Florence in 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto)

Photo by Camp Johnson Chapel Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Joshua Stein, center right, 50th Attorney General for the State of North Carolina and guest of honor, presents a replica Congressional Gold Medal to retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alfonzo Jones, center left, a Montford Point Marine, during the 14th Annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Aug. 25, 2023. The annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony honors the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps and recognizes their accomplishments, sacrifices and dedication to our country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto)

Photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto

U.S. Marine veterans and members of the Montford Point Marine Association attend the 14th Annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Aug. 25, 2023. The annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony honors the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps and recognizes their accomplishments, sacrifices and dedication to our country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto)

Photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto

James T. Averhart Jr., national president of the Montford Point Marine Association, speaks during the 14th Annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Aug. 25, 2023. The annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony honors the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps and recognizes their accomplishments, sacrifices and dedication to our country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto)

Photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Adolfo Garcia Jr., commander of Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, speaks during the 14th Annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Aug. 25, 2023. The annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony honors the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps and recognizes their accomplishments, sacrifices and dedication to our country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto)

Photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jason B. Davis, event narrator, speaks during the 14th Annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Aug. 25, 2023. The annual Montford Point Marine Day Ceremony honors the first African Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps and recognizes their accomplishments, sacrifices and dedication to our country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto)

Photo by Cpl. Antonino Mazzamuto

An airplane prepares for takeoff at the Albert J. Ellis airport in Richlands, North Carolina, August 23, 2023. Over the past 52 years the airport has grown and its facilities have been maintained, refreshed and upgraded to meet the current and future needs of the region. The Department of Defense recently contributed $2M to a $11M runway rehabilitation project at the airport as part of the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot (DCIP) Program which is designed to address deficiencies in community infrastructure, supportive of a military installation, in order to enhance military value, installation resilience, and military family quality of life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds)

Photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds

The runways remain clear prior to flights arriving and departing at the Albert J. Ellis airport in Richlands, North Carolina, August 23, 2023. Over the past 52 years the airport has grown and its facilities have been maintained, refreshed and upgraded to meet the current and future needs of the region. The Department of Defense recently contributed $2M to a $11M runway rehabilitation project at the airport as part of the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot (DCIP) Program which is designed to address deficiencies in community infrastructure, supportive of a military installation, in order to enhance military value, installation resilience, and military family quality of life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds)

Photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds

An airplane taxis toward the flight line at the Albert J. Ellis airport in Richlands, North Carolina, August 23, 2023. Over the past 52 years the airport has grown and its facilities have been maintained, refreshed and upgraded to meet the current and future needs of the region. The Department of Defense recently contributed $2M to a $11M runway rehabilitation project at the airport as part of the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot (DCIP) Program which is designed to address deficiencies in community infrastructure, supportive of a military installation, in order to enhance military value, installation resilience, and military family quality of life. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds)

Photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds

An airplane prepares to land on a runway at the Albert J. Ellis airport in Richlands, North Carolina, August 23, 2023. Over the past 52 years the airport has grown and its facilities have been maintained, refreshed and upgraded to meet the current and future needs of the region. The Department of Defense recently contributed $2M to a $11M runway rehabilitation project at the airport as part of the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot (DCIP) Program which is designed to address deficiencies in community infrastructure, supportive of a military installation, in order to enhance military value, installation resilience, and military family quality of life (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds)

Photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Douds