Stories

Official Seal of the United States Marine Corps
Communication Directorate
Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps

Col. Kenneth M. DeTreux (center), commanding officer, Special Purpose Marine-Air Ground Task Force - New York, and other civic leaders rededicated the Col. Donald Cook Park in Brooklyn, New York, May 24. Cook joined the Marine Corps in 1957. During the Vietnam War, Cook volunteered to lead a nine-manned reconnaissance mission to search for a downed helicopter. Cook was shot and captured during this mission. Throughout his time as a prisoner of war, Cook refused to give information to his captors regarding the U.S. military. For this, he was given less food and often placed in solitary confinement. Even under such conditions, Cook gave most of his food away to other prisoners who he felt were in more need. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Cook remains the only Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor while he was a POW. Fleet Week is an opportunity for Marines, sailors, and coast guardsmen to show the people of New York what the Navy, Marine and Coast Guard team is, what they do, and how committed it is to serving this country. Twenty-one U.S. and coalition ships and more than 6,000 troops will participate in the 25th anniversary of Fleet Week New York, a celebration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, May 23-30. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Martin Egnash) - Col. Kenneth M. DeTreux (center), commanding officer, Special Purpose Marine-Air Ground Task Force - New York, and other civic leaders rededicated the Col. Donald Cook Park in Brooklyn, New York, May 24. Cook joined the Marine Corps in 1957. During the Vietnam War, Cook volunteered to lead a nine-manned reconnaissance mission to search for a downed helicopter. Cook was shot and captured during this mission. Throughout his time as a prisoner of war, Cook refused to give information to his captors regarding the U.S. military. For this, he was given less food and often placed in solitary confinement. Even under such conditions, Cook gave most of his food away to other prisoners who he felt were in more need. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Cook remains the only Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor while he was a POW. Fleet Week is an opportunity for Marines, sailors, and coast guardsmen to show the people of New York what the Navy, Marine and Coast Guard team is, what they do, and how committed it is to serving this country. Twenty-one U.S. and coalition ships and more than 6,000 troops will participate in the 25th anniversary of Fleet Week New York, a celebration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, May 23-30. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Martin Egnash)

NEW YORK -- Marines from 6th Communication Battalion, a Marine Forces Reserve unit based in Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, collect toys in Times Square as part of their Toys for Tots drive, Dec. 19. The Marines will be in Times Square all week loading up their tactical vehicles with toys collected from all of their New York City drop off locations as part of their final collection effort. Last year the Marines from 6th Communication Battalion collected approximately 280,000 toys, the majority of them being collected during this last-week scramble before Christmas. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Caleb Gomez / RELEASED) - NEW YORK -- Marines from 6th Communication Battalion, a Marine Forces Reserve unit based in Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, collect toys in Times Square as part of their Toys for Tots drive, Dec. 19. The Marines will be in Times Square all week loading up their tactical vehicles with toys collected from all of their New York City drop off locations as part of their final collection effort. Last year the Marines from 6th Communication Battalion collected approximately 280,000 toys, the majority of them being collected during this last-week scramble before Christmas. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Caleb Gomez / RELEASED)

LIBERTY ISLAND, N.Y. -- Lance Cpl. Tomas Roginski was one of a few Marines, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen and soldiers to join a group of 125 immigrants in receiving their citizenship on Liberty Island, here, Oct. 28. The event was part of the day-long celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty's dedication. The Department of Homeland Security rewards immigrants who join the military and serve honorably by exempting them from the normal residency requirements. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar told the new citizens, "You are represent what is best about America, because you represent what Americans should be celebrating and standing for around the world. We are a nation of diversity, and that diversity strengthens our country." Roginski immigrated to Brooklyn from Poland when he was a child. He currently serves in the Marine Corps with 6th Communication Battalion and is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering from the College of Staten Island. (Marine Corps production by Sgt. Randall. A. Clinton / RELEASED) - LIBERTY ISLAND, N.Y. -- Lance Cpl. Tomas Roginski was one of a few Marines, sailors, airmen, Coast Guardsmen and soldiers to join a group of 125 immigrants in receiving their citizenship on Liberty Island, here, Oct. 28. The event was part of the day-long celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty's dedication. The Department of Homeland Security rewards immigrants who join the military and serve honorably by exempting them from the normal residency requirements. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar told the new citizens, "You are represent what is best about America, because you represent what Americans should be celebrating and standing for around the world. We are a nation of diversity, and that diversity strengthens our country." Roginski immigrated to Brooklyn from Poland when he was a child. He currently serves in the Marine Corps with 6th Communication Battalion and is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering from the College of Staten Island. (Marine Corps production by Sgt. Randall. A. Clinton / RELEASED)

NEW YORK -- The mayor of New York, Michael R. Bloomberg speaks during the annual Soldier's and Sailor's Memorial Day Observation, at the Soldier's and Sailor's monument in New York, March 31, 2010. Marines and sailors from 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force New York, and the USS Iwo Jima gathered with New York citizens and veterans to honor U.S. service members who fought and died in wars past and present.More than 3,000 Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are in the area participating in community outreach events and equipment demonstrations. This is the 26th year New York City has hosted the sea services for Fleet Week. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl Bobbie Curtis / RELEASED) - NEW YORK -- The mayor of New York, Michael R. Bloomberg speaks during the annual Soldier's and Sailor's Memorial Day Observation, at the Soldier's and Sailor's monument in New York, March 31, 2010. Marines and sailors from 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force New York, and the USS Iwo Jima gathered with New York citizens and veterans to honor U.S. service members who fought and died in wars past and present.More than 3,000 Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are in the area participating in community outreach events and equipment demonstrations. This is the 26th year New York City has hosted the sea services for Fleet Week. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl Bobbie Curtis / RELEASED)

NEW YORK -- Several service members from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force New York, visited with some of New York's senior citizens at the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged program's Williamsburg Senior Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 28, 2010, as part of Fleet Week New York's community outreach projects.ore than 3,000 Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are in the area participating in community outreach events and equipment demonstrations. This is the 26th year New York City has hosted the sea services for Fleet Week. - NEW YORK -- Several service members from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, and Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force New York, visited with some of New York's senior citizens at the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged program's Williamsburg Senior Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 28, 2010, as part of Fleet Week New York's community outreach projects.ore than 3,000 Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are in the area participating in community outreach events and equipment demonstrations. This is the 26th year New York City has hosted the sea services for Fleet Week.

 
Communication Directorate