Marine Corps Coordinating Council
of Oregon & Southwest Washington

With the 1990-1991 Desert Shield and Desert Storm experience, Commandant of the Marine Corps General Al Gray realized that coordinating with a vast number of diverse regional Marine Corps related organizations was a considerable challenge. From the First War Dog Platoon to First Marine Division Association, from Anchorage to Miami, Bangor to San Diego, Honolulu to Quantico, how to "network" and make sure that all Marines, past, present, and future were truly getting "The Word"? The solution already existed with the MCCC. In many of these areas, the basic loose structure was there. It simply needed to be focused and organized so that requirements matched capabilities. HQMC consolidated these Gulf War "Lessons Learned" into a MCCC Red Booklet and began a nationwide campaign. As the "point man" for CMC, and MGen James E. Livingston USMC (CG of then Marine Reserve Forces in New Orleans) in furthering the MCCC concept was Major General Hugh W. Hardy USMCR (Ret), of Houston, Texas.

MGen Hardy came to Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday, 18 May 1993, and addressed a wide cross section of the Marine Corps community at The World Trade Club (sponsored by Col Arnold "Arnie" Myhra USMCR, a longtime Oregon MCROA member). Gen Hardy presented the MCCC concept and its history, culminating in the challenge for Oregon Marine volunteers to "get on board". His efforts were successful. A Steering Committee was formed with Col Myhra as president and Maj Mike Howard as its vice-president. Another key "plank-owner" was Gordon Morgan (founder: Oregon First Marine Division Association). Gordon's help (together with that of Tom Green and Bob "Jake" Jacobson of the Oregon Chosin Few) was crucial that first year in formulating Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. After a great deal of work, the Steering Committee declared on 25 March 1994 the formal establishment of the MCCC of Oregon. With formal recognition by the State of Oregon (ID# 31431), the Internal Revenue Service later granted an approved 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt organization ID # 93-1164027. The original plan had been to have separate Oregon MCCCs in Portland, Salem, and Eugene, but practicality resulted in one MCCC covering the entire state from Portland. The term MCCC of "Greater" Oregon reflected the areas in southern Washington covered by the RS Portland, and the vibrant Columbia River Detachment, Marine Corps League, in Vancouver, Washington.

The MCCC of Greater Oregon is structured with an elected, volunteer, Executive Board consisting of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and three other members at large, together with the permanent representative billets for the senior reserve (SMCR, 6th Engineer Support Battalion) Commanding Officer, Inspector-Instructor, and Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Portland. Various standing committees are formed as needed (examples being: History/Museum Committee, Golf Tournament Fundraiser Committee, Charity Donation Committee, Birthday Ball Committee, Key Volunteer Committee, Family Day Committee, etc.). All organizations are equally represented (despite membership numbers) and allowed one vote. Meetings have been held on a monthly basis (currently the 3rd Monday of each month) at 1100 at the Swan Island Reserve Center in the Navy-Marine Conference Room.

Since 1993, the Marine Corps Coordinating Council has grown to represent the units of 6th Engineer Support Battalion, USMCR, the Recruiting Station Portland (statewide with some dozen RSS locations), together with some two dozen various Marine Corps veterans' organizations. To date, the following Oregon veteran groups have been vital members of the Oregon MCCC team: the 1st Marine Division Association Oregon/Columbia River Chapter, the Oregon Chosin Few, the Battleship Oregon Detachment 470 Marine Corps League (MCL), the Columbia River Detachment 826 (MCL), the Oregon Marine Corps Reserve Officer Assn (MCROA), the Marine Corps Engineer Assn, Belleau Wood & WWI Survivors Assn, China Marines Assn, the Pearl Harbor Assn, Wake Island Veterans, Women Marines Assn, American Fighter Pilots Assn, USMC Drill Instructors Assn, Marine JROTC Assn, the NROTC Marines Oregon State University, the USMC Mustang Assn, Battery I 3/12, VMF-115 Assn, Explorer Post #925, the Waverley Marine Platoon (Waverley Country Club), and representatives of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Marine Division Associations.

The mission of the MCCC of Greater Oregon is a simple one: "Telling the Marine Corps Story" throughout our geographical region. Information from Headquarters Marine Corps flows down, and our interests and accomplishments flow up: a great USMC two-way street that works. We do not compete with any other USMC entity. We "coordinate" and make sure that everyone (Reserve, Active Duty, Veteran, or Friend) is "singing from the same sheet of music."

Accomplishments to date have been considerable: a first rate Oregon Marine Hall of Honor Museum that was recognized by Oregon Historical Society (1995) and has twice been recognized and received the coveted Magruder Award from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (1996 & 1997). The latter presented by CMC General Krulak. It covers the full period of Oregon USMC involvement dating from 1841 to the present. This museum consists of a restored TD-18 Armored Bulldozer (vintage WWII & Korean War) which honors the long line of Oregon USMCR engineers, a 105 mm "Chosin Few" Memorial Howitzer (commemorating the reserve 4th 105 Howitzer Bn activated for Korea in 1950), a 3"50' Dual Purpose Gun "Lt Charles Wilkes USN" Oregon Sea Services Memorial, dozens of historical frames and display cases ranging from Oregon's USMC Medal of Honor recipients, Navy Cross and Silver Star recipients, maps, photos, awards, weapons, captured items, uniforms, original carvings & artwork, and a vast array of other USMC historical artifacts. On 1 Nov 2014, 70th anniversary of the 6th Engineer Battalion on Guadalcanal, 1 Nov 1944 an armored Caterpillar D-7G bulldozer was added. The D-7G represented the most advanced model for USMC engineers in the 2003-2011 Iraq War (particularly the Battle for Fallujah). These & their big brother D9s saved many American lives during the Iraq War. Key USMC and USMCR Unit and Individual accomplishments, together with historical settings and background were compiled by Major Michael C. Howard USMCR from 1990-1994 in his Portland State University MA Thesis: "Oregon's Marines: A Regional History of the United States Marine Corps". With the loss of each succeeding generation of Oregon Marines, precious heritage is always in jeopardy. It is said that when a wise, experienced elderly person dies, it is like the burning of a library. To sum it up: "It ain't history until its written down." Fortunately, the MCCC has always generously placed the recording and preservation of Marine Corps heritage in the forefront of its mission.

Other significant MCCC accomplishments have been numerous: repeated sponsorship of "The President's Own" USMC Band to Portland (hosted in the renowned Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall), sponsorship of 1st Marine Division Band in the Portland Rose Festival, hosting of the annual Leatherneck Golf Classic (for Toys for Tots & MCCC work), sponsoring Hood to Coast USMC Teams, Rose Festival Dragon Boat Teams, Portland Scottish Highland Games USMC Tug of War Teams, hosting "Guns and Guacamole" Pistol and Rifle Shoots/Dinners, "Marine Night" at Tygres Heart Shakespeare (for King Henry V), "Marine Night" at Oregon Shakespeare Society, Ashland (also King Henry V), Funeral Support, extensive regional parade support, annual Swan Island BBQ for 1st Mar Div Camp Pendleton Marines attending Rose Festival (on amphibious shipping), and annual USMC Family Day support to name but a few.

The key to the Oregon MCCC is that it is a collection of Marines who truly care and enjoy doing what they do. They are a generous, warm-hearted, and dedicated group of friends who love their Marine Corps and are proud of its unique Oregon heritage.

Former distinguished Senator Bob Dole said it best at the Dedication and Groundbreaking for the National World War II Memorial in Washington DC: "We all rest in the shade of trees planted by others."

Semper Fi
Michael C. Howard
Colonel USMCR
President MCCC
10 November 2001