On January 9, Fox Valley Marines surprised General Peter Pace, USMC (Ret) as he was attending a board of directors’ meeting for a Chicago-based corporation. Along with Fox Valley Executive Officer, Chris Dooley, five Fox Valley YM/PFC’s interrupted the board meeting (as planned by the Board Chair- man) and pre- sented the gener- al with a painting by Mr. Mark Titre as gratitude for his gracious do- nation to get us off to a good start when we chartered in May 2016. The general and our UC served together numer- ous times in the Corps. During start-up, our UC sent a mass email to everyone in his address book requesting donations to get us started. General Pace im- mediately responded with, “Am in Europe, will send “Ammo Re- supply” as soon as I return.” And that he did! The inscription on the framed painting reads: “To General Pe- ter and Lynne Pace, United States Marines Corps, Retired. From Your Fox Valley Young Marines with Our Sincere Appreciation for Your ‘Ammo Resupply’.” General Pace was the first Marine to serve as the Vice-Chair- man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the first Marine to serve as the Chairman, the 16th to serve in that prestigious position. --Submitted by Chris Dooley, Executive Officer, Fox Valley (IL) Young Marines In Illinois: A Surprise for Our Honored Friend, the Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace General Peter Pace with with (XO)Chris Dooley, and Fox Valley Young Marines. General Peter Pace with Fox Valley YM/PFCs at a lunch they will cherish forever. Division Encampment: A Place to Meet Old (and New) Friends By YM/SSgt Cassidy Carr-Mc Junkins Rocket City (AL) This past summer, I attended the 3rd Division Encampment. There were many different units that attended this event. What many people do not realize going into these types of events is that you will make many friends that you will keep in touch with. Going into the encampment, I knew that there would be some people at- tending who I had already met from previous events, such as Junior and Senior Leadership Schools. I had the opportunity to meet and mentor many Young Marines within this week. One of the most memorable moments was getting to socialize with many different Young Marines during down time. We sat with different units during chow most of the time. We talked about things that happened in the previous days, about where we are from, and what we like to do. Throughout all of this, I learned that although you haven’t known somebody that long, you can quickly develop a bond with them, a bond that cannot be broken. This is one of the things I am most thankful for. Meeting different people from around the country that you connect with is something that doesn’t happen every day, but it’s something that happens often within the program. You can be total strangers one day, and turn into extremely close friends the next, and over something simple that happens. YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE 23