Dear General Usher,
On behalf of the Marines, Sailors, and Civilian Marines of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, we appreciate the generous support of the Marine Corps Association Foundation (MCAF) during our inaugural command Professional Military Education Battlefield Staff Ride. Your contribution permitted Marines, Sailors, and Civilian Marines to participate in a battle study of the 1862 Peninsula Campaign here in the Tidewater area.
The historical impact and camaraderie of the event enhanced our mission preparedness. The participants gleaned operational and tactical lessons relevant to today's Marine Corps. The highlight of the event was the visit to Drewry's Bluff where Corporal John Mackey earned the first Marine Corps Medal of Honor for his heroic actions under fire.
Again, thank you for your support, and the opportunity to help enhance and enrich the professional education of the staff. We look forward to next year's battle study where we will follow the Peninsula Campaign with the climatic Seven Days Battles witch coincidentally overlaps with the 150th Anniversary of the battles.
Semper Fidelis
