Photo By Lance Cpl. Katalynn M. Rodgers | Petty Officer 1st Class Erin Lowlor, left, Corpsman of the Year, and Staff Sgt....... read more read more
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Navy League of the United States, San Diego Council, honored the western region drill instructor and corpsman of the year during their 235th Marine Corps Birthday luncheon at the Mission Valley Marriott, San Diego, Nov. 17. Maj. Gen. Anthony L. Jackson, commanding general, Marine Corps Installations West, was the guest speaker.
Those honored were Drill Instructor of the Year, Staff Sgt. Michael A. Saldana, chief drill instructor, Company D, 1st Recruit Training Battalion and Corpsman of the Year, Petty Officer 1st Class Erin Lawlor, independent duty corpsman, Branch Medical Clinic, both of whom are stationed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
“We’ve been doing this for over 20 years now,” said Ira J. Lott, executive director, Navy League. “It’s our way of saying happy birthday Marines and to honor those who stand out among their peers.”
Along with the drill instructor and corpsman of the year, the Marine Corps Installation West’s Marine Recruiter of the Year, Staff Sgt. William W. Lee, 12th Marine Corps District, Recruiting Station Temecula; Aviation Marine of the Year, Cpl. Nicholas W. Wisocki, Aviation Marine Force Pacific, Marine Air Logistics Squadron 39, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Reservist of the Year, Lance Cpl. Matthew Pirtle, Air Traffic Control trainee, Marine Force Pacific, San Diego were also honored.
“This is definitely a privilege, an honor and an accomplishment I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” said Saldana. “I’m extremely excited about it.”
“A drill instructor has to have a certain passion, and commitment to his job,” Saldana said. “He has to strive for excellence, and commit to everything he does and to push his Marines to do well also.”
This year’s corpsman of the year reflected on the day’s recognition.
“I was humbled by it,” said Lawlor. “There are so many other corpsmen that have done great things. I still wonder why I got chosen over my shipmates.”
The ceremony ended with a toast to the Marine Corps and the honorees by John Schmidt, president, Navy League of the United States, San Diego Council.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2010 22:03 |
| Story ID: | 61831 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 359 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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