Photos

Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Hoyle, the station commander for Recruiting Substation Dothan, Alabama, presents a certificate to Gracyn LaSueur, who was chosen as one of a 100 Semper Fidelis All-Americans, at Northview High School, May 18, 2017. The Marine Corps wanted to find young student athletes who encompass the core values of honor, courage and commitment. These are the Semper Fidelis All-Americans. These students have faced life’s battles with the conviction and determination to succeed. They embody the same fighting spirit that Marines stand for by taking on their own challenges and succeeding academically, while excelling in athletics and making their community a better place. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Krista James/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Krista James

Gracyn LaSueur (right) poses with her strength and conditioning coach, Derrick Bumpers (left) after being present with the Semper Fidelis All-American Award at Northview High School, May 18, 2017. LaSueur is exactly what the Marine Corps is looking for when it comes to a Semper Fidelis All-American. She has turned her obstacles into victories by overcoming odds set against her at a very early age. She dedicates her success to Coach Bumpers who aided her in her recovery after not only tearing her meniscus, but straining her medial collateral ligament (MCL) as well. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Krista James/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Krista James

Gracyn LeSueur (center) poses for a photo with her father, Kevin LeSueur (left), and mother Michelle LeSueur (right) after being presented with the Semper Fidelis All-American award at Northview High School, May 18, 2017. “I want to thank my mom and dad for never giving up on me, and pushing me to be what I am today,” LaSueur said. LaSueur will attend the Battles Won Academy this summer in Washington D.C., where she will be given the opportunity to network with and hear from an elite circle of leaders from all walks of life, who like her, have fought and won their own battles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Krista James/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Krista James

U.S. Marine Sgt. Sean Silverman presents Haden Blair an invitation to attend the 2017 Battles Won Academy at McMinn Central High School, Englewood, Tennessee, on May 19, 2017. The Battles Won Academy taps into the irreducible essence of the Marine Corps, which is the fighting spirit of the Marine. The essence of the Marines individually and collectively is the willingness to engage and the determination to defeat an opposing force – whether personal or on behalf of our nation and its communities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch)

Photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch

John W. Forgety, the State Representative, and his wife Faye Forgety, Treasurer, congratulate Haden Blair after U.S. Marine Sgt. Sean Silverman presented his invitation to attend the 2017 Battles Won Academy at McMinn Central High School, Englewood, Tennessee, on May 19, 2017. The selected Semper Fidelis All-Americans will participate in an immersive Marine Corps experience, teambuilding outings, sporting events, and behind-the-scenes tours of our Nation’s Capital. They will also have the opportunity to network with an elite circle of speakers from all walks of life and various industries who will share their inspiring stories of fighting and winning battles in their own lives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch

U.S. Marine Sgt. Sean Silverman announces that Haden Blair is selected to attend the 2017 Battles Won Academy at McMinn Central High School, Englewood, Tennessee, on May 19, 2017. The Battles Won Academy will bring together 96 of the country’s top student-leaders July 13-17 in Washington D.C. The program provides Marines with several opportunities to purposefully engage the student leaders and share leadership lessons that will enhance their future success. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch

U.S. Marine Sgt. Roderick Evans presents Natasha Kusibab and her mentor, Belinda Kusibab, an invitation to attend the 2017 Battles Won Academy at Brentwood High School, Brentwood, Tennessee, on May 9, 2017. The Battles Won Academy taps into the irreducible essence of the Marine Corps, which is the fighting spirit of the Marine. The essence of the Marines individually and collectively is the willingness to engage and the determination to defeat an opposing force – whether personal or on behalf of our nation and its communities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch)

Photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch

Natasha Kusibab and her mentor, Belinda Kusibab, receive an invitation to attend the 2017 Battles Won Academy at Brentwood High School, Brentwood, Tennessee, on May 9, 2017. Natasha was selected not only for her athletic performance but for outstanding character, academic excellence, and community leadership that reflects the Marine Corps’ values of honor, courage, and commitment. Natasha and her mentor will be able to join other outstanding leaders in Washington D.C on July 13-17. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch)

Photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch

U.S. Marine Sgt. Roderick Evans presents the All-American Natasha Kusibab an invitation to attend the 2017 Battles Won Academy at Brentwood High School, Brentwood, Tennessee, on May 9, 2017. The All-Americans will participate in an immersive Marine Corps experience, teambuilding outings, sporting events, and behind-the-scenes tours of our Nation’s Capital. The selected Semper Fidelis All-Americans will also have the opportunity to network with an elite circle of speakers from all walks of life and various industries who will share their inspiring stories of fighting and winning battles in their own lives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch)

Photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch

Major David Arellano, a Marine Corps Recruiting Command recruiting support officer, explains a scenario to Meydi Mejia, who is a junior from Grace King High School, during the Latinos on the Fast Track Program’s Body, Mind and Spirit Seminar held at Tulane University in New Orleans on April 24, 2017. As part of the seminar, students filled leadership roles as they were tasked with guiding their teams through various scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin J. Tan/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin Tan

Staff Sergeant Alberto Ortiz, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Houma, interacts with high school students during the Latinos on the Fast Track Program’s Body, Mind and Spirit Seminar held at Tulane University in New Orleans on April 24, 2017. The seminar comprised of more than 160 high school juniors and seniors from the New Orleans area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin J. Tan/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin Tan

Master Sgt. David Arellano, a Marine Corps Recruiting Command recruiting support officer, speaks to high school students during the Latinos on the Fast Track Program’s Body, Mind and Spirit Seminar held at Tulane University in New Orleans on April 24, 2017. The Marine Corps presented the seminar as part of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation who identifies, inspires, prepares, and connects Latinos Leaders in the community, classroom and workforce. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin J. Tan/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin Tan

Staff Sergeant Alberto Ortiz, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Houma, gives a presentation on leadership during the Latinos on the Fast Track Program’s Body, Mind and Spirit Seminar held at Tulane University in New Orleans on April 24, 2017. The Marine Corps presented the seminar as part of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation who identifies, inspires, prepares, and connects Latinos Leaders in the community, classroom and workforce. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin J. Tan/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin Tan

Master Sgt. Abiud Montes, a Marine Corps Recruiting Command recruiting support officer, speaks during a panel during the Latinos on the Fast Track Program’s Body, Mind and Spirit Seminar held at Tulane University in New Orleans on April 24, 2017. The Marine Corps presented the seminar as part of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation who identifies, inspires, prepares, and connects Latinos Leaders in the community, classroom and workforce. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin J. Tan/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin Tan

Students work on completing a scenario during the Latinos on the Fast Track Program’s Body, Mind and Spirit Seminar held at Tulane University in New Orleans on April 24, 2017. The seminar comprised of more than 160 high school juniors and seniors from the New Orleans area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin J. Tan/Released)

Photo by Staff Sgt. Rubin Tan

The honor guard team with Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany funeral detail prepares to fire three volleys from their rifles in honor of Marine Pfc. James O. Whitehurst at Cowarts Baptist Church Cemetery in Cowarts, Alabama, April 12, 2017.This tradition comes from tradition battle ceasefires where each side would clear the dead. The firing of three volleys indicated the dead were cleared and properly cared for. Whitehurst was killed in action at the battle of Tarawa during World War II, Nov. 23, 1943. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Krista James/Released)

Photo by Courtesy Photo

A Marine with Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany funeral detail waits to play taps at the funeral of Marine Pfc. James O. Whitehurst at Cowarts Baptist Church Cemetery in Cowarts, Alabama, April 12, 2017. Originally composed to signal “lights out,” the tune became a traditional way to honor service members. Whitehurst was killed in action at the battle of Tarawa during World War II, Nov. 23, 1943. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Krista James/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Krista James

Three spent shell casings are presented to a family member of Pfc. James O. Whitehurst at Cowarts Baptist Church Cemetery in Cowarts, Alabama, April 12, 2017. The three casings represent the Corps’ core values of honor, courage and commitment. Whitehurst was killed in action at the battle of Tarawa during World War II, Nov. 23, 1943. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Krista James/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Krista James

Marines with Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany funeral detail lay the casket of Marine Pfc. James O. Whitehurst at his final resting place at Cowarts Baptist Church Cemetery in Cowarts, Alabama, April 12, 2017. Whitehurst was killed in action at the battle of Tarawa during World War II, Nov. 23, 1943. (Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Krista James/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Krista James

Marine Pfc. James O. Whitehurst was attached to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Whitehurst joined the Marine Corps on 20 May, 1941 and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Tarawa, 20 November, 1943. Over several days of intense fighting, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed in action. A small number of these casualties were buried in Cemetery 27, a military cemetery on Tarawa Atoll. From June 2015 to February 2016, History Flight, a non-profit organization located the remains of 39 individuals who gave their life in the Battle of Tarawa, and were buried there, including Whitehurst. (Courtesy Photo)

Photo by Courtesy Photo