Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Established in 1801, Marine Barracks Washington, is the "Oldest Post of the Corps" and has been the residence of every commandant of the Marine Corps since 1806. The selection of the site for the Barracks was a matter of personal interest to President Thomas Jefferson, who rode through Washington with Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows, the second commandant of the Marine Corps, in search of a suitable location. The site now occupied was approved due to its proximity to the Washington Navy Yard and because it was within easy marching distance of the Capitol.
8th and I
"The Oldest Post of the Corps"
Photo Information

Col. Kevin Cavanagh, 940th Wing commander, Tech. Sgt. Derek Miller and Master Sgt. Pedro Villa stand at attention during a recognition ceremony at a Sacramento Kings game in Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 9, 2012. Miller was presented an Air Force Combat Action Medal and Villa received a Purple Heart for their actions during Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel/Released)

Photo by Senior Airman Shawn NickelReleased

Veterans appreciated during local NBA game

14 Nov 2012 | Senior Airman Shawn Nickel

The Sacramento Kings professional basketball team hosted a military appreciation night during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif., Nov. 9, 2012.

Two Airmen from the 940th Civil Engineer Squadron reserve unit were highlighted during the event.

Master Sgt. Pedro Villa was awarded the Purple Heart, and Tech. Sgt. Derek Miller was awarded the Combat Action Medal for duty during Operation Enduring freedom while deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year.

"It was important to recognize these Airmen in front of the local community," said Col. Kevin Cavanagh, 940th Wing commander, who presented the medals. "Being at war for so long, people can become desensitized, and this shows them we are still out there with boots on the ground getting the job done."

Cavanagh also conducted the Oath of Enlistment bringing nine new Airmen into his reserve unit.

"I'm ready to be part of this great organization," said Jessica Stout, a local Olivehurst resident and mother of three. "I want to be able to tell my children I did something for our county."

During the opening ceremonies, two Travis Air Force Base Airmen rappelled from the rafters with the game ball while one of their fellow Airmen sang the National Anthem. Throughout the game, military members in the crowd where highlighted on camera and thanked for their service.

Although the Kings were defeated by the Spurs, 97-86, the players said they were humbled by the opportunity to honor the armed forces.

"I know I speak for everybody else when I say without the military there would be no freedom to play basketball," said James Johnson, Kings forward. "I just want to thank you for all the work you put in. It's brave for you all to put that work in and support us, so we're glad we can support you."