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Heroes Among Us Pensacola, Fl, Pensacola, FL (2026)

10/04/2025

MGuns is a special Marine.....welcome him as our Guest of Honor

Event Date: October 30th the last Thursday of the month
Place: Pensacola Veterans Memorial Park
Time: 6:00pm HAU Speakers Series – Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Edition

Khe Sanh Remembrance-Reunion Night – Master Gunnery Sergeant Larry McCartney USMC

Pensacola, Fla. – The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League announces the Annual Heroes Among Us speaker series event for October 30th, 2025 with our Guest of Honor Master Gunnery Sergeant Larry McCartney, USMC.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Larry McCartney was born at the U. S. Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. He is the son of a career Naval Officer who was a WW II and Korean War F6F Hellcat pilot. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on a Delayed Enlistment on April 6, 1967, as a Senior in High School. After basic training he was assigned to the III MAF, FMF PAC, with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, a 5th Marine Division unit which was attached to the 3rd Marine Division.

Eventually the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment was reassigned to the Khe Sanh Combat Base. Echo Company was station atop Hill 861-A, where it was tasked to block a key avenue of approach into Khe Sanh Valley. Master Gunnery Sergeant McCartney was present, on the morning of February 5, 1968, when the North Vietnamese Army attacked in force. They were decisively defeated without dislodging the Marines or taking the hill. Wounded in March of 1968, Master Gunnery Sergeant McCartney returned to his unit later that month and served with them until wounded in action a second time on September 16, 1968. Following a stated side assignment Master Gunnery Sergeant McCartney volunteered to return to Viet Nam, serving with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. After returning to the United States Master Gunnery Sergeant McCartney, a Sergeant, was released from Active Duty and joined the Marine Corps Reserve, where he served for 26 years, during which he deployed for the 1991 Persian Gulf War, to Haiti and in support of Bosnia. He retired on July 1 1997.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, Purple Heart Medal w/One (1) Gold Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal w/One (1) Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and the Navy Achievement Medal w/Combat Distinguishing "V" Device

08/05/2025

U.S. Navy Medical Corps Night – Captain Lee Anne Savoia, USN

Pensacola, Fla. – The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League announces the Annual Heroes Among Us speaker series event for September 25th, 2025 with our Guest of Honor Captain Le Anne Savoia, USN.

Capt. Lee Savoia received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College in 1986, and her Doctor of Medicine from The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1994. She completed internship at Naval Hospital Pensacola 1995 and Flight Surgery training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in 1996, where she was assigned from 1996 to 2000.

In 2004, Capt. Savoia joined the Family Medicine Residency Faculty at Naval Hospital Pensacola. From March to September 2006, she deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as the Flight Surgeon for the 2515 Naval Air Ambulance Department, where she was responsible for air evacuations of critically ill active-duty soldiers from the field to Level III Tertiary Care. After returning to Naval Hospital Pensacola, she was elected Chair, Executive Committee of the Medical Staff. In 2009, Capt. Savoia transferred to Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. From 2015 to 2017 Capt. Savoia was honored to serve as the Aeromedical Instructor at the School Aviation Safety Detachment, Naval Safety Center, Pensacola, FL. From 2019 to 2022 she served as Pain Medicine Physician at Camp Pendleton and at Naval Hospital Pensacola. Capt. Savoia retired from active duty May 1, 2022. Her personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), Mentor Award from the Army Residents in Aerospace Medicine, Resident Research Award, and the Surgeon General’s Award for Student Excellence.

08/05/2025

Battle of An-Najaf-Iraq Night – Colonel Andrew Turner, USMC

Pensacola, Fla. – The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League announces the Annual Heroes Among Us speaker series event for August 28th, 2025 with our Guest of Honor Colonel Andrew Turner, USMC.

Colonel Andrew Turner is the Commanding Officer of the Marine Aviation Training Support Group - 21 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. He is a United States Marine Aviator with a notable history, including surviving a serious combat helicopter incident in Iraq. His hometown is Kernersville, North Carolina. Colonel Turner received his commission as a 2nd Lt in August of 1999. While serving in various assignments in the Fleet Marine Force Colonel Turner earned Master Degrees from the University of Maryland, the Naval War College, and the Air War College.

Colonel Turner has accumulated over 1800 military flight hours in multiple airframes. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with combat V, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, the Air Medal with combat V, the Strike-Flight Air Medal 13th award, the Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars, and the Navy Achievement Medal with gold star.

Colonel Turner exemplifies dedication and service in the U.S. Marine Corps, with a strong connection to his community and a commitment to his fellow Marines.

08/04/2025

Another great Heroes Among Us speakers engagement at Seville Quarter... thanks to CAPT Matt Meilstrup, USCG (ret) for reminding us all of the close historical ties between the U.S. Coast Guard and our beloved Corps!

08/04/2025

Honoring Fred Smith USMC Founder of FEDEX

The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League and TEL Staffing & HR announces the 41st Annual 5K Charity Run for November 8th 2025. Pre-Registration is required. The race will begin in front of the Seville Quarter downtown Pensacola and the Awards Ceremony following the race will be held at Seville from 1000 AM-200 PM. The purpose of the race is to give back to the Pensacola community that so willingly supports The Marine Corps League and those who are serving and have served this nation.

This fund-raising event is in its 41st year of providing funds for local charities: Vision of Hope, Waterfront Rescue Mission, Be the Miracle, Heroes Among Us and Magdalene’s House are the designated charities for the event this year. In the last 40 years approximately $ 725,000 has been provided to local charities from the proceeds of this race. This event is organized and sponsored by the Marine Corps League and TEL Staffing & HR.

07/10/2025

Event Date: July 31st the last Thursday of the month
Place: Seville Quarter-Rosie’s
Time: 6:00pm HAU Speakers Series – Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Edition

Coast Guard/Marine Team Night – Captain Matthew Meilstrup, USCG

Pensacola, Fla. – The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League announces the Annual Heroes Among Us speaker series event for July 31st, 2025 with our Guest of Honor Captain Matthew Meilstrup, USCG.

Originally from Mishawaka, Indiana, Captain Meilstrup graduated from the U. S. Coast Guard Academy (CGA) in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science. He served for 18 years aboard nine ships including a Navy Exchange tour aboard the USS SIROCCO (PC 6). His 11 years in command included a patrol boat, two buoy tenders, and medium endurance cutter and the sail training on the EAGLE. Shore assignments included Company Officer at CGA, Regional Advisor in the Coast Guard Headquarters (CGHQ) International Affairs Office, Chief of the Homeland Defense Division & Coast Guard Liaison in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and two one-year CGHQ assignments as the Chief of External Outreach and Heritage Programs and Chief of Logistics and Business Operations in the Engineering and Logistics Directorates. He also holds Masters degrees in International Public Policy from The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, Business Administration from Regis University, and Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College. Captain Meilstrup’s commendations include a variety personal, unit, service, and leadership awards, as well as Surface Warfare Officer qualifications.

06/05/2025

Event Date: June 26th the last Thursday of the month
Place: Seville Quarter-Rosie’s
Time: 6:00pm HAU Speakers Series – Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Edition

Surge in Iraq Night – Major General Richard Simcock, USMC

Pensacola, Fla. – The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League announces the Annual Heroes Among Us speaker series event for June 26th, 2025 with our Guest of Honor Major General Richard Simcock, USMC.

05/06/2025

Event Date: May 29th the last Thursday of the month
Place: Seville Quarter-Rosie’s
Time: 6:00pm HAU Speakers Series – Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Edition
USMC 250th Anniversary Night – Gen. William “Spider” Nyland, USMC
Pensacola, Fla. – The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League announces the Annual Heroes Among Us speaker series event for May 29th, 2025 with our Guest of Honor Gen. William “Spider” Nyland, USMC.
General Nyland was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps under the Naval ROTC program upon graduation in 1968 from the University of New Mexico. After being assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 351 (VMFA-531), he was ordered to Vietnam, where he flew 122 combat missions with VMFA-314 and VMFA-115.
After a number of assignments and advancing to Brigadier General Nyland served on the Joint Staff, and as the Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, as well as the Commanding General, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. After advancing to lieutenant general he assumed duties as the Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. He next assumed duties as the Deputy Commandant for Aviation. Nyland was promoted to general on September 4, 2002, and assumed his duties as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on September 10, 2002.
General Nyland served as the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington D.C., from September 2002 until September 7, 2005. He retired from active duty on November 1, 2005.

04/09/2025

The Marine Corps League’s 13th Annual Heroes Among Us Speaker Series-2025 Season Schedule-US Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Edition.

Pensacola, Fla. – The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League announces its 13th Annual Heroes Among Us speaker series to be held at Seville Quarter. This years line up will focus on the US Marines Corps 250th Anniversary Celebration.

The series, now in its thirteenth year, is held at 6 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month from May through October. It is presented by the local Marine Corps League,
J. R. Spears Detachment 066.

Admission is free and open to the public, although donations will be accepted for the Veterans in Distress Fund to help veterans in need.

09/09/2024

Join us as The Marine Corps League honors the service and sacrifice of the United States Air Force.

Event Date: Sept 26th the last Thursday of the month
Place: Seville Quarter-Rosie’s
Time: 6:00pm HAU Speakers Series

USAF Night Operation Commando Sabre – Colonel Gilbert Ahl, USAF

Pensacola, Fla. – The Cpl. J.R. Spears Detachment of the Marine Corps League announces the Annual Heroes Among Us speaker series event for Sept. 26th, 2024 with our Guest of Honor Colonel Gilbert Ahl, USAF.

Colonel Ahl was pilot number 100 in the “Misty” operation that consisted of a group of U.S. Air Force pilots who volunteered for scores of dangerous, secret missions destroying weapons, trucks, and war material traveling south from North Vietnam along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The missions also included rescue operations of U.S. and allied aircrews shot down while flying over the jungles of North Vietnam and Laos. Officially known as Operation Commando Sabre, the Misty squadron was classified as top secret during and immediately following the war. As a Misty pilot Colonel Ahl flew 230 combat missions 80 with “Misty”, he says that he and his fellow pilots were “a bunch of guys who would do anything to accomplish the mission we were given—an impossible mission to stop the flow of arms and material coming south.” Despite the “impossibility” of the mission, the Misty experiment proved highly successful. Of the 157 Misty pilots, 34 were shot down; eight were killed and four became prisoners of war. Two Misty pilots became Air Force Chiefs of Staff and two others later were astronauts. One received the Medal of Honor. Colonel Ahl’s Legion of Merit counts among numerous other decorations that also includes the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal and a Air Medal w/10 OLC.

Heroes Among Us Pensacola, Fl

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