R 201018Z JUN 11
MARADMIN 349/11
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC PA//
SUBJ/ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS RECIPIENT OF THE 2011 AMERICAN LEGION SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD//
POC/SHELATO, M. P. /SSGT/UNIT:CMC WASHINGTON DC, PA/NAME:DIV PUBLIC AFFAIRS/TEL:(703) 692-1529
/EMAIL:MATTHEW.SHELATO@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2011 AMERICAN LEGION SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD. THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION SPONSORS THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD, WHICH IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO AN ENLISTED MEMBER FROM EACH OF THE MILITARY SERVICES FOR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE PERFORMED OFF DUTY IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
2.  THIS YEAR'S MARINE CORPS RECIPIENT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD IS SGT OMAR A. CARABALLO PIETRI OF MARINE CORPS AIR STATION KANEOHE BAY, HI.
3.  ALL NOMINEES FOR THIS YEAR'S AWARDS PROGRAM ARE COMMENDED FOR THEIR NOTEWORTHY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MARINE CORPS AND THEIR COMMUNITY. THE COMPETITION WAS EXCEPTIONALLY KEEN. A TREMENDOUS THANKS IS EXTENDED TO THE COMMANDERS WHO NOMINATED MARINES FROM THEIR UNITS.
4.  SGT CARABALLO PIETRI WILL RECEIVE HIS AWARD DURING AN AWARDS CEREMONY ON 23 AUG 11, REPRESENT THE MARINE CORPS DURING A PARADE ON 28 AUG 11 AND ATTEND A NATIONAL COMMANDERS BANQUET 30 AUG 11.  ALL EVENTS TAKE PLACE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AMERICAN LEGION'S NATIONAL CONVENTION IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN.
5.  THE AMERICAN LEGION WILL PROVIDE CONUS TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN MINNEAPOLIS, AS WELL AS ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS FOR ALL AWARD RECIPIENTS. ANY ACCOMPANYING GUESTS WILL NOT BE COVERED. SPECIFIC COORDINATION DETAILS, TO INCLUDE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS, WILL BE SENT TO AWARD RECIPIENTS BY THE AMERICAN LEGION. FOR MARINE ATTENDEES, PRESCRIBED UNIFORM FOR THE LEGION'S PARADE ON 28 AUG 11 IS THE SERVICE C UNIFORM.  PRESCRIBED UNIFORM FOR THE AWARDS CEREMONY ON 23 AUG 11 AND COMMANDERS BANQUET ON 30 AUG 11 IS THE SERVICE "A" UNIFORM. FOR ADDITIONAL LOGISTICAL INFORMATION, CONTACT MS. DEBRA MURRELL OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AT TEL: (317) 630-1253 OR VIA EMAIL: DMURRELL@LEGION.ORG.
6.  AWARD RECIPIENTS ARE REMINDED THAT IF THE VALUE OF THE TRAVEL BENEFITS RECEIVED FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION EXCEEDS 305 DOLLARS, AWARD RECIPIENTS MUST REPORT ACCEPTANCE UPON COMPLETION OF THE TRAVEL TO THEIR LOCAL STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE. LOCAL SJA MUST, IN TURN, REPORT THIS INFORMATION TO HQMC JUDGE ADVOCATE DIVISION'S CODE JAR FOR SEMI-ANNUAL DOD REPORTING PURPOSES.  SF 326 IS AUTHORIZED FOR USE FOR THIS REPORT.
7.  CONGRATULATIONS TO SGT CARABALLO PIETRI FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
8.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY COL B. F. SALAS, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, HQMC//