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Photo by Lance Cpl. Heather Golden

MCA bookstore scheduled to hold grand opening March 31

22 Mar 2006 | Lance Cpl. Heather Golden Marine Corps Training and Education Command

The newly established Marine Corps Association Bookstore is scheduled to kickoff its official grand opening March 31 at the store’s location across the hall from the Paul H. Douglas Visitor Center.

The ceremony will include several speeches and dedications, prize drawings and give-aways and two book signings, said Jennifer Bailey, manager of the new bookstore. “We will be giving away bags, ribbon magnets, coins, clothing and hats,” said Bailey. “There will also [possibly] be drawings for books.”

In addition, the opening will also include visits by many retired sergeants major, general officers and members of the surrounding communities.

“The [Beaufort] Chamber of Commerce has been working with us to get elected officials to come for a tour the day before,” said Bailey. “They’ve been working diligently with the local [sector] to get civilians here and they’ve been so supportive of both bases.”
Guest speakers for the event will be a speaker from the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce and Gen. Les Palm, the chief executive officer of the MCA.

Guests will have an opportunity to participate in book signings by two very prestigious authors, said Bailey. The authors include Medal of Honor recipient, retired Col. Wesley Fox, author of “Marine Rifleman,” and Jerry Cutter, co-author of “I’m Staying with My Boys: The Historic Life of Sgt. John Basilone, USMC.”

To add to the festivities, the bookstore will also be offering MCA memberships.
A membership offers discounts, travel benefits, phone cards for deployed service members and life insurance for eligible members.

Marine Corps Training and Education Command