U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Melvin G. Spiese opens the 2009 National Matches
Written by Steve Cooper, CMP Writer
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| Over 600 spectators gathered at Camp Perry for the First Shot Ceremony. |
CAMP PERRY, OHIO - The 2009 National Matches First Shot Ceremony on 13 July featured the dedication of the new Camp Perry Memorial Plaza, inspiring comments by featured speaker U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General Melvin G. Spiese, a dramatic flyover by an Ohio National Guard Blackhawk helicopter and the delivery of the ceremonial American Flag by three Ohio National Guard 19th Special Forces paratroopers.
Gary Anderson, Director of Civilian Marksmanship, presided over festivities which officially opened the National Rifle and Pistol Championships, held annually here since 1907. A partnership involving the Civilian Marksmanship Program, the National Rifle Association and the Ohio National Guard conduct the National Matches. The Matches include both the CMP National Trophy Matches and CMP Games Events as well as National Rifle Association National Rifle and Pistol Championships.
More than 6,000 civilian, military and law enforcement pistol and rifle shooters will participate in competitions, clinics and shooting events during the Matches, spanning from 13 July to 19 August.
The Friends of Camp Perry, who directed the erection of the memorial plaza," is a non-profit patriotic organization that has taken on the mission of preserving the history of Camp Perry and bettering the experiences of those who come here, whether as soldiers, competitors or visitors," Anderson said.
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| MG Greg Wayt, representing the Ohio National Guard, Mr. Bill Willoughby, representing the CMP and Mr. Ron Schmeits, NRA President, laid the ceremonial wreath during the Camp Perry Memorial Plaza dedication. |
Dr. Thomas Brown, former mayor of the City of Port Clinton, and the founding president of the Friends of Camp Perry, christened the new plaza which is located at the end of Niagara Road, the camp's main road, abutting the camp's firing ranges.
"This memorial plaza is dedicated to the shooters who have participated in the Camp Perry and Civilian Marksmanship Program's competitions for over a century," Brown said. "We say 'thank you' for making this memorial possible."
Brown also recognized the Ohio Historical Society, Camp Perry's 200th Red Horse Squadron, Ohio National Guard Fort Ohio Commander Colonel Dean Brown, CMP, NRA, Ottawa County Veterans Services and FOCP volunteers for making the plaza a reality.
"This is a labor of love," Brown said in his concluding remarks. Dignitaries representing NRA, CMP and the Ohio Adjutant General's Department laid a ceremonial wreath against the large inscribed marble column at the center of the plaza which is flanked by flagpoles, a wall of remembrance and surrounded by engraved memorial brick pavers.
Following the memorial plaza dedication Anderson spoke briefly of the 92-year history of the National Matches at Camp Perry and welcomed distinguished guests and speakers following an invocation by Chaplain (COL) Richard Genzman.
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| Three Ohio National Guard 19th Special Forces paratroopers carried the ceremonial American Flag. |
After the parachute drop of the American Flag, which will fly at Camp Perry for the duration of the Matches, the Admiral King High School Junior ROTC Color Guard of Lorain, Ohio raised the ceremonial flag as members of the 122nd Ohio Army National Guard Band played the National Anthem. The flag had been previously flown over the Ottawa County Courthouse and Bataan Elementary School in Port Clinton, Ohio.
Brigadier General Spiese kept his remarks brief but made it clear that he and his fellow Marines were honored to participate in the National Matches and opening ceremony.
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| BG Spiese choose an M1 Garand to fire the ceremonial “First Shot” of the 2009 National Matches. |
"Every Marine is a rifleman. And there is nothing more perfect for a Marine to show up at a place like this and participate in a shooting event," he said.
"I am truly honored to be the first Marine to serve as the guest speaker at this program.”
"The Civilian Marksmanship Program really is part of the fabric of the United States," the General said. "The continual presence of the Marines in the CMP matches shows our support of the program." Spiese also recognized the NRA for promoting Second Amendment rights and sponsoring its National Championships.
Upon the conclusion of his remarks, Brigadier General Spiese shouldered a commemorative M1 Garand rifle and fired the ceremonial first shot of the 2009 National Matches. Upon delivering the shot, the center of the lone raised target exploded, leaving a 10-inch hole in the bull's eye, apparently the pyrotechnic work of his Marine comrades serving pit duty.
As he stepped back to the microphone a second time Brigadier General Spiese quietly laid down a figurative gauntlet, reminding his Marines that he was the first Marine speaker at the ceremony and wanted the honor upheld.
"No pressure folks," he said staring at the Marine contingent. "But feel free to take home all the trophies."
Brigadier General Spiese currently serves as Commanding General of the U. S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command. He was commissioned via the NROTC program after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in May of 1976.
After attending Basic School, Brigadier General Spiese was assigned to 3d Battalion, 4th Marines as a rifle platoon commander, executive officer and commanding officer with Company L, and served on the battalion staff. Upon return home, Brigadier General Spiese was assigned to Marine Barracks, Naval Weapons Station, Concord, CA. In May of 1981 he was assigned to 3d Battalion, 9th Marines as the Commanding Officer of Company I and battalion S-4. In May 1983 he was transferred to the NROTC Unit, Illinois Institute of Technology as the Marine Officer Instructor.
Leaving Illinois in June 1986, Brigadier General Spiese was posted to Headquarters Marine Corps, serving as the Head of Regular Officer Procurement. Following his tour at Headquarters, he attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College, graduating in May of 1990. After graduation, Brigadier General Spiese was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni Japan and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12 as the Assistant Operations Officer and Ground Combat Liaison.
Brigadier General Spiese was assigned to 6th Marines in July of 1991 as the Executive Officer of 3d Battalion, then regiment S-3. He assumed command of 2d Force Reconnaissance Company in December 1993. Upon relinquishing command in July 1995, Brigadier General Spiese was reassigned to U.S. Special Operations Command, serving as a Policy Officer dealing with Counter Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Marine Corps matters.
Upon his departure from USSOCOM, Brigadier General Spiese attended Top Level School at the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies as a Fellow in the Advanced Operational Arts Studies program. He remained a second year serving as a seminar leader for the Advanced Military Studies Program, a second year program for majors attending the Army Command and General Staff College.
Brigadier General Spiese was assigned to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in June of 1999 as the Director, Tactical Training Exercise Control Group. He assumed command of the School of Infantry (East) in June of 2001, and was assigned as the Director, Expeditionary Warfare School upon relinquishing command in July of 2003. In March of 2005, Brigadier General Spiese assumed the duties of Commanding General Training Command, Deputy Commanding General Training and Education Command.
He was selected for Brigadier General in February 2005. He served as the Deputy Director for Strategy, Policy and Assessments, U.S. European Command from October 2005. He served as Commanding General of Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, California from July 2007. His current assignment, as of May 2008, is Commanding General, Training and Education Command.
Brigadier General Spiese has been awarded three Legions of Merit, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, and Joint Service Achievement Medal. He is a Military Freefall Parachutist and Marine Combatant Diver. Brigadier General Spiese has earned a Masters of Science degree from the University of Southern California, and a Masters of Military Arts and Science degree from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies.
For complete information about the 2009 National Matches and CMP Matches and Games Events, log onto
http://www.odcmp.com/NationalMatches.htm.