United States Marines Corps
Certificate of Commendation
Commander , U.S. Marines Corps Forces Pacific
takes pleasure in commending
Mr. Robert Gowan
For :
Outstanding service and dedication to providing support for deployed members of the United States Military , and in particular , Hawaii based United States Marines , from 2008 to 2010 . Mr. Gowan , the sole representative for the national ‘Gathering of Eagles ‘ non-profit military support organization , single handedly solicited , collected , organized , and shipped donations of fresh Kona coffee from dozens of Hawaii based coffee growers , to be sent to forward deployed Marines . Under project names like “Operation Jarhead Java – Kona for the Corps Mr. Gowan is responsible for more than 2 tons of fresh Kona coffee being delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan , as well as for coffee grinders and brewers being delivered to ,and placed with those Units . The support and consideration for our forward deployed Marines was due to his great personal dedication and sacrifice . His ‘can-do’ spirit and overall efforts on behalf of Hawaii based Marines have greatly enhanced their quality of life while far from home . Mr. Gowan’s great enthusiasm , professional excellence and enduring spirit of Aloha reflect great credit upon himself and are in the finest traditions
of the United States Marine Corps .
24 June , 2010
Keith J. Stalder
Lieutenant General , U.S. Marine Corps
Commander , U.S. Marine Corps Forces , Pacific
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Called to PTA ( Pohakuloa Training Area ) during the RIMPAC 2010 training exercises
I was presented the above Commendation by Deputy Commander - Marine Corps Forces - Pacific
Brigadier General John Broadmeadow, on behalf of MARFORPAC Commander Lt. General Keith Stalder
Also present for the award were :
Vice Admiral - Richard W. Hunt, U.S.N. - Commander - U.S. 3rd Fleet
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=150
Brigadier General - John J. Broadmeadow, U.S.M.C. -- Deputy Commander - U.S. Marine Force Pacific
http://www.usmc.mil/unit/marforpac/Pages/deputy.aspx
( presenting on behalf of Lt. General - Keith J. Stalder, USMC - Commander - U.S. Marine Forces Pacific )
http://www.usmc.mil/unit/marforpac/Pages/commander.aspx
Col. - James W. Berman - U.S.M.C. - Commander - 3rd Marine Regiment
http://www.3div.usmc.mil/dev/index1.asp?NM=3d marines&PG=co
Lt. Col - Rolland 'Chris' Niles - U.S.A. - Commander - Pohakuloa Training Area - Army Garrison Hawaii
http://www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/sites/subordinate/usag-ptaCommandTeam.asp
Each gentleman presented me also with a beautiful commemorative coin , from their Office , Rank or Regiment ,
and including 2 visiting Japanese Navy Admiral who attended the ceremony .
To say this was a huge honor would be an understatement !
But it has occurred and I am indeed humbled by it . Video to follow , if anyone is interested .....
Also attending this ceremony were Hawaii Gathering of Eagles co-coordinator Mr. Ken Massey and his wife Linda Lee,
my wife Sunee , Mr. Victor Limacher ( formerly U.S. Navy ) and Mr. Rick Toledo (former U.S. Army- Vietnam)
and Mr. Daryl Smith .
I was deeply gratified that each chose to attend and witness this event .
Ken spoke in some detail about what we do down at Kawaihae Port to support incoming and outgoing troops
with water and other refreshment .
I feel that some new doors may very well now be opened to assist and facilitate that on-going process .
Stay tuned !
A BIG MAHALO ! to ALL Big Island GOE members and especially the great, wonderful and fantastic coffee farmers
that have made this entire effort (s) possible .
God bless you all .....
Robert
Aloha
Robert
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