Marine Corps Air Station New River

Marine Corps Installations East (MCIEAST) recognized the distinguished career of Sarah Wiltgen, assistant chief of staff for Marine Corps Community Services, MCIEAST, during a retirement ceremony held Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, at the MCCS headquarters on Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.Wiltgen retired after more than a decade serving as the senior civilian leader for MCCS across Marine Corps Installations East, a role she assumed in 2014. The ceremony, presided over by Brig. Gen. Ralph J. Rizzo, Jr., commanding general, MCIEAST–MCB Camp Lejeune, was attended by dozens of MCCS employees, primary staff members, and members of the installation leadership team.“Sarah gave her whole heart and soul to MCCS,” said Rizzo.

The morning's first light illuminates just enough to see the frost still covering the ground. The sun has yet to rise, but she has already begun her day. It’s only the start of December yet the temperature is brisk. As her feet hit the pavement, the cold air feels almost unbearable to her lungs. The thought that she could still be lying in bed has crossed her mind multiple times, but she knows that discipline is only built through habits. For Lance Cpl. Karla Sotoarguello pushing herself to be better was one of the reasons she joined the Marine Corps.  Like most mornings, Lance Cpl. Sotoarguello begins with physical training. By the time she has finished PT, most of her peers are just waking up.  “Challenges don’t come easily. There are

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 264, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), was reactivated during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, on Thursday.

Hundreds of military families on Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune received free Christmas trees this holiday season as part of the national Trees for Troops program on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.  This annual initiative, coordinated by Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Lejeune-New River, provided more than 1,100 complimentary, farm-grown Christmas trees to military families as a gesture of appreciation for their service and sacrifice.  Trees for Troops began in 2005, and this year marks Camp Lejeune’s 18th year receiving trees for its Marines and sailors. “During this season of giving, this is a great opportunity for the country to give back to our service members and their families through this wonderful program, which is an outstanding