Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell

Today’s Good News story comes from the United States Marines. Here is the story as told by NBC News in San Diego.

Good Boy: San Diego Marine’s Mascot Received a Major Promotion

Manny, the bulldog mascot, is moving up the ranks in the Marines

By Mackenzie Stafford • , •

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason L. Morris, Commanding General of Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, congratulates Cpl. Manny during a promotion ceremony at MCRD San Diego, April 1, 2022. Manny was promoted to the rank of Corporal during the morning colors ceremony.

Photo by Cpl. Grace Kindred

 

A momentous military promotion from Lance Corporal to the rank of Corporal happened Friday at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. The lucky receiver of this promotion? An English Bulldog named Manny, the depot mascot.

Manny has been representing the depot since 2019. He was named Manny in honor of Sergeant. Jonny R. Manuelito. Sr. Manuelito’s legacy is carried on by Manny, representing Manuelito’s work as one of the “Original 29” Navajo Code Talkers, according to the San Diego Marine Corp.

Photos: San Diego Marine’s Mascot Received a Major Promotion

 

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Manny, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego mascot, poses for a picture following his promotion ceremony at MCRD San Diego, April 1, 2022. Manny was named after Sgt. Johnny R. Manuelito, one of the original Navajo Code Talkers.

Photos by Cpl. Grace Kindred

The pure-bred English Bulldog was promoted during the Morning Colors Ceremony, honoring the American flag. The promotion had a great turnout of friends and family of the India Company, along with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, who graduated from recruitment training after the promotion ceremony.

Bulldogs have been connected to the Marines since the 1920s, when the Marines were looking for recruitment tactics and realized they needed a good mascot for their sports games. The addition of bulldog mascots at all of Marine’s sporting events brought “public attention and enhanced the morale and spirit of Marines,” according to the United States Marine Corps website. The spirit of the bulldog has continued on in the Marine Corps San Diego, with Manny being a good boy and becoming a Corporal.

Photos: Manny at work
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Manny, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego mascot, examines an obstacle at MCRD March 14, 2022. Manny is the official mascot for the Western Recruiting Region. Log drills are utilized t strengthen the body and develop a strong character embodying our core values through teamwork.

Photos by Pfc. Max Noel

The Good news here is that recognition for a job well done is appreciated by everyone. Today’s John Ku talks about recognizing those who help make life easier. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Thanks by John W. Howell © 2022

A six lettered word,

Tells someone you are grateful . . .

And that they count – Thanks

 

94 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  17. What a great post, John. Sharing Manny’s happy day with all of us is definitely worthy of “thanks.” OohRah!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. This made me tear up a little. Congratulations to Manny. And I love the origin of his name. I am sure he brightens the lives of the enlistees to have a dog in their lives. Give him a big dog biscuit!
    There is an organization called Paws of War, I believe, that raised money to bring back dogs and cats that have befriended our military in various parts of the world.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. I’ve never been particularly drawn to bulldogs, but this is a great story, John. Thanks for sharing it here with us. And your JohnKu could be a Hallmark “Thank You” card’s inscription!

    Liked by 1 person

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