Founded: January 30, 1991 at Louisville, Kentucky

Restructured: January 1, 2007

During these years a small group of former and retired Marines has made a concerted effort to interconnect various independent elements of the Marine Corps family in Kentucky, with the sole objective of  providing support to the community of Marine Corps activities and their dynamic requirements, as necessary.

Initially founded as the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Louisville, Inc., as part of a national effort conceived and spearheaded by MGEN Hugh Hardy, USMCR (Ret.) to focus on supporting recruiting efforts through publicity, incentive programs, and visible leadership, we are now in the process of restructuring, so as to encompass a greater mission of promoting an integrated, unified presence of the Marine Corps throughout Kentucky. As a result of steady success in support of this early mission and subsequently fielding interests to expand the synergies of cooperation and camaraderie of purpose, we have incorporated the US Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky, Inc. (MCCCK) as a tax exempt (IRS 501 (c)(3), charitable organization, with stated goals of (a) supporting Marine Corps activities, (b) facilitating the furtherance of Marine Corps values, and (c) coordinating Marine Corps support and activities throughout Kentucky.

Our "Mission Statement" is defined as follows:

• Assist and support the activities of the United States Marine Corps
• Coordinate, assist, and support the activities of individuals or entities, such as veterans organizations, providing assistance to various activities of the Marine Corps
• Improve the quality of life of individual Marines and their families
• Provide direct assistance to the Marine Corps recruiting, reserve, and unit detachments, whether through incentive and awards programs, publicity, visible community leadership, and the like, or otherwise
• Support educational programs, projects, activities, and endeavors focused on the promulgation of Marine Corps core values of honor, courage, and commitment, as evidenced and embodied within the traditions and lore of the Marine Corps
• Support the Marine Corps "Marine for Life" concept

It is the design and intent of the MCCCK to serve as an umbrella organization dedicated exclusively to enhancing the total Marine Corps image throughout Kentucky, through the support of Marine Corps active duty and reserve components, veterans' organizations, ROTC and Junior ROTC programs, "Marine for Life" initiatives, Toys for Tots, and individual Marines in need.

The MCCCK as originally conceived and structured served Marines within our commonwealth well and faithfully during the past nearly 16 years, but it was becoming increasingly clear that change in structure to meet dynamic and escalating needs was imperative.

In recognition of the need to change, while retaining Corps centered values and a Kentucky focus-we set out to build upon our strength of purpose and success defined already to date and to incorporate into that model, lessons learned from others already structured for success in meeting new and dynamic needs facing our Marines today... and tomorrow.

Extensive study and analysis of other Marine Corps Coordinating Councils currently in existence throughout the nation were evaluated and interviewed by a select committee appointed by the current MCCCK leadership in the summer of 2006 to assist in our restructuring efforts, as well as to determine how best to make that organization work for Marines and their families in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Again,   our objective is not to compete or supplant any Marine Corps organization's mission and/or objectives, but rather to facilitate cooperation and communication among those several organizations in order that the resources and teamwork available to the entire family of Marines can be more understood by all Marines in all corners of the commonwealth. We will routinely employ the modern and evolving technology of the Internet to assist us in that quest.

In order to obtain operating funds for each of the myriad Marine Corps related activities solicited by various Marine Corps interests each year, it has been determined and recommended by our restructuring committee that we establish a minimum annual tax-deductible contribution of $100 to fund MCCCK efforts, requesting that each member sign and return an "Acknowledgement of Acceptance," if they wish to voluntarily participate.

For those who wish to become Charter Members of the restructured MCCCK, it has been determined that all who join at any time during 2007 will receive that distinction and be so designated as such on the MCCCK website.

Invitations have been extended to those Marines residing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for whom we have contact information. Applications for membership are also available within the "Commitment" section of this website. Each respondent will receive a letter formally acknowledging their continuing financial commitment for both personal and income tax deduction purposes. We are pleased to make such applications available to you for consideration in joining this Council.

Sometime during late 2007, MCCCK members will elect a Board of Directors, which will in turn will elect/appoint officers, who will be responsible for the routine operation of the MCCCK, meeting as required and directed by the president.

Board of Directors will meet as required annually or more often if deemed necessary by its elected chairman. Council members will be invited to participate in an annual social event (TBD), to report on the health and well-being of MCCCK efforts to serve Marines in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.