By Lillian Boyd
The Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group (DPSG) is being presented with the prestigious “Spirit of Hope” Award for its support of the Marines, Navy Corpsmen, and families of the 5th Marine Regiment of the United States Marine Corps headquartered at Camp Pendleton.
The Spirit of Hope Award was established in 1997. It was first granted to entertainer Bob Hope by the United States Congress and is awarded annually in his honor. The basis for the award was to recognize Hope’s commitment to entertaining military service members over many decades, both within and outside of combat zones.
Each division of the Armed Forces and the Department of Defense is invited to nominate an individual or organization who epitomizes the values of Bob Hope: duty, honor, courage, loyalty, commitment, integrity, and selfless dedication, and who significantly enhance the quality of life of service members and their families serving around the world, and selflessly contribute an extraordinary amount of time, talent, or resources to benefit service members.
DPSG joins a distinguished list of previous “Spirit of Hope” winners, including Gary Sinise; American Idol finalist and country music star Kelly Pickler and her husband, Kyle Jacobs; and singer-songwriter Toby Keith. Other organizations recognized have been The Fisher House Foundation, The Soldiers’ Angels, Camp Hope, and The Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund.
“We are truly honored to be chosen for the ‘Spirit of Hope’ award from among so many other patriots and generous Americans who were nominated,” DPSG President Mike Lipscombe said. “We will continue our mission of caring for the Fighting Fifth and their families for many years to come.”
The DPSG is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization comprised of grassroots patriots who support American Heroes and their families from the 5th Marine Regiment and the Wounded Warriors Battalion West at Camp Pendleton. It currently has more than 350 volunteers from all walks of life. Ages vary from high schoolers to senior citizens. For more information or to become a volunteer, visit the group’s website, danapoint5thmarines.com.
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