U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Robert E. Catching, senior enlisted advisor, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, hands out toys to children during the Toys for Tots campaign, Susupe, Saipan, Dec. 19, 2025. This year marks the 78th year of the national Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign and the 9th year in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The mission of the Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to children at Christmas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Afton Smiley)
U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, and volunteers, pose for a photo during the distribution of toys for the Toys for Tots Campaign, Rota, Dec. 21, 2025. This year marks the 78th year of the national Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign and the 9th year in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The mission of the Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to children at Christmas. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo by Uriah Perez)
U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, and volunteers with Tinian International Women's Alliance, pose for a photo during the distribution of toys for the Toys for Tots Campaign, San Jose, Tinian, Dec. 18, 2025. This year marks the 78th year of the national Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaign and the 9th year in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The mission of the Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to children at Christmas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Afton Smiley)
U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, and residents of the village of Dededo, pose for a group photo at the conclusion of a COMREL (Community Relations) event at the Dededo Senior Center, Dededo, Guam, Dec. 19, 2025. Marines and civilian counterparts are encouraged to participate in COMRELs to increase community engagement and identify opportunities for service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Chelsey Suarez-Pierce)
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard D. Marshall Jr., commanding officer, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, addresses military leaders from around the island of Guam at Camp Blaz, Guam, Dec. 22, 2025. Camp Blaz held a quarterly town hall with military and civilian leaders from around the island of Guam to increase cohesion and expectations for the military's joint mission. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Little)
U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz pose with Tiyan High School students and staff for a photo for the Toys for Tots 2025 campaign at Tiyan High School, Barrigada, Guam, Dec. 16, 2025. Toys for Tots was founded in 1947 and has grown into a Marine Corps Reserve nationwide program that brings holiday joy to millions of underprivileged children each year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Rey Moreno Marilao)
Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz prides itself on tradition and a strong set of values that guide its mission and community outreach. This year, as the Marine Corps celebrates 250 years of honorable service to our nation – Camp Blaz commemorates the milestone with participating in an island wide canned food drive, supporting the children of Guam.
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Dededo, Guam – On September 26th, Marines, and civilians with Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Blaz participated in a village beautification initiative with the installation’s sister village – Dededo. This community relations (COMREL) event was aimed at fostering a mutual understanding between the people of Guam, military personnel, and their families. As part of the Joint Region Marianas' Sister Village program, COMRELs enable units to develop community connections, reinforce organizational values, and strengthen the military and federal government’s relationship with the local community.
As little as one can, CAN make a difference. From September 1st through October 1st, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz is participating in the island-wide CANstruction canned food drive. The initial goal is collecting “250 cans for 250 years of the Marine Corp”, the mission: collect canned goods to feed children across Guam. The donation drive supports CANstruction, a community event hosted by Be Heartfelt, and Tower for Humanity. The event provides the opportunity to serve as good stewards of Guam by addressing issues that affect one of the island’s most vulnerable populations – its children. Donations will benefit Be Heartfelt’s “Meal Pack Program” which feeds 350+ children weekly by packing and distributing discrete meals. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation across the installation, the initial goal of 250 cans has already been surpassed – but the effort isn’t stopping there. Donation drop boxes will remain available through October 1st. On October 4th, Marines will join the CANstruction “build day” at the Agana Shopping Center to transform the donated cans into a large-scale structure. On the 5th, the public is invited by Be Heartfelt to view the creations and participate in voting to recognize teams on their impressive structures and donation efforts. Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz remains committed to being a good neighbor and partner to the community, standing alongside Guam’s families in service and support.
DEDEDO, GU – It has now been 24 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 – the single deadliest attack on U.S. soil in the 21st century, resulting in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives. Before this tragedy, the last major attacks on American soil were over 50 years earlier, during World War II, with Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the entire island of Guam enduring assaults that targeted American citizens, service members, and our allies. More than two decades later, remembrance ceremonies continue across the nation and around the world to honor those who lost their lives, those affected, and those forever changed by the attacks. As service members around the world reflect on where they were and what they were doing on that day, the community on Guam unites to commemorate the event in partnership with military leaders, local leaders, residents, and first responders. Today, Marines stationed on Camp Blaz have a unique opportunity to reflect on the impact of the September 11th attacks, while living on an island that itself has endured hardship – including brutal attacks, massacres, and occupation. Positioned at the forefront of the Indo-Pacific region, we remain vigilant against emerging threats to our nation’s security with a sense of professionalism and service – core to our values. On September 11th, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 hits the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 0846 EST; 2246 CHST, followed by American Airlines Flight 175 hitting the South Tower at 0903EST; 2303 CHST, and finally American Airlines Flight 77 hitting the Pentagon at 0937 EST; 2337 CHST. The fourth hijacked flight, United Airlines Flight 93, intended for the U.S. Capital, crash lands near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, due to the courageous actions of passengers onboard.