MEDIA ADVISORY FOR MONDAY, JUNE 3O
Media Contacts: Cultural Communications
Shannon Wilkenson, 212-505-1253 contact@culturalcommunications.com
Gail Parenteau, 212-532-3939 gail@parenteauguidance.com

NYC MARINE CORPS COUNCIL
2008 New York City Mess Night and Wounded Warrior Tribute

What: Benefit Gourmet Dinner to Celebrate 2008 NYC Mess Night
**Bob Woodruff is Civilian Guest of Honor**

When: Monday, June 30. Starts 6:00 pm until 11:00 pm

Where: The New York Athletic Club (9th Floor), 180 Central Park South,
New York, NY 10019

Tickets: $350 per person – Black Tie
Available: NYCMessNight@nycmcc.org
Alexis Maxwell at 347-387-0019

Charity: All donations given to the Bob Woodruff Family Fund

The New York City Marine Corps Council's New York City Mess Night will honor America’s wounded warriors. All benefit proceeds will be given to the Bob Woodruff Family Fund (www.bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org), which works to help our U.S. forces affected by Traumatic Brain Injury, a significant casualty issue on the Iraqi battlefield today.

About "Mess Night" - "Mess Night" is a venerable Marine Corps tradition dating from the 1500's that few civilians experience. The event encompasses a cocktail hour, an opulent feast, good cheer and a range of fines for violating guidelines of the mess, which all guests are informed of at the onset. (Violations include foul language, chewing gum, rapping glassware for attention, rearranging table settings and discussing politics, shop, money or religion. Fines begin at $1 and escalate to $30 for NYC elite and civilians. All penalties will be donated to The Bob Woodruff Family Fund.)

All guests will receive a copy of "New York City Mess Night: An Introduction and Essential Companion for Pleasantly Surviving a Marine Corps Mess Night. Copies available on request.

About The NYC Marines - New York City boasts one of the nation’s largest populations of active-duty, former and friends of the Marines. The NYC MARINES, a 501c civilian-directed organization, is the first organization of its kind dedicated to synergizing and coordinating the numerous Marine Corps interests in the New York City area. A special emphasis of the organization is outreaching to wounded Marines and members of all Armed Services returning from tours of duty, supporting camaraderie, quality of life and career transition activities. From the highest echelons of Wall Street, to the entertainment industries to the NYPD, former Marines go on to serve in many important civilian capacities. The NYC MARINES cultivate and support this diverse and committed community.

Guests of Honor (all will speak)

BOB WOODRUFF
Civilian Guest of Honor, Author of the best-seller In An Instant, Founder of The Bob Woodruff Family Foundation and Career National Television News Anchor and Correspondent

JOE LISI
President of the Mess Marine, Actor and NYC Native Retired NYPD Precinct Captain

LIEUTENANT GENERAL RONALD S. COLEMAN, USMC
Senior Military Guest of Honor; Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs

Program
A copy of the historically accurate menu is available on request. TV Coverage of "the making of" is available all day prior to the event. Military historian Agostino von Hassell and a chef from PJ Clarke's will be preparing in the New York Athletic Club kitchen.)

Cocktails

First Sergeants Call
(Extinguish the smoking lamp)

“March On” and “Semper Fidelis”

Grace, Parade the Beef, Dinner

Shed a Tear for the Enemy

Toasts and Guests

Guests of Honor Remarks

Rum Punch and the Marines’ Hymn

Contributors/donors:

• Menu plan based on a gourmet dinner, incorporating historically accurate military meal items, prepared by Chef John Besh (of Food Network Iron Chef renown), along with author, Historian and military food expert Agostino von Hassell.
• Dinner prepared by Hassell and a chef from Manhattan’s famous PJ Clarkes’ restaurant.
• Steak donated by Strassburger Meats, a supplier of Smith & Wollensky steak house.
• Murray's Cheese is contributing a range of cheeses.