----- Original Message -----
From: WAYMOR
Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 12:22 PM
Subject: FW: OBIT SGTMAJ MACK MCKINNEY USMC (RET)

ALCON:

This is a DRAFT of the obit that will be published in the near future.

Those of you who didn't know Mack, will get an idea from
the below info as to what a Fine Marine and Great American he truly was.
Altho we have some superb folks "working the Hill for us," there is NOBODY
waiting on the sidelines to come into the game to replace Mack.
More info as it becomes available.
You bettah beereeeve the folks up on SKY-6's staff are hoppin and jumpin'
now that Mack in on Heaven's Scenes...as are ALL MARINES UP THERE guarding
streets of that AO...!!!
Semper Fidelis,
Wayne Morris, Colonel, USMC (Ret)
_______________

Mack McKinney

Alexandria, VA. 15 November 2005. C.A. "Mack" McKinney, veteran of three
wars and distinguished military legislative advocate for over 30 years died
today. He was 80 years old.

In 1942, Mack enlisted with the Marine Corps at age seventeen to join
America's fight against tyranny and oppression, and shipped off to war. He
served the Marine Corps honorably and tirelessly for over 29 years, fighting
in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, before retiring as a Sergeant Major of
Marines in 1971. He served in numerous campaigns, and was the recipient of
numerous awards and decorations over his military career.

Mack's service to this country didn't end with his retirement, however.
Over the next 34 years he lent his time and efforts to improving the
recruiting, retention and readiness of the Armed Forces by petitioning
Congress for military compensation and benefits packages commensurate with
the "extraordinary demands and sacrifices associated with military service."

Mack devoted his talents to a number of organizations dedicated to bettering
the lives of America's fighting forces, as well as their families. At the
time of his death he was legislative counsel for the Fleet Reserve
Association (FRA), headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

He began his long public-service career with the Marine Corps League
(MCL) and the Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA). He played a key
role in these organizations and was credited with helping stem the losses of
highly-skilled mid-career military personnel by convincing leaders of the
Senate and House Armed Services Committees to authorize
two consecutive double-digit pay raises during the late 1970s.

He was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public
Service in 2004 and the Award citation reads in part:

Mr. McKinney played a decisive role in winning enactment of virtually every
significant legislative initiative affecting compensation and benefits for
active, Reserve and Guard, and retired service members*

Recognizing that there is strength in numbers, Mack became a driving force
behind the creation of The Military Coalition (TMC) in 1985, and the
original 12 co-founders stopped legislation that would have zeroed out
retired pay cost-of-living adjustments for a seven-year period. He served
as TMC co-chairman, coordinator and Administrator * having been reelected as
the later on November 3, 2005. He also mentored numerous TMC organization
representatives, imparting them with his vast knowledge of military benefits
and the legislative process. Today TMC is comprised of 36 military and
veterans organizations and represents more than 5.5 million active duty,
National Guard, Reserve, retirees and veterans of the uniformed services as
well as their families and survivors.

In 1987 Sergeant Major McKinney was appointed a member of the Veterans
Administration Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, a position he held
until 1993.

NCOA recognized his accomplishments by establishing an award in his name *
the C.A. "Mack" McKinney Award * presented annually to current or former
uniformed service members who exemplify professionalism, dedication, and
service to the country.

He was also the first ever recipient of the Marine Corps League's Gunnery
Sergeant John Basilone Award for Commitment, and was honored by the U.S.
Coast Guard with the Meritorious Public Service Award "for providing
consistent and exceptional support to the Coast Guard."

Mack was a member of numerous professional organizations and held leadership
roles in many of them. He was a founding member and President Emeritus of
the Exchange Club of Capitol Hill and helped found the Gang of 30 for the
purpose of fostering good fellowship and staying abreast of Corps'
activities for active duty and retired Marines. He was a lifetime member of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, First and
Third Marine Divisions Associations, Marine Corps Aviation Association,
Congressional Marines, Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, Marine Corps
Heritage Foundation, the Marine Corps Association and the Fleet Reserve
Association. He was also a charter member of and second president elected
to head the Combined National Veterans Association.

Mack's most memorable quality, above and beyond his enviable work ethic, was
his impressive knowledge of legislative issues affecting the servicemember.
Mack could speak to the issues passionately and convincingly, whether it was
one-on-one, or to an entire room. He had a way of speaking that drew
attention to his words, and his presence, commanded attention. Mack was
well known at military retiree and transition seminars, constantly imploring
service members to stay abreast of the issues that affected their
quality-of-life, remarking often that "what Congress gives, Congress can take away."

Mack was also famous for his sense of humor and was quick with a joke.
When remarking about his time in the Marine Corps he would say "I stayed in
29 years and 6 months because I didn't want to make it a career." In an
interview with Navy Times reporter Rick Maze in 2000, Mack remarked on his
position with the FRA, one he held for 10 years:
"I've been here longer than all but a handful of senators and
representatives but I'm not ready to retire. In fact, my wife won't let me.
She says she married me for better or worse but not for lunch."

Sergeant Major McKinney worked until the very end to better the
quality-of-life for America's veterans and their families. He held strong
to his belief that ""There is a lot more that needs to be done, and I'm
going to keep trying to do it. Enlisted people need someone looking out for them."

McKinney is survived by his wife of 52 years, the former Rosemarie Swinford
of Lansing, Mich., three children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
__________________________

C.A. "Mack" McKinney Awards and Accomplishments

Sergeant Major of Marines (1942-1971)

Veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam

1970-1972: Detachment Commandant, San Antonio, Tex., Department Commandant,
State of Texas, national Adjutant-Paymaster, Headquarters, Marine Corps
League, Arlington, Va.

1971-1992: Executive Director, Government Affairs, Non-Commissioned Officers
Association (NCOA); Chairman Emeritus, Board of Directors, and Grand Knight
Emeritus, NCOA Knights of the Square Table.

1975 * President, National Veterans Associations of America.

1992 * 2005: Co-founder, former co-chairman, The Military Coalition (TMC).

1995- 2005: Legislative Counsel, Fleet Reserve Association (FRA).

1971 * 2005: Past President, Exchange Club of Capitol Hill (Co-founder
1973); Past President, Texas (Congressional) Breakfast Club; Former Member
Department of Veterans Affairs Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials;
Chairman, National Convention, Marine Corps League (1971); Past Co-Chairman,
TMC; Member, Department of Defense Quality of Life Panel (1991).

Awards and Decorations:

Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service

U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award with Medal

First Annual Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Award for Commitment

General Oliver P. Smith Award for Commitment (Marine Corps Heritage Foundation)

Citizen Award (twice) (Reserve Officers Association)

Meritorious Service Award (Naval Reserve Association)

Award of Honor (Non-Commissioned Officers Association)

Distinguished Citizen Medal (Bronze and Gold Awards) (Marine Corps League)