dr. jim wright, and dr. wright is an american historian, the president emeritus of dartmouth college and a marine. my name is bucky peterson, and i'm a director emeritus on the marines memorial association board of directors. before we begin, a few quick words about the marines memorial. the marines he moil association -- memorial association is a nonprofit veterans' organization chartered to honor the memory of and commemorate the valor of members of the united states armed forces who were killed, lost or who died in military service. among its list of duties, amongst the list of duties for the marines memorial association is we're responsible for maintaining this extraordinary club, the marines memorial club. as a living memorial to those who have gone before and to pay tribute to those who carry on. to learn more about our organization, visit our web site at www.marineclub.com. and before we begin, please, take a moment to turn off your cell phones as i just did and any other noise makers that you may hav

dr. wright bide me during the second half of the program based on your questions. it's now my great pleasure to introduce this evenings distinguished guests, doctor jim wright. dr. wright is the son of a world war ii veteran, and dr. wright himself joined the marine corps at the age of 17. he's from galena, illinois, originally, a small town near dubuque, iowa, where i went to school. and if the college president, my college president, doctor couchman, who is now deceased, knew i was with dr. wright, because i graduated with only the slimmest of margins from the university of dubuque, he would be rolling over in his grave about 5000 rpms. so dr. wright, please allow me to continue. after his tour in the marine corps he went to college, university college, university of wisconsin and eventually became a history professor at dartmouth in 1969. he served as the president of dartmouth from 1998-2009, and since 2005 he has visited most of our military hospitals, and has encouraged support for the wounded veterans in those hospitals. he is a director on the board of the injured marines semper fi fund, one of the 10 top charities recently rated by charity navigator. hi