STANLEY H. JONES RECEIVES 2010 RODNEY WILLIAMS, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD

Lexington, Kentucky, May 8, 2010: Presented annually at the Officer Selection Officer (OSO) Colonel William “Rich” Higgins Memorial Mess Night/Dining-In to an individual selected by the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky (MCCCK) Board of Directors, who has demonstrated exemplary community leadership and commitment, with a long history of dedicated service to Marine Corps related activities within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The presentation of a personalized engraved Marine Corps plaque was made by Col David J. Clement, USMCR, Assistant Division Commander, 4th Marine Division and President, MCCCK.

Following his honorable service in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 – 1957, Mr. Stanley H. Jones, Nicholasville, Kentucky, was employed in various administrative capacities and eventually practiced as a certified public accountant with various firms in Lexington, Kentucky. In 1971 he was hired by the Keeneland Association and embarked on a career enhanced throughout by a strong work ethic and high degree of discipline, honed by his Marine Corps training and service. Working in critical management capacities as controller, treasurer, chief financial officer, and ultimately vice president, all of which required the highest standard of honesty and integrity, he gained the professional respect and personal admiration of all his Keeneland Association colleagues. His many contributions to the thoroughbred racing industry were formally recognized in 1986-1987 by his election and installation as president of the Thoroughbred Club of America.

Always mindful of his strong Marine Corps roots, he sought a leadership role in the establishment and perpetuation of the traditional Marine Corps Birthday Breakfast held annually at Lexington, Kentucky and enjoyed by hundreds of active, reserve and veteran Marines from throughout the region, dating back to 1984. His quiet and effective leadership in the organization and execution of this unique celebration of Marine Corps heritage, which has often gone unnoticed, has been critical in its many years of outstanding success and has been instrumental in forging an important bond of mutual respect and cooperation, which thrives today, between Marines from both Lexington and Louisville.

Since 1998, he has labored tirelessly in the shadows on four (4) separate gala evenings, each known as a “Salute to the Legends of the Corps,” honoring Marine Corps leaders and Medal of Honor recipients, while helping to raise over $289,000.00 after expenses, for such noteworthy causes as the Marine Corps University Foundation and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. These events have been enjoyed by Marines, former Marines and friends of the Corps from throughout Kentucky and have served to educate hundreds of patrons in the rich heritage and history of the Marine Corps.

In recent years Mr. Jones has been instrumental in the expansion of the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky to include participation of Marines and friends of the Corps from throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky, serving in both advisory and leadership capacities. Following his elected term as a member of the Board of Directors (2008), he enthusiastically embraced his current leadership role as Vice President of the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky, providing valuable advice and guidance on Marine Corps related matters, especially those impacting the Lexington and central Kentucky regions. His service to the Marine Corps community within Kentucky has been described as a rare blend of administrative and financial acumen, coupled with a fine sense of diplomacy, dedicated to the perpetuation of Marine Corps values among all those who have worn or will wear the eagle globe and anchor.