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This article originally appeared in The Marine Corps Times:  (Sept'09)

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By Amy McCullough

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Commandant backs Lejeune pronunciation push 

 

You won't hear Commandant Gen. James Conway mispronouncing the name of the Corps' largest East Coast base or the famous Marine for which it is named. 

He says "Luh-jern," the same way Lt. Gen. John A. Lejeune did, and all his relatives have for centuries.    The Corps has not implemented any formal policy encouraging Marines to get it right, but Con way and other senior leaders are leading by example and hoping others will soon catch on.    

Conway used the correct pronunciation earlier this month when he mentioned Camp Lejeune, N.C., during a presentation to a group of senior leaders from the Corps and Navy. Other Marine leaders, including Lt. Gen. Dennis Hejlik, commander of II Marine Expeditionary Force, and Maj. Gen. Richard Tryon, who commands Marine forces in Iraq, have been heard recently using the correct pronunciation, as well, setting a new standard for younger Marines who may not know any better, said Maj. David Nevers, Conway's spokesman.    

"As you can imagine, it will take some time for many Marines, who simply have not known better, . to internalize the correct pronunciation, but we'll get there," Nevers said. "It's important to the Lejeune family. It's important to the commandant. And it's important to all Marines who share an interest in properly honoring our heritage." 

Lejeune is among the greatest leathernecks of all time. A decorated World War I veteran, the 13th commandant is credited with almost single-handedly saving the service he fought so hard to join in 1890.    

Camp Lejeune was named for him in 1942, but over the years the French Creole pronunciation    - Lejeune was a native of Pointe Coupee Parish, La. - has gotten lost. Last year, a group of veterans, Lejeune family members and some active-duty Marines initiated an education campaign to "take back" the Lejeune name.    

Since then, members of the group have published essays in Marine publications; and bill boards, posters and banners have popped up around the country. One "Luh-jern" sign hangs inside South Carolina's Parris Island Museum where Marine recruits are guaranteed to see it at some point during boot camp.    

Former Marine P.T. Brent, who left the Corps in 1967, has created at least  professional military education courses on the subject, including two that have been loaded to the popular video-shar ing Web site You Tube in the past three months. Combined, the two You Tube videos have racked up more than 1,000 views.     

1942 The year Camp Lejeune was named after the Corps' famous 13th commandant