Featured
It is my sad duty to report to you that our good friend and comrade Colonel James Michael Lowe, USMC, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Center for Emerging Threats and Opportunities executed his final set of earthly PCS orders at 1800 today.
Before Joining Potomac Institute Mike served his country as one of the best Marine Officers of his generation. We could write a book about Mike’s Marine Corps service, but I think the words of the 29th Commandant, Gen Al Gray, sum it up well “Mike is a very special Marine Warrior, one of a kind, who has made many significant contributions to our Country and to the Nation’s Corps of Marines. May God bless him and his family always.”
Mike spent his entire post Marine Corps career as a member of Potomac Institute. Mike’s peerless leadership, intellect, work ethic and sense of humor made CETO the dynamic success it is and the place to work. Mike labored tirelessly for his Potomac Institute family and I can attest that Mike worked on our behalf until he could no longer lift his head and open his eyes.
I will pass along information regarding Mike’s funeral and memorial service once known. In the interim I ask that you all keep Mike’s wife Susan and his children Jameson, Alexis and Shannon in your thoughts and prayers.
Below is a speech that Mike gave when he was the Commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico, to a class of new second lieutenants at a Basic School Mess Night. Some of you may have seen the speech before because it was widely shared on the Internet and in news media. I believe it is worth the read. For those who served with Mike it will bring you a smile. For those who did not have the opportunity to know Mike on active duty it will give you a good idea about Mike Lowe the Marine.
Very respectfully and Semper Fi,
Tom O’Leary, Col., USMC (ret)
The following are the remarks of Col. Mike Lowe, the Commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico. These remarks are very much to the point and the Colonel held the absolute attention of everyone at the mess.
The Obituary for Retired Colonel James Michael "Mike" Lowe is now available on the Washington Post website.
A memorial gathering will be held at Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd, Dale City VA 22193 on Thursday, April 3, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
A life celebration service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2014 at the Quantico Marine Base Chapel, Quantico Virginia at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Quantico National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment, or the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation .
The Potomac Institute will host a reception following the funeral service on Friday April 4 at The Globe & Laurel Restaurant, 3987 Jefferson Davis Highway, Stafford, VA.