MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- The Pacific War Memorial Lecture Series is closing out its second official year of operations with a national force in American broadcast journalism. Bill O'Reilly, host of Fox Network's "The O'Reilly Factor," will speak Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at the base theater aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.
The series is intended to enhance professional development and leadership skills for military officers, as well as senior enlisted Marines, Sailors and civilian employees.
"The commanding general wants to bring in speakers that do not necessarily hold the same views that Marines do," said Lt. Col. Jon S. Hoffman, the base master planner for the MCB Hawaii Operational Planning Team. "These speakers are sharing their perspectives and showing Marines and Sailors a bigger picture of the world and what their role is in it."
O'Reilly is the first national figure to join the series and the third speaker since the Pacific War Memorial lectures began in 2002.
University of Hawaii head football coach June Jones inaugurated the series as the first featured speaker last year. The series continued with Hawaii's U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie, D-1st District, in April 2003.
"June Jones shared a perspective from the world of sports, and Rep. Abercrombie discussed political views and moral courage in the world of politics," said Hoffman. "Bill O'Reilly will round out the series by discussing his views on the military, the press and leadership points from a journalist's perspective in the media."
The lecture will include a question and answer period, and with the primary goal to provide first class professional military education that will intellectually challenge members of the MCB Hawaii community.
"It's not often that members of our community get a chance to discuss world issues, experiences and opinions with politicians and national figures," said Hoffman.
Ms. P. Pasha Baker, the Honolulu Navy League chapter president, headed the planning for this event. The lecture is free of charge, thanks to the Navy League that greatly assisted in raising a portion of the cost.