On October 13, Retired Marine Corps Colonel Gerald F.
Russell, a resident of The Inn, was honored at a banquet
hosted by The Navy League of Central Pennsylvania, in
partnership with the Nittany Leathernecks Detachment
of the Marine Corps League. Family, friends and members
of the Brookline staff joined Russell as he was awarded the
first ever Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Distinguished
Citizen Award.The award is given to a non-active duty
person (s) whose character, distinguished military or
civilian service and stature exemplify the qualities for which the Navy League, Central Pennsylvania Council, strives.

Murphy, a 1998 Penn State graduate, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on October 22, 2007, for his heroic actions in combat in Afghanistan.Russell is a decorated combat veteran of World War II who served at both Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.

He commanded a combat battalion in Korea and a regiment at Guantanamo Bay during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
 
After retirement, he served Penn State as assistant vice provost in the College of Education. His many volunteer efforts include the PA Special Olympics, Centre County Toys for Tots and the Centre County United Way Day of Caring.
 
Gen. James T. Conway, who retired in 2010 as commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, served as the keynote speaker during the banquet at the State College Elks Club.