Lt. Col. Stephen Pierson, executive officer of Marine Corps Air Station New River, gives his opening remarks at the 18th Annual State of the Community Breakfast aboard MCAS New River Feb. 12. The breakfast featured speakers from different sections in the community, including the Onslow County Schools superintendent, Coastal Carolina Community College’s president, and the Mayor of Jacksonville. They spoke on some of the new happenings and challenges each sector will face during 2013.