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MarineParents.com Newsletter
a Place to Connect & Share™
In This Issue
Deployment Learning Center
Homecoming Learning Center
Please Visit Our Sponsors
Photos of the Wounded Warriors at Knott's Berry Farm
Black Friday at the EGA Store Starts Early!
Marine Mom Supported by Co-Workers
Give a Gift That Gives Back
New Resource for Military Families
Attention on Deck: From & About Our Marines
News from Camp Pendleton
Stocking Stuffer Sale!
DONATE with every swipe of your card
Support for You:
a Place to
Connect & Share™
Learning Center:
Operational Security
Operational Security

NOTE: When communicating online, your Marine's privacy is as important as Operational Security. Please respect YOUR Marine's privacy!
Learning Center:
About Deployment
Learning Center:
About Homecoming
Tip: While in our store, check in your Marine's unit store for more homecoming shirts!
Unit Chat Nights
Unit Chat Night Schedule:
Monday: 1/7, 1/2, 3/5, 2/6
Tuesday: 1st LAR, 26th MEU
Wednesday: 1/8, 3/3
Thursday: 2/9
Sunday: 2/1
For additional information about the Chat Room and Unit Chat Nights for your Marine's Unit, please see:
MarineParents.com Chat Gif
Local Support Groups in Your Area
For a list of all support groups in our database or to find one in your area, see:
New Support Group Listing:
Sacramento-Elk Grove-Roseville-Fair Oaks, CA (Sacramento)
If you are interested in starting a local support group in your area, please visit the "Support Groups" section of our website:
Support Our Marines!
Purple Heart Family Support an Outreach Program of Marine Parents.com
Show your support of our Marines and their families!Participate in one of the Marine Parents Outreach Programs today! Our Marines need YOU!
Visit Our Sponsors
Sign Up for the Newsletter
Join Our Mailing List
November 24, 2010
Greetings Marine Families!
If this is the first edition of the MarineParents.com Newsletter you have received, WELCOME! If you are a returning reader we are glad you have joined us.
Thanksgiving is nearly here, and it's the perfect time to give thanks for all of our deployed men and women serving our country during the holiday season. We would also like to thank the families of the deployed for the sacrifices that they have made.
This issue is full of feel-good articles, as well as the latest Marine Corps news. And don't miss our "OORAH Stocking Stuffer Sale" at the bottom!
Have a great holiday, and thank you for continuing to support our Marines! Semper Fi!
Marines' Trip to Knott's Berry Farm
Check out photos from the trip!
Wounded Wartriors at Knott's Berry Farm
Outreach progam Purple Heart Family Support took the Wounded Warriors to Knott's Berry Farm a few weeks ago. We can't post pictures of the Marines' faces, but PHFS volunteers were able to get a few good photos of the day's events.
Click here to view them on our Facebook page, as well as a recap of the trip from PHFS Manager Joyce!
EGA Store Starts Black Friday Early!
Visit the Store on Thursday for Great Deals!
Black Friday 2010 - The EGA Store
For incredible savings on Marine Corps gear and gifts, visit www.EGAstore.com tomorrow, November 25th. We'll be sending out a reminder email tomorrow, which will announce the start of the EGA Store's Black Friday!
Remember, 100% of store proceeds go back to supporting our Marines through our outreach programs. Thanks for all of your support and happy holidays!
An Incredible Show of Support
Marine Mom supported by co-workers
Military Support at Harmony

We recently received this photo and message from a Marine mom with a son currently deployed:

Hi Marine Parents,

I just wanted to show you a picture of the support that I received from my work at Harmony Early Childhood Center in Olathe, Kansas where I work. I hope that you are able to open the file.

I came back from lunch two weeks ago to find my colleagues all wearing their Red Friday Shirts. My son is currently deployed to Afghan and I really appreciate all the support of my work family.

Thanks for your website and all the support that everyone offers for everyone.

Marine Mom Susan

Click here for more about our Red Friday shirts!
Give a Gift That Gives Back
Care Package Project Gift Sponsorships
Care Package Project Gift SponsorshipsThe Marine Parents EGA Store has gift sponsorships available for purchase this holiday season.
Sponsor a care package on behalf of a friend or family member, and we'll send them a holiday card letting them know that a care package has been sent in their name to a Marine overseas. The package will include the gift recipient's name so the Marine knows who sponsored it.
Click here for more information!
New Resource for Military Families
A Toolkit for All Stages of Deployment
Multimedia Toolkit for Families of Deployed
The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) is releasing a multimedia toolkit to help families of deployed service members cope through each stage of the deployment.
The kit includes a handbook and a video designed to guide family and friends through the emotional struggles that are a result of having a loved one deployed. It will help them understand what to expect before, during and after the deployment of their service member.
Click here for more information and to request a toolkit.
Thank You From Deployed Marines
Attention on Deck: From & About Our Marines
We received two emails yesterday from Marines overseas who had received the birthday-themed care packages we sent on November 6th. One Marine also included a photo of his detachment!

Mass-3 MarinesDear [Marine Parents],

The package that we just opened was addressed for a Marine who went home. After receiving his permission, we opened the package and wanted to say thank you. Attached is our picture. The Twinkie with candle was a nice touch. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts.

Major Erik, MASS-3

________________
Dear [Marine Parents],

Today I received a care package from the Marine Parents organization. This was an unexpected surprise. I wanted to express to you my sincere thanks and appreciation. The Marines and sailors in my section enjoyed the goodies. The letters and pictures were definitely an added treat. Later today I will be composing letters to those individuals which provided their address. Their letters added a touch of home to the package. Again, thank you for the package and all that you do! Semper Fidelis!

Captain John, S-4 / 3D
News From Camp Pendleton
OORAH Stocking Stuffer Sale!
Lapel Pins
OORAH Lapel Pin
OORAH lapel pins now only $2.49! We only have a few left so get yours before they're gone!
Click here to purchase.
OORAH MagnetMagnets
Today only, OORAH Magnets are only $2.49. A perfect addition to any stocking!
Click here to purchase.
Bumper Stickers
OORAH Bumper StickerThese bumper stickers feature "OORAH" in reflective gold lettering. Originally $2.99, they are on sale today only for $1.95.
Click here to purchase.
DONATE with every swipe of your card!

We hope this week's edition of our email newsletter has been useful for you and your family. If there are topics you would like us to address, or if you have other suggestions for the newsletter, please contact us.

The banner used at the top of this newsletter is an November 2010 USMC Photo by Master Sgt. Christopher Matt of Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) assault force and paratroopers from the 1st Paratrooper Battalion, Hellenic Army, moving towards targets while conducting bilateral training in Malkme, Crete, Greece, Nov. 15, 2010. Click here to read additional credits.
MarineParents.com, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. MarineParents.com, Inc. was founded in January, 2003 in response to parents' needs to find information and to have a Place to Connect & Share™ with one another during deployments. Our free online services and connections have expanded to support and educate Marine moms & dads, spouses, families and friends. We've helped over 130,000 Marine and recruit families during bootcamp, training, active duty and deployments. We've shipped thousands of care packages overseas to our Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan, sent thousands of prayers and letters to injured Marines and served hundreds of meals to Wounded Warriors and their families on both the East and West coasts. You've found a Place to Connect & Share™.

God Bless and Semper Fidelis,

Tracy Della Vecchia
Founder and Executive Director
MarineParents.com, Inc.
Neither the United States Marine Corps nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this service.