Friday, September 9, 2016
Semper Fidelis Marine Corps Families!

Thank you for opening and reading this edition of our weekly newsletter. We've got great articles to share with you this week.

This Sunday, September 11, 2016, marks the 15th anniversary of the single largest loss of life from a foreign attack on American soil, ever. Almost 3,000 people lost their lives on that Tuesday morning, and almost 7,000 brave Americans have sacrificed everything in the resultant military operations.  

Additionally, with Gold Star Family Day just over two weeks away, we encourage you to take our Luminary Initiative pledge and show your support by honoring our country's fallen this September 25. 

Thank you for your continued support of our brave men and women in uniform.

God Bless and Semper Fi!

Sincerely,
How September 11 Led to the Foundation of MarineParents.com, Inc.

Rarely does an event have such wide-reaching and impactful consequences, but no one in our country was able to escape September 11, 2001 unscathed in some way. In the 15 years since, we have become more acutely aware of our place in the world and of the fact that many people want to cause us harm solely for being American. We've changed how we view the world and how the world views us. Ensuring our national security became a national obsession (and for good reason) and saw our military engage in conflicts in two countries, first in Afghanistan, and then in Iraq, in an effort to do just that. In short, September 11 upset the balance of the country in a way not seen in decades.
Spread the Support

After taking the Gold Star Luminary Initiative pledge, spread the support and share it on social media. Whether you use Facebook, Twitter, or some other platform, let your friends and family know that you've pledged your support to support Gold Star families on Gold Star Family Day and encourage them to join you in honoring our fallen heroes.
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Focus: Suicide Education

MarineParents.com has joined organizations across the country to to recognize and help spread awareness of suicide prevention. We have been in touch with far too many veterans and veteran families affected by suicide from suicide attempt survivors to families mourning the unbearable loss of their loved one to suicide. Our Founder & Executive Director, Tracy Della Vecchia, said it best: "One suicide is too many. One more suicide is too late."

TBI Awareness Month Focus: National Intrepid Center of Excellence

According to figures from the Defense Medical Surveillance System and Theater Medical Data, almost 340,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) since 2000. The figures also reveal that TBIs contribute to one-third of all injury-related deaths in the United States, where an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a TBI on a yearly basis. Of those 1.7 million who sustain a TBI, almost 80% will be treated and released from an emergency department, while 275,000 will be hospitalized and 52,000 will die.

*Image info: USMC photo/released.

What Comes After The Corps?

Welcome to After the Corps (ATC). This site is a great resource for you and your Marine to learn more about what to expect as he or she transitions out of active-service and rejoins the civilian world. Much of the information provided on ATC comes from the personal experiences of multiple Marine Corps veterans who work with our organization.
Volunteer Spotlight: Roger Hall

Here at Marine Parents, nothing we do would be possible without our amazing volunteers across the country. 

This week's featured volunteer is a proud Marine father from South Carolina--Roger Hall

Roger has been volunteering with Marine Parents since 2015, currently serving as the Company Leader for 3rd Battalion, Mike Company, Parris Island. As a Company Leader, Roger keeps families updated on daily activities that their recruits are engaged in, answers questions group members may have, teaches family members about Marine Corps lingo, and provides insight on adjusting to life as a military family member.

*Image info: Roger Hall with his Marine son (Image used with permission). 
TMP Spotlight: Brandon Olman

Team Marine Parents™ (TMP) is a group of individuals who participate in athletic events nationwide to support our troops. The mission is to raise funds and awareness of the organization's outreach programs.  

This week's featured TMP participant is a Marine from Manassas Virginia, Brandon Olman! Brandon is running the 41st Marine Corps Marathon this October to honor a fellow Marine and Prince William County Police Officer, Ashley Guindon.

*Image info: Brandon Olman (left) and Officer Ashley Guindon (right).
(Image used with permission). 
Marine Corps History & News
This Week in Marine Corps History:

This week in Marine Corps history, Marines were attacked in Lebanon in 1983 and Marine Raiders struck Japanese forces on Guadalcanal in 1942. Click the link below to learn more.

*Image info: U.S. Marines rest in a field on Guadalcanal, sometime between August and December, 1942. (left, Image released) and the Marine barracks building in Beirut, Lebanon, prior to the bombing. (right, USMC photo/released).
Marine Corps News: 

  • The Marine Corps Marathon's course has been altered next month due to Washington D.C.-area metro repairs.

  • One of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers, Joe Hosteen Kellwood, died this week at the age of 95.

  • Marine officials have announced that the Corps will deploy the F-35B to the Middle East next year.
*Image info:(left) A color guard presents the Marine Corps Battle Colors during the 2015 Marine Corps Marathon Kid’s Run. (USMC photo by Sergeant Terry Brady).
(middle) Joe Hosteen Kellwool singing the Marine Corps Hymn in Navajo (image from official USMC Twitter account/released).
(right) The F-35B new Marine Raider insignia (USMC image by U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brian Burdett)
NEW!
Limited Edition 2016 Birthday Coin

This limited edition 2016 Marine Birthday Coin (44mm), finished in both silver and gold colors, celebrates 241 years of the Marine Corps and was designed by the EGA Shop! You won't find it anywhere else!

These coins sell out quickly every year so make sure you purchase today!