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Semper Fi 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 Monday, July 4, saw Americans around the world celebrate the 240th anniversary of our nation declaring its independence from England. And, since day one, the United States Marine Corps has been on hand to protect the freedoms and way of life we, as Americans, hold so dear. Learn more in our first piece.
To see what else is new with the organization or to learn more about the Marine Corps, check out the rest of our articles. We hope you enjoy!
Thank you for your continued support of our brave men and women in uniform.
God Bless and Semper Fi!
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Marines in the Revolutionary War: Defending America Since Day One
Two hundred and thirty-seven days before the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776 in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, what would prove to be a defining moment in our country's history took place a mere two miles away.
That night, November 10, 1775, at the Tun Tavern, a committee from the Continental Congress drafted a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight on land or at sea as landing forces for the Continental Navy. And with that, the Continental Marine Corps was born.
The first Commandant of the Marine Corps was Major Samuel Nicholas and his first Captain and recruiter was Robert Mullan, the owner of Tun Tavern. By early 1776, Commandant Major Nicholas had his men prepared for battle.
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Help Us Set the Table for Recovering Warriors
"All great change in America begins a
the dinner table."
The aforementioned quote was uttered by former president Ronald Reagan during his farewell address, delivered on January 11, 1989, from the Oval Office. Here at Marine Parents, we think these words are just as relevant today as they were more than two-and-a-half decades ago. With that sentiment in mind, we need your help raising $4,000 each month to help our Warrior Support Team continue serving dinners to recovering warriors.
While serving dinners may seem like a small thing, they are loved by the men and women who attend them. And we need your help to ensure that they continue.
What Your Donation Will Do
- $8:1 Dinner *
- $40:5 Dinners *
- $120:15 Dinners *
- $400:50 Dinners *
- $1,000:1 Week *
- $4,000:1 Month*
Click here to learn more.
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TMP Spotlight: Shannon Sullins
Team Marine Parents™ (TMP) is a group of individuals, generally parents, family, and friends of Marines, 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 TMP featured participant is a proud Marine mother from Washington--Shannon Sullins.
Shannon is a longtime runner who became familiar with Team Marine Parents after her son left for Marine Corps boot camp. While she has run numerous half-marathons in her life, Shannon has yet to run a full marathon, but with her son's second deployment, she made running in, and completing, this year's 41st annual Marine Corps Marathon, a top priority.
So far, Shannon is still working on raising her $500 fundraising goal, and we know with your support she can reach that goal in no time. Thank you, Shannon, for being a part of the team! Good luck in October!
Click here to read more...
*Image info: Shannon Sullins with her Marine son (image used with permission).
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Marine Corps News: Gunnery Sergeant Brian Downing Named Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year
Gunnery Sergeant Brian Downing has recently been named the 2016
Marine Corps Times Marine of the Year.
Downing, a platoon sergeant with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, made Gunnery Sergeant in just 10 years and is just one semester away from completing a master's degree in leadership from Boston University. Downing's leadership, motivation, and ability to inspire other Marines has been extensively praised by both his superiors and subordinates alike.
Disappointed at seeing his Marines live in run-down barracks, Downing studied supply system logistics to figure out how to get the materials needed to renovate 90 barracks rooms, common areas, and duty posts at Camp Lejeune. During the renovations, Downing put in hundreds of hours of work painting, decorating, and landscaping. Before long, other Marines were volunteering their time on weekends to help finish the renovations. In all, Downing helped improve the quality of life for more than 1,000 Marines.
*Image info: Gunnery Sergeant Brian Downing (USMC photo/released).
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Learning More About the Corps: Montford Point Marines
The history of thousands of brave men who served our country through numerous wars and battles has been virtually unknown to most Americans for many years. Though we know about the Tuskegee Airmen and Buffalo Soldiers, most civilians, and even many in the military, do not know the struggles and successes of the Montford Point Marines.
In 1942, Camp Montford Point was established with the first African Americans to serve as Marines since the American Revolution. The history of Montford Point and the brave men who trained there is a testament to the price African Americans had to pay in order to gain acceptance into one of the nation's most respected institutions. While the British promised male slaves freedom during the American Revolution if they promised their support, the United States excluded these men from the battle.
*Image info:
Montford Point Marine Sergeant Major Gilbert "Hashmark" Johnson became one of the first African-Americans trained as a drill instructor in 1943. Two years later, he became sergeant major of the company
(USMC photo/released).
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This Week in Marine Corps History: Marines Celebrate America's 25th Anniversary
Two hundred and sixteen years ago this week, on July 4, 1801, third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, reviewed Marines led by the second Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lieutenant Colonel William W. Burrows, and the Marine Band. The review took place on the grounds of the White House grounds and the Marines performed drills and fired salutes in observance of our country's 25th anniversary.
Click here to learn more....
*Image info: Commandant William W. Burrows.
(public domain image/released).
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This Week in Marine Corps History: A-4 Skyhawk Retired
Twenty-six years ago this week, on July 6, 1990, the last two A-4 Skyhawks from Marine Aircraft Group 32 flew their initial flights from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, as the Marine Corps decided to retire the Skyhawk from its active aviation structure. The Skyhawk was one of the oldest, most versatile attack aircraft in USMC history, having been in service for more than 30 years.
Click here to learn more....
*Image info:
A USMC A4D-2 Skyhawk passing the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea after a wave-off. (U.S. Navy photo/released)
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This Week in Marine Corps History: 1st Marine Air Wing Activated
Seventy-five years ago, on July 7, 1941, the 1st Marine Air Wing (1st MAW) was activated at Quantico, Virginia. Less than a year after its activation, the 1st MAW participated
in the Marine Corps offensive at Guadalcanal. The Guadalcanal campaign would be the first of many legendary battles in the Wing's history, and over the course of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, the 1st MAW earned five Presidential Unit Citations for gallantry.
Click here to learn more....
*Image info:
1st MAW insignia (image released).
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