Thank you for joining us for this issue of Marine Parents News. If this is your first time receiving the newsletter, welcome aboard, we're excited for you to be here!

This Tuesday, February 23, marked the 71st anniversary of the American flag being raised on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II.  Learn more in our first article.

2016 Registration for Team Marine Parents is now open! Learn how YOU can join the team in our second article.

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! 

Be sure to get your FREE 2016 Marine Parents Calendar. See our articles below to learn about the history of the Marine Corps, and learn about our great Marine Parents volunteers.

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

Semper Fi Marine Families!

The Marine Corps, more so than any other branch of America's military, values and embraces its history. Beginning in boot camp, every Marine is educated on the Corps' proud and storied past as they learn what it means to be part of such a prestigious organization. In the spirit of the value the Marine Corps places on its history, we wanted to give you, Marine families and supporters, an opportunity to embrace and learn about this part of Marine Corps legacy as well. In this piece, we take a further look at one of the defining chapters in Marine Corps history - The Battle of Iwo Jima

February 23 marks the anniversary of one of the most iconic moments in Marine Corps history and in all of World War 2--the American flag being raised over Mt. Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

By February of 1945, the United States Marine Corps had been fighting Imperial Japanese forces across the Pacific for three years. As the Marines slowly but surely worked their way across the Pacific in their island-hopping campaign and closed in on the Japanese homeland, the already fanatical Japanese resistance intensified, leading to some of the of the most brutally intense fighting in a campaign known for it ferocity.

2016 Registration for Team Marine Parents is now open! Raising awareness and funds for a grassroots organization starts on a grassroots level; it starts with YOU. If you enjoy running or competing in athletic events, encouraging communities to engage in troop support activities, and raising money for a good cause, then TMP is a great fit for you.

Also, if you are planning on running the 41st Marine Corps Marathon, consider running with TMP. We only have 40 charity partner bibs remaining,  so instead of waiting on the lottery, join the team and get your bib today!

While attending School of Infantry (SOI), your Marine will become acquainted with a variety of different weapons and weapon systems. This is a crucial component of Marine Corps training. Every Marine is a rifleman and any Marine may find him or herself faced with combat operations, whether he or she is an infantry Marine or not. Building combat-ready Marines (see video below) is absolutely paramount to the continued success of the Marine Corps. The first step in doing so is becoming familiar with Marine Corps weapons and tactics.

One of the many important things to learn when your recruit becomes a Marine is the ranking system. Whether your recruit enlists or enters the Corps as a Commissioned Officer, knowing the rank structure will be a very valuable piece of information to have. Here at Marine Parents, we provide the information necessary to help you learn all about the rank structure of the Marine Corps.

This past Sunday, February 21, Warrior Support Team volunteers served more than 100 meals at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Mexican food from California Tortilla was the main course of the evening, and fruit and baked goods were served as a side and dessert. We're happy to say that more than 100 people were served at the dinner, with 86 patients attending the event and a further 20 meals being sent to patients and staff in the Behavioral Health Ward. A good time was had by all and our volunteers are looking forward to the next dinner in approximately two weeks.

Twenty-four years ago this week, on February 24, 1991, the First Marine Expeditionary Force, along with coalition forces, began a ground assault on Iraqi defense forces in the final stages of Operation Desert Storm. The First and Second Marine Divisions attacked Iraqi defenses from the front while allied armored forces attacked from the rear. Approximately 100 hours later, Iraqi forces surrendered.

Twenty-four years ago this week, on February 28, 1991, Operation Desert Storm came to an end when a cease-fire declared by George W. Bush went into effect. Over the course of the war, the First Marine Expeditionary Force had a strength of more than 92,000 Marines, making Operation Desert Storm the largest Maine Corps operation ever. In total, 24 Marines were killed during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.