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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!
As we enter the holiday season, we encourage you to join us in giving back to the service members who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. Learn more in our first 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!
Thank you for joining us and especially for your continued support of our brave men and women in uniform.
Semper Fi Marine Families!
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In November we have one day for giving thanks, two for getting deals, and now we have a day to give back. Be a part of this global celebration of generosity and giving back by joining Marine Parents on December 1 as we celebrate #GivingTuesday!
The Roman philosopher Seneca is purported to have written,"We should give as we would receive: cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation..." Here at Marine Parents, we couldn't agree more with that sentiment, especially now as we approach the holiday season.
If you would like to take part in #GivingTuesday while simultaneously showing your support for recovering warriors, we encourage you to donate $75.00 to MarineParents.com, Inc. Each $75.00 donation will supply a recovering warrior with a "Reintegration Bag" containing books and resources intended to provide support and information to veterans, their loved ones, and/or their caregivers as these veterans navigate the recovery and reintegration processes.
If you don't want to wait until December 1 to donate, you're in luck, as you can donate to MarineParents.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by clicking here. Be sure to pass this on to your friends and loved ones, these recovering warriors need all the support they can get, and your generous donations will make that support possible.
These men and women have sacrificed so much on our behalf and now it's time we show them we appreciate all that they have done. Join us between now and December 1 and let's give back to these warriors just as Seneca said: cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Corrie Kohlrus
Here at Marine Parents, nothing we do would be possible without our amazing volunteers across the country. Our volunteers truly are the backbone of our organization, and we'd like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of one individual in particular.
This week's featured volunteer is a proud Marine daughter, wife, and sister who currently lives in San Diego -- Corrie Kohlrus.
Corrie discovered Marine Parents when her brother joined the Corps in 2009 and, after moving to San Diego with her husband, an active-duty Marine, Corrie decided she wanted to "give back what Marine Parents had given to [her]," ultimately becoming a volunteer for the Warrior Support Team in January of this year.
Each Thursday, Corrie and numerous other volunteers serve meals to wounded and recovering warriors at Naval Medical Center San Diego. In addition to serving meals, the volunteers chat with and provide companionship to the warriors and their family members during their recovery processes.
"Those Wounded Warriors and their families that I meet week to week forever change[d] me," Corrie says, "They inspire me. They give me strength. They make me so proud to be a part of this community."
We'd like to offer a heartfelt "thank you" to Corrie and all of our other amazing volunteers around the country. None of what we do as an organization would be possible without your unwavering support of our men and women in uniform. Your efforts on our behalf are truly appreciated.
*Image info: Corrie Kohlrus and her Marine husband.
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MarineParents.com and the Warrior Support Team are fortunate to work with Dr. Bridget Cantrell. Dr. Cantrell is the author of numerous books on post-traumatic stress, warrior reintegration, and how to provide support to those navigating the reintegration process. These books have been well-received by family members, fellow mental health experts, and, most importantly, the warriors themselves
The following article was originally written in December of 2008:
Make it a Happy Holiday
Well, we are fast approaching the holiday season. It is a time to gather together and form strong bonds of love and remembrance that will help us all get through a rather difficult time of year.
For many, the holidays may be a very stressful time of year, particularly since many of you have family members deployed. As a result, things at home may also have changed dramatically due to the loss of, or injury to, a loved one.
Click here to continue reading...
*Image info: Dr. Bridget Cantrell
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Marine Corps News: Additional Embassy Guards Sent to Paris
In the wake of last Friday's deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, France, that killed more than 125 people, the Marine Corps has sent additional embassy guards to protect the American embassy in the French capital.
According to the
Marine Corps Times, "[m]
embers of the Corps' embassy reinforcement team, the Marine Security Augmentation Unit, arrived in Paris Monday. The guards, based out of Quantico, Virginia, are trained to reinforce security at diplomatic facilities across the globe.
According to Major Chris Devine,
a Marine spokesman at the Pentagon, "As a result of the terrorist attacks in Paris, and at the request of the Department of State, the Marine Corps completed a movement of a Marine Security Augmentation Unit (MSAU) to Europe," and are " ready to provide additional security support to diplomatic facilities when requested by the U.S. ambassador or Department of State."
Click here to read more...
*Image info:
U.S. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meets U.S. Marines assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Paris, Sept. 17, 2014.
(Dept. of Defense photo by D. Myles Cullen/Released)
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Marine Corps News: Holiday Travel Assistance for Junior Enlisted Marines
This holiday season,
thanks to a partnership between the nonprofit Armed Services YMCA and The Jack Daniel Distillery, Operation Ride Home is assisting junior enlisted service members travel home for holidays.
Active-duty members from all branches of service, single or married, are eligible to apply for assistance as long as they have a paygrade of E-4 or below.
Family members of married troops also are eligible to participate in the program.
Those wishing to participate must be traveling at least 350 miles from their base to their home and
are selected and prioritized based on need, in coordination with their installation commands. Those selected to participate in the program will be offered their choice of either a voucher for a plane ticket (limited to $400 per person) or a
prepaid debit card for $100 per person for gas, lodging and food.
Click here to read more...
*Image info:
Some junior enlisted service members may receive financial assistance to fly home over the holidays.
(Photo: Senior Master Sgt. David Lipp/Air Force)
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Marine Corps News: World War II Marine Killed at Tarawa to be Reburied
In June of this year, the remains of 36 Marines were uncovered in a burial trench on
Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, in the Gilbert Islands, by
History Flight, a private organization that works with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Among those remains were those of posthumous Medal of Honor recipient, 1st Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman Jr.
The remains of another Marine,
Cpl. Roger K. Nielson, were also discovered that month and were returned to the United States last week, reaching Honolulu, Hawaii on Thursday, November 12. This Monday, November 15, Nielson was reburied with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.
Nielson, who was
assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was reported killed in action on the battle’s first day at the age of 22. Over the course of more than three days of bitter fighting, more than 1,000 Marines lost their lives and a further 2,100 were wounded before Major General Julian C. Smith declared the island "secure."
Click here to read more...
*Image info:
Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific salute Cpl. Roger K. Nielson during a dignified transfer of remains at the Honolulu International Airport, Nov. 12, 2015.
(USMC photo by Sgt. Erik Estrada)
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Marine Corps News: Corps Wants to Increase Number of "Mustang" Officers
Marine Corps officials have recently announced that they'd like to see an increase in the number of enlisted Marines who become commissioned, or "mustang," officers in 2016.
Over the last three years, an average of 111 enlisted Marines w
ere selected for officer programs. The Corps would like to see that number increase to at least 150 in 2016.
Click here to read more...
*Image info:
Staff Sgt. James J. W. Geiger reaffirms the oath of enlistment after his graduation from Officer Candidate Course in Quantico, Virginia. (official USMC image).
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Of course, the EGA Shop is the #1 place to shop for all of your Marine Corps clothing, decor, and accessory needs, because 100% of the proceeds benefit the outreach programs of MarineParents.com, Inc. But...for those non-USMC gifts this season, Amazon is a great place to shop and STILL SUPPORT our outreach programs. When you shop, Amazon gives, but be sure to begin shopping by following our charity link first: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-2294408
Thank you so much for supporting our troops!
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This Week in Marine Corps History: 4th Marine Regiment Begins March to Germany
Ninety-seven years ago this week, on November 17, 1918, the 4th Marine Brigade, as a part of the 2nd Division American Expeditionary Force, began marching toward the Rhine River to provide support to American forces occupying Germany. On their march toward occupied Germany, the Marines passed through Belgium and Luxembourg.
Click here to read more...
*Image info:
The moss-covered "Devil Dog" fountain, located in Belleau, France, symbolizes the spirit of the Marines in World War 1. (USMC photo by Sgt. Lisa R. Strickland)
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This Week in Marine Corps History: Marines Secure Tarawa
Seventy-two years ago this week, on November 20, 1943, the 2nd Marine Division, commanded by Major General Julian C. Smith, landed on Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, in the Gilbert Islands.
After three days of bitter fighting that saw more than 1,000 Marines lose their lives and a further 2,100 wounded, Major General Smith declared the island secure.
Click here to read more...
*Image info:
Major General Julian C. Smith (Official USMC photo).
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On December 15, 1948, then-Secretary of the Navy John L. Sullivan and then-Secretary of Defense James V. Forrestal signed a "Memorandum of Agreement" that laid the basis for the foundation of the Marine Security Guard program. In the decades since, Marine embassy guards have served with honor and distinction, protecting U.S. diplomatic missions, interests, and personnel around the world.
The Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, as it is known today, is an elite group comprised of Marines who have been specially selected and trained for this duty. Currently, there are more than 1,000 Marines currently assigned to the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group and Marine Security Guard detachments located at more than 170 U.S. embassies and consulates across the globe.
Click here to read more...
*Image info:
(Official USMC photo)
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Marine Corps Acronyms/Abbreviations
When your loved one joins the Marine Corps, you may be introduced to hundred, if not thousands, of various acronyms and abbreviations.
While at first learning all of these acronyms may seem overwhelming, Marine Parents is here to help. We provide reference sources to help you learn as much Marine Corps "lingo" as you'd like.
Click here to read more...
*Image info: (Official USMC photo)
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