American Courage Newsletter #118

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Red Afghan with Flag Raising and Semper Fi - 35% off!

The Petrified Heart

Child's War Cry Baby Bib

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Sgt Grit,
I am so excited to report the safe return of my husband, LCpl James Baker, with the rest of the 2/2 Warlords to Camp Lejeune from Camp Fallujah, Iraq. The men of Fox Co were fortunate and had no losses, but the battalion lost approximately 8 men, including Sgt Sean Miles of Easy Company who was also one of my husband's SOI instructors. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen angels of 2/2. I would also like to wish the best of luck to our men and women who are currently deployed in the war on terrorism, and to their families and friends. God Bless the USA and God Bless the Marines!

I remain Semper Fidelis,
A proud Marine Wife
Mrs. Amy Baker

New Chesty Shirts - Only Through March 26!

Remember one of the greatest fighting Marines ever with this special "Good Night Chesty" t-shirt, long-sleeved t-shirt, sweatshirt and hooded-sweatshirt. Only available to order through March 26, 2006.

Last Weekend: Friends Don't Let Friends Join the

You know the USMC is the greatest branch of the service! Let your Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard buddies know it with these "Friends Don't Let Friends Join The ____" shirts. You choose the branch. OohRah! Only available through March 12th...

Sgt Grit 2007 Marine Corps Calendar Photo Contest

Sgt Grit is gathering photos for a 2007 Calendar! We are looking for photos of Marines (past, present and future), special Marine Corps memories, anything Marine Corps related. Send in your USMC photos. We will pick the best 12 -24 photos and those selected will receive a free calendar and a $15 Gift Certificate.

3rd Annual GriTogether - Coming Up May 13, 2006

Free food, prizes, tattoo contest and more at this year's GriTogether We hope to see you there!

I was excited about Returning home on leave after boot camp and ITR. Mom was to pick me up at the bus station and drive me home for a late Christmas. Now we are talking about a small Midwestern town and an arrival time of "Oh my god it's early". As I reached the bottom step of the bus my mother was standing right in front of the steps and looked me straight in the eye. Not recognizing me she turned to go back into the bus station. I had gained over 50 lbs. In boot camp and of course lost all my hair. After I assured her that I was her son her reply was "What have they done to my little boy"?

No Names, Mom has been
Embarrassed enough.

I have been meaning to write to you for a long time. I read Sgt Grit faithfully every time it is e-mailed to me and have never walked away with a dry eye, but something has always bothered me. I always read about our brother Marine's and how tough it is to be a wife of a Marine, but how about being a husband? My husband and I met in the Marine Corps and were married in 1990. In 1993 both our 4 year tours were coming to and end and we decided to try civilian life. About a year later I could not stand being a civilian any more, so I joined an Air National Guard A-10 unit in Western Massachusetts. At first it was a complete and utter shock to my Marine Corps system, but soon I learned to accept that if every other service was like the Marine Corps then who would need the Marines.

So far in my 8 years being full time Air National Guard I have been deployed twice, once to Kuwait and the other to an undisclosed location, during the Shock and Aw campaign for Iraqi Freedom when we decided to start the war by bombing the h&ll out of them. During those deployments family support would get people together to help the wives with snowplowing, errand running, or babysitting, but not once did I hear about helping the husbands out. My husband worked full time running our car stereo business, took care of his father and our 5 year old daughter with absolutely no help from anyone and no complaint. Some of the toughest moments for him was tucking in our 5 year old daughter and trying to explain to her why mommy went off to war.

Times have changed and America is slowly learning how to let their little girls as well as their little boys go off to war. People are starting to also understand that a woman can love her country and want to defend it just as strongly as the man standing next to her. Now they have to start realizing that there's a lot of wonderful husbands of service members also, who put up with a lot of crap and get no acknowledgment. Don't get me wrong being a Marine's wife IS the toughest job in the Corps, but let's not forget to give a little love to the husbands.

MSG Dominique Chapman, MA ANGB
But..........
Will forever be Sgt Dominique Chapman, USMC
1989 - 1993, not a WM (it's obvious that I am a woman, not a BAM (I don't have a big A$$), but a Marine plain and simple.
Semper Fi!

Dear Sgt. Grit and readers,

I want to start by saying "God Bless America," and to thank Sgt. Grit and his staff for such an awesome catalog and newsletter. I am the proud fiancé' of LCpl Glover of the 2nd AABN 2nd MAR DIV. He is completing his last week at Camp Lejeune before coming home for a week or so, then going back to Lejeune and deploying for Iraq the end of March. This is his, and our, first deployment. I am terrified in a way, but his confidence, bravery, knowledge, and brotherhood that the Corps has taught him, has spilled over onto me. I am confident in what the Marine Corps has taught my fiancé'. I am confident in the decisions of his superiors. I am confident of the Marine Corps, and I am confident in the United States of America.

My fiancé' will be home in October, just in time for the Birthday Ball, our third together, and we'll be getting married in April. I long for that day when I see him for the first time in 7 months. Also, I would like to mention the book "Corps Values."

It's a great book, and gives us, non-Marines, an insight of what it's like to train, become, and live like a Marine. Also, I just got the "Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul," and I'm looking forward to jumping into that.

Semper Fi to our country,
Corps, and my Marine,
Katie Millikin,
soon-to-be-wife of Lcpl Philip J. Glover

Hi Sgt. Grit. I am the proud mother of a 19 year old United States Marine. When he joined shortly after his 18th birthday, he told us he wanted to be a Marine because they are "the best of the best" and he wanted to make a difference. We didn't really understand at the time, and in the past year as he graduated from boot camp, moved on to Camp LeJeune and is now on his way home after completing his first tour in Iraq, we have begun to understand how awesome Marines are and the true bond they all share. While it has been extremely difficult to deal with his deployment, knowing that he is a Marine surrounded by other Marines has given us comfort. The few times we were able to talk to him while he was in Iraq, he told us not to worry and he would be okay because he is a Marine and his brothers have his back and he has theirs. Marines truly are the best of the best and I am so proud of the man my son has become and that he is part of an extraordinary group of men and women.

We read your newsletter every week. It is great to read notes and stories from other Marine families and know we are not alone.

God Bless our Marines.

Proud Marine Mom (Kim)

Sarge,

Don't know if you have used this or not yet but here is a quote from Ernest Hemingway

"I would rather have a good Marine by my side than anything in the world when the chips are down"

Semper Fi!
R C Knight
RVN '66-'67

Dear Sgt Grit:
I would like to thank LtCol Joe Repya for his letter. I too am tired of the hypocrisy. My husband served from 1990-1994. He is truly still a marine and will always be. I am very proud of him. He is very proud to be a marine. He is currently working as a civilian contractor in Iraq, and is going on his third year there, for him this was an opportunity to help our military since he was no longer in active duty. I know that there is a lot of controversy regarding these contracts and the companies that hold them, but everything aside no one realizes how much our military depends on the contractors to help them with their tasks. There is so much more to this than just a conflict and taking out the terrorist. These civilian contractors help to build facilities for our military for everything ranging from supply warehouses to transporting supplies to running cafeterias and recreational facilities. I in no way want to demean what our military does because it is they who are on the front lines but our civilians are living on the same bases that our military are and are enduring the fire fights on the bases just as our military does. In fact, there are a lot of marines and former active duty military that are over there as civilians and it takes someone with military background to endure what they do over there. Truly stated that once a marine always a marine. I thank all of our military and all of those that are willing to put there lives on the line for others that they do not know. I think that the problems that our country has could easily be solved if everyone had the unselfishness and pride that our military personnel possess. I had the opportunity to fly to Dubai to meet up with my husband for a few days, I was very apprehensive prior to my trip as I was going to be in a Arabic country and did not know what to expect. My fears had been feed by our media. During my stay there I realized how much our media only focuses on the bad things and not any of the good things that we are doing over there. I had the opportunity to speak to several people there who were Muslims and once they realized that we were Americans they profusely thanked us for being over there and helping them and their families. This is the type of things that our media never reports. No matter whether or not people agree with this war I do believe that instead of continually causing conflict with each other we should ban together and stand behind our president as a whole. The decision has been made and no one likes war but I believe that all of our the military personnel know that sometimes we have to do things that we don't like or want to do. For all of those that want to protest I just have this one comment, I know that our constitution gives us freedom of speech, but I do believe that our founding fathers believed that we would have the good sense that God gave us to know when to keep our mouths shut. I pray for all of our military personnel and their families and a heart filled thank you goes out to each and every one. I am thankful that this country does have those people that support and help out the military wives and families left here to keep the home front going.

Thank you for listening
Proud wife of a Marine
D.F.

Dear Sgt Grit-

After reading your newsletters for the last 7 months I had to write & share some of "my pride & joy". In mid February 2006 I had the pleasure to be part of my first "Marine Homecoming" at Camp Lejeune, NC. My son is a LCpl in E Company, 2/2 Warlords & was deployed in Iraq since July 2005. Your Sgt Grit newsletters have been great & I read them all during his deployment. It is truly amazing how diverse, proud & devoted the Marine Corps Family is and I too now understand the pride at being a Marine parent. As the 5 buses full of Marines arrived, the +300 crowd went wild & erupted in cheers. While it took nearly 30 minutes for me to be reunited with my son among the hundreds of family members & Marines that "all look alike", the 7 month & 30 minute wait was worth it. By sharing the many stories & experiences in your newsletters from other parents & Marines, my wait was OK as many others had or were doing the same. Attached is a picture of what Marine Corps Family pride & joy truly look like. Keep the great newsletters & catalogs coming.

One proud Marine Dad in NJ

Sgt.- I just wanted to say a few words to the fiancé of Lance Corporal Moppin, trust me, you are not alone with the Marine Corps family...my son who is a Lance Cpl. also had his first deployment in Sept. of 2004, and my husband and I can understand everything that you are feeling...it really doesn't matter how you are related to your Marine...it is scary...but I assure you that you will find support from strangers and people that you might least expect it from...when my clients found out what I was going through, I cannot explain all the friendship and support that surrounded me from people that I just know from them coming into our clinic...it was amazing..they helped me talked about it, be proud of it, and even cried with me...my boss was amazing, and to help myself, I started my own little story of what my son was doing during his deployment, with pictures he sent home (few and far between) stories of what their unit had been doing with all the sweeps they went out on and all the success they were having, and I even posted names, dates, etc. of the brave Marines we lost from his battalion. I put this on my lab door for all that came into our clinic to see...everyone enjoyed seeing the pictures, reading the information, and the names of our lost soldiers helped them to remember all the hard work that our Marines are doing over there...it also helped me to keep the reality of what was at stake for all our soldiers over in Iraq...and to never take that brief phone call or that quick email for granted...you are doing the best thing you can do for your Marine...stay strong, don't cry to him, use all the other people for that, and just let him know that he is loved, loved, loved, not just by you, but by his country also...Thank You for his service to our Country, and Thank you for being strong...hand in there...

Beth Smith
Proud Marine Mom

The other day my brother (a junior in high school) went to the gas station in his JROTC uniform, Marine dress blues, when a lady accused him of being a baby killer. He responded with "That's not fair I haven't had the chance to baby killer yet I'm only in JROTC." Although his comeback made me laugh what this lady did troubled me. Has it really come to people in America having so little respect for our troops they believe them to be baby killers? When I read your letters I'm reminded that although there are people out there like her there more who support our troops and love our troops no matter what.

Thank you.
Shelby Gordon
Future Marine
Semper Fi

Sgt Grit,

Our unit has recently arrived in Iraq. I would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers that we saw on the way.

At March ARB, while we sat for 6 hours, the volunteers feed us, provided us with cell phones and phone cards.

When we stopped in Bangor Maine, we had a one hour layover.

When we got off the plane we were greeted by WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Gulf War vets. There were also local residents that had no military affiliation at all. (It was 0200 and freezing when we arrived) We received a round of applause, hugs and hand shakes. They also provided free phone service to anyone that wanted it.

I hope some of those that are doing this for service members all across the US see this.

We do appreciate what you are doing.

Once again, Thank you!
R/S
GySgt Rosson

I was at the airport on Feb. 19th 2006. I had just got married 6 and a half hours prior and me and my new husband were walking to the elevators, him in his dress blues and me in my wedding dress. Just before we got to the doors I saw a young woman with a red USMC sweat shirt on. she was hiding her face and I wasn't sure why until she got closer. She had tears over flowing from her eyes. I turned as she passed behind me and asked if I could give her a hug. she turn with her tear full eyes and shook her head up and down and said yes. I walked up to her and held her and patted her back trying to comfort her. She said her husband had got onto a plane that morning. She held me soo tight. We both cried and I told her I hoped for a safe return and she let go and thanked me and my husband. And we both went on our ways she had a flight to catch and so did we. My husband didn't understand who she was or why I stopped to hug her and even though I explained it I don't know if he still understands. I hugged her because I knew I would want a hug if I was in her place.

This is for any woman at the airport seeing her man leave a BIG hug for you to know you are not alone. OORAH SEMPER FI!

wife of Cpl John Raabe

"The nation which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest."
-- George Washington

Though my military draft sequence number in the early 1970s was a single digit, the war in Viet Nam subsided before I was needed so I went on to college, career and kids. For 30+ years I've worked long hours at my job and then volunteered a lot of time to community service-mostly scouts, and thought of myself as a patriotic American. Then my US Marine-now citizen-soldier- brother was deployed to Iraq. As I watched him leave his children, to stand with his brothers-in-arms between evil and me, I began to understand what little a civilian can the vast difference between an American Warrior and the rest of us who have never earned the right to wear an Army, Navy, Air Force, or United States Marine uniform. I realized that because of men like him, standing guard over my freedom and safety, I had been able to go home to my family and give my kids a hug every night. And now that it was his turn to raise his kids, I humbly realized there was no way that I could ever repay that debt. Though I had a college roommate who was in Army ROTC and I had a tremendous respect for him, I had no understanding of the true life sacrifices made by our military personnel. I'm ashamed to admit that until 2 years ago, I could not have told you the difference between a Lance Corporal's uniform insignia and that of a Lieutenant Colonel. I only learned that when one of the boy scouts who grew up at my scout camp and earned the title of Marine LCPL (though not my real son, he calls me "dad") was deployed to Iraq, and I began reading everything I could about the military forces my family were serving with. In the past two years, I've sent a couple of hundred care packages to servicemen serving in Iraq and Afghanistan-it is not much but that about all I can do as there is not a way for me to take their place even for a day. I've received many notes of thanks from Marines and soldiers I've never met who took some of the little free time they have to say thanks. It is very humbling to be thanked for a box of snacks by an American Warrior who is risking his very life to protect mine. Through the words and deeds of some young men I once taught the values of scouting, I have been taught some of the most important values of life. I offer my deepest, sincerely heartfelt thanks and gratitude to you American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marine heroes for your service and sacrifice. And humbly ask forgiveness that it took me so long to begin to understand what you have given of yourselves to America and those of us who have not, or could not, earn the right to wear the uniforms you so proudly wear. May God bless you and your families always.

A citizen of America, the land of the free,
BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE

"The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie. One word of truth outweighs the world."
-Alexander Solzhenitsyn

"[T]he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government."
-James Madison

This morning I learned of the death of a very dear lady and good friend of mine, Sister M. Aquinas Nimitz, O.P. of the Dominican College in San Rafael, California. Sister Aquinas was Mary Nimitz, youngest daughter of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. I met her many years ago and she was an absolutely delightful lady with a tremendous sense of humor. I was able to get her to speak to both my Northern California Chapter of the 1st Marine Division Association and my Thomas Jefferson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. I am sure many of you comrades remember her wonderful presentation. My wife and I would pick her up at the Convent on the College grounds and bring her to the meetings and then return her to the College. When we got back to the College we sat in the car and talked for hours. She had us laughing constantly with stories about her illustrious father. Sister Mary was a great friend to the Marine Corps and always told us how much her Dad admired the Marines. I will never forget her beautiful smile as tears trickled down her cheeks when I attended Admiral Nimitz's funeral at Golden Gate National Cemetery many years ago.

Semper Fidelis,

Ed Fulwider, Chaplain
NorCal Chapter 1stMarDiv Association

"For too long, the world was paralyzed by the argument that terrorism could not be stopped until the grievances of terrorists were addressed. The complicated and heartrending issues that perplex mankind are no excuse for violent, inhumane attacks, nor do they excuse not taking aggressive action against those who deliberately slaughter innocent people."
-Ronald Reagan

Pro-military mom silenced.

"For I agree with you that there is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents."
-- Thomas Jefferson

"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth - & the amusing thing about that is that they are"

Father Kevin Keaney
1st Marine Division Chaplin
Korean War.

Sgt Grit:
It is now March 2/06 and I just got around to reading your message of 01/25/06...I don't know HOW OR WHY but I liked it and I had to tell you.....I am a former USA MARINE 1940-46 I am 89 and my wife Fran is 81. I am just writing you to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your NEWSLETTER #115, It Was TOPS....
Mike Boyle S/Sgt Second Marine Div 1942-1946.
Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tinian, and TARAWA...
Michael A. Boyle THANKS

Sarge,
My wife and I just recently became DJ's for a GREAT Radio Station called HOOAH! Radio. We at HOOAH! Radio support the troops 24/7/365. I recommend that you check out their website when you get a chance, www.hooahradio.com One of the owners, Dom is a Veteran of the Rangers, and his and his wife's son, is currently deployed to Iraq.

Just thought I'd let you know about this great station and website.
Take care! :-)

Maverick
aka
Cory Collier
DJ
HOOAH! Radio

I have been reading your newsletter since the fall of 2004. My son became a Marine in Sept.'04. The pride is almost breathtaking at times. He was sent to Iraq in August of 2005, Camp TQ. He is due home on March 10th. Reading the other mothers' letters has helped so much. Just wanted to say thanks and I will continue to read it.

God bless all Marines!
PROUD Mom of LCpl. Drerup

My husband is a retired Marine he has been out of the Corps for 7 years now and the pride I feel still in him and the Marines will never go away. Our son could not get into the Corps and is in the Army in Germany leaving for Iraq in May. He is constantly harassed about being a Marine brat, but a Sgt handing out mail a couple of weeks ago gave him a hearty OOOHRAH and said he came from good stock being the son of a Marine. He knew our son could handle just about anything. He has not been harassed since! I wear my USMC charm daily my car says USMC Retired, and proud mother of a US solider. I am proud to be both! Semper Fi and thank you to all Marines past, current and future.
Pam

Sgt. Grit

My fiancé (a Marine) and I have friends who have 3 boys: ages 6, 3, and 8 months. Last summer we gave the boys a cadence tape, because they liked something similar that they had bored their parents with. This tape has many different cadences on it and I spent this last weekend with them, and much to my surprise when we first got in the van, the 3 year old asked for the songs, and it was the tape. Jen said every time they go anyway they listen to it and that wasn't all. I found out later that when the baby is fussy they turn on the tape and he quiets right now. And to top it off when we were outside playing the oldest would run around and say 1-2-3-4 UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS.

Who needs nursery rhymes just turn on the Marines:-)

Thanks
Kris Hendrickson
Granddaughter of a Marine and Fiancé of a Marine

"A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself."
-Joseph Pulitzer

After reading "Send Me Hershey's", I had to add my own son's experience after returning from an extended 9 month float with the 24th MEU (8/02-5/03) on board the USS NASSAU. My son LCpl. Wm. Anthony Worley was home for the 4th of July holiday 2004 and had been told his unit would be heading to Iraq 9/04. On this special day he surprised his grandfather by showing up at Church to participate in a Patriotic program and one of his high school classmates approached him to say "Hello" and "Welcome Home", etc. He went back to base and she asked his grandfather for his address on base @ Camp Lejeune, NC. When he was deployed to Iraq, school had started back around here and she was teaching 2nd graders at a local elementary school. She again asked for Anthony's address and started having her "kids" writing him and sending him packages. When he returned 2/18/05, he had to stay around base to be de-briefed and all for 2 weeks then he was able to get home for 10 days. First night home he calls the school teacher and asks for a date. He goes to school to see his "kids" and takes pics, coins, maps, etc for them to look at and answer questions. Now one year later the "Marine" and "School Teacher" will be married June 17, 2006. GOD BLESS ALL. SEMPER FI.

Once a Marine Mom, always a Marine Mom. Lynne Worley

Sir Winston Churchill's comment on Islam, from The River War, first edition, Vol. II, pages 248 50 (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1899).

"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property a child, a wife, or a concubine must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen; all know how to die; but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science (the science against which it had vainly struggled) the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome."

Remember, this was written 106 years ago. Not much has changed.

Submitted by: F Curran

Greetings Sgt. Grit:
I just received an email from friends who live in Arizona. Their son left yesterday for MCRD San Diego. His last thoughts to his mom were to read Psalm 144. She sent it to me and I looked it up. It is an awesome and fitting bit of writing. I think it very apropos for our times. I typed it right here into this email.

I hope you see what I see. As always, Joe Doherty (61 - 66)

Psalm 144

Praise be to the Lord my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
Oh Lord, what is man that you care for him,
the son of man that you think of him?
Man is like a breath;
his days are like a fleeting shadow.
Part your heavens, O Lord, and come down;
touch the mountains so that they smoke.
Send forth lightning and scatter the enemies;
shoot your arrows and rout them.
Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
I will sing a new song to you O God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David from the deadly sword.
Deliver me and rescue me from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.
Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields;
our oxen will draw heavy loads.
There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity,
no cry of distress in our streets.
Blessed are the people of whom this is true;
blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.

I went to the store tonight and there were only three registers open for a big grocery store and as usual, I was waiting in line. The store manager came up to me and grabbed the front of my cart and pulled me to a closed line where a cashier was standing with her light off. I was really confused, but thought WOW, how nice . She checked me out and never turned on her light. I though that was really strange since she never turned on her light for other customers. Then she walked away from the register after checking me out. It wasn't until I got home that I realized that I had My Son Is A Marine T-shirt On. I talked to him later tonight and he is a RETIRED Marine. I told him that I didn't expect special treatment. I didn't really feel I deserved it. He said I was part of the family. I thanked him graciously. That was so endearing to me. I really didn't know how to respond, except to thank him again. I now know I am part of the family of the BEST and I thank my son and all those before him, those who are now active, and those who will choose to be part of the BEST.

Semper Fi My Heroes!
B. Miller (MOM)

Sgt. Grit.
Just wanted to drop a line a word of Thanks received my order last week stickers and The T-shirt "Corporal of Marines" You should of been there, I took the wife and daughter out to dinner one night there were some Air force recruits having dinner with their families at a local Village Inn restaurant you should've seen them "snap to". My daughter only 13 asked me why I told her, Your Dad is a Marine. So against my wife's wishes I bought them they're dinner. Thanks again Sarge.
HB, Cpl of Marines '85-'89 '90-'91

"In the United States there is no phenomenon more threatening to popular government than the unwillingness of newspapers to give the facts to their readers."
-Nelson Antrim Crawford

Honor never grows old, and honor rejoices the heart of age. It does so because honor is, finally, about defending those noble and worthy things that deserve defending, even if it comes at a high cost. In our time, that may mean social disapproval, public scorn, hardship, persecution, or as always, even death itself.

The question remains: What is worth defending? What is worth dying for? What is worth living for?
William J. Bennett, U.S. Naval Academy, 1997

Arthur Chrenkoff content analysis of a typical day (January 21, 2005, and counted this breakout of freshly published stories on Iraq:

1992 covering terrorist attacks
289 about American casualties or civilian deaths in Iraq
216 tales of hostages in Iraq
761 reports on public statements by terrorists
217 stories worrying over the validity of the upcoming January 30 Iraqi election
27 mentions of oil pipeline sabotage
887 essays alleging prisoner abuse by the British
357 on U.S. anti-war protestors
121 speculations on a possible American pullout
118 articles about strains with European nations
123 quoting Vice President Cheney saying he had under-estimated reconstruction needs
2642 item on a Senate grilling of Condoleezza Rice over Iraq policy

Balanced against these negative stories, Chrenkoff's computer search found a grand total of 96 comparatively positive reports related to Iraq:

16 reports on successful operations against insurgents
7 hopeful stories about Iraqi elections
73 describing return of missing Iraqi antiquities

The American Enterprise, March 2006

3rd Annual National U.S. Marine Corps Family Conference

"United in Honor"
July 28-30, 2006
Raleigh, North Carolina
Embassy Suites Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle East

The third annual National Marine Corps Family Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, July 28-30, 2006 is gearing up and now accepting registrations.

"United in Honor" is the theme of this year's conference in Raleigh, and it truly represents the Marine Corps family. The weekend will be full of activities, a variety of workshops, entertainment, Jeff Treece Band, exhibits & vendors, military displays, speakers, authors and much more. The weekend is a nationwide conference open to spouses, parents, children, and anyone interested.

With sons, daughters, and spouses fighting overseas, the need to come together is vital to deal with issues and support one another. A parent or spouse of a United States Marine is not only proud of the Marine's service to our country but on a personal level, equally proud of the training, values and principles that the Marine Corps instills.

To register: www.marineparentsunited.com or call: (608)455-7276 or (608)513-1966

To request an information packet: (260) 636- 3102 or email schoon @ ligtel .com

Contacts:
Marcia Gould ( Indiana) songbird @ ccrtc .com (765) 795-3584
Rod Schoon (Indiana) rschoon @ ashinmold .com (260)349- 5356
Paula Zwillinger ( New York ) mommini68 @ aol .com
Marva Lyons (California) LadyDiEb @ aol .com(510)223-8487

Modern life in Western countries has also become so privileged and protected that it is hard to convince affluent suburbanites that shooting and bombing your way to power remains a norm in much of the world. Wealthy moderns too often imagine that issues of governance, religion, and tribal affiliation are solved through talk shows, lawsuits, or "60 Minutes" reports. Mostly, though these conflicts abroad continue to be settled through violence.

Victor Davis Hanson

The Marine Executive Association is forming the Atlanta, Ga. MEA chapter that will institutionalize job transition assistance for Marines within the Atlanta Ga. Area. The Chapter will hold its Professional Networking and Chapter forming luncheon at the Blue Point Restaurant on Atlanta's Peach Tree Rd. The MEA is a 501(c)(19) not for profit organization that assists Marines by providing advice and assistance on: resume preparation and review; interview techniques and tips; and job networking and search techniques. POC for the Luncheon is Chris Miller Chris @ AtlantaExecutive .com or at 678-867-0585. MEA membership and other queries should be addressed to Tim Murphy timurf @ adelphia .net or at 304-876-8133.

We have a strategy drawn up for the destruction of Anglo-Saxon civilization.
-Hassan Abbasi, Iran

Dear Marine,
I am so happy that I found your website! My son joined the Marines Christmas of 2004. He completed boot camp March of 2005. After a lot of prayers and tears wept over this boy because of his "adventurous" teenage years he finally made the choice to become a Marine. I was never so proud and so elated and so relieved that he was doing something of this magnitude with his life. I want to cry when I think about it too much. Not out of fear for his safety, but out of pride for the Corps, for the Marines have made a man out of my little boy. It has given my son a reason to be. I did not recognize him when I went to graduation in San Diego. He changed, his attitude changed, his heart changed. So I though I would drop a note to you and I would like you to pass it along to anyone who would care:

Thank you from the bottom of a mom's heart
Thank you for being a man
Thank you for your willingness to step up
Thank you for your service and your protection
Thank you for putting in every grueling minute of every grueling day
Thank you for the sleepless days and nights
Thank you for the endless and tiring sacrifices of your comforts
Thank you for the time away from your family for us.

The words thank you don't seem to be enough to express my heart, but there is great sincerity in them. On a lighter note. I almost joined the Marines after graduation from high school in 1984 even though it wasn't exactly cool for girls to do that then. If I had it to do all over again I probably would have not let the fact that I couldn't wear make up and ring my hot rollers stop me! Ha! Ha! I would like some advice if you don't mind. Please email me back and I will pose the question so I don't force myself on you and I don't take up any more of your time.

A Marine Mom,
Alicia

Girlfriend of a Marine

Sit Down, Shut Up, and Let My Marine Do His Job