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MarineParents.com Newsletter
a Place to Connect & Share 
In This Issue
Deployment Learning Center
Homecoming Learning Center
Bootcamp Learning Center
Marine Corps T-Shirts & Gifts
Please Visit Our Sponsors
New PO Box for Operation PAL™
Your FRO is trying to connect with you
The 3rd Annual Jerabek Memorial Challenge
Join Team Marine Parents™
Chat with Dr. Cantrell Tonight
Unit Chat Night
Father's Day Gift Idea
Operation Sock Attack!
3/6 Marines in Iraq
Wear Red Friday
$5 Coupon Hurry, Expires June 1!
Support Our Marines!
 
 
Purple Heart Hero Support™ an Outreach Program of Marine Parents.com
 
 
Team Marine Parents, an Outreach Program of Marine Parents.com 
Team Marine Parents™
 
Show your support of our Marines and their families at home! Participate in one of the MarineParents.com Outreach Programs today!  Our Marines need YOU!
Support for You:
a Place to
Connect & Share™
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Learning Center:
Operations Security
Operations Security OPSEC

NOTE: When communicating online, your Marine's privacy is as important as Operations Security. Please respect YOUR Marine's privacy!

Learning Center:
About Deployment
 
 
(from your Marine, with the USMC, and with other families)
 
(tips, tricks and money savers for mailing to YOUR Marine)
 
(bills, taxes, legal issues, injuries, notification from the Marine Corps)
 
 
Learning Center:
About Homecoming
 
 
 
 
 
(Tip: While in our store, check in your Marine's unit store for more homecoming shirts!)
Learning Center:
Bootcamp
 
 
 
 
Local Support Groups in Your Area
NEWEST SUPPORT GOUPS:
 
Anaheim Hills, CA
(Orange County Area)
 
Eagle River, AK
 
San Bruno, CA
(San Mateo County Area)
Click Here...
 
For a list of all support groups in our database or to find one in your area, see:
 
If you are interested in starting a local support group in your area, please visit the "Support Groups" section of our website:
 
Marine Corps Spirit
T-shirts, Gifts & More
Show your Marine Corps spirit and pride!  Proceeds from sales support MarineParents.com, an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marines The Few The Proud
For Father's Day:
The Few The Proud The Father of a United States Marine
Visit Our Sponsors
Sign Up for the Newsletter
Join Our Mailing List
May 29, 2008
Dear Marine Families,

If this is the first edition of the MarineParents.com Newsletter you have received, WELCOME! If you are a returning reader we are glad you have joined us.

The Memorial Day Weekend has given us all an opportunity to reflect on ways to support our Military Personnel, past and present.  For those families reading our newsletter with sons and daughters serving in the Marine Corps, the holiday weekend was not just a day off work on Monday, but rather a time to thank our own children for their service and sacrifice.  The spouses and families realize first-hand the sacrifices of those waiting at home.
 
This edition of the newsletter focuses on deployments, with a new article from our Family Readiness Officer (FRO) Columnist, Denise Cullum.
 
Our next next newsletter will come out on June 11, 2008 and each 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month thereafter.
New PO Box for Operation Prayers and Letters™
Operation PAL, an Outreach Program of Marine Parents.comUpdate Your Address Book
Operation PAL™ administration has moved! If you've already sent cards to the old address they will be forwarded but help us spread the word to start using this address as of now:

Operation PAL™
PO Box 1115
Columbia, MO 65205

Thank you to all who have submitted cards and letters to our Marines and Corpsmen so they know we support them in their recoveries. If you hear of anyone looking for a summer project, or something to do with the children during 'quiet time', our wounded and ill would love to hear from you.
 

Your FRO is trying to connect with you; are there?

 

From Our Columnist, Denise Cullum

Denise Cullum is the Family Readiness Officer for the 7th Marine Regiment out of Twentynine Palms, California. Denise will be writing a column on topics related to deployment, homecomings, and communication with the Marine Corps. Her expertise in Marine Family Readiness will provide much-needed insight direct to our families. Her first column follows:
 
"I am excited to tell you that we are in the final stages of being able to get information to thousands of Service members and their families in a matter of minutes.
"3N Company (AT&T) has contracted with Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) to provide our Mass Communication System (MCT). Each Service member is being asked to submit their contact information for uploading into a web-based system that will allow the Family Readiness Officers (FRO's) to send information to their trusted Family Members. Service members are required to provide at least one "Family Member" contact, defined by Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) as: The Family you are "Born into" (parents, custodial, in parentis loco, etc), "Sworn into" (Military), or "Married into" (spouse)."
 
The 3rd Annual Jerabek Memorial Challenge
The Jerabek ChallengeNEW Team Marine Parents™ Event in the Midwest  
Saturday August 9th, 2008  Hobart Wisconsin ~ Near Green Bay
 
Please join us for the 3rd Annual Jerabek Challenge Memorial Run/Walk and Marine Parents Potluck Picnic.
Registration is open now! Just $15 for adults and $7 for kids under 18.  Early registration ends June 30th.
 
This event is organized by Gold Star Marine Parents Ken & Rita Jerabek to honor their son PFC Ryan Jerabek, all our current active duty members of the military and veterans.  This event features a leisurely 4 mile walk or a run for those who are more ambitious.  The route will take you over the steps that Ryan ran in preparation to join the Marines.  Ryan's Marine brother Nick who is stationed at Camp Lejeune and Marines in Iraq will also be doing "the run" that day since they couldn't be in Hobart.
 
Join Team Marine Parents™!
Team Marine Parents BrochureGrab Your PT Gear and Set Your Goal! 
You are cordially invited to take part in a challenging event to show your community that you support our troops! Team Marine Parents™ is ramping up for the best season yet and we want you to join us!
 
Whether you are a seasoned runner or casual walker, there's an event for you to participate in. Whether you choose the meaningful Jerabek Challenge, the popular Marine Corps Marathon or 10k in Washington, DC, or the fun of the Bootcamp Challenge in San Diego, it's a great way to show your support of our Marines and hook up with fellow Marine Parents for a fun and challenging time.
 
Chat with Dr. Cantrell Tonight
Dr. Bridget CantrellThursday, May 29, 2008 
On Thursday, May 29, 2008 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (central time), we invite you to chat online with Dr. Bridget Cantrell, author and expert on homecomings, PTSD, and combat recovery. The chat will be held in the MarineParents.com Chat Room. It is free and open to the public.
 
Dr. Cantrell is co-author of the critically acclaimed Downrange to Iraq and Back, and the new Once a Warrior: Wired for Life.  Click to learn more...
Unit Chat Night
Is Your Marine's Unit Deployed? 
EGAIf your Marine's unit is currently deployed to a combat zone and you want to connect with those families, check out the Unit Chat Night schedule on MarineParents.com.
 
We currently have Unit Chat's for the following deployed units:
 
Sunday evening for 3/4, 2/7 and 1/9.

Tuesday evening for the 2nd LAR, 1/6, and 24th MEU.
 
Wednesday evening for 1/5, 2/24 and 11th MEU.

Thursday evening for 3/6 and Friday evening for 2/3.
 
Father's Day Gift Ideas
For the Father's of Marines and for Marine Fathers on Father's Day this year
Marine Corps Chef Gift BoxThere is a chef in every Marine Corps Family! Treat your favorite Marine Corps chef to this ooh-rah collection of chef gear featuring United States Marine Corps ensignia and labeling. The entire gift collection is $53.95 which includes priority mail shipping to any US address or APO/FPO address. Our Marine Corps Chef Gift Box makes a great gift or buy one for yourself to add to your collection of Ooh Rah spirit items!  
 
 
Save $5 on orders of $50 or more in our Cafe Press online stores. Check out our designs for Dad:  

Proud Dad, Proud Dad of 2, Proud Father

 
Use Coupon Code JUDGEAPRIL by June 1 to save $5.  All proceeds from sales of shirts go to MarineParents.com, Inc. an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity.  Click here for shirt designs...
Operation Sock Attack!
THANK YOU:  You raised 708 pair!
 
Natl Military Appreciation Month Covert Threads Operation Sock Attack
We're on our way to getting the best socks made to Marines in Iraq!
 
Ten years ago May was designated as "National Military Appreciation Month," an idea intended to bring Americans together around its military family with the intent to honor, remember, recognize and appreciate all branches of the military that have served and are presently serving.
 
This year during Military Appreciation Month we're asking each person to donate a pair of Covert Threads socks for Marines stationed overseas. Covert Threads are the very best socks available for our Marines in hot climates. What better way to show them you appreciate them than by helping to take care of their feet during the hot summer months in desert climates.
 
We've raised enough to purchase 647 pair. Covert Threads will donate 161 additional pair. We'll be shipping them to our the Marines overseas on June 7.
 
If you would like to purchase online for us to ship to Marines, go to: MarineParentsInc.com/nmam-covert.asp. All major credit cards are accepted.
 
3/6 Marines in Iraq
 3/6 Weapons Company Iraq May 2008Article Subheading
5/15/2008  By Cpl. Chris Lyttle, 3rd Battalion (3/6) 
AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq  - 
 
Sgt. Dennis K. Derr II stands in front of a stainless steel-faced electric coffee brewer in the briefing room with a bitter look on his face. As he stirs the cup with his desirable amount of cream and sugar, three coffee bags of three different brands from three far-away countries lay open on the table. Marines coming in and out throughout the course of the day probably mixed together various flavors in the same brewer at separate times by accident.
 
"Is it too much to ask to stick to just one kind of coffee," Derr ranted out loud. He picks up a more familiar brand to him, one with no special flavor or roast, from under the table and he scans the label. "This is all you need, right here. People should just stick with this and stop brewing up all this stuff I can't even pronounce."

Exotic brands of coffee brew that were probably sent from the United States in care packages are of little interest to Derr. He is more of the simplistic type who is satisfied with having the basic necessities to live off of in a combat zone- that and your average cup of coffee he says shouldn't be too much to ask.
 
Support Our Troops: Wear Red on Friday
Wear Red on Friday
 
Join the "Wear Red Friday" campaign to show your support of our troops!  We've opened up a brand new line in our online store--you get the quality and service you've come to expect, and you can help encourage those in your community to "Support Our Troops: Wear Red on Friday!"  We've got yard signs and red t-shirts for every family member and everyone in your office! Check it out today:
 
 
 
Remember, all proceeds from sale of products in our stores go to support the organization MarineParents.com, Inc. and our outreach projects. MarineParents.com is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) Public Charity.

We hope this week's edition of our email newsletter has been useful for you and your family. If there are topics you would like us to address, or if you have other suggestions for the newsletter, please contact us.

The banner used at the top of this newsletter is an May, 2008 USMC Photo by Cpl. Chris Lyttle at AL ANBAR PROVINCE, Iraq of Sgt. Dennis K. Derr II (left), Section A leader, Mobile Assault Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team-1. Click here to read accompanying story.

MarineParents.com, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity. MarineParents.com, Inc. was founded in January, 2003 in response to parents' needs to find information and to have a Place to Connect & Share™ with one another during deployments. Our free online services and connections have expanded to support and educate Marine moms & dads, spouses, families and friends and we'll be offering the 4th National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri on August 9, 2008. We've helped over 40,000 Marine and recruit families during bootcamp, training, active duty and deployments. We've shipped thousands of care packages overseas to our Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan, sent thousands of prayers and letters to injured Marines and served hundreds of lunches to families caring for their Marines at Bethesda Hospital. You've found a Place to Connect & Share™.
God Bless and Semper Fidelis,
 

Tracy Della Vecchia
Founder and Executive Director
MarineParents.com, Inc.
 
Neither the United States Marine Corps nor any other component of the Department of Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this service.
$5 Off Coupon
Receive $5 off any order of $50 or more. Enter coupon code JUDGEAPRIL at checkout. Restrictions apply. Limited time only. Visit the web site for more details.
 
HURRY! Offer expires June 1!
 
NOTE: All proceeds are used in support of MarineParents.com, Inc., an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity.
New "Heart USMC" Design! Check these out!