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MarineParents.com Newsletter
a Place to Connect & Share 
In This Issue
Deployment Learning Center
Homecoming Learning Center
Marine Corps T-Shirts & Gifts
Please Visit Our Sponsors
Commandant's Birthday Message
Land of the Free. . .
Many to Thank Saturday
Wounded Warriors Return to Iraq
Runner's High
Thank You Defending Freedom
Save the Date
EGA Embroidered Apron
How Does Your State Stack Up?
Operation PAL™ News
Wear Red Friday
$10 Coupon Hurry, Two Days Only!
Support for You:
a Place to
Connect & Share™
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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!
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
 
 
 
 
 
 
Learning Center:
About Homecoming
 
 
 
 
 
(Tip: While in our store, check in your Marine's unit store for more homecoming shirts!)
Unit Chat Nights 

Unit Chat Night Schedule:

Sunday: 3/9 
Monday: 2nd LAR, 2/8
Wednesday: 2/1, 5/10, 3/4
Thursday: 1/5

For additional information about the Chat Room and Unit Chat Nights for your Marine's Unit, please see:
MarineParents.com Chat Gif 
Local Support Groups in Your Area
NEWEST SUPPORT GROUPS:
 
Salem, OR
 
Brownwood, TX

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 support Marine Parents.
 
 
 
 
 
Marines The Few The Proud
 
From Founder Tracy Della Vecchia on The Gift of Valor and Jason Dunham:
If you've not yet had an opportunity to read this amazing story, I encourage you to do so.  This is more than courage; it exemplifies the morale and character of the Marine Corps. 
Mike Phillips Gift of Valor Medal of Honor Jason Dunham
Visit Our Sponsors
Sign Up for the Newsletter
Join Our Mailing List 
October 28, 2009
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 Marine Corps' 234th birthday is November 10. We want to extend a Happy Birthday wish to Marines past and present, and to Marine Corps families around the world. The pride in the Corps runs deep, and for our family, continues to grow stronger by the year.
 
I've just come back from a trip to Washington, DC where my husband and I were able to meet Marine Corps families who participated in Team Marine Parents™ to raise funds for our outreach programs during the Marine Corps Marathon. The part that was so amazing to us was the Marine Corps pride we saw throughout the city. I literally spent the weekend wiping tears of pride from the corner of my eyes at every event we attended and every museum we visited.
 
I attended an event with more than fifty gold star families as we honored and remembered their sons. I witnessed the reunion of three medics and two injured Marines who had not seen each other since the field hospital in Iraq. I watched over 35,000 runners take off from the starting line at the Marine Corps Marathon.
 
Simply put, I am humbled to be a part of something that is so much bigger than myself. I love this family and am so very proud to share this 234th birthday with all of you. God Bless and Semper Fi!
Commandant's Birthday Message 
Celebrating Corps' 234th Birthday
 
Commandant's 2009 Birthday MessageWe're wishing Marines everywhere a "Happy Birthday" this November 10th. In the spirit of that celebration, we'd like to share the Commandant's 2009 birthday message.
 
General James T. Conway opens his message for the 234th Marine Corps Birthday with praise for our Marines:
 
"United States Marines represent the best young men and women our Nation has to offer."
 
He speaks of the Marine Corps' history, as well as its future; and he makes a special mention of Marine Corps families - "the unsung heroes who endure hardship and sacrifice so that we are able to go forward and accomplish any mission."
 
Visit our website to read the letter in full. Click here...
Land of the Free. . .
Because of the Brave - The Few The Proud 
 
Land of the Free because of the Brave"Celebrate! Land of the Free because of the Brave - the Few THE PROUD"
 
This popular design offers endless options: t-shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, steins, baby bibs, trucker hats, mouse pads and more.
 
Have the large design printed in the center of your shirt, or printed smaller on the left breast. Choose the design with or without the text "Celebrate!"
 
 
Two days only!
Use Coupon code GIVEMETEN to save $10 on an order of $50 or more through October 30.
Many to Thank Saturday
Care Packages & Ribbon Cutting  
 
Many to Thank Saturday - Care Packages & Ribbon CuttingThis Saturday, October 31st, we will ship 1100 care packages to Marines in combat zones through The Care Package Project™.

In conjunction with the packing day, we will host an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

If you've followed our story you know the Marine Parents corporate office was forced to move early this year. We found ourselves facing the challenge of renovating a warehouse into workable office space - it has been a long and often challenging journey.

Through the support and dedication of Marine Corps families, friends, and supporters, as well as active duty and former Marines, the new Marine Parents corporate office is now located in the very space where an empty warehouse stood nine months ago.

It's time to celebrate and offer a heartfelt thank you to all who made it possible.  
 
 
Wounded Warriors Return to Iraq
Meet and Inspire Fellow Warriors
 
Marines HeadlinesEight wounded service members returned to Iraq for Operation Proper Exit.
 
The seven soldiers and one Marine, who visited Diyala Province, Iraq, were able to see some of the progress their sacrifices helped create.
 
Private 1st Class Nicholas tells the story from Washington.
 
To watch the video, click the image or click here... 
Runner's High
Attention on Deck: The Voice of Our Marines 
 
Runner's High Attention on Deck: The Voice of Our MarinesA Marine uses poetry to express a "Runner's High."
 
See below:
 
The sunrise illuminates the island,

as I quickly run to the beat of a Marine Corps cadence,
toward the Carolina sunrise.

A runner's high. Winding roads, I run alone. Inhaling and exhaling.
 
 
Does your Marine have something unique to share?
 
Email us at: mp@marineparents.com and be sure to put "Attention on Deck: The Voice of Our Marines" in the subject line!
Thank You Defending Freedom
Over $28,000 Raised Since 2005
 
Thank You Defending FreedomWe'd like to thank DefendingFreedom.net for the amazing opportunity to partner with them.

Since implementation on June 17, 2005, our partnership in the Defending Freedom program has raised over $28,000 to support shipping costs for The Care Package Project™.

We're proud to be among the charities Defending Freedom supports and we thank YOU - our Marine Corps families - for purchasing countless wristbands over the past four years.

If you'd like to learn more about our partnership with Defending Freedom, or if you're interested in wearing a wristband to show your support, Click here...  
Combat Recovery Chat Night
Save the Date - November 12th 
 
Columnist Bridget CantrellDr. Cantrell will hold her next chat night  Thursday, November 12, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.
 
Mark your calendar and take advantage of this incredible opportunity to learn the signs of PTSD and much more.
 
EGA Embroidered Chef's Apron
Just in Time for the Holidays!
 
EGA Embroidered ApronBack by popular demand and just in time for the holidays!

This red chef's apron is outstanding quality and beautifully embroidered with a gold Eagle, Globe and Anchor.

It's a true classic and a must-have for any Marine family kitchen.
 
Each time you purchase merchandise from Marine Parents, proceeds from your purchase support our outreach services and programs.
 
Marine Parents Outreach Programs 
How Does Your State Stack Up? 
All-States Care Package Sponsors 
 
California - All-States Challenge for Care Package SponsorsThe "Lone Star State" of Texas is still leading the pack - sponsoring 18 care packages per month!
 
Other states among the leaders include Michigan, California, Alabama and Missouri.
 
Some states yet to be represented include North Carolina, Mississippi, Kansas, Georgia and Arizona.
 
 
A special thank you goes out to ALL our care package sponsors - Thank YOU for supporting our Marines.
Operation PAL™ News
Check Out Our Newest Publication

Operation PAL: Prayers and Letters News

The first edition of Operation PAL™ News released Thursday, October 15, 2009. Watch for the second edition tomorrow! 
 
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:
 
 
 
We've added a new design. Red shirts with white letters on the front:
"Red Friday...it's a military thing"
 
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 October, 2009 USMC Photo by Lance Cpl. John McCall of Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines searching a vehicle at a vehicle checkpoint in Afghanistan. Click here to read additional credits. 
 
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 our 6th Conference in New Orleans in April, 2010. 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.
Cammo Marines$10 Off 
Coupon!
Receive $10 off any order of $50 or more. Enter coupon code GIVEMETEN
 
HURRY! Two days only, expires October 30!
 
NOTE: All proceeds are used in support of MarineParents.com, Inc., an IRS approved 501(c)(3) public charity.
Marines and EGA in desert cammo! Check these out!