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MarineParents.com Newsletter
a Place to Connect & Share 
In This Issue
Deployment Learning Center
Homecoming Learning Center
Please Visit Our Sponsors
Time for Holiday Shopping
A Citizen's Duty
Combat Recovery Chat
USS New York Brought to Life
Nearly $9,000 Raised!
New Book! First One Home
Focus Group for Marine Parents
How Does Your State Stack Up?
$5 Off Coupon, Expires November 16th!
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:
 
Miami, FL
 
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
 
Visit Our Sponsors
Sign Up for the Newsletter
Join Our Mailing List 
November 11, 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.
 
I'm writing this introduction as I get ready to attend my first ever Marine Corps Ball.  I'm excited, as always, to be in the company of Marines--the men and women that defend our freedom.  But what is even more keene for me on this birthday celebration, is that the Marines have been defending our country for 234 years. That's a lot of years, and they've done it right from the beginning.  Though that seems to be a huge accomplishment to you and I and the civilians looking on, the Marines really don't see it as a big deal. It's just another day at the office for them.
 
I have a hundred thank you's to say tonight to the few and the proud. But I know going into the game that every Marine will tell me it's not necessary to thank them as they are only doing their job.
 
To all of the Marines, and to all of the Veterans celebrating the last two days, thank you for your service to our great nation! Ooh Rah!
The Well of Fortitude
From Our Director, Tracy Della Vecchia 
 
The Well of Fortitude From Marine ParentsIn the space and time that is MarineParents.com the organization, we've only been around for about seven years. In that time, we've learned from one another, not only how to get through bootcamp and deployments, but how to help one another and our Marines when the going gets tough.
 
It seems each day there are new needs being presented to us as an organization and we have to carefully pick and choose how we'll spend our resources in time and money to assure we're providing the best quality support we can, and in the areas that matter the most within our mission statement. That has never been more apparent for me than in the last few weeks here at the corporate office.
 
We've attended a whirlwind of events in the last weeks of October, starting with an event held at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia to remember our fallen heroes...
 
Time for Holiday Shopping
Support Marines When You Shop This Year
 
Holiday Shopping: Support Marines When You ShopThe holiday season is upon us and it's time to Deck the Halls with Yellow Ribbons!
 
The season of giving challenges us to find unique and memorable gifts for our friends and family.
 
MarineParents.com has many gift items available for purchase so your giving can show two-fold generosity: for your loved ones plus giving back to MarineParents.com, Inc. for our many Outreach Programs to support Marines and their families.
 
We've provided a selection of items on our "Christmas Catalog" page for your shopping ease. You're sure to find gifts to please the Marine Corps enthusiast on your list!
 
 
Use Cafe Press coupon code ATTICSWORLD to save $5 on an order of $50 or more through November 16.
A Citizen's Duty
Family and Friends Spotlight 
  
Family and Friends Spotlight: A Citizen's DutyA message from a Marine brother on Veteran's Day:
 
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the fighting paused.  There was an armistice, a break in the fighting, and a signal of the end of the Great War.  Indeed, it was the greatest war the world of 1918 had ever seen.  Some even called it, "the War to End All Wars."  But we know better.

A year later President Woodrow Wilson asked the United States of America to consider November 11 a day for "solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service . . . ."  He chose his words carefully.  Solemn pride.  Not the pride of fame or success, but the pride of a flag draped over a soldier's coffin; the pride of a son's eulogy, a daughter's memory, a worthy sacrifice.  The pride we humbly accept as both gift and burden, from those who need us to feel their pride for them.
 
But with that pride comes a parasitic question-why?  Why must we accept solemn pride when we would gladly trade the yellow ribbon, the gold star, the folded flag, to get back our sons, our daughters, our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers, our families and our friends?
Learn about Combat Recovery
Chat with Dr. Bridget Cantrell 
 
Columnist Bridget CantrellTomorrow, November 12th, 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 offers a wealth of knowledge and experience. Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to learn how YOU can spot the symptoms of PTSD in your Marine. 
USS New York Brought to Life
Steel from World Trade Center Reborn
 
USS New York Brought to LifeThousands who lost their lives eight years ago were immortalized today during the commissioning of USS New York.

Hundreds poured onto Pier 88 in Manhattan to take part in the event that brought the newest ship in the Navy's fleet to life. The largest in its class, USS New York has 7 ½ tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center forged in its bow.
 
The commissioning of a naval vessel is a time of celebration that welcomes the ship and crew to the fleet.

"This unique ship is a symbol of the resiliency and character of the American people," said Dotty England, the ship's sponsor.
 
"It will also be a constant reminder of our Nation's commitment to defend life and liberty for our own citizens and for millions around the world."
 
Nearly $9,000 Raised!
Marine Parents at Marine Corps Marathon
 
Nearly $9,000 Raised! Team Marine Parents at Marine Corps Marathon and 10KA grand total of $8,807 was raised for Marine Parents outreach programs by twenty one enthusiastic Team Marine Parents™ participants from several different states across the nation. 
 
The furthest distance traveled by participants was from Seattle Washington - about as far away from Washington D.C. as you can get!

The event kicked off with a tour of the White House the day before the race.  It was an amazing walk through beautifully decorated rooms where history has been made and our leaders have stood. 
 
Later in the day the athletes finally had a chance to meet one another at our Team Marine Parents™ reception.
 
New Book! First One Home
Signed Copies Available Now!
 
New Book! First One Home: First One to SurviveFrom the Founder of Marine Parents, Tracy Della Vecchia

"Joe's plight, and Barbara's telling of it is much more than just a touching story.
 
It is an inspirational story, a success story, a story about family and the medical community working together to enable a young man to recover as much as possible in the face of adversity - a young man whose determination took him from being wheelchair-bound to being a hand-cyclist completing the Marine Corps Marathon in just six sort months.
 
It's a story that made me cry and laugh and rejoice, and I tell it over and over with much pride and admiration."
 
Each time you purchase merchandise from Marine Parents, proceeds from your purchase support our outreach services and programs.
 
Marine Parents Outreach Programs 
Focus Group for Parents of Marines
Marine Corps Family Team Building
 
Focus Group for Parents of MarinesAll proud parents of Marines are invited to attend the first Camp Pendleton Parents Focus Group.
 
Saturday, December 5th
0900 - 1200
 
San Lius Rey MCFTB Family Readiness Center - Bldg 1795
 
If you're in the area, please make it a point to attend this event. Discuss topics and ideas to improve the communication and support you receive as an involved Marine Corps parent.
 
How Does Your State Stack Up? 
All-States Care Package Sponsors 
 
How Does Your State Stack Up? All-States Care Package SponsorsTexas is tough to catch - they're up to 21 care packages!
 
California is next in line with 14 sponsorships. And there's a tie between Alabama and Missouri, both states with 7 packages.
 
Some states yet to be represented include North Carolina, Mississippi, Kansas, Georgia and Iowa.
 
Is your state represented?
 
 
A special thank you goes out to ALL our care package sponsors - Thank YOU for supporting our Marines.
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. Aaron Diamant of a Marine sitting on the open ramp of a KC-130J Hercules as a CH-53E Super Stallion refuels over the southern Arizona desert. 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$5 Off 
Coupon!
Receive $5 off any order of $50 or more. Enter coupon code ATTICSWORLD
 
HURRY! Offer Expires November 16!
 
 
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!