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November 27, 2006



Tribute from a former Marine

Roger Mastrorillo is a former Marine who served in Vietnam and he has created a video in tribute to all who serve. He writes, "Todays young Marines are outstanding and I am very proud of how well they carry on the Marine Corp tradition." Oohrah!

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Supporting our Marines as they fight the War on Terrorism

Christmas is approaching and Operation Santa packages are arriving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Here's a letter from 2/8 Echo Company 1st Sgt. Adam Moore who received Christmas stockings for his Marines recently:

I wanted to take this time to THANK all of you for making our holiday a beautiful one. This time a year I have over a hundred Marines most of them under the age of 25. Some are experiencing there first tour in a combat zone where some are experiencing there third like myself. What you are doing is greatly appreciated by myself and the Marines of my company. Together with your support we can win this War on Terrorism! Everything is being used from the candy to the hygiene items and the stuff stockings. It gives them the Christmas spirit considering the most we ever see as an Infantry Unit is plenty of sand. We love our job of keeping Americans safe. To give you an idea, 13 Marines have reenlisted here in Iraq. This is a big deal when they know we are coming back in January 2008.

Additionally I want to extend my best wishes for a safe Holiday to you and your families! When do we come home? Shortly after the holidays. If your organization is sending more packages just remember after 15 December it will be extremely difficult to get them here on time. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

Semper Fidelis means "Always Faithful"!

"Power of the Diamond"
First Sergeant
Echo Company
2D Battalion 8th Marines

It's not too late to get involved. We're still raising money to cover postage - click the Paypal link at right to donate online, or send your check to the Marine Corps Family Foundation, 4000 Lancaster Blvd. Suite 57, Salem, OR 97309. Your dollars will go directly to troop support.

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November 25, 2006



Camosocks for your favorite Marine

Bob Gilead, a former Marine and proud Marine dad has designed a very special gift for Marines and the people who love them:

Bob wrote:

I am a Marine (1963-1967) and the father of my Marine daughter Elizabeth just back from Okinawa. I am the owner of a small company called TERK Designs. The only item I sell is the CAMOSOCK.

I designed the first one in 2004 to send my daughter something special her first Christmas as a Marine. I received so many compliments on the stocking I deceided to try and make it available to Marines, family and friends who love the Marine Corps.

I have the stockings manufactured for me by a company in Allentown, PA . They do a beautiful job. They are not a craft item.

This is my first year selling the stockings and I am working alone. I have sold them to the MCX, Marine Association, Marine Heritage Foundation, Sgt. Grit, The Wives Gift Shop in Okinawa and other independent retailers around the country.

I committed earlier this year to donate a portion of my proceeds to the Semper Fi Injured Marine Fund at Quantico.

Take a look at Bob's website: www.camosock.com and buy a stocking - you'll be able to cross one more item off your shopping list and know that you're supporting the Semper Fi fund too. Oohrah!

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November 20, 2006



Operation Santa at Bethesda and Walter Reed

Carrie Costantini who has more energy than an entire squad of Santa's elves, is making sure that our nation's wounded at Bethesda and Walter Reed are remembered at Christmas with a touch of home.

Christmas.

Just typing the word brings back memories of happiness, of warm cookies, of trees decorated with colored lights and glass ornaments, of grandmom's Chanel No. 5 scented hugs, and of festively wrapped presents.
My favorite part of Christmas was seeing what Santa had put in my stocking.

Hospital.

That word also brings memories. Memories of rubbing alcohol, bright lights, kind nurses and especially, of missing home.

I was born without hip joints and spent quite a bit of my earliest years at Walter Reed. I can remember being in the cast room there alongside wounded soldiers from Vietnam. (Yes, I'm that old).

I'm sure you're all wondering why I am writing about two words that seem mutually exclusive. They're not, at least not to the wounded Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen who will be at Walter Reed and Bethesda this Christmas.
There will be servicemembers in those hospitals on Dec. 25th. That is a sad truth.

I know that they'd rather be back with their units in Iraq or Afghanistan AND at home with their loved ones but they can't be either place. They must be there to heal.

I am pleased to announce the newest Operation Santa venture: Operation Santa/Bethesda and Walter Reed.
It will work mostly the same was as the other Operation Santas. We want to bring them a stuffed stocking and a little bit of home. Candy canes, cookies, crackers, ornaments, cards, books, dvds, cd's, batteries, new socks.

You can help us do this. You can send some Christmas cheer to a wounded servicemember at Bethesda or Walter Reed.

You can donate money, you can donate gift cards from Sam's, Walmart, Target, etc. You can donate material goods.

You can make a difference in a servicemember's holiday away from home.

The question is: Will you do it?

If you have any questions or comments, please email me at wrcostan@comcast.net or Andi at andi@andisworld.com

Tax deductible contributions to support Operation Santa at Walter Reed and Bethesda can be made by mailing checks to:

Marine Corps Family Foundation
4000 Lancaster Blvd. St. 57
Salem, OR 97309

or via Paypal at donations@marinecorpfamily foundation.org. Here's a handy link. Please be sure to designate your request for the Bethesda/Walter Reed effort.


Andi from Andi's World spent last Christmas without her husband who was deployed, so she spent the day visiting wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.. She said she left feeling "more blessed" than when she entered, visiting those who could not be elsewhere.

"One soldier told me that some of the letters were very emotional, "tear jerkers". Without a doubt, they are grateful for your cards and well wishes, though I have to tell you that I personally saw buckets, boxes and baskets of cards - thousands of them. It will take some time for them to even make a dent in the cards and letters."

Read more at Andi's World and please consider supporting Carrie, who volunteers year-round at Bethesda and Walter Reed, in making sure our wounded know that they are loved and supported by a grateful nation.

We'll continue to post more Operation Santa updates as they come in - I spent the weekend in North Bend, Oregon with a group of Marine moms, dads, aunts, and other supporters who packed 72 large boxes filled with thousands of Christmas stockings and gifts that will help make the holidays merrier for our deployed troops. We had a great time and I'll post more on this tomorrow morning.

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November 17, 2006



Semper Fi, Marine

Jarhead Dad sent along this moving observation of how a fallen hero was brought home to Louisville Kentucky for the final time. It was written by Johnny Brooks, who I believe is an Army Colonel.

I had the priviledge tonight of observing how the USMC brings home their dead. The thought hit me that I have no idea, nor have I ever seen how our Soldiers are treated. I just hope we are at least as respectful.

Tonight as we arrived at the Louisville airport, the aircraft captain announced that there was a USMC Sgt on board the aircraft who was on escort duty. The captain asked all onboard to remain seated til the Sgt had left the aircraft. As we pulled into our gate I observed a lot of people moving around in the shadows. I naturally assumed it was the detail preparing to receive the body. What actually happened was quite impressive and quite a testament to the Corps and to the city of Louisville.

The receiving detail stood up consisting of a color guard with US flag, USMC flag and the 8 casket bearers, the OIC, several other NCOs and 3 Marines in utility uniform. I must admit I was taken back by the presence of the 3 Marines in utilities as all other Marines were in Dress Blues. I later was able to figure out the purpose. Additionally, there was an honor guard from the US Marine Corps Legion (I believe they are called that, something the Army cannot replicate) and a piper. 3 Delta pilots joined the Marines in the formation. I assumed they were former servicemen or current reservists.

Following the off load of all the baggage, the cargo hold remained open.

Finally the 3 Marines in utility uniform were sent into the hold to prepare the casket, flag and to position the casket. This was a somewhat special moment as only Marine hands touched that casket and it was planned that way.

Have no idea if it was treated the same in Atlanta, but I can tell you only Marine hands touched that casket. As the casket was lowered halfway down the trolley and stopped, the casket bearers took their positions. Then the Marine Corps Legion followed behind them in two ranks, one on each side.

They all presented arms as the casket came out of the aircraft. Then there was stillness.

As if scripted, from across the airport came a long line of cars with blinking lights and the hearse. Once they were in position, the family was escorted to the casket. It was probably around 30 members led by what I assumed was a very young widow and her young son. For about 10 minutes the family mingled around the casket while the Marines and Legioneers stood at attention. Finally, the family was led back to the hearse.

Then the casket was lowered the remainder of the way and the casket bearers moved through a cordon of the USMC Legion folks to the hearse, while the bagpiper piped "Amazing Grace."

There were about 70 of us who had just left the aircraft, still in the terminal watching this entire ceremony for about 40 minutes. I will say, not a dry eye in the place and many, many snivels. The Corps really treated their own with respect.

I have no idea who the dead Marine was. I assume he was a Sgt, as his escort was a Sgt. I don't know who his family was, nor if they had any influence. I just know the USMC treated him with total respect and the city of Lousville did also.

As the young Sgt escorting the body left the aircraft and walked by me, I said, "Semper Fi, Marine." As I have been many times before, I was struck that in 231 years our Army has been unable to produce something similar.

Somehow, Hooah just doesn't seem right at a time like this.

I trust we do just as well. If not, shame on us. These kids deserve all the respect our Army and country can provide. The Corps and the city of Louisville did themselves proud tonight . . . . . in my misty eyes.

The Marine Corps is the smallest Armed Force and the camaraderie among Marines is legendary. This young Marine, nameless to us, is known and held fiercely in the memories of those with whom he served. They will never forget him, will think of him often, for the rest of their lives. My son can name every 1/7 Marine who has been killed while fighting in Iraq. It's his extended family. I've met Marines who are tattooed with the names of their fallen brothers. It's a tangible symbol of that close bond - a lifetime link that is almost impossible for outsiders to understand.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On November 19, 2005, LCpl Tyler Troyer fell from a sniper's bullet in Karma, Iraq. The first anniversary of his death is Sunday - please think of him and his family on this anniversary. He was a very special young man, the best this country had to offer. He is missed dearly, not only by his blood family, but by the Marines of 2/2 who said goodbye to him and stayed to finish the fight. Semper Fidelis.

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