Gold Star Mom speaks out

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MarineParents.com Newsletter

In This Issue

Great Gear for Marines and Families
Deployment
Homecoming
Newsletter Signup
Social Media Information
Light a Luminary September 30
Gold Star mother speaks out
50th anniversary of Vietnam war
Help keep your Marine safe
USMC investigating GI Bill benefits

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Learning Center:

Operational Security

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

Click to learn more! [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvODZbzhlmuFY3E4dVll8zRAX1xh4gB2ZL2AWaPgnbAj0FOf_GCEeQZr4mObZ8Lf7TgXdY2RXnwOetF0Ev54S8JmUDF2PPtf9QHR-59rJpVfmjna40mqeUKb_VBvRrEVqoDvIxnrlPjPlQ==]
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Learning Center:
About Deployment

Preparing for Deployment [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvOB5Kdna6p7NMtuQYGzbdZkygz9nsL0mlR1djaUOgLO3Ob5LJ-wT3xWdd_401IuHSZ5BeDdO1FrUGBCRuK7ylF0u0RX0DIPEm2rduJ_ZjpxDTiAEUL8gobtMSE2I-rXlnGF534ZUI2C9pIvaMQNkttDbnvokMnugnY=]

Arrival "In Country" [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvMgVqIIZkDY-q1lZDDPRIp-o2XLH4Wbh3qdo8TmgkkoUwqQguQ6pP5AKmfbXAgVLOzsp-4m8cXiK2MuSkDc4b0srwlhXpXbWw81HRTof8-EQJ2nYR-HrG7_vF69WVYDaN7bNLulefTmZLaPvTImWQbT1gIcgmIoGk4=]
Communications [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvNckHUub2NueFrk3lARKktiAD9m1RPuxATjCFu89te6tpjh616S8TsfO97vRhAVz3Yq4jb5IVFztgIdNAlvPPXz2HUayHvxUn6g-HS4osujunngQu0-tAruYHhBQ9HnEDg8RmKApdpXN13MTY61M1b9tFLIGcr8f3E=]
From your Marine, with the USMC, and with other families

Issues During Deployment [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvNhZli8c-fKH8U0ToZhgfsr-W-skODsVRyFxKVw8q27Qhbt_FI_f6_bMo7deHcxwSBAoB5bn5HsKrTi2mqxPFzTUAq7RO679Ni0wqdKnuKOepuhZfBgEymwO3HOsc7qgwCLe0yjhO0zMyw_wMCIypI4]
Bills, taxes, legal issues, injuries, notification from the Marine Corps

Your Health & Well Being [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvPTHCnhoYVjsI1Z_c2hrF0MxLzHFTzePbTVb_wL0nqxhT8r2JENSslUNpZODp2_tPP_6MOjk-IMV8YanoAiG3trZuvdHMGLltwfwxJ46NF3GvQ-gwkwg4cB4g17U97CYKhj3rRjYHVyWw==]

PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvOie6oFrjpcf5qNBnRW1ZCwVfwRd1RbyhvUyRBsHMtBuoA77gv2X11riGVy7ypocX8VtesIxfJ6eNSEBQSb0meuiqZ9-OX8Ne6eY-aVcnLdmFtWKGfvP4MAGJA7I-3NMFOYnj3RLIbh0rsA-Ad1YaWmDCKJlsq9IXo=]
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Learning Center:
About Homecoming

Overview of Process [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvNnUDqV4xeLTLPawv33KXBVVqQ5dfgxe1kqhDJkaDsCYqrSGBm_VIz3oHKTfl4aQS8lYK_gJVVIGmPyrbCSMr5ctcuR4jlnltMXfjtaDteRRrqpzYZBAAs7ynFzaIW-5W9Iz5afn8dxUOaHWvc5WeBa]
Homecoming Workbook [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvPBsTsl0nudB10pEBkodi4bWlxUXekb09pqTFZaeFoWJu97bQAmvAE4hm3yvZ74OLeJiNLGAnOaSb0Q4wTsrQVLWTvY3XIlpAwWTbF2QMP3k2KGpimQJsUn64qCaqW8558gYzjwlELJt2gWqC-cHf15xZRoJWvCyzoLIOOCNNq_6g==]
Return and Reunion Guide [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvNzhDWT8-gwYi99ZTd-ZF5GQ0bZnp_gFpHCoK14rTZuFMImXhHCmMsl3EccBvPzpCAChKTP2jGI5MbAASku4PTpG0gyMHn47zjOjSS61Y-q-dlFxFw36aXZlo6WGmhaXxLU26OmY73T6jveYUb5B-OJ-O1WZFSmHRCEWMkdCShlL23bXvOxE8Mf]
Travel Plans [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvN82v4jSuaxWvTiNpwaxkcihRbdsQKnn_Pb1U0tCKd-jjLWx11fVU1OEKhK7iLz0KqxD9PwN4fTm8TMr_gbC1BO-5ZzTSJVt06CDC2N1vraZ6ypNqDIgOFiUpTWElo39J6Y05cVIkfl4w==]
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Sept 28, 2012
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Greetings!
If this is the first edition of the Marine Parents newsletter you have received,
WELCOME! If you are a returning reader we are glad you have joined us and are thankful
for your support.
In this issue
In 1936, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared the last Sunday in September
Gold Star Mother's Day. This stemmed from a WWI tradition in which families of service
members placed service flags in their windows, bearing blue stars for family members
in active service and gold stars for family members who gave their lives for their
country. Today we highlight the thoughts of one Gold Star Mom who lost her son in
Afghanistan in 2009.
The USMC is currently investigating how they are teaching recruits about the GI
Bill education benefits they are eligible to receive. Survey results have shown
that many recruits might be making the wrong choice in their selection of benefits.
Information about this important news can be found here this week.
Also, we have information on the start of a 13 year project commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the Vietnam war, a reminder about our Luminary Initiative this Sunday,
and a link to a useful OPSEC article on how to manage our online transactions to
keep our Marines safe.
I hope you enjoy this issue of our newsletter and will forward it to folks you know
that will benefit from the articles but may not be registered to receive it.
God bless and Semper Fi!

Tracy Della Vecchia

Founder and Executive Director
MarineParents.com, Inc.
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Light a Luminary September 30

In honor of Gold Star Mothers everywhere
Social Media Handbook from the Marine Corps [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvMzA3V88Q5QuQXIiaHuU6bHnfutMtw3ZwLz6JHAubWcSPPB-_3PaLzh0_kq1bI7wY9k-arpK2cDyUG_egH3gnu26IdQgagTEOwelyKVDpsrsMRGPYFOva42]

We hold a Luminary Initiative every year on the last Sunday in September to honor
mothers who have lost a son or daughter serving in the U.S. military.

In communities big and small, organizations and individuals honor these women,
from citywide events to a single luminary at the end of a driveway. Community service
clubs, church groups and military organizations all participate - and they all
need leaders, someone who will coordinate the day's activities, someone who will
send out the call to action.

Click here to learn more... [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvNYiGY_2nGj_2QvK3AklYWjf2jJ008L32lugyheqgfxEa3CzA1TYZ8QWsdpp5lj-J1XaAJEq8OAp56dyLyVs3g1DTEixFqGewiF5zImAdqEarNGOSUELkT-0A9-CGh31DqHLfcFkOaZ2dnYf5KqghKYLpF0Q78lerLM9j-TLuTMtA==]
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Acknowledge their sacrifice

Gold Star Mother speaks out
Since its beginning in 2001, Operation Enduring Freedom has resulted in the deaths
of over 2,000 Americans. Over 250 have died in 2012 alone. Yet, frequently we see
references to apathy and "war-weariness" among the American public at large. One
Gold Star Mother who lost her son in Afghanistan in 2009 recently wrote a letter
to the editor of her local newspaper.

Read one Gold Star Mother's thoughts... [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvO6XESqJnaqq3-P7SLHUPzFdLwcDXXqWASEf0cA-_KTRDWq11lN7qFkjdvAuVXKXj3CzLRo_Juh5Etf7_zPRydGIk4MaWffZ8BLsOPjDsv42JzIrtfvRl73CQkfMSs0SKwu3PwRGvSErZYJvWtWfGtT]
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50th anniversary of Vietnam war

Official commemoration begins
On Memorial day, 2012, President Obama issued a proclamation honoring the 50th anniversary
of the military conflict in Vietnam. In discussing the proclamation, the president
called on all Americans "to join us in thanking our Vietnam veterans in your communities."
From the first major U.S. combat involvement in January 1962 through the fall of
Saigon in April 1975, over 58,000 American lives were lost. At the peak of the
conflict in 1969, over one-half million American soldiers were involved in the
conflict, and over 1,600 Americans are still listed as missing even now, their
fate unknown.
Present a gift to a Vietnam veteran to honor their service... [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvPg9dw-wpRPq7MA57tvSBkvJPrVHjasHNIZvPFKg7KB88veD8PoxMI5x-pAqvYrlqmN8Glo2ON528XH5z51m7vUsaxDJTFucGaflMbqdBfDp4LI24tqc7jRW5JXhYeRUXRBqkP4aWHBRZ1pOiABOljA6xMIT0RqAtA=]
Text of the Presidential Proclamation [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvNgPFhNWRUYg3e_Ez5lcNq8x8hhwDFbxCgQ2jGDJ2phoAM5tY6E6CbA4BTLoaoDpuotGC4F6fB1m1d4Wc0ATUBFCGn8lWuRcoX3Cd81e2C1jFTDp2F_4joaGRdR6HpVVZ7p61t3BqZQzZt0F7nExxX0GD_uYlZ6S_IV-961KjJ2Dg==]
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Help keep your Marine safe

OPSEC and social media
Social Media Handbook from the Marine Corps [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvODZbzhlmuFY3E4dVll8zRAX1xh4gB2ZL2AWaPgnbAj0FOf_GCEeQZr4mObZ8Lf7TgXdY2RXnwOetF0Ev54S8JmUDF2PPtf9QHR-59rJpVfmjna40mqeUKb_VBvRrEVqoDvIxnrlPjPlQ==]
One potential danger in the use of social media is the existence of fake profiles
set up on various platforms to lure individuals into revealing sensitive information.
It was reported recently that the Taliban have employed such tactics to befriend
soldiers via facebook. In addition, many people are unaware of the dangers posed
by geotagging, in which location information is invisibly embedded in uploaded files.
In August of 2012, USAA printed an article titled 5 Social Networking Tips for Military
Members. Please take time to read the article from USAA.
Click here to read the article... [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvN7y_8TiURlAbJcwt4CYamZ0s9_Qsr9HYKWt72cXnk3Mizi0_CJ49xVUe_YZ4iu6jh9CKv1D8REoFJyKHD7X7k38l8vFA6SX2Dx91AMypVkSgPt45vBjr76lICMTpim7kLTmzmHDBQKWGqzp0KmmWYPQ37leGIzGYhcTJOjgyjcxA==]
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USMC investigating GI Bill benefits

Strange pattern seen in benefit choices
The GI Bill provides educational benefits to military service members. New recruits
typically must sign up during a brief window of opportunity for one of two possible
options: the Montgomery GI Bill or the Post-9/11 GI Bill. While exceptions exist,
in most cases the benefits offered in the newer Post-9/11 GI Bill are more favorable
for the majority of recipients.
The Marine Corps has recently discovered that in 2012, more than 60% of recruits
at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. have opted for post-9/11 GI billeducational
benefits, while less than 0.1% of recruits at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diegohave
chosen this option. An investigation is currently underway to determine what changes
need to be made in training programs to make certain that recruits fully understand
the options available to them.
Read the full story... [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001I5FLOpzXjvM6FB7u136jMHtbTafCukFM4JyWBxYWsoQcxdjwgVsxmdnEdz4deR8EDSPQZqWw-TLtWOH15C54k561PfbI9fCRxbbgyX3aAsZZnOq-MgXfg91VlVTIt7hYJzm6-ZfQ1779krJtKqEuWGR1xt9VPuxpulyVYY5AD2JK0OvFnX-aQ0R-Ybihv0-32JQ3cj53xDZ9lpfJJgSyEp4kKYP0qVbSqRUHPHuzY02cEqJr1n2wiBtxTXZZjjNA]
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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 photo is a Marine Corps photo taken 9/20/2012 By Cpl. Mark Garcia.
Marines kneel down beside the battlefield cross to pay their final respects to
Sgt. Bradley Atwell during a memorial ceremony, Sept. 20. During the ceremony,
Marines paid tribute to Atwell, an aircraft electrical, instrument and flight control
systems technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, from Kokomo, Ind.
Atwell was killed in action while engaging insurgents during an attack on Camp
Bastion, Sept. 14. OPSEC and social media: Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Roman
Yurek, 2/3/2011, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point.

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