Marines Back in Beruit!!

Message sent to the President of the United States:

At 2347 on Wednesday July 19, 2006 US Marines returned to Beirut, Lebanon for the first time in 23 years. CNN Correspondent Barbara Starr did a great job of reporting the event. Reporting from aboard a landing craft with Marines from the USS Nashville, Barbara Starr broadcast live via phone to the world that the 46 Marines were 10 minutes away from landing at Beirut harbor. After the landing craft landed, Barbara went on to describe all she was seeing and that the Marines had several security measures in place and several back up naval craft standing by. Yes, the Marines are on a mission in Lebanon to rescue Americans from the hostilities between Israel and the Hezbollah. Yes, our news media are doing a great job of reporting the events. But DAMN the Embedded Reporting giving away troop strength, movements, positions, and security planning!! The same great reporting can be done without providing everyone in the world watching CNN a heads up on our Marines!! Or do we just want to give the Hezbollah great intelligence on what we are about to do? Not only has this endangered the Marines, but the very Americans they are trying to rescue. Hezbollah would like nothing better than to strike at this landing party to inflict casualties in an attempt to draw the United States into the fray.

Those that have given Embedded Reporting approval has again put our Marines in more danger than they already were in. I realize some have indicated that Embedded Reporting is the greatest thing since popcorn, but there is also common sense that needs to be applied during operations to protect troop movements, etc.

Semper Fidelis,
Russ Eaglin
Former Marine Sergeant

A Marine Needs Our Prayers - Pass The Word!

Young Marine faces toughest fight of all
10:15 PM CDT on Tuesday, July 11, 2006
By Shern-Min Chow / 11 News KHOU-TV (Houston, TX)
A Conroe, TX teenager dreamed of becoming a Marine and serving his country.

Private First Class Kris Taylor faces a battle for his life. He was living that dream when doctors uncovered a serious problem. Now the young Marine is facing a new fight. Private First Class Kris Taylor at 18 is already a combat veteran. His enemy? An aggressive and now inoperable brain cancer. “Every day is the prayer that this is the stuff that is going to stop it,” his mother said. He is at M.D. Anderson for another round of chemotherapy. Doctors are using an experimental treatment which may prolong his young life.
“Ever since I could almost pronounce the word I’ve wanted to be a Marine,” said Taylor.

For more information see: http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou060711_cd_marine10.34c6bae.html

The National Museum of the Marine Corps Wants You…

The National Museum of the Marine Corps will open its doors this November 10, 2006 in Quantico, VA and as a United States Marine, or a family member of a U.S. Marine, the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation wants you to get involved. The Foundation has created the Governors Council, co-chaired by Governor Matt Blunt (Mo.), Governor Theodore Kulongoski (Ore.) and former Governor Mark Warner (Va.)., as a fifty-state initiative to reach out and provide more information to Marines and their families about their museum.

“The cooperation and dedication of Governors from across the country in our endeavor signifies the importance of the National Museum of the Marine Corps to our nation” -- Gen. Michael W. Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps is being built as the result of a public-private venture between the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. When completed, the Museum will be the centerpiece of a campus called the Marine Corps Heritage Center - a place where Marines from across the country can convene together, share experiences, celebrate victories, and honor their fallen. It will also become a gateway for the American people to have the opportunity to learn and understand just what it takes to be a Marine and the role that Marines have played in the history of our nation.

Contact your state liaison: Russ Eaglin
Email: REaglin@SemperFiIndy.org

TO REGISTER with your local Liaison to receive further information regarding the Museum, The Marine Corps Heritage Center and how to be part of this historic facility, please complete the following and mail to National Museum of the Marine Corps, Russ Eaglin, 1106 Hollowood Court, Indianapolis, IN 46234-1930.

Please Print

Name: ______________________________________Rank: ____________________
Address: ______________________________City _______________ State_________ Zip _________Email: ________________________________
Other: _______________________________________

I understand this information will be provided to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

DoD Announces Indiana Soldier Death

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 648-06July 07, 2006
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey A. McLochlin, 45, of Rochester, Ind., died in Orgun-E, Afghanistan, on July 5, when his unit encountered enemy forces using small arms fire. McLochlin was assigned to the Army National Guard 152nd Infantry Regiment, Marion Ind.

For more information see: http://defenselink.mil/releases/2006/nr20060707-13407.html

DoD Makes Changes to Qualifications for TRICARE Reserve Select

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 645-06July 07, 2006
The Department of Defense announced today the eligibility determination period for the new TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) program, and as a result, every member of the selected reserve will now have the option to purchase their health coverage from TRICARE.
Health coverage for selected reserve members who want TRS and complete all the required steps begins Oct. 1, 2006.
The new TRS program eligibility determination period runs from July 1, through Sept. 25.

Selected reserve members must work with their service personnel offices to determine which one of three TRS tiers they qualify for. They must have their eligibility verified by their service personnel office and complete the Department of Defense Form 2895, “Agreement to Serve in the Selected Reserve for TRICARE Reserve Select” before they can submit their application to purchase TRS coverage.
Only qualified selected reserve members may submit an enrollment form with the first month’s premium payment to purchase coverage. Service members can review TRS program eligibility requirements at http://www.defenselink.mil/ra/ .
For additional information about the TRS benefit for members of the selected reserve, including open enrollment dates for TRS tiers two and three, visit http://www.tricare.osd.mil/reserve/reserveselect/index.cfm .

Marines Helping Marines

The Marine Foundation of Central Indiana is a non-profit organization that seeks to enhance the lives and provide support for Marines and their Family Members. The foundation will raise community awareness and efforts to provide financial assistance and moral support at home, during activation and/or deployments of Marines. The foundation will work with other veteran and non-profit organizations to support the Marine Family.

For more information and or to make a donation see: www.SemperFiIndy.org

Command of the Grill - A Salute to Steak

In 2005, active duty and reserve Marines at 10 military installations around the country took up their tongs in the ultimate battle of the barbecue. They marinated, seared, and sauced in an all-out battle for top grilling honors. This book showcases the winning recipes from the competition, along with steak recipes from famous former Marines like Lee Trevino and Ed McMahon. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to charities that support wounded or killed U.S. Marines and their families (see website for list).

For more information see: http://www.commandofthegrill.com/
To order online see: http://www.weber.com/bbq/pub/misc/command_of_grill/cog_product_details.aspx

Retiree Assistance Office Bulletin Update -1 July 2006

THIS BULLETIN UPDATE CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES:
== VA Data Privacy Breach [12] ------------- (Long term situation)
== VA Data Privacy Breach [13] --------------(Another revelation)
== VA Data Privacy Breach [14] ------------- (Vet compensation)
== VA Data Privacy Breach [15] ------------- (Cost to VA)
== VA Data Privacy Breach [16] ------------- (Free credit monitoring)
== VA Data Privacy Breach [17] ------------- (Who’s at fault)
== NDAA 2007 [05] --------------------------- (White House concerns)
== NDAA 2007 [06] --------------------------- (Highlights)
== NDAA 2007 [07] --------------------------- (Conference committee)
== Army Enlistment Age [01] ---------------- (Raised to 42)
== Phony War Heroes -------------------------- ($100,000 fine)
== VA Gravesite Locator [02] ---------------- (Online site maps)
== Tricare Data Breach (TriWest) [01] ------ (Current(Status)
== DACMC [02] -------------------------------- (Sweeping changes)
== Military Discounts -------------------------- (July 4th offers))
== Flag Legislation ---------------------------- (No ban on burning)
== VA AFGE Suit ------------------------------ (Physician pay dispute)
== Tricare Uniform Formulary [12] ---------- (Jun/Jul changes)
== Navy Personal Data Breach ---------------- (When will it stop)
== AF Retiree Council ------------------------- (Recommendations)
== ID Card Numbers [01] --------------------- (SSN removal)
== COLA 2007 Update 03 -------------------- (2.9% May increase)
== VA Phishing Alert -------------------------- (Another scam)
== Tricare User Fees [14] --------------------- (DoD still wants)
== Government Data Protection -------------- (What to do)
== SGLI [06] ------------------------------------ (Premium changes)
== VA Mental Health Care -------------------- (Availability questioned)
== VA SAH [02] -------------------------------- (Increased benefits)
== Veterans’ Preference [04] ------------------ (Post 911 )
== Military Legislation Status ---------------- (Where we stand)

For additional detail on the RAO Bulletin topics see: http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.com/rao1.html

LCpl Tyler Jackson Legal Fight -Help one of the Haditha 8

Our son, Tyler, is one of the Few, the Proud, one of the U.S. Marines being held in the Camp Pendleton brig, charged during an investigation into an alleged April 26th event. He is “one of the good guys” and has never been in any trouble. He joined the Marines in March of 2005 without any delusions about what the job would require of him or the sacrifices he would have to make, and willingly continues to make. He did it proudly and voluntarily, in hopes of making a difference, and to defend his country, his fellow Marines, and his family. He deployed to Iraq in January and has served his country honorably.He has been shot at, IED’ed, and has put his life on the line, asking nothing in return. We are more proud of him than I could begin to tell you. We love him and stand beside him and behind him one hundred percent. He is innocent of any wrong doing, yet sits in the brig since May 24th in solitary confinement, handcuffed, chained and shackled. We just learned on June 15, 2006 that his status has been changed from Maximum Security to Medium Security. He now can move out of his cell for an hour a day and for visits on weekends. A step in the right direction, small though it may be, in the whole scheme of things. Not exactly the hero’s homecoming that he deserves.

For more details on how you can help see: http://www.fightingfortyler.com/

PSALM 23 (UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS VERSION)

The Lord is my Supreme Commandant;
there is nothing I shall requisition.
Fresh and green are the fields
Where He gives me rack time.
Near restful shores He leads me,
To boost my low morale.

He marches me along the right trail;
He is "Semper Fidelis" to His name.
If I should charge into storms of lead,
No death would I fear.
You are there with your map and compass;
With these you give me liberty.

You have prepared the chowhall for me
In the sight of my foes.
You anoint my head with a high and tight;
My mug is overflowing.

Surely fair winds and following seas
Shall follow me all the days of my tour.
In the Lords own camp shall I stand easy
For ever and ever.

Courtesy of Chaplain Vincent A. Salamoni

VA Secretary Announces New Medical Center for Louisville

June 30, 2006

Decision Is Good News for Area Veterans
WASHINGTON – Veterans in the Louisville area will be receiving a new, state-of-the-art medical center from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to replace the existing facility, Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson announced today at a news conference in Louisville.
"Louisville area veterans will get a modern facility that matches the high quality of care they receive from VA," Nicholson said. "Veterans and their families can rest assured that the uncertainty has ended, and a new world-class medical center is on the way.”

For more detailed information, see: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1149