ALMAR 020/07

Date signed: 04/11/2007 MARADMIN Number: 020/07
Posted : Thursday Apr 12, 2007 17:27:26 EDT

Subject: TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE
UNCLAS 111320Z APR 07
CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
TO AL ALMAR(UC
ALMAR 020/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. TO BE A MARINE IS TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING THAT REPRESENTS THE BEST OF OUR NATION. IT IS TO ACCEPT A WAY OF LIFE THAT EMBODIES SELFLESS SERVICE - TO DEFEND THOSE WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES, TO THRIVE IN THE HARDSHIP AND SACRIFICE EXPECTED OF AN ELITE WARRIOR CLASS, TO MARCH TO THE SOUND OF THE GUNS, AND TO ABLY SHOULDER THE HERITAGE CREATED BY THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US.
2. ONLY A FEW AMERICANS CHOOSE THE DANGEROUS AND NECESSARY WORK OF FIGHTING OUR NATIONS ENEMIES. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THAT CHOICE, SOME HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE, JOINING THE HONOR ROLL OF HEROES WHO BUILT THE NOBLE LEGACY OF OUR CORPS. FOR THOSE OF US WHO CARRY ON THAT LEGACY, IT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO HONOR THOSE FALLEN MARINES.
AS MARINES GATHER IN CELEBRATION OF OUR HISTORY, WE GATHER IN THE SHADOWS OF GREATNESS - THOUGH OUR FALLEN CAN NO LONGER PARTICIPATE IN OUR TRADITIONS, THEY WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF US AND WHO WE ARE.
3. THEREFORE, I AM DIRECTING THAT ALL UNIT MESS NIGHTS AND MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY BALL CELEBRATIONS INCLUDE WORTHY AND APPROPRIATE TRIBUTES TO OUR FALLEN COMRADES. SUBSEQUENT CHANGES TO THE DRILL AND CEREMONIES MANUAL WILL REFLECT THIS REQUIREMENT. THROUGH MEANINGFUL REMEMBRANCE, THE SACRIFICES OF "THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE" WILL NOT BECOME DISTANT MEMORIES, BUT WILL LIVE ALWAYS IN OUR WARRIOR CULTURE.
4. SEMPER FIDELIS, JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS//

1/9 "Walking Dead" to Stand Up This Week!

By Trista Talton - Marine Times Staff writer

Posted : Monday Apr 16, 2007 6:32:01 EDT

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — The Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, will officially stand up Wednesday.
The battalion, the legendary “Walking Dead” of Vietnam fame, was originally supposed to be activated Oct. 26, 2005. But the date was delayed while Marine Corps headquarters dealt with manpower and equipment issues, said Lt. Col. Brad Vickers, the battalion’s commanding officer.
That hasn’t kept the grunts with 1/9 twiddling their thumbs. The battalion deployed a reinforced rifle company to Iraq for a security mission and was the lead unit in Marine Corps System Command’s testing of the Modular Tactical Vest.
He said the battalion has received the majority of its assigned personnel, though some critical officer, staff noncommissioned officer and NCO billets remain open.
Wednesday’s ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the 10th Marines Landing Zone on Julian C. Smith Road. All former 1/9 Marines and corpsmen are welcome to attend.

Navy Cross Awarded to LCpl. Christopher S. Adlesperger

For his actions on Nov. 10, 2004, LCpl Adlesperger will be posthumously awarded the Navy Cross on April 13, 2007.

“By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of enemy fire and utmost devotion to duty, ... Adlesperger reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service," read the citation letter that made the award official. The letter is signed by Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter. FSM is so proud of all of you! Thank you for keeping America safe and God BlessYou!

For the complete story Click on the title above.

Call to Service from the Commandant of the Marine Corps

End Strength Increase Information

By: Gen. James Conway, USMC

Our Nation is at war - our Corps is at war - fighting a determined enemy bent on terror and domination. Make no mistake, it is a war we must win! Success by the enemy will dramatically change the world as we know it, leaving a harsh environment for our children and grandchildren to endure.I don't need to tell you that over five years of deployments to the fight have put a strain on our Corps. Acknowledging that, and the necessity to win this struggle, the President has recently authorized the Marine Corps to grow. In a larger Marine Corps, we will need the leadership, savvy, and determination that experienced Marines like you provide. Now, more than ever, your Marine Corps needs you.Many of you have already sacrificed a great deal - and have already served your country in a courageous and honorable manner. However, in this hour of national crisis, I encourage every Marine who is considering closing the chapter on his or her Marine Corps service to reconsider. You are elite among the Nation's warriors. America and your Corps need you now, and I ask you to re-enlist - or to extend your commitment - to help us defeat this enemy and see us through the crisis. Think about the experience you have to offer and what it could mean to your fellow Marines still engaged in the fight. I know that any decision to stay in the Corps is both very important and very personal - one that has far reaching effects on both you and your family. In light of this, I have authorized new incentives for your extension / re-enlistment in recognition of your experience and honorable service.

Contact your Commanding Officer, First Sergeant or Career Retention Specialist for more information.

You are part of a new generation of Marines - carrying the battle-tested colors of our Corps. You have carried them with pride and with honor; I ask you to carry them with me for just a while longer.

Semper Fidelis,

James T. Conway

General, U.S. Marine Corps

Commandant of the Marine Corps

Resource: www.usmc.mil for story CLICK title above.

Retiree Assistance Office Bulletin - April 1, 2007

The RAO Bulletin contains important information about your benefits, if you see a topic you are interested in get the details at: http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.com/rao1.html
RAO Bulletin Update 1 April 2007


THIS BULLETIN UPDATE CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES:
== Tricare Uniform Formulary (18) -------------- (More Tier Changes)
== FL Disabled Vet Tax Exemption (01) -------- (Property Tax Discounts)
== Vet Healthcare Mandatory Funding----------- (Impact on Care)
== Tricare Pharmacy Policy (02) ---------- (Medicare Part "D" Impact)
== Wounded Warrior Assistance------------------ (WRAMC Fallout)
== Small Business Administration (01) ---------- (H.R.0109)
== FL Dept of Revenue Data Breach ------- (Identity Theft Protection)
== Mobilized Reserve 28 MAR 07 --------------- (Net Decrease 1,511)
== SBP SSA Offset (09) --------------------------- (1 April Decrease)
== National Uniform Claim Committee --------- (VHA Membership)
== Angioplasty vs. Drugs ------------------------- (Equally Effective)
== Traumatic Brain Injury (03) ------------------ (Vets Helping Vets)
== Diabetes (03) ------------------------------------ (Take the Test)
== Tricare Emergency Facility Use ------------- (Claim Submission)
== Marines' Memorial Assn -------------- (San Francisco Military Club)
== Medicare Fraud -------------------- (Federal False Claims Act)
== Vet Home Patient Neglect -------------------- (AZ/AL Vet Homes)
== Tricare EOBs ----------------------------------- (Policy Change)
== Base Decals--------------------------- (AF No Longer Requires)
== Referral Bonus (02) ------------ (Expanded to Army Civilians)
== SBP Legislation-------------------------------- (Inequities)
== AFRH (02) -------------------------- (Poor Conditions Alleged)
== STROKE (02) -------------------------- (Transient Ischemic Attacks)
== VDBC (15) ------------------------------------- (CR Recommendations)
== Military Pay Tax Bill ------------------------- (Active Duty Only)
== Medal of Honor Day -------------------------- (March 25th)
== Tricare/CHAMPUS Fraud (05) ---------- (PI Claim Pmt Suspensions)
== Filipino Vet Inequities ------------------------ (Wartime Promises)
== VA Facility Maintenance --------------------- (1,100 Problems Cited)
== Veterans Benefit Protection Act ------------- (Hiring Attorneys)
== Echo Taps Worldwide ------------------------ (Armed Forces Day Plan)
== Recruiter Misconduct (02) ------- (Video Surveillance Contemplated)
== WRAMC (07) ------------------------ (Alternate Closing Proposal)
== Bug Safety (Children) ------------------------ (Summer Safety tips)
== WRAMC (06) ---------------------------- (May Not close)
== Millennium Cohort Study --------------- (Military Health Survey)
== NDAA 2008 ----------------------------------- (TMC Priorities)
== Tax on Home Sale ---------------------------- (Exclusion rules)
== COLA 2008 (04) ------------------------------ (-0.3% thru FEB 07)
== VBDR---------------------------------- (DR Program Abolishment)
== Supplemental Appropriations Act ---------- (Impact on VA)
== Will Rogers Memorial Museum ------------- (Words of Wisdom)
== Future for Vets Commission ----------------- (Tampa Meeting)
== DFAS Death Notification (01) --------------- (Where to Notify)
== Returning GWT Heroes TF ------------------- (Inviting Feedback)
== Hepatitis & Liver Cancer --------------------- (Five Known Viruses)
== VA Hepatitis "C" Web Site ------------------ (Where to Look)
== Military Retirement Taxation ---------------- (What is/is not)
== Awards Replacement (01) ------------------- (What to Expect)
== Awards Replacement (02) ------------------- (Letter Request Format)
== Veteran Legislation Status 31 MAR 07 ------- (Where we stand)

A Message to the Troops: An Opinion by Bob Parks

Bob Parks has a strong message to the Troops. He lays it on the line and isn’t afraid to call ‘em like he sees ‘em. A must watch video.

Click on the above title to watch the video.

"*@#damn Marines"

TWS Reported Source: Written by Lt. Col. David W. Szelowski USMCR (ret.) - Wednesday August 17, 2005
"I wonder how many times during Operation Iraqi Freedom that the phrase "*@#damn Marines" was uttered? Even in the best of times, Army and Air Force officers have been heard muttering some epithet about Marines, invoking either heaven or hell. Interestingly enough, we Marines find it all rather reassuring and, at times, amusing.
Most of the time, Marines do not go out of our way to be obnoxious; we are just doing what Marines have done for over 200 years. A good example is the fact that Marines always raise the American flag over mountains or cities they have conquered. From Mt. Suribachi to the City of Hue, to Kuwait City to Baghdad, U.S. Marines have raised the Stars and Stripes-in the latter examples, much to the chagrin of higher headquarters. You don't get these kinds of problems with the Army. So what is it about the U.S. Marines that they stick U.S. flags on everything and do more with less, a less that is either old or an army hand-me-down? ! ! We call it Esprit de Corps, but it goes deeper than that.

For the complete story Click on the title above to take you to the TWS link.

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