Marine Corps Reserve Association
  

The Marine Corps Reserve Association is the only organization that represents and advocates exclusively for members of the Marine Corps Reserve and their families.

Marine Corps history for JUNE:

2 June 1918:At dawn, the crack German 28th Division attacked along the axis of the Paris-Metz road hitting the American 2d Division, including the 4th Marine Brigade. The Marines opened with deadly rifle fire and helped hand the German troops a setback which set the stage for Marine victory at Belleau Wood which would soon follow, although at great cost.

 

4 June 1942:  VMSB-241, VMF-221 & the 6th Defense Battalion began the Battle of Midway.

 

5 June 1944: LtGen H. M. Smith was designated the first FMFPac commander.

 

8 June 1880: Capt W. B. Remey was the first Marine appointed Judge Advocate of the Navy.

 

8 June 1995:A Marine tactical recovery team from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stationed on board the USS Kearsarge rescued a downed U.S. pilot, Captain Scott O'Grady, USAF, from Bosnian-Serb territory in Bosnia.

 

9 June 1864: Col Jacob Zeilin succeeded Col J. Harris to become the 7th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

 

10 June 1898:The First Marine Battalion, commanded by LtCol Robert W. Huntington, landed on the eastern side of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The next day, Lt Herbert L. Draper hoisted the American flag on a flag pole at Camp McCalla where it flew during the next eleven days. LtCol Huntington later sent the flag with an accompanying letter to Colonel Commandant Charles Heywood noting that "when bullets were flying, ...the sight of the flag upon the midnight sky has thrilled our hearts."

 

12 June 1948:  President Harry Truman authorized the first women Marines in the regular Corps.

 

12 June 1961:President John F. Kennedy signed a Presidential Proclamation calling for the American flag to be flown at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, "at all times during the day and night." Discussions between the Attorney General's office and Marine Corps officials earlier in 1961 on improving the visibility and appearance of the monument led to the proposal to fly the Flag continuously, which by law could only be done by Congressional legislation or by Presidential proclamation.

 

14 June 1898:  Two companies of Marines defeated the Spanish near Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

14 June 1999:   26th MEU entered Kosovo in support of Operation Joint Guardian

 

15 June 1944:Preceded by naval gunfire and carrier air strikes, the V Amphibious Corps assaulted the west coast of Saipan, Marianas Islands. By nightfall, the 2d and 4th Marine Divisions, moving against heavy opposition, had established a beachhead 10,000 yards wide and 1,500 yards deep.

 

17 June 1979:  Col Valeria Hilgart became the first woman Marine to assume duty as Chief of Staff of a major command, Albany, GA.

 

18 June 1945:  MajGen Roy S. Geiger assumed command of the 10th U.S. Army on Okinawa after Army LtGen Simon Buckner was killed.

 

20 June 1993:The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to Mogadishu, Somalia, to stand ready to assist United Nations forces in maintaining peace in the war-torn country. Earlier that month, the 24th MEU had been ordered to cut short Exercise Eager Mace 93-2 in Kuwait to respond to possible contingency operations in Somalia.

 

21 June 1945:  The Battle of Okinawa ended as LtGen Roy S. Geiger raised the American flag.

 

22 June 1954:  President Eisenhower authorized the use of the first official Marine Corps seal.

 

25 June 1950:Shortly before dawn, eight divisions of the North Korean People's Army crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded the Republic of Korea. Within three days, the South Korean capital city of Seoul had been captured. On 30 June, President Harry S. Truman ordered a naval blockade of the Korean coast and authorized the sending of U.S. ground troops to Korea. Two days later, General Douglas MacArthur, the Commander in Chief Far East, formally requested that a Marine regimental combat team be deployed to the Far East.  The Korean War begins.

 

25 June 1981:  HMH-464, MCAS New River received its first CH-53E “Super Stallion.”

 

25 June 1966:In Vietnam, Operation Jay began about 30 kilometers northwest of Hue, and lasted nine days. The 2d Battalion, 4th Marines landed north of the North Vietnamese 812th Main Force Battalion, and the 2d Battalion, 1st Marines landed south of the enemy's position. Caught in between the two Marine units, the enemy suffered over 80 dead in nine days of fighting.

 

26 June 1918:BGen James G. Harbord, the Commanding General of the 4th Marine Brigade, notified American Expeditionary Force Headquarters that Belleau Wood was "now U.S. Marine Corps entirely." After 20 days of combat, and at a cost of over 4,000 casualties, the 4th Brigade of Marines had proven its fighting heart. The grateful Commander of the French Sixth Army would soon decree that in all official correspondence, Belleau Wood would henceforth bear the name, "Bois de la Brigade de Marine."

 

26 June 1891:  The Corps established its first post at Port Royal, SC – becoming PARIS ISLAND.

 

27 June 2012:  The Congressional Gold Medal presented to Montford Point Marines.

PRESIDENT ROBERT DONAGHUE, Col USMCR (Ret.)

Major Frank Tejeda Award

CONGRESSION RECEPTION 26 JUN

The Honorable Representative Adam Smith

 

Adam Smith serves Washington's 9th District.  He is now in his 9th term, Adam serves as Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, where he is a strong advocate for our military personnel and their families. Adam is also committed to providing our military personnel with the best equipment available to carry out their current and future missions while ensuring that the Pentagon spends taxpayer dollars in the most efficient and effective manner.  The date for the presentation will be 26 June.  For full bio CLICK HERE.

 

This year's presentation will occur at the Reserve Officers Association HQ located at One constitution Av, Washington, DC.  There is no charge but space is limited to the membership.  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


SENATE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES COMPLETES MARKUP OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014

 

WASHINGTON -- Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, and Ranking Member Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., announced today that the committee has completed its markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. The committee voted 23-3 to report the bill, which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy (DOE).  “This bipartisan bill provides for our nation’s defense and upholds our obligations to our men and women in uniform and their families.  The committee adopted important measures to address readiness problems caused by sequestration and to require the Department of Defense to cut costs and operate more efficiently” Levin said.  For the full mark-up click here.


1st LT Keith Wells Award
The first award was presented on 22 May to Warrant Officer Dean Golden, MOS 1310. Prior to beginning his officer basic training in "A" Company, WO Golden had just completed a 3 year mobilization with Marine Corps Forces AFRICA. Upon graduation WO Golden and his wife Katie will return to Beavercreek, OR and his reserve duty with the 6th ESB.

The second award was presented on 29 May to 2d Lieutenant Scott Johnson-Martin, from Urbandale, IA.  He is a graduate of Simpson College, Indianola, IA.  He is a Communications Officer and following graduation he is reporting to Communications School.  He is married to Lindsey and they have twin boys, Owen and Elijah.

COMMANDER’S CORNER

SNAP SHOT

“101 CRITICAL DAYS OF SUMMER”

As we enter the “101 Critical Days of Summer,” which is the period from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, it is incumbent upon leaders at all levels to demand personal accountability from our Marines and Sailors while reinforcing our Culture of Responsible Choices to reduce or eliminate tragic mishaps.

Historically, more of our Marines, Sailors, and family members are injured or killed during these “101 Critical Days of Summer” than any other period during the calendar year. Although we do an excellent job mitigating risks and focusing on safety in the workplace while on duty, the challenge for all leaders begins when our Marines and Sailors leave the front gate of our installations or Reserve Training Centers.


The leading factors for tragic mishaps have not changed. Poor choices concerning alcohol consumption, lack of personal protective equipment use, driving while fatigued and driving at excessive speeds remain our most notable concerns that require unit leadership intervention. To be sure, unit leadership is the first line of defense in mishap prevention and is the key enabler for achieving our goal of mitigating unnecessary mishaps through close supervision, interaction, and a consistent use of operational risk management.


As a Corps, we pride ourselves on extensive planning for operations down to the smallest detail. We should apply these same skills for our summer activities as well, especially water sports activities, backyard barbeques, and recreational vehicle and watercraft operation. Plan accordingly to manage your risks to ensure you fully and safely enjoy your activities.

Enjoy your Memorial Day holiday and the “101 Critical Days of Summer,” and do the right thing! Remember, life’s tough, but it’s tougher when you make bad choices.


Semper Fidelis,

Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer

Commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North


Important Bill to Expand Caregiver Services for All Severely Disabled Veterans

On April 25, 2013, Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Bernie Sanders introduced S. 851, the Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act of 2013.   This bill would expand eligibility for comprehensive benefits and services to family caregivers of all veterans who were severely injured in the line of duty while serving in the armed forces. Currently, only family caregivers of veterans severely injured on or after September 11, 2001, are eligible for these benefits and services such as:

  • caregiver training
  • support groups
  • counseling
  • other support services
  • a monthly stipend
  • health coverage through CHAMPVA
  • respite care
  • mental health services
  • counseling related to the caregiver role and burden

A survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) of caregivers who are caring for veterans from combat eras dating from World War II to the more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan showed that the overwhelming majority of veteran caregivers are women. Twice as many veterans' caregivers said they have been caregiving for 10 or more years compared to national statistics, three times as many caregivers reported spending 40 hours a week or more providing care compared to the national total, and six out of ten caregivers of veterans surveyed are at least 50 years of age including one in eight who is 65 or older.

Please use the prepared e-mail or draft your own personal e-mail to request that your Senators support this important bill and ask that it be brought to the floor for a vote and enacted as soon as possible.

Thank you for all you do for veterans and their families, and for your active participation in DAV CAN.  Take Action! Visit this page:

           http://capwiz.com/dav/utr/1/LIXYTARYAS/KLSCTARYEQ/9547160436]


To view the impact of SEQUESTRATION to the Marine Corps click here.

 DONATE TO THE MCRA

 

Camp Lejeune Water 

NEW:

ATSDR HAS RELEASED ITS "CHAPTER A: SUMMARY AND FINDINGS" WATER MODELING REPORT FOR THE HADNOT POINT AND HOLCOMB BOULEVARD WATER TREATMENT PLANTS AND VICINITIES.

Many of the members of the MCRA have been stationed during their career at Camp Lejeune.  As such, this issue is one that the MCRA is following closely and has been advocating on Capitol Hill for many years.  Much progress has been made, but there is much work remaining.  We will continue to follow this issue for as long as it remains.  We will strive to keep the membership informed of all news on this issue.  The Marine Corps encourages all those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune before 1987 to register to receive notifications regarding this matter.  In addition, the Department of the Navy is funding independent research initiatives. 

 

 One of the studies is by the CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry  (ATSDR).  The ATSDR distributed the Health Survey of Marine Corps Personnel and   Civilians in 2011, and expects to deliver results in 2014.   On 15 March 2013, the ATSDR release it's "Chapter A: Summary & Findings" water modeling report for the Hadnot Pint & Holcomb boulevard Water Treatment Plants & Vicinities.”  ATSDR's modeling estimates that the first month any VOC exceeded the current EPA regulatory standards in drinking water in the Hadnot Point system was August 1953, and at least one VOC exceeded the current standard in Hadnot Point drinking water from August 1953 through January 1985. 

Outreach efforts on the Camp Lejeune water issue began in 1984 and much has occurred over the past 29 years, for a complete chronological summary click here.  This is such an important topic that the CMC published a letter expressing his concerns and addressing the actions to be taken by the Marine Corps on this issue.  To view the letter click here. 

For all those that were stationed at Camp Lejeune during the time period in question, it is recommended by the Marine Corps to register, click here to begin. 

The MCRA will continue to keep this as a priority for the Association and push information as it becomes available to the membership. Keeping in step with our mission to remain faithful to all those that have served.  For additional listing of resources click here.


MCRA Participates in VE Observance

On 6 May the MCRA participated in the Friends of the WWII Memorial celebration in Washington, DC. Representing the MCRA and the Marine Corps at the wreath laying ceremony was Col Ken Hopper, USMC (Ret.) and Reuben McNair, a veteran from WWII and a Montford Point Marine.  This service was to honor those from the "Greatest Generation" and in remembrance of the 68th Anniversary of the Allied Forces Victory in Europe during World War II, the V-E Day ceremony paid special recognition to all World War II veterans and especially those who fought in the European Theater. Sergeant Major of the United States Army Raymond F. Chandler IIII gave remarks and wreaths were presented at the Freedom Wall by veterans from all the services and Holocaust Survivors who were liberated from concentration camps at the end of the war.  For more on the Friends of the WWII Memorial & the event click here

U.S. Senate confirms assignments for incoming, outgoing Marine Corps Reserve Commanders

The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed Lt. Gen. Richard Mill's assignment as the new Commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, whose national headquarters are in New Orleans.  In the same hearing, the Senate confirmed the current reserve commander, Lt. Gen. Steven Hummer, for his nest post at the U.S. Africa Command.   FOR FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE.

SPOTLIGHT   USERRA


You have the right to be reemployed in your civilian job if you leave that job to perform service in the uniformed service.  Do you know your USERRA rights?  If not click here

 

 

Tribute to our fallen:

An incredible story of a remarkable lady who asks for nothing and treasures freedom....

http://www.militarytimes.com/hancock

 

 

Need help in finding employment:

Checkout new Career Pathfinder at IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN VETERANS of AMERICA  HERE

 

WOUNDED WARRIOR REGIMENT

The United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment provides and facilitates assistance to wounded, ill and injured Marines, sailors attached to or in support of Marine units, and their family members in order to assist them as they return to duty or transition to civilian life. The Regimental headquarters element, located in Quantico, Va., commands the operations of two Wounded Warrior Battalions located at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., and multiple detachments in locations around the globe.

 

http://www.woundedwarriorregiment.org/

Honor & Sacrifice


 

For inspirational stories of those that have given so much click on the photo.

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

17th MCRA Golf Tournament: 2 August

This tournament is locked on for 2 August.  We will be playing on the Ft. Belvoir, Woodlawn Course.  We will be doing a shotgun start beginning at 0800.  The cost will be $85 for those that register at least 3 weeks in advance.  For those that register after, the charge will be $95.  As always the proceeds from the tournament will be going to the WOUNDED WARRIOR REGIMENT.  Last year we were able to present the Regiment with $12,000.  We are shooting to donate even more this year.  This year we will be fortunate and have some of our warriors playing with us.  So dust off your clubs and come out to show us your best swing.....We look forward to seeing a large turnout. 

 

To register CLICK HERE.  To donate CLICK HERE.

 

 GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS

 

 

                                     

                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 SCARLET LEVEL SPONSORS

 

   

 

      

 

 

 

 

WOUNDED WARRIOR SPONSORS 

COL Ken Hopper USMC (Ret)  

CMDR Mike Vineyard USN (Ret)

LCDR Joseph Forsha USN (Ret) 

LCDR Ken Christopher USN (Ret)

MCM Lee Larson USN (Ret)        

CPO Ted Kennedy USN (Ret)

Capt Joe Kelley USMC

Lisa Maddry     

The Hoppers   

A Marine is a Marine.  I set that policy two weeks ago - there's no such thing as a former Marine.   You're a Marine,  just in a different uniform and you're in a different phase of your life.  But you'll always be a Marine because you went to Parris Island, San Diego or the hills of Quantico.  There's no such thing as a former Marine. 

                                      General James F. Amos, 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps
 
 

                   Twitter: @USMCRA                 Facebook:  USMCRA

 

                   Office Phone: (703) 289-1204                      eMAIL: USMCRA1926@GMAIL.COM

                     

 

                  Mailing Address: Marine Corps Reserve Association

8626 Lee Highway, Suite 205

                                         Fairfax, Va  22031-2135

 

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