Marines, and Friends of the Corps,

There has been a recent spike in media attention related to the historic quality of drinking water at Camp Lejeune, NC.  The suggestion has been made that the Marine Corps has not been forthcoming with respect to what we knew and when we reported what we knew to the relevant organizations.  Suggestion that we were not forthcoming is inaccurate.  This 'Letter to the Editor' speaks to the issue.

Semper Fidelis,
Colonel Bryan Salas
Director, Marine Corps Public Affairs

Click "Read More" below to view the letter.

Washington D.C.:  Full Metal Jacket star R. Lee Ermey and the Marine Corps League held a press conference Thursday, Feb. 25, in Washington D.C. to announce legislation and a grassroots campaign to give Marines equal status with the Navy.

On Sept. 1, Operation Iraqi Freedom will officially become Operation New Dawn to recognize the continued progress that is being made in the country.  In a Feb. 17 memo approving the name change to Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. Central Command, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the change sends a strong signal that "our forces are under a new mission.  It also presents opportunities to synchronize strategic communications initiatives, reinforce our commitment to honor the Security Agreement, and recognize of evolving relationship with the Government of Iraq."

OOORAAH, Marines it has been a busy time for your commandant.  I have had the pleasure of traveling around the country speaking with Leaguers.  As a member of this great organization for forty years I can truly say we have the best membership of any veterans organization out there today.  Our members continue in camaraderie and fellowship.  Our detachments continue to preserve our traditions and promote the interest of our United States Marine Corps.

MARINES AND FRIENDS OF MARINES!  Your NEW Ships Store is OPEN and ready for business!  THE SEMPER FI STORE opened the second week of December.  We are still receiving new and exciting merchandise every day and making changes and refinements, but we are proud as new parents at the way the store turned out.  We think that the members of the Marine Corps League will be equally proud to have this fine store out there for the public to see.  We think you will be as pleased as we are when you learn that you can finally purchase ALL your uniform needs directly from the Semper Fi Store, such as the Marine Corps League Red Blazer, black trousers, white shirts (short and long sleeve), ties, belts etc.  No need to shop around, support your Semper Fi Store and you will love the service you receive.

I have received many reports that Veterans are being contacted by "Patient Care Group" representing that they are helping administer VA prescriptions and stating that the pharmacy billing procedures have changed and they are therefore requesting Veteran credit card numbers for prescription payments in advance of filling their prescriptions.  This is false.  VA does not call Veterans asking to disclose personal financial information over the phone.  VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription medicines.

Veterans Service Organizations Liaison
Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Effective with the close of the Marine Corps League’s 86th National Convention (August 7, 2009) held in Rochester, MN, the KHAKI (tan) SHIRT is no longer authorized for wear as a part of the Marine Corps League Uniform for any purpose.  The members in attendance voted overwhelmingly to remove the "Khaki" (tan) shirt as an authorized part of the Ceremonial Uniform.  It has not been authorized for wear with any other MCL uniform for several years.  All Detachment and Department Color Guards and Honor Guards are to suspend wearing of the Khaki Shirt and change over to the "Casual" uniform or "Undress" uniform as proscribed in National Bylaws Enclosure Three (3).

In order to ensure the availability of quality and timely health care to veterans with service connected conditions, special authority based on military service, low income, and those with special health care needs, in January 2003 VA made the difficult decision to stop enrolling new Priority Group 8 (high income) veterans whose income exceeded VA income thresholds.

Washington, DC: Congressman Jones speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives to recognize the Marine Corps League's support for redesignating the Department of the Navy as the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.

My name is Cpl Richard D. Penedo, and I would like to share with you the story of my visit back home, and all of the things that followed. I joined the USMC May 4th, 2004, and I'm currently serving my second term, or reenlistment, stationed in Quantico, VA. a month ago, I fell into a deep slump, and even though being a Marine is something to be very proud of, I didn't quite feel happy and proud with myself, that is until my visit back home.

Dear Colleagues, As an army grunt in August of 1967, on a mission with the ROK Marines in central I Corps, I had an experience that created a lifelong bond for me with the United States Marine Corps. Recently I authored a book for our troops, their families, and friends who are dealing with post traumatic stress.

I enlisted in the Navy in June 1975 attended Boot Camp in Great Lakes Ill., from there I went to Basic Electronics School and then on to Fire Control School. I thought Fire Control was something to do with Fire Fighting, but it was to fix guns and I was the type of person that was not interested in Killing someone, I was use to saving lives.  You see before entering the service I was a member of a Rescue Squad in Northern VA where I was from and so, I dropped out of school. I went to see a Navy Classifier, and he asked me why didn't I go into the Hospital Corps and I said that I wanted to follow in my fathers footsteps as a Sonar Tech, and instead I thought someone in the Navy had read my profile and saw that I was an Emergency Medical Technician from the state of Virginia.

The Defense Department announced today the establishment of a new Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) to review disability ratings of wounded warriors and provide another avenue of administrative recourse for our wounded veterans. The Air Force has been designated as lead DoD component for operation and management of the PDBR.

My name is Chris Ott.  My son is LCPL John Doody.  He was shot several times in the leg last March while serving as a Marine in the Al Anbar province.  He was recovering at the NMCSD when he suffered from a stroke caused by an infection in his heart related to his gunshot wounds.  He was unconscious for a number of hours and then suffered from anoxic brain injury - lack of oxygen.

Nearly 570,000 to be Reached by New Call Center
WASHINGTON: On May 1, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will begin contacting nearly 570,000 recent combat veterans to ensure they know about VA’s medical services and other benefits.

WASHINGTON: A new edition of the popular handbook Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updates the rates for certain federal payments and outlines a variety of programs and benefits for American veterans.

Marines don’t leave Marines behind - the Marine Corps League didn’t leave this Marine behind and we thank Alessandra Kellerman and her organization - Homefront Hugs for bringing him to our attention. 

It's been a while since I've surfed over to see National's site.  I popped over just last night.  That was May 18, 2005.  It was already late at night.  It's Thursday almost noon now and I have come home for lunch to see if a few things, I tried while here last night, were still ok.  I am glad to see that they are.  This new site seems to have a great way of interacting with any member out there who is 'online' and wants to interact.  Outstanding!!!  I'll try to make a contribution from time to time.  Dan