thedrifter
11-27-06, 07:35 PM
Marine Corps life from boot camp to combat
01:00 AM EST on Monday, November 27, 2006
The spire of the new National Museum of the Marine Corps soars 210 feet at the precise angle of the famous Pulitzer Prize-winning Joe Rosenthal photo of five Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the U.S. flag over Iwo Jima on Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945.
History, tradition, courage, sacrifice and dedication are imbued in the design of the museum that was dedicated by President Bush on the 231st anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. The museum will celebrate the Marine Corps’ history and help visitors to understand what is special about becoming a Marine.
The museum allows visitors to experience life from a Marine’s perspective, such as what it is like to go through boot camp, make an amphibious landing under fire or deploy from a helicopter during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Bush honored the many Marines present for the dedication among the 15,000 who attended. Many were veterans of famous military battles.
“These walls pay tribute to your contributions to American freedom,” he said. “These walls remind all who visit here that honor, courage and commitment are not just words. They are core values for a way of life that puts service above self. And these walls will keep the history of the Marine Corps alive for generations of Americans to come.”
Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 190,000 men and women have stepped forward to wear the uniform of the Marine Corps and to face determined enemies and add their chapters to the stories of liberty and peace. Visit the museum online at www.usmcmuseum.org.
VFW, PVA raise awareness
On Veterans Day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Paralyzed Veterans of America organizations teamed up for the first time to highlight the identity of our country’s new generation of veterans.
Because of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the number of veterans in their 20s and 30s has increased dramatically. More than 100,000 men and women have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan after serving on active duty, with an average age of 27 and many with families and young children to care for.
The VFW and PVA are assisting new veterans with employment, housing, health care, legislative and other needs. PVA is especially concerned with the incredible number of service personnel who are returning home with severe injuries.
“American veterans, active duty personnel and their families desperately need assistance today and well into the future,” said Randy Pleva, PVA national president. “As they struggle to complete their service and rebuild their lives, they must be able to rely on their fellow Americans. By spreading this message, we hope to broaden enthusiasm for supporting returning wounded soldiers and their families.”
Both organizations are planning a festival at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on June 30, a day-long celebration of freedom and acknowledgment of the journey that every U.S. service member takes. The day will include top-name musicians, an honor roll motorcycle tribute ride, the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, a sponsor village with military and veterans’groups, and fireworks. The Web site is www.starsandstripesfestival.org.
AG posts warning
Attorney General Patrick Lynch has added a page to his Web site at www.riag.ri.gov. alerting veterans and active duty personnel to steps they can take to protect themselves from identity theft.
Increased interest in this topic evolved from the theft in May of a Department of Veterans Affairs employee’s laptop computer containing confidential information on 26.5 million veterans, military personnel and their spouses. The computer was found and there was no apparent loss or compromise of data that it contained.
Part of the information added applies to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and explains how active duty personnel can reduce the chances of identity theft while they are deployed by placing an active duty alert on their credit reports.
Rhode Island veterans with questions pertaining to identity theft or suspected scams should call the attorney general’s consumer protection unit at (401) 274-4400 and press 1 at the first and second prompts.
Westerly Armory activist/author offers a different type of holiday treat
Armory sells book
A 74-page book about Rhode Island called “The Right to Crow: A Look at Rhode Island’s Firsts, Bests, & Uniques” by Prof. Roberta Mudge Humble at the Community College of Rhode Island depicts firsts, bests, and unique things about Rhode Island, the 39 Rhode Island cities and towns and their bragging rights and interesting points about the state’s 12 colleges.
Also included is a page on the state’s symbols, a chronology starting in 1636 of the best things about Rhode Island .
Copies are available at Twice-Told Tales in Pawtuxet, The Other Tiger in Westerly, the Westerly Armory and at other bookstores and shops for $10. The book can be ordered by mail for a $2 shipping fee by writing to Westerly Armory, PO Box 614, Westerly, RI 02891. The number is (401) 596-8554.
Humble, president of Westerly Armory Restoration Inc., says proceeds from sales will benefit the armory’s restoration project. The Web site is www.westerlyarmory.com.
Reunion
The annual Christmas breakfast buffet of the 102d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron Association will be held on Dec. 10 at Chelo’s Restaurant on Post Road in Warwick at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $10. Reservations must be made by Sunday. Call Hank Connors at (401) 437-1482 or send e-mail to Hank.Connors@juno.com.
American Legion and Auxiliary
Executive committees will meet this week at Shields Post 43, West Shore Road, Warwick, as follows: Department meets tonight at 7:30 and the auxiliary meets Thursday at 7 p.m. The department and auxiliary children and youth coordinated committee will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Department headquarters, 1005 Charles St., Providence.
Persian Gulf War Commission
The commission will meet Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Command Readiness Center, 645 New London Ave., Cranston.
Special Forces Association
Rhode Island Chapter 48 will have its annual Christmas dinner-dance and auction at Firemen’s Hall in East Greenwich on Saturday at 6 p.m. For information or reservations, call Brad Preston at (401) 886-1860.
VFW, auxiliary
Nelson-Mack-Narragansett Post 4651, 7 Haven Ave., Cranston will meet Sunday at 10 a.m.
Destroyer Escort Association
Members and former sailors are invited to a 25th anniversary luncheon meeting on Dec. 7 at the Newport Naval Base’s Officers’ Club at noon. Reservations must be made by Wednesday for gate security clearance by calling Roland at (50 995-1566.
George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.
Ellie
01:00 AM EST on Monday, November 27, 2006
The spire of the new National Museum of the Marine Corps soars 210 feet at the precise angle of the famous Pulitzer Prize-winning Joe Rosenthal photo of five Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the U.S. flag over Iwo Jima on Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945.
History, tradition, courage, sacrifice and dedication are imbued in the design of the museum that was dedicated by President Bush on the 231st anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. The museum will celebrate the Marine Corps’ history and help visitors to understand what is special about becoming a Marine.
The museum allows visitors to experience life from a Marine’s perspective, such as what it is like to go through boot camp, make an amphibious landing under fire or deploy from a helicopter during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Bush honored the many Marines present for the dedication among the 15,000 who attended. Many were veterans of famous military battles.
“These walls pay tribute to your contributions to American freedom,” he said. “These walls remind all who visit here that honor, courage and commitment are not just words. They are core values for a way of life that puts service above self. And these walls will keep the history of the Marine Corps alive for generations of Americans to come.”
Since Sept. 11, 2001, more than 190,000 men and women have stepped forward to wear the uniform of the Marine Corps and to face determined enemies and add their chapters to the stories of liberty and peace. Visit the museum online at www.usmcmuseum.org.
VFW, PVA raise awareness
On Veterans Day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Paralyzed Veterans of America organizations teamed up for the first time to highlight the identity of our country’s new generation of veterans.
Because of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the number of veterans in their 20s and 30s has increased dramatically. More than 100,000 men and women have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan after serving on active duty, with an average age of 27 and many with families and young children to care for.
The VFW and PVA are assisting new veterans with employment, housing, health care, legislative and other needs. PVA is especially concerned with the incredible number of service personnel who are returning home with severe injuries.
“American veterans, active duty personnel and their families desperately need assistance today and well into the future,” said Randy Pleva, PVA national president. “As they struggle to complete their service and rebuild their lives, they must be able to rely on their fellow Americans. By spreading this message, we hope to broaden enthusiasm for supporting returning wounded soldiers and their families.”
Both organizations are planning a festival at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on June 30, a day-long celebration of freedom and acknowledgment of the journey that every U.S. service member takes. The day will include top-name musicians, an honor roll motorcycle tribute ride, the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, a sponsor village with military and veterans’groups, and fireworks. The Web site is www.starsandstripesfestival.org.
AG posts warning
Attorney General Patrick Lynch has added a page to his Web site at www.riag.ri.gov. alerting veterans and active duty personnel to steps they can take to protect themselves from identity theft.
Increased interest in this topic evolved from the theft in May of a Department of Veterans Affairs employee’s laptop computer containing confidential information on 26.5 million veterans, military personnel and their spouses. The computer was found and there was no apparent loss or compromise of data that it contained.
Part of the information added applies to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and explains how active duty personnel can reduce the chances of identity theft while they are deployed by placing an active duty alert on their credit reports.
Rhode Island veterans with questions pertaining to identity theft or suspected scams should call the attorney general’s consumer protection unit at (401) 274-4400 and press 1 at the first and second prompts.
Westerly Armory activist/author offers a different type of holiday treat
Armory sells book
A 74-page book about Rhode Island called “The Right to Crow: A Look at Rhode Island’s Firsts, Bests, & Uniques” by Prof. Roberta Mudge Humble at the Community College of Rhode Island depicts firsts, bests, and unique things about Rhode Island, the 39 Rhode Island cities and towns and their bragging rights and interesting points about the state’s 12 colleges.
Also included is a page on the state’s symbols, a chronology starting in 1636 of the best things about Rhode Island .
Copies are available at Twice-Told Tales in Pawtuxet, The Other Tiger in Westerly, the Westerly Armory and at other bookstores and shops for $10. The book can be ordered by mail for a $2 shipping fee by writing to Westerly Armory, PO Box 614, Westerly, RI 02891. The number is (401) 596-8554.
Humble, president of Westerly Armory Restoration Inc., says proceeds from sales will benefit the armory’s restoration project. The Web site is www.westerlyarmory.com.
Reunion
The annual Christmas breakfast buffet of the 102d Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron Association will be held on Dec. 10 at Chelo’s Restaurant on Post Road in Warwick at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $10. Reservations must be made by Sunday. Call Hank Connors at (401) 437-1482 or send e-mail to Hank.Connors@juno.com.
American Legion and Auxiliary
Executive committees will meet this week at Shields Post 43, West Shore Road, Warwick, as follows: Department meets tonight at 7:30 and the auxiliary meets Thursday at 7 p.m. The department and auxiliary children and youth coordinated committee will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Department headquarters, 1005 Charles St., Providence.
Persian Gulf War Commission
The commission will meet Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Command Readiness Center, 645 New London Ave., Cranston.
Special Forces Association
Rhode Island Chapter 48 will have its annual Christmas dinner-dance and auction at Firemen’s Hall in East Greenwich on Saturday at 6 p.m. For information or reservations, call Brad Preston at (401) 886-1860.
VFW, auxiliary
Nelson-Mack-Narragansett Post 4651, 7 Haven Ave., Cranston will meet Sunday at 10 a.m.
Destroyer Escort Association
Members and former sailors are invited to a 25th anniversary luncheon meeting on Dec. 7 at the Newport Naval Base’s Officers’ Club at noon. Reservations must be made by Wednesday for gate security clearance by calling Roland at (50 995-1566.
George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.
Ellie