Marines Helping Marines

 

MCL PREAMBLE

In the name of the Beneficent God of all, we who have Honorably Served, or are now Honorably Serving our country in the United States Marine Corps, for the common good of this nation, and all the nations and people of our world, and in order that the Fundamental Rights and Freedom of every person may be preserved, to foster interest in the affairs of the United States Marine Corps, to protect and advance the welfare of the Wounded and Disabled Marines and their Dependents, and for the further purposes set fourth hereinafter, do solemnly and firmly associate ourselves together in a Nonprofit Corporation, known as the Marine Corps League, as ordained and established by our Bylaws.

 

WHAT DO THE MARINES NEED?

Note:

 

By: Ron Short – Department of Maryland
In the spring of 2003 the United States entered Iraq with the intention of toppling
the dictatorial/tyrannical regime of Saddam Hussein. All of America sat glued to


their TV sets, as the assault unfolded. Many of us felt that twinge of guilt that we
weren’t there. All of us wondered what we could do to support the troops,
especially the Marines. Shortly after the war began, the Commandant of the Department of Maryland, Marine Corps League received an e-mail from LtCol. Wayne Morris, USMC
(Retired) telling of a Marine from the Jacksonville area who had been wounded in
Iraq and was now in Bethesda Naval Hospital. LtCol. Morris asked if there were
any Marine Corps League members in the area who could look in on this Marine
and let him know that we were there for him. It immediately became clear exactly
what we could do to support our Marines.


Within twenty-four hours, the Department of Maryland Commandant, Chaplain, a
Detachment Commandant and two uniformed Marines from 4th
Combat Engineer Battalion in Baltimore were at Bethesda Naval Hospital, meeting the Marine Corps Liaison Officer and SNCOIC. They came with “goody bags” to be distributed to the wounded Marines and they were mentally prepared for the worst.
The Liaison office welcomed them with open arms and expressed their gratitude for
the support. There were six wounded Marines on the ward that day, including a
Sergeant and a Corporal who had been in an armored personnel carrier and were
both hit by the same RPG round.


The Leaguers left the hospital that day with many mixed emotions; sad at seeing our
young Marines with such severe injuries, but proud of their attitudes, espirit de
corps and intestinal fortitude. With that visit, an idea became a commitment and a
program was born that fulfils all that the Marines Corps League is about.
After the invasion was over, the Marines stepped back and let the Army take over
most of the action on the ground. The number of wounded Marines dwindled to a
trickle. In November 2003, it became evident that the Marines were going to take
on a greater roll in the spring of 2004. At that time, the Department of Maryland
decided to formalize a plan and policy for organized weekly visitations to Bethesda
in support of the injured and wounded Marines being cared for there.
 


What began as an effort to provide emotional support to these wounded Marines
quickly expanded into a need to provide material support in the form of needed
health and comfort items. The injured Marines arrive at the hospital with no more
than the hospital gowns on their backs. While the hospital provides the basic toilet
items, very often more is needed. Those with wounds to the face or those without
the use of both hands needed electric razors. Other items, such as tear- away sweat
pants were needed for those with leg injuries.
The current Department Commandant Ron Short assigned the Department
Chaplain with the task of developing a plan and written policy that would establish
guidelines acceptable to the Naval Hospital Command as well as the Marine Corps
Liaison Office. The group met with the Liaison Office and the program was
formalized into what is now the “Marines Helping Marines” program.
The formal program was established “to provide extensive support for injured
Marines Corps personnel at the National Naval Medical Center from the State of
Maryland Marine Corps League Detachments.”
The guiding policy is: “the Department of Maryland Marine Corps League will
direct Marine Corps League Detachments in their efforts to support injured Marine
Corps Personnel located at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda,
Maryland. The scope of support will encompass; financial, on site visits, off site day
trips to include family outings, dinners, short trips in support of the individual
Marines’ needs and professional sporting events as tickets and opportunities present
themselves.”


Since April of this year, we have seen an average of 18 Marines on the wards at any
given time, 7 Marines at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (for prosthesis support)
7 Marines in ICU and 36 in Out-Patient. In early August, the League began
supporting those Marines at Walter Reed as there was an apparent need there also.
Currently, in addition to personal comfort items, the League provides; financial
assistance to the families who are visiting their Marines (taxi vouchers, restaurant
vouchers, phone cards and limited housing funding), outings to Baltimore Orioles
baseball games for “outpatient” Marines (they are recognized by the stadium PA
announcer), C-D Players, C-D’s, DVD movies, combination television sets/DVD
players for the rooms (due to a shortage of TV’s in the hospital),
C-D players for the airplanes bringing the wounded Marines from Germany,
clothing items, rolling duffle bags for Marines leaving Bethesda Hospital, airline tickets and travel money to wounded Marines for emergency leave and weekly pizza parties on the ward for hospital staff and visiting families.



 

 

 

God Bless America
Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas
   Often Tested,  Always Faithful,  Brothers Forever.
United States Marines