GyBill
10-19-2006, 05:22 PM
Marines, Sailors Take Care of Their Own
Marine Corps News | Cpl. Sara A. Carter | October 18, 2006
MCB Hawaii - It is a joyous time when Marines return with their units from a deployment. But most returns are bitter sweet because there are always seems to be some that don’t make it home. For those who are don’t return, their families and the rest of their brothers memorialize them during a service.
The memorial service is not just a time for the Marines to grieve their fallen brethren; it’s also a time for the families to find closure. In some circumstances, due to financial hardships and the high costs associated with traveling to Hawaii, many families might not be able to attend the memorial services here.
In order to allow all family members to attend the service, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society uses donated funds to pay for their trips.
“It is important for the families to meet the Marines their loved one’s served with,” said Beth Cooling, N-MCRS volunteer and wife of the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. “It helps the families get closure and it helps the Marines too.”
The relief society contacts each of the families to invite them to the ceremony. They then provide airfare, lodging and a rental car for five days for each of the families attending.
Third Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, who suffered 11 casualties during their six month deployment in support of OIF, returned last week as has their memorial service scheduled for Oct. 20. The families of the fallen have already been notified and most have already made arrangements for their trip out here.
“Currently 75 family members are coming out for the memorial,” said Cheryl Milca, assistant for N-MCRS, “We still have two families waiting to confirm.”
According to Milca, this is the fifth memorial the society has arranged for the families. The first was held in January 2005.
Sometime during the start of the war, an anonymous person donated $2 million, specifically for the memorial ceremonies, to the N-MCRS, Milca said. These funds have been used to bring the families to memorial ceremonies all over the world.
“We have used $166,000 for our memorial services (here) so far,” the assistant said. “The Navy and Marine Corps can use this money so with all of the memorial services that are held at the different bases, we might be getting close to using up all of the money.”
Once the money is gone, another $2 million will be donated to the society, she continued.
The anonymous donating is not the only way the non-profit organization raises funds. They also receive donations during the Combined Federal Campaign and during their fund drive held in the spring each year.
To date, the N-MCRS has brought 174 service member’s families to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, to attend the services.
“Some of these families might not have been able to come,” Milca said. “They are grateful for the assistance.”
For more information on the N-MCRS call 257-1972 or 257-1973.
Marine Corps News | Cpl. Sara A. Carter | October 18, 2006
MCB Hawaii - It is a joyous time when Marines return with their units from a deployment. But most returns are bitter sweet because there are always seems to be some that don’t make it home. For those who are don’t return, their families and the rest of their brothers memorialize them during a service.
The memorial service is not just a time for the Marines to grieve their fallen brethren; it’s also a time for the families to find closure. In some circumstances, due to financial hardships and the high costs associated with traveling to Hawaii, many families might not be able to attend the memorial services here.
In order to allow all family members to attend the service, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society uses donated funds to pay for their trips.
“It is important for the families to meet the Marines their loved one’s served with,” said Beth Cooling, N-MCRS volunteer and wife of the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. “It helps the families get closure and it helps the Marines too.”
The relief society contacts each of the families to invite them to the ceremony. They then provide airfare, lodging and a rental car for five days for each of the families attending.
Third Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, who suffered 11 casualties during their six month deployment in support of OIF, returned last week as has their memorial service scheduled for Oct. 20. The families of the fallen have already been notified and most have already made arrangements for their trip out here.
“Currently 75 family members are coming out for the memorial,” said Cheryl Milca, assistant for N-MCRS, “We still have two families waiting to confirm.”
According to Milca, this is the fifth memorial the society has arranged for the families. The first was held in January 2005.
Sometime during the start of the war, an anonymous person donated $2 million, specifically for the memorial ceremonies, to the N-MCRS, Milca said. These funds have been used to bring the families to memorial ceremonies all over the world.
“We have used $166,000 for our memorial services (here) so far,” the assistant said. “The Navy and Marine Corps can use this money so with all of the memorial services that are held at the different bases, we might be getting close to using up all of the money.”
Once the money is gone, another $2 million will be donated to the society, she continued.
The anonymous donating is not the only way the non-profit organization raises funds. They also receive donations during the Combined Federal Campaign and during their fund drive held in the spring each year.
To date, the N-MCRS has brought 174 service member’s families to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, to attend the services.
“Some of these families might not have been able to come,” Milca said. “They are grateful for the assistance.”
For more information on the N-MCRS call 257-1972 or 257-1973.