Marine Corps' “Merriest” Mission

Since its inception 60 years ago, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has distributed more than 313 million toys to 151 million children. In addition, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has supplemented the collection of local campaigns over a 13-year life, providing more than 47.4 million toys valued at $243 million, plus promotion and support materials valued at $2.5 million.

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity and is the fundraising, funding and support organization for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.  The Foundation was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps and provides support in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve, who directs the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.  The Foundation has supported Toys for Tots since 1991.

The primary goal of the Foundation is the same as that of the overall Toys for Tots Program: i.e. –  to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them into becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

The Old Guard, a day in the Life: Drill Team Rehearsal

This is part two of our six part Memorial Day week series entitled: “The Old Guard, a day in the life.”   From practicing rifle maneuvers to guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier, to working burial details at Arlington National Cemetery the 3rd US infantry is the oldest active Infantry Regiment in United States Army and was created in 1784. This is a must watch especially this week for anyone who wants to see what professionalism and dedication and honor really mean.

We hope you’ll join us for the entire series and come away with a greater respect for the men and women in the United Stated Military today and those who we remember honor and celebrate every Memorial Day.  Please watch.

The Old Guard, a day in the Life: Never Falter

“…It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

—President Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1863.  

Today we begin a six part Memorial Day week series entitled: “The Old Guard, a day in the life.”   From practicing rifle maneuvers to guarding the tomb of the unknown soldier, to working burial details at Arlington National Cemetery the 3rd US infantry is the oldest active Infantry Regiment in United States Army and was created in 1784. This is a must watch especially this week for anyone who wants to see what professionalism and dedication and honor really mean.

We hope you’ll join us for the entire series and come away with a greater respect for the men and women in the United Stated Military today and those who we remember, honor and celebrate every Memorial Day.  Please watch.

Six-year-Old Boy Walks to His U.S. Marine Father for the First Time

Some readers may have already seen this story on the evening news, but for those of you who have not; go grab a box of Kleenex before you watch this video from WelcomHomeBlog.  Here is how Michael’s Mother described the father—son homecoming you’re about to watch.

"When my husband left on his deployment, our 6-year-old son could not walk on his own. He has cerebral palsy. Doctors originally said that he would never walk or do much of anything. While daddy was away, he learned to walk. For his homecoming, we set it up for Michael to walk to his daddy for the first time ever! We kept the fact that he could walk a secret the whole time his dad was gone!”

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