WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has ordered roughly 1,250 Marines serving as trainers for the Afghan security forces to stay on the warfront about a month longer to continue a mission that military leaders say is a top priority, according to a senior military official.

General James F. Amos pinned on his fourth star today, and assumed his new duties as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps during a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington.

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.

To the 70,000 plus members of the Marine Corps League:  Please accept my sincere thanks and deep appreciation for having given me the opportunity to serve you as your National Commandant during the past two years.  It is indeed a humbling thought when I reflect on all the outstanding Marines I have known in this organization, and all the great Marines and FMF Corpsmen I have had the opportunity to meet in my travels as your National Commandant.

I want to begin my article in this issue by recognizing the loss of a true Marine Corps hero and a good friend.  Jacklyn H. Lucas reported to the Supreme Commandant on June 5th, 2008.  At the age of 14, Jack lied about his age and joined the Marine Corps.  He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on Iwo Jima at the age of 17, (6 days after his 17th birthday), the youngest Marine ever to receive that honor he became a symbol of patriotism in the ensuing decades, meeting Presidents and traveling the world to speak with frontline troops and fellow Veterans.

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.

The Department of Defense (DoD) successfully advocated a revision to Question 21 on the SF86 regarding mental and emotional health on the Standard Form (SF) 86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions.

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.: Heavy smoke, the putrid stench of war and the crackling of a burning vehicle were flooding his senses. But when he realized his injuries were serious, his mind, at least in part, was on what would happen to his family if his injuries were serious there in Iraq.

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