Free Republic

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2007 – Finances are no longer a reason to keep a Marine’s family from attending his or her basic training graduation, thanks to the Marine Graduation Foundation. “The men and women who choose to serve our country as a United States Marine endure more in one day of boot camp than most of us will ever experience in a lifetime,” John Weant, the foundation’s president said. “None of (them) should ever have to be alone on the day they can proudly say, ‘I am a United States Marine.’” Weant said it’s “just not acceptable” for financial...

HADITHA DAM, Iraq (Oct. 18, 2005) -- The use of dogs as guardians of military camps to protect against surprise attacks dates back to ancient Egypt. Today, dogs are not only guarding bases but also patrolling with Marines of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment in Iraq. Sergeant James J. Wasmer, a Chatham, Mass., native, and his search dog, Euro, are one K-9 team busy doing weapons caches sweeps and entry control point searches to keep citizens of Iraq and Marines safe. Recently the team conducted a sweep with the battalion’s Company L to look for weapons caches and other explosives...