Taken from the Washington Times
By Sgt. Shaft
Dear Sgt Shaft:
Every year since 2001, Congressman Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., has introduced a bill in the House, to re-designate the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps only to have it die in the Senate without action.
(more…)
Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas, a Marine veteran, has introduced S.504, a companion bill to HR 24 that would change the name of the Department of the Navy to the “Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.” At a Feb. 25 press conference, he said the change would be so simple…yet so important to so many Marines and Marine families.
“Why can’t we add three words to right an injustice?” asked Roberts. “Why can’t we add three words to remind the secretary of the Department of Defense and the world that the Marines are second to none?”
Roberts denounced critics who say the change would fly in the face of tradition.
“Some say we should not change because of something called tradition,” Roberts said. “Well, there are clearly many worthwhile traditions that add to the esprit de corps of the United States military and United States Marine Corps. In this case, it is hard to claim tradition as any legitimate reason not to move forward.”
Roberts also got to the core of what HR 24 and S. 504 are about.
“This legislation isn’t about money or about solving the social issues of our time,” the senator said. “This legislation is about honor and duty (to our Marines who are ready to enforce) cold steel on the enemy any time, any place.”
Marines, he concluded, will always be faithful.
“I just don’t think it’s too much to ask that our nation and the Secretary of Defense and all of our military establishment and those who are privileged to serve on the Armed Services Committee …be faithful back.”
R. Lee Ermey speaks candidly about why he has chosen to act as spokesperson for the Marine Corps Identity Cause, while at the rally at Bullfeathers of Capitol Hill on Feb 25, 2010.
Stay Tuned! Videos from the press conference will be posted tomorrow, to include all the speakers!
By James K. Sanborn – Staff writer - 02/25/10 20:38 EST
Taken from The Marine Corps Times
Retired Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, widely known for his performance as the sadistic drill instructor in the 1987 film “Full Metal Jacket,” headlined a Thursday news conference in Washington, D.C., calling to rename the Department of the Navy the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.
The event, at the Longworth House Office Building, was aimed at drumming up support for House Resolution 24, a bill authored by Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., that formally proposes the name change.
Marine Corps League Press Conference, Rally Slated for Feb. 25
Washington D.C. – Feb. 19, 2010 – Full Metal Jacket star R. Lee Ermey and the Marine Corps League will hold a press conference Thursday, Feb. 25, in Washington D.C. to announce legislation and a grassroots campaign to give Marines equal status with the Navy.
The conference will be held 3 PM in 1334 Longworth House Office Building. The conference was previously scheduled for another time.
Ermey will also appear at a rally at 5 PM at Bullfeathers of Capitol Hill restaurant. Press and interested parties are invited to attend.
The legislation, H.R. 24 and S.504, would change the name of the Department of the Navy to the “Department of the Navy and Marine Corps” and the Secretary of the Navy to the “Secretary of the Navy and Marine Corps.” It would not create a separate department.
Speaking at the conference will be:
The Marine Corps operates under the Department of the Navy. Families of Marines who die in combat receive condolence letters on Navy letterhead—with no mention of the Marine Corps.
Ermey said a major reason for his involvement with the campaign was to properly honor Marines who have fought and died in battle.
“When the family of a fallen Marine receives a condolence letter, the Marine Corps name should be proudly mentioned,” Ermey said. “I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.”
Actor R. Lee Ermey to Headline Feb. 11 Press Conference
Washington D.C. – Feb. 8, 2010 – When a soldier, airman or sailor dies in conflict, families receive letters from the Army, Air Force or Navy. When a Marine dies, the family receives a letter from the Department of the Navy.
The Marine Corps League will hold a press conference Feb. 11 in Washington D.C. to announce legislation and a grassroots campaign that would change this—and give Marines equal status with the Navy.
The conference will be held 10:30 A.M. in Room 122 at the Cannon House Office Building. Press and interested parties are invited to attend.
Speaking at the conference will be:
Rep. Jones’ bill has garnered supporters including former Secretary of the Navy Lawrence Garrett, FedEx founder Fred Smith and Col. Oliver North.
“Marines have fought and died with their Navy brothers and sisters for more than 200 years,” Blum said. “It’s finally time to give the Marine Corps the recognition the branch has long deserved.”
Taken from UPI
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (UPI) — Actor and Marine Corps veteran R. Lee Ermey says he backs a bill to rename the Department of the Navy the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps League, which is orchestrating the grassroots effort with Ermey, has started a petition-writing campaign to back legislation sponsored by Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., and Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., The Hill reported Saturday.
“Marines have fought and died with their Navy brothers and sisters for more than 200 years,” said Michael Blum, the Marine Corps League executive director. “It’s finally time to give the Marine Corps the recognition the branch has long deserved.”
The Marine Corps League noted families of those who die in combat receive condolence letters on Navy letterhead stationery with no mention of the Marine Corps.
Congress officially created the Marine Corps on June 30, 1834 but placed the corps under the Department of the Navy.
The Marines have their own military command structure and function separately, The Hill said.
*This is for email alerts only, if you would like to officially show your support please sign our petition.
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