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Subscribe to RSSWASHINGTON - The Marine Corps on Tuesday apologized for mistakenly mailing Purple Heart Christmas tree ornaments to about 1,150 deceased Marines and sailors.
The gold ornaments, with an image of the Purple Heart in the center, were part of a package from the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment that included a letter to the deceased recipient from the regiment's commanding officer as well as a flyer with information about an athletic reconditioning program.
The packages were addressed to the deceased troops.
The Corps said it learned of the error when family members called Monday evening.
"There are no words to express how very sorry we are for the hurt such a mistake has caused the families of our fallen warriors," said Col. John L. Mayer, the regiment's commanding officer. "There is no excuse for why this happened."
A spokeswoman for the regiment, Capt. Jill L. Wolf, said in an interview that by Tuesday 35 families who received the packages had called to point out the error. She said Mayer has begun calling them to apologize. Letters of apology will be sent to all families of the deceased who were included in the mailing.
The tree ornaments were donated by an unspecified charitable organization and were supposed to go to living Marines who had received the Purple Heart since 9/11, as well as sailors who were wounded while attached to or serving in support of Marine Corps units. Nearly 8,000 were mailed, as intended, to living recipients.
Wolf said this is the third year the ornaments have been mailed to Purple Heart recipients. There were no known mailing errors in 2009 or 2010, she said.
The Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, headquartered at Quantico, Va., provides non-medical care to combat and non-combat wounded, ill and injured Marines, as well as sailors in support of Marine units. The goal is to help them return to military duty or to transition to civilian life.
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Leave a Comment:
i dont see the problem here, I think its a good way to honor those that gave thier all in service to this country, sure they should have been addressed to the surviving family instead, but other than that i see no problem
I tend to agree depending on the wording of the letter.
Based on what's in the story I have to agree with you Radical. Place the ornament proudly on your tree as a tribute to your loved one lost. I personally would cherish them.
WHOEVER SAID ITS A GOOD WAY TO HONER THEM.... they are dead. Giving them gifts is pointless. And if your religious...THEY ARE DEAD until further notice. But still dead.
Antech, you need to get some help.
@ Antech
They are dead, but still remembered.
Unlike your situation will be, after you die.
(Never mind the fact that the ornaments were meant for living recipients of the Purple Heart. Thus proving that you didnt even read the story and remarked for one purpose... to spread your personal self loathing and unhappiness to others.)
@ Antech
Hopefully you will soon depart this world. I will celebrate.
Antech must be one of thoese people who booed our troops dead or alive
during 'some'debate
Hey Antech! Try learning to spell HONOR BEFORE you come on here and talk S*&T about something like this. You MORON!
I don't see a problem with honoring our fallen troops... the problem may be that included with the ornament was information on rehabilitation and other programs to help soldiers transition back into civilian life despite injuries... I can see how a family would not want information on how their deceased relative could "transition back into civilian life."
to antech, as the father in law of a young marine who has gone to iraq twice and afghanistan once and has suffered ptsd and being wounded after the last trip to that hole of a country i have to say you need serious help.go suck on your mommies teat for awhile. talk your bulls&it elsewhere troll.oh... and god bless you and have a merry christmas.
Leave it to the US military leadership to screw the pooch. The military controls this country, explaining how the Pentagon gets an increase in the budget while all other departments are taking a hit.
Bring all the troops home and end the wars. The only ones that benefit from these wars are defense contractors and the politicians they own.
My whole family is USMC and my brother has 2 purple hearts and a bronze star w/ V for valor. He is headed out for his 7th combat tour. I don't fault the USMC for mailing these to the families of deceased Marines...it's still saying we honor you...
Sandtrich & Antech sound like imature infants with no family in the military. The men and women that serve our military have done more for these two then they will ever do for themselves.
I don't know who was really at fault here, but as a retired Marine I can tell you the person who pays for this mistake will be an enlisted Marine, not an officer :(
As a tax paying citizen I would rather see my money ALL go to the US Marine Corps than to princess pelosi's office flower fund, or to restock hillaries liquer cabinet or any political cocktail party or mooochelles many vacations.........at least I get some return on my investment in the Corps. Semper Fi.
I guess most of you fell right into Antech's trap and spent more time giving him attention than our fallen troops. This was certainly meant to show respect for those who have fallen and I'm sure the families of our fallen troops understood the mix up. With so much in the news lately about body parts of our fallen soldiers being dumped in landfills and not given a respectful burial, you would think that this mistake would have been caught in time and corrected. It still shows a lack of attention to detail on the Marine Corps part. Paying attention to detail is a very important part of military life. How did this get by the commanders eyes? Makes you wonder who was in charge of this project and just how much time and attention was actually placed on it. Not very much in my mind. Maybe you can say that it was the thought that counts. That's not very reassuring to the families of the fallen soldiers. It shows me a certain amount of disrespect toward them and their fallen soldier. It doesn't make it in my book and I'm a retired MSG who has been in Vietnam and Iraq. Someone has to be held responsible and they need to get it right.
I'm in agreement with Robert-385246. I'm retired also and Robert knows exactly what the deal is. All this article does is give us "lip service" from a officer in the Marines Corps. An enlisted guys will pay for it and the officer will dodge the bullet. It is "ALL" about accountability for your actions and the buck stops at the top of the Chain of Command. Thank you Robert for showing everyone that you are a Retired Marine that knows what "Respect and Honor" really means.
Antech: Its very plain that you have no respect for anyone, not even yourself. When you die, no one will shed tears for you, that way you can be given back what you are giving to others.
sandtrich: You need to learn how to read. It was an honest error, and no one got screwed. Just FYI As a military family, I pay attention to what's going on with our defense budget. We got told we were taking pay cuts, and we were cutting back military programs meant to benefit military families all over the globe, from those on the front lines, to those stationed overseas on regular duty. We take more and more cut backs, making it harder to make ends meet, while useless programs get more of a budget increase. So before you open your mouth and look stupid, try doing your research first.
As for the error that was made, I would apologize too, for some of the families the loss is still fresh, and for others...well there are somethings that are harder to heal over time. We never forget our loved ones who sacrificed, but I think it would have been a nice idea to give the ornaments to the surviving members, to honor their service member with. I know if I had one I would display it on my tree.
brian-1077790 Ignoring author
Reposted: My whole family is USMC and my brother has 2 purple hearts and a bronze star w/ V for valor. He is headed out for his 7th combat tour. I don't fault the USMC for mailing these to the families of deceased Marines...it's still saying we honor you...
Sandtrich & Antech sound like imature infants with no family in the military. The men and women that serve our military have done more for these two then they will ever do for themselves.
#46.12 - Wed Dec 14, 2011 11:56 AM EST
Oops---wrong. My father, a WWII Submariner, Myself--Vietnam Era Navy, (USS Marias, AO-57 and Fleet Air Jax), My brother has a Purple Heart from time in Nam as a grunt, his son is a EM 1st Class, and my son is an O-4, active duty in the USN. Also-- It's "than", not "then" and it's--"immature."
In spite of the fact that I served doesn't make me blind to the fact that the military is totally out of control in expenditures. The bulk of the monies do not go to service members, nor anyone other than makers of WMD's and the politicians they own.
AZ rancher, Right On !!!!......
Well Sand I guess your just bitter...who screwed you over?
Living and dead should get honored in this, and that is that. Something needs to be done for the families of the fallen soldiers every year as well, something special, not just the living.
**To those on here that have served - to all that have served or are serving - thank you. Thank you to the families as well. It never seems to get said enough. We all owe you a debt that can never be repaid; you all deserve the respect and kindness of every citizen in this country.**
An apology of handwritten letters from whoever messed up in the first place should be in order - that is ideal. However, as our two retired Marines have pointed out here, that's not the case. The officers don't take any blame. So chances are, the families will get a generic copy/paste typed letter about 5 sentences long, and that will be that; some poor bottom-rung Marines will get the brunt of punishment...
Sandtrich, you want something else military related to cry about? How about the new full Navy fleet that just posted outside N. Korea? Yeah, look into that. It hasn't exactly made news headlines, but a @!$%# storm is brewing up there. You probably had no idea about it because you don't actually look into the causes you make general accusations against - moron. It's people like you that really tick me off. You whine about every little thing that has to do with the military, you poor blind little sheep. You're the ones protesting every move the military branches make. GUESS WHAT?! Most of the soldiers I know don't agree with the reasons the wars are being fought, whether it's for "oil" as some claim or if for a real national threat of some kind. But they do what they are told anyway because that is their JOB. These men and women have honor, integrity, and a bravery that a lazy do-nothing scumbag like you could never understand. This is a mistake. It happens. The people serving in the military are still HUMANS.
No one screwed me over on a personal basis, but we are all being screwed collectively. Our defense budget is slated at $1.2T to $1.4T for 2012 and our forecasted revenues are $2.2T for 2012. Is that they way to run a country? 58K+ of my generation didn't return and the numbers are not yet complete on these 2 wars. What would be wrong with bringing our battle weary home and mind our own business?
I'm not at all against military personnel, but I'd rather see them building bridges in the US, as opposed to blowing them up in other countries. The sacrifices that a service member makes on a daily basis is monumental but there is no reason for the US to put our troops in constant, open ended wars. Now, the war mongers want to jump into another war. Will it be Pakistan or Iran? Have the brass sitting in the Pentagon and the defense lobbyist on K Street send their children, wives, husbands.
I agree with sandtrich, as a retired Marine it is unethical to put a Marine / Soldier/ Sailor or Zoomie at risk without the possibility to "win" the war and go home. We are now looking at the politicians changing the rules of engagement to be a never ending police force for a foreign country. Time to bring them home,those two hell holes will be the same in a year or two after we leave..........even if we do it now or in a decade from now.
Maybe everyone can get several deferments like Newt did to avoid actual service, easy to send others to war, let's see if they would be so anxious to send their own sons, daughters, fathers and wives.
@ Sandtrich and Marklepew
Seriously, the Marines sent ornaments to the wrong people and you start bleeting diatribes about an evil military industrial complex?
Arguing this @!$%# in some forums makes sense... here it makes you look like a loon.
You missed the point, didn't you? I served, as many members of my family has. To blindly follow, without questions in a post military life is not my thing. You call me a "scumbag."(sic) Is freedom of speech that I served for no longer available for me without schoolyard bravado attacks? While I will not play the name calling game with you, I can see that you have swallowed the lines that have kept us at war. Post WWII, there has been no reason to engage another country by an act of war. On 9-11, we were attacked by religion fueled Saudi citizens armed with box cutters--not Iraq, N Korea, Iran, nor Afghanistan.
What's with the random bold and capitalization? It's the mark of a lobbyist or someone crying to be heard.
I do not understand why military folks get so bent out of shape at fools like Antech and his stupid crew. You guys aren't dummies, and chances are that most of you know that there has not been a war fought in the name of defending American freedom and ideals since WWII. Most of you folks are all too aware of the fact that you are now fighting wars for businessmen and politicians who line their pockets with your honorable deeds.
Far from bashing patriotism here, all of us need to stand up to the corruption that is politics and wars for profit. And before you get all hairy, I am NOT a liberal, just a man who hates seeing our boys and girls duped into believing a lie.
Why is this a surprise that they sent gift to dead vets....There are putting the remains in the local land fills....Its all screwed up....I am sorry from the bottom of my heart and can not show my gratitude in any way that would express my feeling. Thank you and may they all rest in peace with God.
@Zep
And you sound like a really really smart guy who wouldnt be caught dead arguing your politics (or assuming what all military members opinions are at present) on a post about the Marines mis-mailing ornaments, right?
Ha.
As a former Marine, I understand a mistake was made. Maybe it was a computer error or maybe someone grabbed the wrong list. Who knows? The point is that the Corps is deeply sorry and is working to make amends with the families of the fallen Heros. It's what we do. We, as Marines, never forget our fallen. Wether on the field of battle or once home. As others have said, if the letter had said something different than what it did, I don't see the harm.
As for the numbskulls on here who want to turn this into a debate about the 'military complex' running our country. They can all go pound sand. Clearly they are disenchanted with our nation and have nothing better to do than to sit around complaining.
To my brother Marines, both living and now guarding heavens streets, Semper Fi.
The biggest mistake ever made is going to war. Taking the lives of all innocent people based on lei'sand deceit. Bring all of our troops home and stop bankrupting our Country. I know our troops fought for all they had and a lot gave there all. To them Thank you. My prayers are with there family who have wife's children, Mothers ect that won't be here my heart hurts for each one of them. Its time to bring them all home now. Blessing to all.
Don't do this, y'all:
Very first rule:
If you're going to attack another Viner, consider hitting the 'ignore' button - it's under '!' on a corresponding comment - instead.
SGT STAHL, Sean-1817205, Jodi-4106473, you're each suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.
Easy Sabot, maybe some of those depleted uranium rounds have effected your judgement.
@ Marklepew
It's not the DU...it's the cordite. :)
Besides, only service Sabot rounds have DU. There haven't been any tank on tank battles since I came in circa 1995.
Depending on how the letter may have been written it could have been hard for some families to take it as they are wishing thier loved ones were home with them this holiday. My heart goes out to all families who lost loved ones at war and I hope they have a very happy holidays!!
Place the ornament proudly on your tree as a tribute to your loved one lost. I would cherish them. God bless all who have served too.
Antech, thanks for the warm sentiments. This time of year they sure come in handy!
It's an embarrassing mistake, but I think a well-intentioned one. Let it go, and try to find a little peace.
SEMPER FI
Anyone who has spent any time around the Marine Corps, such as dependants, would know that the bureaucracy of the Corps is bound to make mistakes from time to time. These things happen. I understand that an additional reminder that you've lost your loved one would hurt, but it was probably just a mix-up on which list got turned over to the Wounded Warrior group. For example, when I was around 10 years old (living on a Marine Base) I was leafing through my medical records while waiting for the doctor...I found my own death certificate!!! It was later explained to me that when I was an infant I was given penicilin and then we found out the hard way that I am allergic to it. I was pronounced dead by the doctor, but my mother (a nurse) kept giving me CPR until I revived. They left the certificate in the file. But that's the Corps for you.
Semper Fi!
If it was me, I would have copied[or swiped] the death certificate and hung it on my wall. What a story.
Toy,
I have mixed emotions about this.
In the first instance, I would think that receiving the ornament could be viewed as a token of appreciation for the marine's ultimate sacrifice although the invitation for the dead marine to participate in a rehabilitation project might be too unnerving for the family members. The problem is that was not the intent of sending out the ornaments. So, I can understand if some family members might be offended. The story did not say, however, whether any family member returned the ornament.
On the other hand, I share your view that this highlights the ease with which a bureaucracy can screw up something that should never have been screwed up at all. Years ago, I was a small player in a military bureaucracy so I too am familiar with how things can get screwed up.
I extrapolate this incident to a government beauracracy thinking that it can run a national health care program without unwarranted harm or damage to the citizenry. When will we ever learn?
(Glad you survived, by the way.)
God Bless these service men and women and their families. I hope they will send these tributes to the deceased families to thank them for their loved ones service to our country. Antech, you are a complete as#$%&e These people gave their lives for your freedom to express your asinine opinion. At least respect that.
What's really sad finsII is that people like antech don't care. What makes me so proud of my son who is in the Army is that regardless of what peope think of what he's had to do for his country, he still cares about protecting their freedoms and their rights as Americans.
Some really great post this morning. Enuff to say I agree with most all the posts. I think Antech could use a little help. Let it go. Find some peace. And as your Marine would say, Semper Fi.
At least everyone to this point, (except one), do I need to point it (them) out???, has a brain. I would think that type of gift would be handed down from generation to generation. Display it proudly. If the Marines are anything like they were 30 yrs ago, a few heads will roll for the mistake, as they should. ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Semper Fi fellow leathernecks
Dear Sirs and Madams who gave so much. My deepest condolences to your families. I would pray that in the future you will always consider the ornament as the deep regret americans feel to remind you of such a sad moment in history that only you can understand. I am truly sorry.
As it has been said, these oraments should be displayed proudly and God Bless the fallen and all of those that give to allow us to remain free.
Even if we have to allow as3h07e's like Antech here.
I agree. I think it would be hard to get that in the mail after a loved one were deceased but their intentions were good and that's all that matters. I would proudly hang that on my tree every year in memory and tribute to my loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice. It would be my honor to do that every year for the rest of my life. God bless all the families that have lost the ones they love to any war. It is a deep hurt that doesn't go away but to know that others want to show their appreciation makes your grief a little easier to take.
Has anybody notice that it matters very little as to the topic, we will find something wrong!
I think having a Purple Heart ornament would be a great way of having your loved one share the season with you. The only thing I see that was wrong was the letter about athletics.
As a relative of many who served, uncles, aunts, nephew, and brother, I would be honered to receive such a gift. My family , as many families have given of theirselfs to preserve the freedom that we all enjoy, I am thankfull every day for the sacrifices made by so many for the greater good. To all that serve, THANK YOU !!!
Hey Antech! Try learning to spell HONOR BEFORE you come on here and talk S*&T about something like this. You MORON!
There is no organization that loves their men and women any more then the United States Marine Corps. The respect they have for their fallen is unparralled. While it was a mistake, it only happened because the Corps was once again, trying to take care of their own.
Thank you for pointing that out. I did 8 with my Marines and 2 with the Army. There is a difference in how they care for their own. I will say the Army is alot bigger so things may be harder to do on such a scale, but there is still a difference. Again like you said, at least the Corps was trying to do something. For the news twits I think this is more of an attempt just to try an smeer the Corps when they can. Thanks again FrogFlier and all the others for at least seeing what the Corps does for it's own.
In life or in death Always a Marine and always a family of a Marine. Hoo-rah.
Even though the ornament was for an injured soldier instead of the deceased family, it was a mistake but I too would hang the ornament. There has been too many screw ups lately, many dead remains dumped into a landfill to this, someone needs to do their jobs better, it does cause more hardship to the families of those who have already given so much.
I think the hardest punch in the gut was the flyer within the letter pertaining to increased athletic reconditioning for the purple heart recipient. Having lost a brother I know that would have hit me hard if I had recieved somethng like that whether it was militarily oriented or not. Anything with his name on it, anyuthing adrressing him as if he were alive would hit like a sledgehammer, especially if it was directly after we lost him. I believe these purple heart decorations should be given to ALL PH recipients, not just the living. Its a fitting albiet small tribute. A well intentioned one.
As a former US Marine and the father of a US Marine......I would rather see an error in them trying to do something for those wounded and fallen than see no errors because of doing nothing....Semper Fi.
azrancher,
the intentions were honorable, people get carried away. once a marine always a marine sir.....
.SEMPER FI... FOREVER...
I try to take a Half Full approach, although it was an error it shows That any Hero can be gone but will never be forgotten.
I can't imagine how hard it was for the families to receive anything in the mail with their Falling Solders Name on it. Maybe its the angels way of having them all home for Christmas to be loved as deeply in there passing as they were when alive. I am Sad for all your losses. You are all Blessed to have these HERO'S in you life.
I hope msnbc has employees who scan the news articles, because as you can see, this is NOT a "breaking story" that deserves such headlines....
Sorry nbc but there is too much support for THE FEW AND THE PROUD. They take care of their own and themselves. If the rest of the population held this much respect for their country and the people they serve with, we would all be in a much better society. THE FEW THE PROUD THE MARINES!
First you say it doesn't "deserve such headlines" and "there is too much support". Then you say the "rest of the population" doesn't respect the country as much as a Marine does. WTF are you on about?
Personally, I don't like your elitist attitude, and don't know many servicemen who'd place themselves above everyone else.
Its the thought that counts - I love the Marines and God Bless you wonderful Devil Dogs
Semper Fi