A World Away

 

 

 

Sgt T. Wilson is part of the Female Engangement Team (FET) in Afghanistan.

Its been almost two weeks since we started doing the job of the Female  Engagement Team and I have already seen enough to greatful 10x over for all we  have in the U.S. Life is so different for the people here. I’ll try to give you  a little picture of what it is like here. First, the imagine not having access to a doctor if you get sick or medicine for that matter. There is no drug store for even the simplest things, like tylenol. Everyone we talk to have some health issue and they all think that we can somehow cure them. Its the first and the last thing the women want to talk us about. We met one women, in her 60′s. Thats another thing, they do not know there ages here. When we ask we usually get answers like, “oh I’m 16 or 17, maybe 18.” sometimes they just say I dont know. Sometimes they will be like I’m probably 30, and then one of the siblings will chime in, no your at least 35. But anyways, this women, I’m guessing is in her 60′s, was missing an eye and in pain because it got infected and the infection spread to her throat. Her son came and found us and asked us to see her, because  he thought we could do something. Its heartbreaking knowing that they believe that we can help them but really we can’t. We tell them to come to the base, but the women rarely leave the house so its not likely they will come. We hand out minor meds, like eyedrops or pepto bismo or tylenol, but thats only because our linguist also happens to be a trained nurse in the U.S. And we have ran out of pretty much everything. So no access to health care in this area.

The children run around alone all the time. Walking down the street alone. Sometimes carting around a toddler. Working in the fields alone or tending to the sheep alone. The ones that go to school do so alone. There is no dropping off your children to school or having the school bus pick them up here. I wish there was a school bus, because they all say its to far to send there female children to school. And a lot of the kids walk around with no shoes, especially the younger
ones. And many times they walk down gravel roads or through canals and cornfields. It will be winter soon and we are told they will be wearing the same
thing then that they do now. It gets cold here and they have no winter coats.

A great majority of them do not have electricity or plumming. There are not  flushing toilets or showers for the most part. Most in this area are farmers.
They have hard lifes. Working for every little thing they have and selling whatever they can for extra money.

The schools in this area are only for boys. Only the boys are allowed be photographed and many times when we speak to the women at least one male is present, even its a 10 year old son. The school that we sometimes visit has a 18 year old with a 7th grade education teaching. There are 13 to 17 year olds that are considered 5th graders. it only goes to 5th grade. The dont have much access to pens, pencils, books, or notebooks. Most of there supplies were given to them by the FET.

There  doorways are very small too. Lcpl Frank, my partner here, was trying to walk through a doorway. She was following a short person who didnt have to dunk…and so she didnt either and she slamed her face right into the compound wall. We call their homes compounds, because they have 6 or 7 foot walls all in a square.  When you enter its an open courtyard with rooms located off of it. Ill try and take a picture so you get a better idea of what i mean.

I could go on and on….

On the patrols we always have to jump a canal or two. I have yet to fall in one, but someone always does. It adds a little comic relef to an

Canal Jumping

otherwise serious situation ; )

We the Marines, have pretty much all we need. Besides some snacks…If you want to send anything for us to hand out to the afghans that would be great. Candy, you know kids and candy, old winter coats, crocks (the shoes) in small sizes, any old shoes you dont want anymore, vitamins for women, tylenol and things like that, school supplies, hygiene stuff (small bottles of shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, chapstick, lotion).  )

I really love what I’m doing. And although at times it is hard, physically and mentally, it all seems worth it to know we may be doing some good. I hope you all are well. Its still in the 90′s most days here, but the rainy season is just around the corner!

Tiff Wilson

Marine Corps Trained – Mission Ready Part 2

By Michele Rager

This is the second article in a series of articles describing my year of mission work in a Haitian orphanage. Please follow along as I describe how my Marine Corps training and experience help me to adapt and overcome the challenges of living in third-world conditions.

So now I have been in Haiti for 7 weeks. The next thing people want to know is how I am adjusting to the 3^rd world conditions in my new home. I am living in Delmas 33, on a 2 acre property. We have toilets, running water, a water purification system, refrigerators, DVD players, the internet, (well, sort of), and even an air conditioner for my apartment, (apartment is a stretch, but since I get three whole rooms to myself I don’t want to downplay it too much – by Haitian standards I live in luxury!)

The average temperature since I’ve been here is 92 in the daylight and it’s gotten as low at 79 at night. Now, even though my Michigan
friends might think, “Pshaw! We’ve had weather in the 90s all summer!” keep in mind that the heat index in Michigan has hardly gone above 95 and the UV index is usually around +1 or +2. In Haiti, it is usually around 50% humidity until just before the rain and then it hits 110% humidity. The heat index is usually around 99 degrees or even in the hundreds, and the UV index holds at a steady +10. The best way to fight this off is with water. Clean drinking water is a precious commodity here in Haiti. We are fortunate in that Poured Out, along with the US Navy, has provided a sand filtration system that is quite efficient. We also supplement this with the purchase of Culligan Water.

The mosquitoes are, to quote Rainn Wilson, “On the SEAL Team Six of mosquitoes.” They will bite me even through 99% DEET repellant. They will often spend their entire short-lived 24 hours existence trying to get thru my mosquito net. If I miss even a one square inch spot with repellant, I will receive no less than 10 bites in that spot. For those of us that are Parris Island trained, you will easily recall, sometimes with horror, my favorite (note the sarcasm) pest in Haiti, the sand flea. Yes, that irksome little devil is small enough to get thru my net, so I have to defend myself with corn starch. Apparently they dislike this very much. I cover my bed in it in the mornings and it kills most of them off by night. As much as I cursed my DIs for not allowing us to scratch all those biting little buggers, I now can appreciate my ability to ignore the biting and still get my work done.

The air quality here is so horrible that OSHA would declare the entire region a hazard pay zone. The number of people that are living on the streets or in the tent camps is so overwhelming. There are very few public restrooms or places for them to wash. Also adding to the cesspool of germs floating around is the constancy of their awful habit of spiting every where. I keep being told by the children that it is part of their culture. At some point in the development of their “civilization” someone must have decided that it was unhealthy to swallow your own saliva. I keep telling the older kids that they only do this because no one has ever taught them otherwise! Because of the plethora of germs I am exposed to on a daily basis, I have had a steady battle with pink-eye and skin rashes, not to mention the extreme difficulty my sinuses have had with adjusting to this region.  But being Marine Corps hardened also makes me impervious to many of the bacteria that could make my life a living hell.

But before you write Haiti off as a filthy, disgusting place, understand that the Haitian people have an enduring spirit full of hope and determination. These people are survivors. They are spiritual. They are innovative. They are creative. They crave a channel through which all of this can flow. I hope only that while I am here, I can teach them half of what they can teach me.

To be
continued…

 

For more information on how you can help the mission, please check out HaveFaithHaiti.org or go to MitchAlbom.com and click on his charity link.

The expenses to keep me down here are about $1,200 a month. If you would like to make a donation towards this, please contact Mark Mendelsohn at havefaithhaiti@gmail.com for more information.

Marine Corps Trained – Mission Ready

My Year In Haiti

By Michele Rager

This is the first in a series of articles describing my year of mission work in a Haitian orphanage. Please follow along as I describe how my Marine Corps training and experience help me to adapt and overcome the challenges of living in third-world conditions.

When I tell people that I have moved to Port Au Prince, Haiti, to spend a year working at an orphanage, the first thing they respond with is, “Wow! God bless you! What will your role be there?” I explain that my mission is simply to help teach the children English, help them to learn critical thinking skills, help the Haitian directors understand American concepts such as preventive maintenance and safety standards, camp operations, supply and equipment control and maintenance, etc. Then they usually ask how I’ve prepared for this mission, and what kind of degree is required to get a position like this. I smile and begin to list my various job skills, and the training I’ve completed:

1 year of college study in Education & Psychology

1 year working with the Department of Education, Head Start Program

8 years in the USMC, Heavy Equipment Operator and Training and Administrative Support, &    Manpower Management

4 years in the US Army, Military Police, Refugee and Civil Internee Camp Operations

3 years with Raytheon, US Army Tank & Automotive Command, Supply and Services

2 years with the US Postal Service

10 years with DuPont as a Buyer and Trainer

24 years as a mother

8 years of which I home schooled my son

1 Associates of Business, Marketing

2 years with Macomb County Chamber in Business Development and Business Networking

It’s easy to see how the accumulation of these experiences makes me uniquely qualified for this type of mission work.

So how did I get this job, you ask? Well, some of the qualities that the Marine Corps helped me develop are confidence and teamwork. Some tasks, we learned, are more easily accomplished when we engage a network of brothers and sisters to help us achieve our goals. I knew I wanted to do this work, so I had a conversation with a good friend and told him about it. He suggested I contact Mitch Album, who recently took over operations of a mission in Haiti. Then it went out to our network and we continued to reach out until we found someone that offered us an opportunity for my friend to be face-to-face with Mitch. They had a conversation and the next thing I knew, I was having lunch with Mitch and telling him, confidently, about the various skills and abilities I possess and how I knew that I would be a benefit to his operations down here.

He asked me to fly down for a weekend to check it out and that was all she wrote. Once I spent a few days with these angels I was done for. My heart stayed here when I flew back to Michigan and it was all I could do to not quit my job that day to come down here. 

To be continued…

For more information on how you can help the mission, please check out HaveFaithHaiti.org or go to MitchAlbom.com and click on his charity link.

The expenses to keep me down here are about $1,200 a month. If you would like to make a donation towards this, please contact Mark Mendelsohn at havefaithhaiti@gmail.com for more information.

911 Remembrance: Igniting the Spirit of Unity

My fellow Marines,

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks upon this great Country we all have served honorably.  It was a terrible day in our most recent history.  As the other infamous dates in our history we will once again stop and remember.  We will mourn for those innocent lives lost.  3,063 that lost their lives on Tuesday Sept, 11, 2001.  The thousands PLUS that are still falling either from illnesses developed from cleaning up the devastation that was left in one of our greatest cities, the devastation at OUR Pentagon, the devastation left on a field in Pennsylvania.  Civilian heroes, Military heroes, First Responder heroes.  It wasn’t just ONE group attacked, it was ALL of US.

10 years have passed.  10 years.  I certainly remember the exact spot I was standing when the first Tower was hit.  I’m sure all of you have your stories too.  I also remember Wednesday September 12, 2001 and the days after.  It was a time where we as American’s brought forth our BEST.  It was a time when WE were WE.  WE were a total PEOPLE, brought together as American’s to help our fellow American, to rally around our Country and our way of life.  10 years have passed.  In those 10 years that unity has faded a little.  Now is the time to renew that unity.

The very SMALL chapter of Battle Born NV-1 has been a very BIG force in the organization of 911 Remembrance Las Vegas.  An organization that was founded by a fellow Marine and a 9/11 Survivor.  Battle Born members took on the monumental task of heading the committee to put on a 9.11K Run / 1 Mile Walk.  A competitive run.  Let me tell you…none of us on the committee has ever put together a running event.  Of the Battle Born members on the committee only 2 of us are runners and we’ve participated in different races from 5K’s to full marathons, we’ve never actually put one together.  But that has not stopped us…why?  Because we are MARINES.  We have been given a mission.  We will do what we do best:  ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION.

Once again I extend an invitation to ALL CHAPTERS AND MEMBERS OF WMA to participate WITH US.  What a GREAT PUBLICITY OPPORTUNITY FOR WMA if we had a show of FORCE of WMA members all wearing our green covers, our chapter shirts all working together.  This isn’t just a Battle Born project, this is a WMA project.  This is us showing the world once again that Women Marines step up with honor.  We need volunteers, we need participants.

On Sunday September 11, 2011 at 0546 Pacific time, (the exact moment the first plane hit in New York), we will be having a Processional.  This isn’t a “parade”, but a Processional.  Entries in this are Military, First Responders.  I personally registered an entry for WMA.  How great would it be to have as many CHAPTERS and MEMBERS marching with us to honor our country on that day.  Bring your flags, your banners.  I AM PERSONALLY OFFERING TO ANY WMA MEMBERS WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE A PLACE TO STAY IN MY HOME.  I have LOTS of room and can house a bunch.  I have  4 couches for people to crash on.  I know that other members of Battle Born would also be willing to assist in accommodating our sisters who are coming to participate in this historic event.

Contact me  for any questions.  You may also go to www.911unity.org for information about the events themselves.

God Bless and Semper Fidelis!

Rosie Gregorec
Co-Chair 9.11K Run / 1 Mile Walk
911 Remembrance Las Vegas
Treasurer, WMA Battle Born NV-1 Chapter
Secretary/Treasurer WMiB NAT-1 Chapter
Life Member WMA

Lucille Ellen McClarren The FIRST woman Marine 1943

Recently I have had the great pleasure to be exchanging emails with Betty Harper the niece of Lucille McClarren. In her quest to know more about her Aunt and her illustrious career she has shared a bit with us in hopes that others who knew her will share memories of Lucille with her. Below are her recollections.

By Betty Harper

My aunt was Lucille McClarren, the first private enlisted on February 13, 1943.  She passed away in 1990, but prior to that time she told me some things about  her Marine experience. I have a copy of the Klondike Bulletin, Masontown, PA,  dated March 4, 1943, that provides some of the more personal information about her swearing in. But when checking the internet, although her name comes up many, many times, there is nothing beyond a reference to her as the first enlisted Marine. Years ago, while hospitalized at the Washington DC Vet Hospital, my aunt told me she had been the model for the uniform, a poster girl,  and had shared the podium with Eleanor Roosevelt, recruiting other women. She went to Hunter College and became the first female drill Sargent. (Her death certificate notes her as S/Sgt.) She told me about traveling by train to Camp Pendleton where she was responsible for dispatching soldiers home from the Pacific Theatre. I don’t know her career progression after the war, but she did finish her career as Secretary to the Secretary of the Navy in the Pentagon. I know she was there during the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missle Crisis as she mentioned JFK and Bobby being in her boss’ office. In the late 50′s or early 60′s she married William Desmarais, an employee of the FBI. (I believe he was an FBI fingerprint specialist.) Growing up, I adored my aunt; but my family didn’t
talk about her unique career. I am now 64 and eager to know more. I would appreciate any direction you could send me that might fill in the gaps.

Below is the article that was printed in the local newspaper.

Klondike  Bulletin

Masontown, Pennsylvania

Thursday,
March 4, 1943

Private Lucille Ellen McClarren, attractive 20-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Danniel E. McClarren of Nemacolin, has won the distinctive honor of being the first private of the United States to join the U. S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserves.  Miss McClarren has been employed as a stenographer in the war department at Washington D.C. since March 1941 and made her home at 404 Oakwood Street, S. E. that city prior to her enlistment Tuesday, February 16, 1943.  (This is inaccurate.  She was enlisted Saturday, February 13, 1943.)

The popular district girl enjoyed a short visit with her parents last week and reported in Washington for duty, Monday morning of this week.  Born at Graceton, Pa., the first girl Marine private in the country attended the Nemacolin grade schools and is a graduate of Cumberland Township high school, Carmichaels, Greene County, in the Class of 1940.

Following her enlistment, Private McClarren was sworn in by Captain H. W. Branson, of the Marine Officer Procurement Unit.  Now a reserve, she will be transferred to active duty with a starting salary of $50 a month plus a $200 allowance for uniforms.  She
expects to be ordered to report for training at Hunter College.

Despite her transfer of allegiance from the Army to the Marines, fellow-workers in the War Department entertained Pvt. McClarren at the swank Lotus Club in Washington Friday evening, December 19.  Attending the affair were two other Nemacolin girls: Mildred Wilson and Patricia Selvin (should be Slevin), both close friends of the honored guest.

Saturday, February 20, Pvt. McClarren was a guest at the Press Building during the Marine Day celebration.  Upon her arrival the new recruit looked in vain for another member of her sex–but — none were there.  Amid deafening applause she was escorted to
the front of the huge room where many high officers of the Marines had assembled. She was personally congratulated by Brigadier General Robert L. Denig, Public Relations Chief of the Marines.

Called upon for a speech, the Nemacolin girl responded but while here last week confided to friends that she had no more idea what she said than “the man in the moon.

Pvt. McClarren said: “With the Marine band and about 1600 fighting Marines, press reporters and high officials present, and me the only girl in the auditorium, you can imagine my excitement and joy. I was swamped for autographs and finally had to be escorted from the hall by an honor guard. Little did I expect when I left Nemacolin that one day I would receive all this publicity.  But you can tell everyone I’ll give my best and endeavor to emulate the brave men in the Marines by doing every assignment
given me to the very best of my ability.
I am happy and proud to be the first girl Marine private in World War II.”

Molly Marines 11 May 2011

The city of New Orleans dedicated the first United States monument of a woman in service uniform: “Molly Marine” November 10, 1943.  A local recruiter commissioned the statue to help recruit women during World War II. For female Marines around the world, Molly has come to represent the countless significant contributions they have made to the Corps. She has become a symbol of esprit de corps for all women Marines. Just before graduation from boot camp, the female recruits are asked to name one woman within their platoon who best exemplifies esprit de corps. Here, we celebrate two of our newest sisters, Privates First Class Michelle McEvoy and Tiffany Baker, who’ve been recognized as Molly Marines.

PFC Michelle A. McEvoy, Platoon 4015, O Company, Wood Dale, IL

“I was chosen as Molly Marine for my efforts of motivating my platoon and being someone that everyone can look up to. I’ve tried to set high goals for my platoon so that recruits would push themselves to be the best. When my fellow recruits see that one recruit can do something with 100 percent effort, they put out that much effort as well. This encourages recruits because we know that if someone didn’t step up and set these standards, it would be a domino effect and no one would put forth the effort. As Molly Marine, I have shown discipline and this has set the example for not only my fellow recruits to follow, but for me to follow as well. Even in times when I wanted to give up, I knew that I couldn’t because that would show my weakness to the platoon and others would think it would be okay to quit on themselves as well. Motivating the platoon helps recruits push through because they can see that we are all pushing through the same pain as a team. To me, Molly Marine is that female in the Corps that everyone should strive to be. I was chosen as the Molly Marine and the only thing I can hope to do is continue to set the example, give all I have, motivate others in the fleet and inspire other females to become a Molly Marine, whether they get recognized for it or not.”

PFC Tiffany L. Baker, Platoon 4014, O Company, Sigourney, IA

“Every recruit that stands on the infamous yellow foot prints has a reason for doing so. For some it’s educational benefits, others it’s the pride of belonging to the most elite fighting force in the world. But, for a select handful, the reasons run as deep and wide as the Marine Corps’ honored and respected history. It’s within these recruits that the true meaning of esprit de corps comes shining through…there is only one Molly Marine from the beginning to the end. For her, leadership comes naturally and it’s obvious. It’s a different type of leadership from the typical, in your face, Marine Corps way. She leads with her heart and mind working as one. She may not always be physically superior or be the top shooter. But what she lacks there, she more than makes up for in courage and enthusiasm. When there’s an obstacle, she’s the first to give encouragement and a solution to the problem at hand. She uses personal experiences to relate herself to her peers and proves that ambition, drive and patience are enough to conquer any and all challenges. The Molly Marine is a leader. She never withholds knowledge and is constantly seeking self-improvement. She knows her peers and constantly looks out for their well-being by always putting herself last. She’s always dependable and loyal. Above all, she has the endurance to stay mentally, physically and morally reliable. She exemplifies all traits that encompass our core values. She holds the respect of her peers by having the courage to admit her faults and the strength to overcome them gracefully.”

Molly Marines April 15, 2011

The city of New Orleans dedicated the first United States monument of a woman in service uniform: “Molly Marine” November 10, 1943. A local recruiter commissioned the statue to help recruit women during World War II. For female Marines around the world, Molly has come to represent the countless significant contributions they have made to the Corps. She has become a symbol of esprit de corps for all women Marines. Just before graduation from boot camp, the female recruits are asked to name one woman within their platoon who best exemplifies esprit de corps. Here, we celebrate two of our newest sisters, Privates First Class Jessica Wolfe and Brittany May, who’ve been recognized as Molly Marines.

PFC Brittany R. May, Platoon 4012, N Company, Snellville, MA

“I remember the first night I arrived, stepping off the yellow footprints and making my way back into the classroom to meet the other recruits. I did not know it then, but they would soon be the young women that I have grown so close to in Platoon 4012. As we were sitting there in silence, some were scared, and some were confused. I, on the other hand, was still, calm and collected…and I was made the guide. I accepted my responsibilities and performed to the best of my ability, not only for my Senior Drill Instructor, but for my fellow recruits as well. Every day was a challenge, I had to move, think, react twice as fast as the rest of the platoon just to be on the same page as everyone else, and even then it was not enough. I did my absolute best to put the platoon before myself. . I appreciate their respect for me, and the guide position, and it is an absolute honor to be platoon 4012’s Molly Marine.”

PFC Jessica L. Wolfe, Platoon 4013, N Company, Austintown, OH

“I was just another face on campus, another daughter, sister, or aunt. Of course, I had a purpose in the civilian world but I always knew something was missing. After realizing I needed to follow my dream to join the military I began training myself both physically and mentally, trying to imagine what I was about to get myself into. My preparation seemed as if it lasted forever and the anticipation ate me alive. I constantly thought about the challenge that was ahead of me and couldn’t wait to face it, but beyond wanting the challenge, beyond my desire to attain real leadership, was the fact that I knew I was called to serve my country. It was time and what better service than the best; the United States Marine Corps. It wasn’t long before I caught on to the routine and realized how selfish we all were acting. I started stepping it up, helping out, and communicating more with recruits on free time, which started a trend within the platoon. I started to notice more teamwork and fewer individuals. It was through those acts of selflessness that we developed into a team; a sisterhood. When we march on the parade deck, it’s the sound of every step we take together, the rhythm we create that unites us. DI SSgt Madrid said it best, “we march as one team, one blood, one beat.” The chills that ran through my body after hearing her words will always inspire me in so many ways, but most of all, it hit every heart in this platoon. My blood, sweat and tears, OUR blood sweat and tears got us here and I’m ready to keep on giving. I’m more than willing to do all that it takes to receive that Eagle, Globe and Anchor. This is my true purpose, to be here, to train and learn everything essential to become a United States Marine. I can’t wait for the day when I can finally say I’ve earned the right to defend this country, to fight for our freedom and to know the true feeling of what it’s like to be a part of the best.”