PRESIDENT GENERAL'S PROJECT
The President General Project that I have selected is the Corpsman Memorial being built at Camp Johnson in the Lejeune Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
I have several family members who have worked in the medical field, include my grandmother who drove an ambulance during World War II. The story below and the BOND that was forged between the Marines and the Corpsmen is important to share. I hope you too will share my efforts to support this worthy cause and see this memorial serve as both inspiration and encouragement to the men and women who wish to continue this long tradition.
Gail A. Thomas
President General
2017-2020
The Bond
Forged in Battle/Framed in Trust
Since the American Revolution, through titles of “Loblolly Boy”, “Apothecary”, and “Baymen” the field of the Navy Hospital Corpsman evolved. Established by an act of Congress, June 17th, 1898, the Hospital Corps is the only enlisted “Corps” in the world. All other “Corps” are made up of or include “Officers”.
That same year, the relationship between the hospital corps and the Marine Corps was established when corpsmen were assigned to the Marine Corps Expeditionary Battalion. Thorough titles of Pharmacies Mate, Hospitalman, and Medic, the field of Navy Hospital Corpsman evolved. As the need for medical care in the field grew, and lifesaving knowledge increased, Navy Hospital Corpsmen began to serve side by side with Marines in the heat of battle.
From its inception, and in every conflict since, including World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, the anvil on which the bond between the FMF Corpsman and the Marine was forged. Providing emergency medical care to the Marines whole under heavy enemy fire, Corpsmen throughout history have proven they are vital to the mission of the Marines during combat.
Lt. Gen. Lewis B “Chesty” Puller said of his corpsmen during the Korean War, “You guys are the Marines doctors. There are no better in the business than Navy (FMF) Corpsmen.”
Marine “Grunts” (Marines who have seen ground combat) universally agree with “Chesty” Puller. “They keep us alive in combat, they are our Angels…”If you get scared or hurt, all you have to say is ‘Corpsman up’ and there’s your Angel.”
In Vietnam, approximately 16 % of casualties on the front lines were critical. It was up to the Corpsman to save the lives of those Marines. Because medical doctors didn’t fight on the front line with the Marine units, FMF Corpsman are challenged by making on-the-spot life threatening decisions. They know that they have a corpsman there, it’s a comforting feeling knowing that there is a medically trained professional on the battlefield.
The beaches of Tarawa, the frozen hills of Korea, the jungle of Vietnam or the desert of Iraq, FMF Marine “Docs” have been and will continue to be there with the Marines,. It is more than a job. It is a commitment.
Many of you have watched the TV show “M.A.S.H.” They are the FMF Corpsmen who lived and died to give medical aid and hope to the US combat personal.
THE NC CORPSMEN MEMORIAL IS A REGISTERED 501c3.
For more information about the memorial, please go to: http://fmfcmf.org
I have several family members who have worked in the medical field, include my grandmother who drove an ambulance during World War II. The story below and the BOND that was forged between the Marines and the Corpsmen is important to share. I hope you too will share my efforts to support this worthy cause and see this memorial serve as both inspiration and encouragement to the men and women who wish to continue this long tradition.
Gail A. Thomas
President General
2017-2020
The Bond
Forged in Battle/Framed in Trust
Since the American Revolution, through titles of “Loblolly Boy”, “Apothecary”, and “Baymen” the field of the Navy Hospital Corpsman evolved. Established by an act of Congress, June 17th, 1898, the Hospital Corps is the only enlisted “Corps” in the world. All other “Corps” are made up of or include “Officers”.
That same year, the relationship between the hospital corps and the Marine Corps was established when corpsmen were assigned to the Marine Corps Expeditionary Battalion. Thorough titles of Pharmacies Mate, Hospitalman, and Medic, the field of Navy Hospital Corpsman evolved. As the need for medical care in the field grew, and lifesaving knowledge increased, Navy Hospital Corpsmen began to serve side by side with Marines in the heat of battle.
From its inception, and in every conflict since, including World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, the anvil on which the bond between the FMF Corpsman and the Marine was forged. Providing emergency medical care to the Marines whole under heavy enemy fire, Corpsmen throughout history have proven they are vital to the mission of the Marines during combat.
Lt. Gen. Lewis B “Chesty” Puller said of his corpsmen during the Korean War, “You guys are the Marines doctors. There are no better in the business than Navy (FMF) Corpsmen.”
Marine “Grunts” (Marines who have seen ground combat) universally agree with “Chesty” Puller. “They keep us alive in combat, they are our Angels…”If you get scared or hurt, all you have to say is ‘Corpsman up’ and there’s your Angel.”
In Vietnam, approximately 16 % of casualties on the front lines were critical. It was up to the Corpsman to save the lives of those Marines. Because medical doctors didn’t fight on the front line with the Marine units, FMF Corpsman are challenged by making on-the-spot life threatening decisions. They know that they have a corpsman there, it’s a comforting feeling knowing that there is a medically trained professional on the battlefield.
The beaches of Tarawa, the frozen hills of Korea, the jungle of Vietnam or the desert of Iraq, FMF Marine “Docs” have been and will continue to be there with the Marines,. It is more than a job. It is a commitment.
Many of you have watched the TV show “M.A.S.H.” They are the FMF Corpsmen who lived and died to give medical aid and hope to the US combat personal.
THE NC CORPSMEN MEMORIAL IS A REGISTERED 501c3.
For more information about the memorial, please go to: http://fmfcmf.org
ONGOING PROJECTS OF THE
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF NEW ENGLAND WOMEN
EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS
Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, the first institution using the oral method of teaching the deaf, benefits from National Society and Colony donations which assist both needy students and needy teachers-in-training.
New England Kurn Hattin Homes, Inc., a residential school for underprivileged boys and girls at Westminster, Vermont, has long benefited financially from the National Society and Colony support for its many activities.
Emma Hardy Slade Student Loan Fund provides emergency loans for juniors and seniors having two generations of American ancestry. The loan programs, established at Middlebury College, Vermont; Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts; and Austin College, Austin, Texas; are administered by the schools.
Maud Brown Pendleton Student Loan Fund, established at Pacific University, once called “the New England College of the Northwest,” has provided the means for many students to complete their undergraduate education.
PATRIOTIC PROJECTS
USO. Members’ work with and financial support of the U.S.O. originated in San Francisco to serve the many troops going to and returning from Vietnam and even today remains focused on the U.S.O clubs. Recognition of the need to support the overseas U.S.O. clubs used by American servicemen prompted the National Society to broaden its interest in clubs based in Europe and the Far East.
Veteran’s Hospitals. Work of the Veterans Hospital Committee is nationwide and reflects the members’ gratitude to and interest in those veterans who require short- or long-term care. Service and financial assistance are National goals.
The National Society of New England Women is a proud Commemorative Partner of the Vietnam War Commemoration, to learn more about the Commemoration, please visit www.vietnamwar50th.com.
Our members are actively involved in our communities through public service and volunteering. N.S.N.E.W. is a new partner with The President's Volunteer Service Award program. The President's Volunteer Service Award is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and is administered by Points of Light. Through a shared mission of inspiring more to answer the call to service, the President's Volunteer Service Award celebrates the impact we can all make in bettering our communities and our world.
Veteran’s Hospitals. Work of the Veterans Hospital Committee is nationwide and reflects the members’ gratitude to and interest in those veterans who require short- or long-term care. Service and financial assistance are National goals.
The National Society of New England Women is a proud Commemorative Partner of the Vietnam War Commemoration, to learn more about the Commemoration, please visit www.vietnamwar50th.com.
Our members are actively involved in our communities through public service and volunteering. N.S.N.E.W. is a new partner with The President's Volunteer Service Award program. The President's Volunteer Service Award is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and is administered by Points of Light. Through a shared mission of inspiring more to answer the call to service, the President's Volunteer Service Award celebrates the impact we can all make in bettering our communities and our world.
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