2006 Conference
Crowne Plaza
Houston Downtown
Houston, Texas
April 21-23, 2006
EVENTS
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Schedule
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Our MCs
Pre-Conference
Breakout Sessions
Presenters
Authors' Hall
Silent Auction
Movie: My Child
2006 Photos
Saturday Evening
Exhibitors
Heroes Exhibit
Authors' Hall
Silent Auction
Candids 1
Candids 2
EXHIBITS
Our Heroes Exhibit
Lucian Read Photos
Marine Corps Mall
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Conference Breakout Session Presenters
| Breakout Session I Saturday April 22 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. | Combat Deployment Discussion Panel: What You Must Know Part IPresenter(s)Colonel Bryan McCoy
Colonel Bryan McCoy was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment from May 2002 through July 2004 and led his battalion through two combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 3rd Battalion was the first Marine unit to enter Baghdad on April 7, 2003, and it was this unit that pulled down the Saddam statue in Firdos Square on April 9, 2003. In the second tour the 3rd Battalion saw action during Operation Vigilant Resolve in Fallujah in April and May of 2004.
Panel Member(s) Greg Green
Greg is the Proud Marine Dad of Lcpl Daniel Green. Since Oct. 2003 Greg has been an active volunteer and moderator on the message boards for MarineParents. Greg has served on the Board of Directors since 2005.
Greg's son has served a tour of duty in Ramadi, Iraq. He and his wife Kathy feel their work with MarineParents is both an honor and a duty, to Support our Troops and their Families.
Greg and his brotherown a Commerical,Residential and Automotive Glass business in Beaumont, Texas which also has become a substation of MarineParents.com. The business has been the site for several MarineParents Care Package mailings since it's inception.
Jackie Parker
Jackie lives in Missouri and is the proud mom of
2 sons, 1 daughter and 1 granddaughter. Cpl Justin graduated from Bootcamp in October, 2002 and has done two tours of Iraq,2003-2005 with 1/7 Charlie Company, Weapons Platoon.He has recently renlisted as an active-duty Marine stationed in Des Moines, IA with 2/24 I&I Echo Company Reserve Unit.
Sgt Shamus has a 10-year career in the Army working in a Reserve Unit- Iraq Jan 2003-Oct 2003. She is also mother to 19-year-old Amber currently enrolled in College. Jackie has been a 911 dispatcher for 19 years and is married to husband Gary. Jackie has been with MarineParents.com since the beginning. She is the Live Support Manager.
Cpl Derrick Jensen
Derrick joined the Marine Corps in August of 2001, was then stationed in 29 Palms CA with Third Battalion Fourth Marines, an infantry unit as a 0621 Field Radio Operator. He went to Iraq in the beginning of the war with India Co. as their company radio operator in 2003. His second tour was in Al Asad at a detention center and Fallujah with Headquarters and Service Co. in 2004. His third tour was in Fallujah with
Headquarters and Service Co. Communications Plt. in 2005. He left the Marine Corps in August of 2005 with an Honorable Discharge and is now putting what he knows about the Marine Corps to help support all the families who have their loved ones still overseas.
| About the United States Marine CorpsPresenter(s)LtCol Benjamin Blankenship
After transfer to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego in June 2003, Lieutenant Colonel Blankenship was assigned as the Operations Officer, Recruit Training Regiment until assuming command of First Recruit Training Battalion in January 2004. After two years in command, and training over 12,000 new Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Blankenship relinquished command in January 2006. He has been selected for promotion to Colonel and assignment to the Naval War College.
Co-Presenter(s)SSgt Steven Eilenberger
Marine
| For Gold Star Families: Resources and Survivor BenefitsPresenter(s) Richard Linn
Gold Star Father
| Purple Heart RecipientsPresenter(s) Don Hubbard
Donald Hubbard is the National Service Officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart(MOPH), located at the Houston VA Regional Office.
A Vietnam Era veteran, he completed a 30 year VA career where he worked in 4 VA Regional Offices & a VA Central Office.
The past 17 years of his VA career he was the Adjudication Officer/Veterans Service Center Manager at VA Regional Offices in Salt Lake City and Buffalo.
After retirement from the VA & relocation to Houston, Don switched to the veteran's advocate role as he National Service Officer for the MOPH in Houston.
He serves MOPH by making several trips to Washington each year to prepare briefs of MOPH claimant cases, chairing a committee that determines which cases MOPH should take to the Court of Veteran's Appeals. He also assists in the training of other MOPH service officers.
Don holds two Master's Degrees, but his real knowledge is used to assist veterans and their families through the maze of the VA benefit process.
| MarineParents.com Donations and SponsorsPresenter(s) Tracy Della Vecchia
Founder of MarineParents.com, Inc.
| The Marine Corps and the NavyPresenter(s)Change to Marine Comfort Quilts Jan Lang
| | Breakout Session II Saturday April 22 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. | Combat Deployment Discussion Panel: What You Must Know Part IIPresenter(s)Colonel Bryan McCoy
Colonel Bryan McCoy was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment from May 2002 through July 2004 and led his battalion through two combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 3rd Battalion was the first Marine unit to enter Baghdad on April 7, 2003, and it was this unit that pulled down the Saddam statue in Firdos Square on April 9, 2003. In the second tour the 3rd Battalion saw action during Operation Vigilant Resolve in Fallujah in April and May of 2004.
Panel Member(s)Cpl Derrick Jensen
Derrick joined the Marine Corps in August of 2001, was then stationed in 29 Palms CA with Third Battalion Fourth Marines, an infantry unit as a 0621 Field Radio Operator. He went to Iraq in the beginning of the war with India Co. as their company radio operator in 2003. His second tour was in Al Asad at a detention center and Fallujah with Headquarters and Service Co. in 2004. His third tour was in Fallujah with
Headquarters and Service Co. Communications Plt. in 2005. He left the Marine Corps in August of 2005 with an Honorable Discharge and is now putting what he knows about the Marine Corps to help support all the families who have their loved ones still overseas.
Greg Green
Greg is the Proud Marine Dad of Lcpl Daniel Green. Since Oct. 2003 Greg has been an active volunteer and moderator on the message boards for MarineParents. Greg has served on the Board of Directors since 2005.
Greg's son has served a tour of duty in Ramadi, Iraq. He and his wife Kathy feel their work with MarineParents is both an honor and a duty, to Support our Troops and their Families.
Greg and his brother own a Commerical,Residential and Automotive Glass business in Beaumont, Texas which also has become a substation of MarineParents.com. The business has been the site for several MarineParents Care Package mailings since it's inception.
Jackie Parker
Jackie lives in Missouri and is the proud mom of
2 sons, 1 daughter and 1 granddaughter. Cpl Justin graduated from Bootcamp in October, 2002 and has done two tours of Iraq,2003-2005 with 1/7 Charlie Company, Weapons Platoon.He has recently renlisted as an active-duty Marine stationed in Des Moines, IA with 2/24 I&I Echo Company Reserve Unit.
Sgt Shamus has a 10-year career in the Army working in a Reserve Unit- Iraq Jan 2003-Oct 2003. She is also mother to 19-year-old Amber currently enrolled in College. Jackie has been a 911 dispatcher for 19 years and is married to husband Gary. Jackie has been with MarineParents.com since the beginning. She is the Live Support Manager.
| Marine Corps Recruit Depot: Bootcamp and RecruitsPresenter(s)LtCol Benjamin Blankenship
After transfer to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego in June 2003, Lieutenant Colonel Blankenship was assigned as the Operations Officer, Recruit Training Regiment until assuming command of First Recruit Training Battalion in January 2004. After two years in command, and training over 12,000 new Marines, Lieutenant Colonel Blankenship relinquished command in January 2006. He has been selected for promotion to Colonel and assignment to the Naval War College.
| Non-Combat Deployment: Floats and Overseas LocationsPresenter(s)Chaplain Carey Cash
Lt. Carey H. Cash is the author of A Table in the Presence: The Dramatic Account of How A U.S. Marine Battalion Experienced God's Presence Amidst the Chaos of the War in Iraq. He is a US Navy chaplain with infantry Marines. As a chaplain to the Marines, Lieutenant Carey Cash heard the muttered prayers for courage from the thousand-plus men of the "Fightin' Fifth", the first ground force to cross Iraqi borders during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
| | For Gold Star Families: a Place to Connect & Share™ | | MarineParents.com: a Place to Connect & Share™ | ScrapbookingPresenter(s) Suzann Jones
Suzann was raised an Army Brat, born in a Navy hospital. Ten members of my family are or have been in the military including my nephew, a Purple Heart recipent,who served in Afghanistan. .
She has had some of her work accepted for publication, won a position on a design team and started teaching scrap book classes at Scrapbooking with Grammy.
| | Breakout Session III Saturday April 22 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Combat Deployment Discussion Panel: When Your Marine Comes Home Part IPresenter(s)Colonel Bryan McCoy
Colonel Bryan McCoy was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment from May 2002 through July 2004 and led his battalion through two combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 3rd Battalion was the first Marine unit to enter Baghdad on April 7, 2003, and it was this unit that pulled down the Saddam statue in Firdos Square on April 9, 2003. In the second tour the 3rd Battalion saw action during Operation Vigilant Resolve in Fallujah in April and May of 2004.
Co-Presenter(s)Former Marine David Cantu
Former Marine and Veterans' Counselor
Panel Member(s) Kay Hale
Kay Hale; lifelong Texas resident comes from a strong, dedicated military family.
Her son Michael is serving in the Marines with 3/7 and recently returned from his 3rd tour in Iraq.
She has been experiencing deployments and homecomings most of her life.
Dr. Bridget Cantrell
Co-Author Down Range: To Iraq and Back, and workbook course entitled, "Turning Your Heart Toward Home"
Dr. Bridget C. Cantrell is a member of the American Psychological Association, Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists, The International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, and National Board Certified Counselor Association. She has specialized in trauma for several years, and her primary work now encompasses counseling war veterans and their families.
With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology she is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington, and is Nationally Board Certified Mental Health Counselor.
Chuck Dean
In early 1987, Chuck, a veteran of the Vietnam War, became the Executive Director of Point Man International, a veterans-for-veterans support organization. As a writer and counselor he has worked with thousands of soldiers and veterans not only in the United States, but several foreign countries-including Russia, Italy, and France. His mission has been to see other veterans find positive solutions to the many issues facing them upon returning home.
| Marine Corps: History, Preservation & EventsPresenter(s)CANCEL SESSION CANCEL SESSION
| Military BenefitsPresenter(s) Kathy Moakler
| Grieving Etiquette: Maintaining Your Relationship with Gold Star FamiliesPresenter(s) Brenda Freeman
Brenda is a volunteer in the Fallen Heroes Forum of MarineParents.com, Inc.
She is the founder and moderator of a private forum created in February 2003 for parents of Marines from 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines.
Brenda is the mother of five children ages; 25, eternally 20, 16,14 and 13.
Co-Presenter(s) Christine Dybevik
| Starting a Local Support Group and MarineParents.com, Inc. ChapterPresenter(s) Bernadette Davidson
Bernadette is a Retired Chief Hospital Corpsman, United States Navy. Her son joined the USMC & volunteered to "help his brothers" in Iraq. He was deployed to Husaybah with the 1/7.
The Military Family/Friends Support Group, Whatcom County, Washington is in its second year.
Co-Presenter(s) Tracy Della Vecchia
Founder of MarineParents.com, Inc.
| Building and Sending Care PackagesPresenter(s) Sue Castor
MarineParents.com Volunteer.
Here son is an active duty Marine.
MarineParents.com Inc. Volunteer Terri Roberts
Terri is a volunteer and moderator with MarineParents.com. She became a member at the start of her son Joseph's 3rd deployment to Iraq, two years ago.
Terri's son Joseph was recently honorably discharged from the USMC on Feb 22, 2006. While in active duty he served with the 3rd MAW/ MAG 11 / VMFA 121 as an Avionic Electrician.
Terri works for a state agency in the Fort Worth, Texas area. She is married to David for 30 years. They are the proud parents of three sons.
| | Breakout Session IV Saturday April 22 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Combat Deployment Discussion Panel: When Your Marine Comes Home Part IIPresenter(s)Colonel Bryan McCoy
Colonel Bryan McCoy was the commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment from May 2002 through July 2004 and led his battalion through two combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 3rd Battalion was the first Marine unit to enter Baghdad on April 7, 2003, and it was this unit that pulled down the Saddam statue in Firdos Square on April 9, 2003. In the second tour the 3rd Battalion saw action during Operation Vigilant Resolve in Fallujah in April and May of 2004.
Co-Presenter(s)Former Marine David Cantu
Former Marine and Veterans' Counselor
Panel Member(s) Chuck Dean
In early 1987, Chuck, a veteran of the Vietnam War, became the Executive Director of Point Man International, a veterans-for-veterans support organization. As a writer and counselor he has worked with thousands of soldiers and veterans not only in the United States, but several foreign countries-including Russia, Italy, and France. His mission has been to see other veterans find positive solutions to the many issues facing them upon returning home.
Dr. Bridget Cantrell
Co-Author Down Range: To Iraq and Back, and workbook course entitled, "Turning Your Heart Toward Home"
Dr. Bridget C. Cantrell is a member of the American Psychological Association, Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists, The International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies, and National Board Certified Counselor Association. She has specialized in trauma for several years, and her primary work now encompasses counseling war veterans and their families.
With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology she is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington, and is Nationally Board Certified Mental Health Counselor.
Kay Hale
Kay Hale; lifelong Texas resident comes from a strong, dedicated military family.
Her son Michael is serving in the Marines with 3/7 and recently returned from his 3rd tour in Iraq.
She has been experiencing deployments and homecomings most of her life.
| Women in the Marine CorpsPresenter(s)Former US Marine Teresa Carpenter
Teresa joined the Marine Corps in 1982. She worked as an ejection seat mechanic while stationed at Yuma, Az with VMAT-102. After the
A4s were transitioned out and the Harriers brought in, Teresa transferred to C-130s and
VMGR-352 in El Toro, CA. She had been retrained to work in the hydraulics shop.
During her first year in El Toro, Teresa was named Marine of the Year for Marine Air Group 13.
She was accepted into the Marine Security Guard School and upon completion was assigned to US Embassy Kuwait City in 1988, where she worked for the Deputy Chief of the Mission.
After the invasion of Kuwait, Teresa returned to the US, then was sent to Saudi Arabia to work as an interpreter for US troops during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
She was Honorably Discharged from the USMC in 1994 and went on to raise her four small children.
Teresa now resides in Montgomery, Texas with her husband and 16 year old daughter.
| Veterans BenefitsPresenter(s)FMR MSgt USMC - Retired Buddy Osborne
W. C. "Buddy" Osborne is a National Service Officer for the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Houston,Texas. PVA National Service Officers are professionally trained in VA law and benefits, which enables them to assist veterans and their families in obtaining monetary VA entitlements and benefits and medical care services.
Mr. Osborne joined the Marine Corps on August 26, 1965 and retired on February 28, 1990 with 25 years active duty and 5 yrs. Fleet Reserve with the rank of Master Sergeant. Military decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (6th), Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Svc. Medal, Vietnam Svc. Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Sea Svc. Deployment Ribbon w/1 star, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Ribbon, Meritorious Mast (2), Letter of Appreciation (1), and Certificate of Commendation (2)
| For Spouses of MarinesPresenter(s) Chelsea Brewer
Chelsea is a young Marine Wife and volunteer with MarineParents.com Inc.
She is the lead moderator of the Wives/Fiancees & girlfriends' forums of the Marine Message Board, as well as the MarineParents.com newsroom.
She also volunteers in Live Support, the Chat Room, and answering emails.
Her husband, Joe, is a rifleman assigned with 1/7 Baker Company, 3rd Platoon stationed in Twentynine Palms, California. He is currently on his second deployment to Iraq.
| MarineParents.com Care Package Project: How You Can HelpPresenter(s) Tracy Della Vecchia
Founder of MarineParents.com, Inc.
Co-Presenter(s) Georgette Frank
Gold Star Mother, Founder of Heart of a Marine Foundation, and manager of MarineParents.com Care Package facility in Elk Grove Village, IL.
Roy Frank
Gold Star Father, Founder of Heart of a Marine Foundation, and manager of MarineParents.com Care Package facility in Elk Grove Village, IL.
| Meals Ready To Eat: Sampling an MREPresenter(s)Sgt. Anthony Martin
Sgt. Martin, has been in the Marine Corps for almost 8 years. He has been a Navigator on the KC-130 aircraft.Since his 5-year tour as a navigator, he has enjoyed working in the Marine For Life Program. For the past 3 years he has worked as the NCOIC of Injured Support portion for the South Central District, which includes Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana, and Arkansas. He ensures that our severely injured Marines continue to have the correct level of treatment.
| | Pre-Conference Workshop I Friday April 21 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | MarineParents.com, Inc. Web Site and ServicesPresenter(s) Tracy Della Vecchia
Founder of MarineParents.com, Inc.
| | Pre-Conference Workshop II Friday April 21 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Volunteering with MarineParents.com, Inc.Presenter(s) Mickie Nicks
Longtime volunteer, Moderator, Manager and member of the Board of Directors of MarineParents.com.
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'06 Conference 
