| Breakout Session I Saturday April 21 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. |
Combat Deployment Discussion Panel: What You Must Know Part IPresenter(s)Colonel Bryan McCoy
Panel Member(s)Cpl. Derrick Jensen
Derrick joined the Marine Corps in August of 2001. He was 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 Falujah 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.
Deputy Commander, Mobilization Command Colonel Steve Brown
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| Military Benefits |
After the Marine CorpsPresenter(s)Dr. Mike Colson
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New to the Marine CorpsPresenter(s)Mission Welcome Home Coordinator Jeffrey Johnson
Master Sgt USMC (Retired)
Service 1982-2004
Extensive service in the Fleet Marine Corps, both home and abroad. MSgt Johnson also served an assignment with Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Father to Corporal Johnson who is currently serving with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, Bravo Battery, Hawaii.
MSgt Johnson's current work with Mission: Welcome Home provides him with an opportunity to employ skills that were developed over his career to assist today’s returning service members with their transition from active duty service member to veteran.
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Operation PAL™Presenter(s) Wanda Schmitt
Manager: Operation PAL Wanda Schmitt
Wanda lives on a farm in southern Wisconsin with her husband of nearly 25 years. She is employed by CUNA Mutual Group as a Sales & Service Consultant. Wanda has a strong history of Marines in her family. Her father, brothers, brother-in-law, aunt and uncle are all former Marines. She was directed to Marine Parents.com by her son’s recruiter. Here she found a sense of community, incredible pride in our Marines and a strong desire to support them and their families.
She has been a Recruit Board Moderator since October 2005. In May 2006 she took on the additional challenge of helping launch Operation PAL and Team Marine Parents. She became Manager of Operation PAL in February 2007.
Wanda is extremely proud of their two children, LCpl. Jacob Schmitt and 17 year old Jenna who is Wanda’s running/adventure buddy.
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| Meals Ready To Eat: Sampling an MRE |
| Breakout Session II Saturday April 21 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Combat Deployment Discussion Panel: What You Must Know Part IIPresenter(s)Colonel Bryan McCoy
Panel Member(s)Cpl. Derrick Jensen
Derrick joined the Marine Corps in August of 2001. He was 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 Falujah 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.
Deputy Commander, Mobilization Command Colonel Steve Brown
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Preparing for DeploymentPresenter(s) Greg Green
Greg is the Director of Marine Services, and a board member with MarineParents.com. His son is currently deployed for his second tour with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines out of Camp Pendleton.
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Veteran‘s BenefitsPresenter(s) Pat Rowe Kerr
In 2003 when the Global War on Terror began, Pat Kerr and her husband, Rev. John Kerr began creating awareness of gaps in the system supporting National Guard and Reservists. She now serves as the State Veterans Ombudsman for the Missouri Veterans Commission and the Director of a program designed to outreach to National Guard, Reserve and their families through a program called “Operation Outreach.”
She is the mother of a Reservist deployed to Iraq for her second tour of duty. Pat and her husband John care for Capt. Numerick’s 4 year old son while she is serving her country.
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ScrapbookingPresenter(s) Trish Fry
Trish is a volunteer with MarineParents.com, Marine mother and avid scrapbooker.
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Purple Heart MarinesPresenter(s)Region II Commander Kevin Kavanaugh
Commander, Region II
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Wisconsin
Panel Member(s) Tracey Schalk
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For Marine Corps SpousesPresenter(s) Michelle Keener
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| Breakout Session III Saturday April 21 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
Combat Deployment Discussion Panel: When Your Marine Comes Home Part IPresenter(s)Dr. Bridget Cantrell
Greg Green
Greg is the Director of Marine Services, and a board member with MarineParents.com. His son is currently deployed for his second tour with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines out of Camp Pendleton.
Panel Member(s)Command Adjutant Major Shannon Shinskie
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Military BenefitsPresenter(s)Mission Welcome Home Coordinator Jeffrey Johnson
Master Sgt USMC (Retired)
Service 1982-2004
Extensive service in the Fleet Marine Corps, both home and abroad. MSgt Johnson also served an assignment with Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Father to Corporal Johnson who is currently serving with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, Bravo Battery, Hawaii.
MSgt Johnson's current work with Mission: Welcome Home provides him with an opportunity to employ skills that were developed over his career to assist today’s returning service members with their transition from active duty service member to veteran.
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After the Marine CorpsPresenter(s)Dr. Mike Colson
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New to the Marine CorpsPresenter(s)Mission Welcome Home Coordinator Jeffrey Johnson
Master Sgt USMC (Retired)
Service 1982-2004
Extensive service in the Fleet Marine Corps, both home and abroad. MSgt Johnson also served an assignment with Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Father to Corporal Johnson who is currently serving with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, Bravo Battery, Hawaii.
MSgt Johnson's current work with Mission: Welcome Home provides him with an opportunity to employ skills that were developed over his career to assist today’s returning service members with their transition from active duty service member to veteran.
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Care Packages and The Care Package Project™Presenter(s) Tracy Della Vecchia
Tracy Della Vecchia is the founder of MarineParents.com, Inc.
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| For Gold Star Families Only |
| Breakout Session IV Saturday April 21 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Combat Deployment Discussion Panel: When Your Marine Comes Home Part IIPresenter(s)Dr. Bridget Cantrell
Greg Green
Greg is the Director of Marine Services, and a board member with MarineParents.com. His son is currently deployed for his second tour with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines out of Camp Pendleton.
Panel Member(s)Command Adjutant Major Shannon Shinskie
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| Preparing for Deployment |
Veteran‘s BenefitsPresenter(s) Pat Rowe Kerr
In 2003 when the Global War on Terror began, Pat Kerr and her husband, Rev. John Kerr began creating awareness of gaps in the system supporting National Guard and Reservists. She now serves as the State Veterans Ombudsman for the Missouri Veterans Commission and the Director of a program designed to outreach to National Guard, Reserve and their families through a program called “Operation Outreach.”
She is the mother of a Reservist deployed to Iraq for her second tour of duty. Pat and her husband John care for Capt. Numerick’s 4 year old son while she is serving her country.
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ScrapbookingPresenter(s) Trish Fry
Trish is a volunteer with MarineParents.com, Marine mother and avid scrapbooker.
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| Recruit Training: Bootcamp |
Did I Say the Right Thing?Presenter(s)Gold Star Mom Christine Dybevik
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| Pre-Conference Workshop I Friday April 20 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
MarineParents.com, Inc. Web Site and ServicesPresenter(s) Tracy Della Vecchia
Tracy Della Vecchia is the founder of MarineParents.com, Inc.
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| Pre-Conference Workshop II Friday April 20 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Volunteering with MarineParents.com, Inc.Presenter(s) Tracy Della Vecchia
Tracy Della Vecchia is the founder of MarineParents.com, Inc.
Co-Presenter(s) Mickie Nicks
Mickie has been a volunteer with MarineParents.com since January, 2004. She is currently the Director of Personnel, Board of Directors Secretary and a web site administrator.
Her son is a corporal currently deployed to Iraq with the 15th MEU; he is in his fourth year as Marine.
Mickie is also the mother of a daughter with three children plus another son who graduates high school in May 2007.
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'07 Conference 
