The Mission Never Stops

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself…Serve and thou shall be served.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

The Women Marines Association (WMA) is a non-profit charitable 501(c)3 organization comprised of women who have or are currently serving honorably in the United States Marine Corps. 

WMA’S MISSION STATEMENT

To preserve and promote the history and traditions of women in the Marine Corps from World War I to the present; to conduct programs for charitable and educational purposes; to promote the welfare and well-being of elderly, disabled, and needy women Marine veterans, as well as women currently serving in the Marine Corps; to provide entertainment, care, and assistance to hospitalized veterans and members of the Armed Forces of the United States; to sponsor or participate in activities of a patriotic nature, particularly those that perpetuate the tradition and esprit de corps of the United States Marine Corps; and to foster the spirit of comradeship of women who have served or who now serve in the United States Marine Corps, regular or reserve components.

WMA Emergency Needs Fund currently is able to give out 6 grants a year for up to $1000 each. We require documentation of the need to assure our funds are being utilized in the best way possible to assist any veteran in need. The need is ever present and greater than our funding, and your donation will allow us to help more veterans. More and more the needs of our veterans, especially our women as they transition back into the civilian world, is great. In the past 5 years WMA has helped 21 veterans with a total amount of $17,530.

The recipients say it best:

Thank you so much, I am so grateful! My prayers have been answered! Please let the others on the committee know how appreciative I am. The funds will really make a difference because it had been a struggle for bare necessities. God Bless B. Y.

On behalf of me and my family, I want to thank you and the Women Marines Association for helping us through a very difficult time. We are on the road to recovery, and having the WMA behind us to help see our immediate needs through is incredible. We are so excited we will be so much better prepared for our baby, and that we can afford to stay in our home now for sure! Thank you again for everything. T.V.

The Major Megan McClung Memorial Scholarship fund was started by Major McClung’s parents as a tribute to her life and sacrifice. Each year a scholarship of $1,500 is given out in her memory. We want to continue to honor and remember her sacrifice each year by continuing her scholarship.

Major McClung served honorably and gave all. Megan Malia Leilani McClung (April 14, 1972–December 6, 2006) was the first female United States Marine Corps officer killed in combat during the Iraq War. Major McClung was serving as a public affairs officer in Al Anbar Province, Iraq when she was killed.

McClung was commissioned an officer in the Marine Corps in 1995 and served on active duty until 2004, when she entered the Reserves.

In 2006, she returned to active duty with the Marines and in January 2006, she was deployed to Iraq as a public affairs officer with the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). She was promoted to the rank of Major in June. In December 2006, she was in the final month of a year-long deployment to Iraq. On December 6, 2006, McClung was serving with the I Marine Expeditionary Force as the Marine Corps head of public affairs for Al Anbar Province, in charge of embedded journalists. Earlier in the day, she had been accompanying Oliver North with his Fox News camera crew in Ramadi. She subsequently was escorting Newsweek journalists into downtown Ramadi. A massive improvised explosive device (IED) destroyed McClung’s Humvee, instantly killing McClung and the other two occupants.

McClung was the first female Marine officer to be killed in the Iraq war] as well as the first female graduate of the United States Naval Academy to be killed in action since the school was founded in 1845.

Major Megan McClung was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery on December 19, 2006

On average a total of 15 scholarships are awarded each year from our WMA Scholarship fund. In the past five years alone WMA has given out close to $200,000.

The WMA Expo and Convention Fund is used to fund WMA exhibits and events that showcase WMA’s history and educate others about our proud heritage as Marines. WMA has a presence at Marine Corps Expos three times a year, as well as exhibits at our biennial convention. Funds are used to ship educational materials and other exhibit items.

The Lotus Mort Fund is used to support the history of the women in the USMC. The fund is named after Lotus Mort, the first woman warrant officer in the Marine Corps and the first female instructor at the Recruiters’ School in Parris Island. Interest earned from this fund is used toward a $500 stipend given to the recipient of the annual Julia Hamblet Award.

The WMA General Fund supports our day to day operations. WMA is comprised of a volunteer force of dedicated Marines who strive daily to fulfill the purposes of WMA. Without operational support our organization would cease to exist.

You can donate online.

OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT WMA

PLANNED GIVING –

For most people, the easiest most convenient gift arrangement is an outright gift of cash or other property to WMA. You, as the donor, would receive a charitable contribution deduction for the full fair market value of the gift.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

To make a contribution to WMA Wreaths Across America click the link above and then click the red “Support” button under the WMA logo. You may also send checks to:

Wreaths Across America
P.O. Box 249
Columbia Falls, ME 04623

If you send a check, be sure to include WMA’s fundraising ID on the check (MI0040P) so WMA can get credit for these contributions.

AMAZON SMILE

You can support WMA by using our Amazon Smile link! For each purchase you make through this link WMA will get some of the proceeds as a donation. Amazon donates 0.05% of your purchase to the WMA General Fund. You will be supporting WMA National located in Oaks, PA.

I PLEDGE CAMPAIGN – Take the pledge to send a monthly donation to WMA. by joining “I Pledge” you can have an automatic draft sent from your bank or mail a monthly check. Use the account #GF001943 or write “I Pledge” on a check you mail in.

You may also mail your donations to:

Women Marines Association
P.O. Box 377
Oaks, PA 19456-0377

WMA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. Thank you for making a difference with your generous contribution.