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5 December 2011

Volume 1, Issue 12 2ND SUPPLY BATTALION

PERSONAL AND FAMILY READINESS NEWSLETTER

2d Supply Battalion (-) REIN

2d Supply Battalion Battalion Staff

COMMANDING OFFICER

LtCol David S. Gibbs

EXECUTIVE OFFICER Maj Daniel M. Bartos

SERGEANTS MAJOR

SgtMaj James P. Humphrey

CHAPLAIN

LCDR Marcus E. Lawerence

FAMLIY READINESS

OFFICER Mr. James L. Stolarczyk

FGE COMMAND TEAM

COMMANDING OFFICER

Maj Sean M. Murray

EXECUTIVE OFFICER Capt Kelly M. Johnson

SERGEANTS MAJOR

1stSgt Micheal E.

Lambert III

I would like to say Season's Greetings to you all! We have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. Right after the New Year we will officially have the MSB 11.1 personnel back with the battalion and I wanted to let you all know that I am very grateful for the contributions your loved ones have made in support of the on-going war on terror.

The Marines and Sailors of our unit have also done an awesome job of ensuring that the battalion continues to operate at an exceptionally high level. In closing; on behalf of 2d Supply Battalion I would like to wish all of you a merry Christmas, a safe and joyous holiday season and a happy New Year!

Semper Fidelis Major Sean M. Murray

Happy Holidays from the Marines and Sailors of 2d Supply Battalion, MSB 11.2, Afghanistan

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Chaplains Corner

MCCS Lejeune MCFTB December Calendar

For pictures and more join us on FACEBOOK, just look

for 2d Supply Battalion

Before “I Do” Marriage Foundation

Workshop:

This is a two-day workshop offered

twice a month for couples planning to

marry or those married for two years or

less. This workshop covers a wide

variety of topics and focuses on how

each of these matters affects the

marriage and the couple. Things such

as communication, finances,

expectations and roles, values and

spirituality, personality, drugs and

alcohol, resources, family, friends, in-

laws, even sexuality and sensuality are

all topics explored through this

workshop.

December 8th and 9

th

Attendance on both days is required.

ornaments in the windows. The boy noticed a star in many of the windows. His father said the star meant that the family had a son in the war. As they passed the last house, the little boy caught sight of the evening star in the sky. “Look, Daddy, God must have a son in the war, too! God has a star in His window.” Indeed, God has a Son who went to war, but Jesus came into our world to go to war against sin. While this story has a Christian slant to it, it is important during the holidays to remember that this world is not perfect, and, in many ways, just the opposite of what is needed in order for humanity to live in peace.

LCDR Marcus Lawrence

SHARING THE MESSAGE

Back during World War II, a little boy and his father were on their way home one Christmas Eve. They passed rows of houses decorated with Christmas trees and various beautiful

Sons and daughters go to war in foreign lands such as Afghanistan. I am proud to be serving as a chaplain among our men, and women who live out their courage on a daily basis both inside and outside the wire. Their commitment to each other is solid, and they are focused on accomplishing each mission given to them with the hope that their contribution makes life better for others. We also know we have loved ones at home who carry on with daily task hoping to soon be reunited. The commitment our families have at home enables those of us in Afghanistan to succeed. Each of us, in various ways, and in

various places, continues to spread the message of love, joy, hope, and peace. This message will be with us through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. Think about what you can do to help make your home, community, city, and country a better place for all. Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas.

Chaplain Lawrence

Life Skills if the newest section of the MCFTB umbrella. Here at Camp Lejeune we offer workshops and classes that provide foundation skills for our service members and their families.

For more information on upcoming workshops, call:

(910) 451-0176

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2011 US Post Office Recommended Mailing Dates

The 2d Supply Battalion Annual Christmas Party will be held on 9 December 2011 at the Goettge Field House onboard Camp Lejeune. There will be free food, games, $1,300 in door prizes, free photos with Santa, and crafts for the children, face painting and much more. For more details contact the FRO at 451-1405 james.stolarczyk@usmc.mil

2d Supply Battalion Family Readiness Events

Destination Express 1st

Class Priority PAL SAM

Parcel Post

APO/FPO/DPO AE 090-092 17 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 03 Dec 26 Nov 12 Nov

APO/FPO/DPO AE 093 N/A 03 Dec 03 Dec 01 Dec 26 Nov 12 Nov

APO/FPO/DPO AE 094-098 17 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 03 Dec 26 Nov 12 Nov

APO/FPO/DPO AA 340 17 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 03 Dec 26 Nov 12 Nov

APO/FPO/DPO AP 962-966 17 Dec 10 Dec 10 Dec 03 Dec 26 Nov 12 Nov

In January, 2d Supply Battalion will host two “In the Midst” events for our deployed family members. Depending upon the level of participation, an “In the Midst” Workshop” is tentatively scheduled for February. “In The Midst” Workshops were created to empower our participants through exciting interactive venues. Topics include such things as Relaxation, Networking, Having Fun, and Learning Something New. In March we will conduct a series of “Return and Reunion” workshops

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If you are interested in volunteering or participating in Battalion Family Readiness events, contact the Family Readiness Officer at james.stolarczyk@usmc.mil or call (910) 451-1405

MSB11.2, the “DAN MARCH” Camp Leatherneck

On November 11th, 2011 2d

Supply Battalion FORWARD REIN participated in a fund raising event hosted by the Dutch that consisted of an 18 mile hump while carrying a 20 lb pack. Awards were given to the first place winner and for the person who was the most patriotic in costume. Many people from different backgrounds and from different countries came to the event in order to show support for our fellow service members who were wounded during combat. This event was inspirational, motivational, and supportive all service members. Eighteen miles was not that difficult for many as physical fitness has always been a part of military life. However, 18 miles was definitely going behind what is normally required of military personnel as it proved to be a challenging evolution. Participants marched on various road surfaces including paved, sand, and gravel. Men and women pushed themselves to the point of exhaustion culminating in the discovery of what one can actually accomplish when determined. As with most experiences, any potential doubt disappeared when crossing the finish line to receive their respective certificates, and awards.

Photo above is General Support Motor Transportation participants including our very own Captain Moore.

Pictured above is RPSN (soon to be RP3) Barboza, and Cpl Youssefian having completed the march.

Holiday Events

10 December and on Sunday, 11 December Open to authorized patrons of all ages. Cost: $7/person ages 11+; $5/person ages 3-10; ages 2 and under FREE! Pre-registration required for attendance. Space is limited; first come, first served. Register and pay at MCCS Midway Park Community Center.

2d Marine Division Band Holiday Concert

Base Theater (map) Sat, December 10, 2:00pm – 3:30pm “Wishing You a Season of Joy and Peace Holiday Concert featuring holiday music performed by Camp Lejeune own 2d Marine Division Band, with special appearance by the Camp Lejeune High School Band. Concert is Free!

PJ Party with Santa Midway Park Community Center (map) Sunday, December 11, 6pm – 8pm Join us for a magical evening with Santa! You’ll enjoy story time, holiday crafts, and snacks. Don’t forget your camera to take a photo with Santa! Santa is having 2 PJ parties – one on Saturday, 10 December and one on

Scholarships for Spouses

http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/military-spouse-scholarships/

* Licensing Fee * Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math Degree (to include certain healthcare fields) * Spouses of Fallen Service Members * Spouses of Wounded Service Members * Vocational or Technical Certification Applications will only be accepted online http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/military-spouse-scholarships and must be submitted by midnight EST, January 31, 2012. Spouses of uniformed service members (active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees, and survivors) are eligible.

Applications are now being accepted for 2012 Military Spouse Scholarships, you must apply before January 31 deadlines. The National Military Family Association is now accepting applications for its annual Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program. The Association recognizes the unique challenges today’s military spouses face pursuing additional training or education. Scholarships of up to $1,000 are awarded to help ease the financial obstacles that accompany pursuing a higher education. Scholarships are awarded in six categories: * General (High School GED, English as a Second Language, Post-Secondary, Graduate) * General (High School GED, English as a Second Language, Post-Secondary, Graduate)

If you want to donate to the Toys for Tots progam, you can find a list of local drop off locations at: http://camp-lejeune-nc.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/donate-toys.asp

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For more stories and photos from the Regional Command Southwest go to: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/77603/corps-top-leaders-visit-warfighters-afghanistan#.TolAlF3GDh4

The History of Hanukkah

Marines with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) Postal Detachment sort through more than 10,000 pounds of packages and letters during a mail delivery aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Nov. 18. Twenty-four service members joined the postal Marines to work through the holiday rush as part of Operation North Pole. The Marines with the Postal Detachment, Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) are accustomed to moving upward of 10,000 pounds of mail per day, but with the holiday season approaching, that amount will nearly double. With the increase of letters and packaging reaching 20,000 pounds or more per day, the postal Marines reached out to other units for service members to temporarily work at the postal lot from 1 Nov through 1 Jan 2012. The influx of mail led the leaders of the 2nd MLG (FWD) to enlist the support of 24 extra pairs of hands in Operation North Pole.

Without the extra help, Lance Cpl. Markevis Seth, a postal clerk with the Postal Detachment, says there would be too much mail to manage. “People don’t realize how much mail means until they deploy,” Seth said. “Everything they get out here has to come through us. What they buy at the PX is delivered through us first.” Their organization and teamwork allows for a seamless process of unloading, sorting, organizing and packing the large amounts of mail to be delivered to both civilians and military personnel around the battlespace. Not only does the detachment receive mail for Camp Leatherneck, it handles mail to be delivered to forward operating bases and camps all around the Regional Command Southwest area of operation. While the amount of time and effort put into a workday is drastically increasing during the holidays for the postal Marines, Seth says it is worth it, especially when they get to see the Marine’s face who is on the receiving end of their hard work. “Everything they get to make them smile out here comes through us,” Seth said. “A lot of them tell us they appreciate it.”

Stories and Photos by: Cpl. Katherine M. Solano

Photos of 2d MLG Postal Detachment, Post Office Camp Leatherneck and a Truck delivering mail to Camp Leatherneck.

Judea known today as Israel was under the control of the Seleucid King of Syria, Antiochus IV Epiphanies, somewhat less than benevolent: he banned the Jewish faith and desecrated the Temple. Antiochus soldiers massacring thousands of Jews and desecrating Second Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs in the Holy of Holies. The Jewish people revolted and in 166 B.C. Judah Maccabee (“the Hammer”), who relied largely on guerilla warfare tactics, defeated the Syrians in 164 B.C. Judah ordered the Temple cleansed and the Menorah relit. According to history, there was only enough untainted oil to light the Menorah for one day. Somehow the Menorah continued to remain lit for 8 days leading to the eight day festival known as Hanukkah. Hanukkah is normally celebrated in November or December; there are special blessings, gifts and traditional toys (driedel or top) and foods like potato pancakes.

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Resources of the Month

James L. Stolarczyk Family Readiness Officer

2D Supply Battalion

PHONE: (910) 451-1405

CELL:

(910) 382-5300

E-MAIL: james.stolarczyk@usmc.mil

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

http://www.marines.mil/unit/2ndmlg/2ndsupply/Pages/default.aspx

When a military family experiences a crisis, the American Red Cross

is there to assist by providing emergency communications twenty-four

hours a day, 365 days a year. Red Cross emergency communications

services keep military personnel in touch with their families. No

matter where a military member and their family are stationed, the

Red Cross will deliver their notifications in times of crisis. Even if the

service member receives notification of an emergency through an e-

mail or a phone call, Red Cross-verified information assists

commanding officers in making a decision regarding emergency

leave. Without this verification, the service member may not be able

to come home during a family emergency.

How to Contact the Red Cross for Assistance

Call (877) 272-7337 (toll-free within the continental United States)

http://www.redcross.org/ Local Jacksonville, NC telephone numbers for the Red Cross: (910) 451-2182/5159 (after hours 877-272-7337)

http://semperfifund.org/team-semper-fi/

SEMPER FI FUND

Through VFW programs like VFW Operation Uplink™, VFW Unmet Needs and VFW's Military Assistance Program, we're doing even more to ensure not a single service

member, veteran, or their families fall through the cracks. Whether you or your family need the opportunity to call home more often, or a deployment has caused financial strain, we are the organization to turn to. We're an organization of veterans helping veterans! Unmet Needs provides emergency grants to military families who need

temporary help making ends meet. http://www.vfw.org/Assistance/National-Military-Services/ or

Operation Uplink 816-968-1155

Fax: 816-968-2779 uplink@vfw.org