What makes Marines different........

Team,

I hope that this note finds you well.  Through a series of good breaks, we are on the verge of resuming operations.  While not at the level we would like, we are making progress and the ability to make an impact of the men and women forward is preferable to the state of limbo we have found ourselves in the past few months.

Our first sock shipments are less than three weeks away.  We will be getting our first batch of 10,000 pair sometime during the week of October 15th, with the next batch following the week after.

We are more than a little excited!

With the exception of this month, we’ll be moving to a model where instead of getting one shipment every three months, we’ll be getting smaller shipments every to help us iron out the “feast-or-famine” model that we’ve found ourselves in for the past couple of years.

Though it has seemed like pulling teeth out of a chicken, we have also managed to find additional suppliers so that we now do not have to worry about future interruptions.  Not due to COVID, not due to tariffs, not due to political posturing.  No interruptions. Period.

We’ve been reaching out to units to find out the status of their deployments, if they are coming in, who their replacements are, in an effort to determine where the need is greatest so that we can get socks out to those units first.

What we are seeing is that, while there is a drawdown, there are enough American’s in harm’s way that our initial sock shipments will not be sitting in our storeroom for long.  I cannot begin to tell you how good it is going to feel to be able to resume our mission in earnest.

While most people have been focused on the political gyrations going on in Washington, we continue monitoring the changes going on in the Military.  We always try to understand what is coming down the pipeline so that we can be better positioned to help. As part of that process, I had an opportunity to hear an interview with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David Berger as he spoke about the challenges facing the Marine Corps today.

Some of you may have heard that the Marine Corps is going through a major transformation in its force design.  Moving away from a “land army” concept that it had moved towards over the past 17 years to becoming more tightly integrated with the Navy to meet its primary mission of becoming America’s force in readiness to deter any aggressor until the rest of the Nation’s armed forces can mobilize.

A lot of people have taken issue with a number of the changes that he has implemented such as removing tank battalions, combat logistics units, military police units, modifying artillery from long guns to missiles, his focus on diversity and the elimination of tokens of racism within the Corps bases and facilities.   They are the most dramatic and sweeping changes that the force has undergone since its founding and while some may question it, we believe it to be timely and necessary for the protection of our Nation.

The primary strategy is based on the ability to move from an environment where we enjoy absolute superiority in the case of both numbers and technology and move towards the ability to fight in a peer-to-peer adversary.  What does that mean?  We are getting ready to fight Nations who are our own size such as China, Iran and Russia.  These Nations all have the capability to target our ships from a long way off and so new means of getting our troops to the battle space to respond to the “area denial” of our enemies is critical. 

But while he spoke about technology and tactics, logistics and medical care, budgets and political forces, the area that you could tell held his passion was the molding and development of the men and women who wear the uniform.   There was one area that caught my attention when the discussion focused on diversity in the ranks.

There has been a lot of discussion about how to integrate women into basic Marine infantry and officer training.  While General Berger talked about the barriers that stood in the way today, he spent a few minutes talking about what made Marines unique to other branches of the armed services. 

He talked about the basic building blocks of the Marine Corps, the individual Marine and the Platoon.  That while other services ended their training at a certain hour, the Marine Corps drill instructors work with the recruits late into the evening helping them to understand that they are part of something larger than themselves and that their duty goes beyond themselves and encompasses the man or woman beside them.  His example being when you say I cannot make it, the Marine next to you says, “yes you can, and we’ll do it together”.

He spoke about the Marine Platoon as the reason why the Marine Corps wins battles.  That there are 50 individuals who think and act as one.  All focused on their mission, all focused on their joint survival.  All tied to their core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

While the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq may be winding down, the winds of war blow elsewhere.  If there are Americans willing to step forward in order that the hammer strike falls on them instead of our Nation and her people, we will be there to stand with them. We will continue to help by making sure that each Marine in every Platoon never has to want for socks.

It was our mission when we started, it is our mission today. Can we keep going?

Yes, and we’ll do it together.

We have been in a holding pattern not only in our ability to ship but also to generate the resources to provide this capability since March.  To that end, we are happy to announce our next fundraiser, our next edition of the America Shoots for Her Troops series, the “Socks for Heroes Invitational” at Raahauge’s on Saturday, November 14th.  We hope you will mark your Calendars and join us. More information will be forthcoming or you can go to our website at http://socks4heroes.com/events

We are back in business and can use your help.  Please take a moment to donate or help us get the word out by forwarding our message off to your friends who support the Military.

Thanks for joining us in our position in this fight!

Jim Hogan

In memory of our son, LCPL Donald Hogan

Posthumously awarded the Navy Cross

KIA 8/26/2009 Nawa, Afghanistan

We honor his memory by caring for Americans wherever they serve in harm’s way

A Note from the Front.....

Team,

I hope that this note finds you well. We’ve had a busy week and it seems like we are on the verge of seeing an end to the great “sock drought” of 2020. As a result we’ve got a lot of great things to report.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to make a donation over the past couple of weeks. During this period where we can’t run fundraisers, your help takes on more importance than you can realize.

I’d also like to thank everyone who sent us notes, e-mails and calls over the past couple of weeks following our updates regarding our son and his legacy. We’re grateful that unlike most support organizations, we don’t have donors, we have a community, a family that cares not only about the welfare of the men and women forward, but about us as well.

Words can’t begin to describe our gratitude that you are in our lives today.

We received word that we will be receiving our first order of socks within 30 days, followed by a second order 10 days after and then subsequent orders of socks through the New Year. 40,000 pair in all. It’s been a long haul, but we are finally near the end of it and are ready to go back to work doing what we do best, caring for Americans in harm’s way.

During a conversation recently, someone asked me, “Are you going to keep sending stuff out? I thought that we were bringing all of the troops home?” It’s a fair question, here is the answer.

Yes. We are going to continue to send socks forward. Why? Because regardless of the news, there are still people in the fight and while they are there, we’re going to be there with them.

What my friend was referring to is the news that the US is pulling 2,200 troops out of Iraq, leaving a residual force of 3,000. According to the sources quoted, it is because the Iraqi Government forces are able to take the fight to ISIS without as much US help. This week also saw the opening of peace talks between the Taliban and the current Afghan government. This is the second part of the agreement between the US and the Taliban for a US withdrawal from that country. While many are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, there are others who are not as optimistic.

We’ve pulled out troops before only to have to send them back again because the job was left unfinished. I am hoping that this is not the case this time.

On Friday, we observed the 19th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our Nation by Al Qaeda which launched our country into the largest military mobilization and the longest war in our history. This war which has lasted for 19 years, has seen 16 million Americans stepping forward to protect their Nation. Of those who stepped forward, 7,000 paid the last full measure of service to their Nation.

I’ve written about this before, every year to commemorate the anniversary, I put our American flags up in our yard. Every year, someone asks what the occasion is.

They have forgotten that on September 12th, when the Twin Towers were burning, everyone looked to Americas Armed Forces for protection. Now, they are hardly an afterthought. But while America sleeps, they continue to stand between us and harm’s way.

There are Marines, Soldiers and Special Operations units in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria who are still in combat. There are Marine, Army and Air Force aviation units that are carrying out vital combat and rescue missions those same places.

They go about their business professionally and without fanfare. They are America’s finest. We are proud to support them.

And while they don’t ask for it, they’re grateful when someone tries to make their lives easier.

While I was stewing about the state of affairs in our Nation, the mailman came. He brought a large Manila envelope. In it was a folder with a certificate of appreciation and a challenge coin from an Osprey Squadron that we were able to get some socks to. Their service area takes them to all the hotspots in play today. Their squadron name is “The Sea Elks” after their mascot “Lucky the Elk” and their motto is simply “Because we can.”

The note from their Commander is validation for our mission. It reads:

“On behalf of the Aviation Combat Element, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your support during our mission. The socks received while on deployment were distributed to all Marines in the squadron including Marines from other elements bringing with them smile and a sense of feeling appreciated for the hard work that they are doing.

The hours of labor you and your team contributed to the packaging and mailing of each package did not go unnoticed. Your patriotism and support boosted the Morale of all the Marines assigned to the Aviation Combat Element, and a successful deployment during this mission.”

I have attached photos of both, as you are the ones who deserve them, not us.

Reading his generous words, I regret not having read them prior to my conversation with my friend when he asked me why we continued doing what we do, as they provided me with the perfect response.

Because we can.

Thanks for joining us in our position in this fight!

Jim Hogan

In memory of our son, LCPL Donald Hogan

Posthumously awarded the Navy Cross

KIA 8/26/2009 Nawa, Afghanistan

We honor his memory by caring for Americans wherever they serve in harm’s way.

Lance Corporal Donald J. Hogan Bachelor Enlisted Quarters

Team,

I hope that this note finds you well. When its all said and done, it’s been a difficult week for Carla and me, but not one without bright spots and while not a happy ending, a day filled with cherished friends, tears and laughter and unforgettable memories.

I’d like to thank all of you who took the time to reach out to us last week. Your kind notes and calls were deeply appreciated, and we cannot express our gratitude for your compassion, empathy, and friendship during a hard period.

We received another kindness this week that I would like to share with you.

There is a monument to my son located at Camp Pendleton. It is called the Lance Corporal Donald J. Hogan Bachelor Enlisted Quarters. It is a sprawling three building complex capable of housing a battalion of Marines.

It was dedicated on January 17th, 2012, along with the presentation of Donald’s Navy Cross during a ceremony that featured his Battalion, the Regimental and Division Commanders, the Secretary of the Navy and the Marines that were on the patrol with him that day. It was quite a memorable day for me and Carla.

At the entrance to the complex is a plaque that has a picture of our son in Afghanistan, his biography, and his Navy Cross Citation. Over the years, thousands of Marines have lived in those barracks, and in doing so, had an opportunity to read our son’s story and to keep his memory alive and his connection to their history alive.

Time, however, is no great respecter of things. Monuments especially. The years, the sun and the weather have eroded the plaque to the point that the picture was no longer recognizable.

Last year, the Regiment got a new Commander. Colonel Robert Weiler. Colonel Weiler is a long-time 5th Marine Regiment Marine, having served with 2/4 in Ramadi during the Ramadi uprising where he was awarded the Silver Star for his relentless assaults on enemy positions during the uprising. He also served as the Battalion Commander for 2/4. During that time Rob befriended us. We have appreciated the friendship and kindness of he and his family and count them as some of our dearest friends.

When he took command, he asked if we would like to do something to commemorate the anniversary of Donald’s death as he believed the connection of the current Marines who had never served under fire to our son’s bravery. We agreed and planned to do something.

However, due to COVID-19, and the needs of the Marine Corps we assumed that nothing would be happening and understanding the challenges, we thought we would delay it. Then the phone rings and Rob tells us that the plaque has been refurbished and is installed, do we want to go forward?

We decide to delay the ceremony past Wednesday the 26th to Friday the 28th so that following the ceremony, the Marines can go on with their weekend. From that point it is handed off to the Sergeant Major and when that happens you know things are going to get one.

This ceremony is much smaller than the original. There are 50 people total due to COVID regulations. 30 of them Marines who are part of the ceremony and 20 guests. We are honored by the men who join us as each has a connection to our son or his legacy.

There is a young man who went to boot camp with our son and deployed during both of 1/5’s deployments. In addition to our family we were graced with several Marines who were close to Donald. Donald’s Company Commander, another Company Commander and a First Sergeant who were on the deployment are there. The Commander of the 1st Marine Division and his wife join us. He was a Colonel and Chief of Staff for the Division at the time. He and his wife attended both the funeral and the memorial service. There is a Marine who was the Regimental Commander at the time of Donald’s death who we believe to be responsible for the Barracks being named after him. One of the Marines is a former 1/5 Commander who took the unit back to Afghanistan on the deployment after Donald and a wounded warrior who was injured during that deployment. We were also honored to have a Marine who had been with Donald during his patrol with us.

The ceremony itself is short. An invocation, the reading of Donald’s biography and citation then remarks.

Colonel Weiler talks about Donald and his legacy. He observes that the barracks is a special place in that it is named after a Lance Corporal. Not a General, or a Colonel or a Sergeant Major, but a Lance Corporal and that it houses the same. Lance Corporals. He also shares about the reason that he was focused on the task, that he did not want anyone to think that as the plaque had faded, so had our son’s memory. He emphasized that our son’s memory is alive at 1/5, 5th Marines and the 1st Marine Division and will remain so as long as there is a Marine Corps.

Next 1st Sergeant Juan Elizondo, who was a Sergeant at the time of the action gives an account of the day. He talks not only about the action, but also who Donald was as a Marine. Cheerful, dedicated and always willing to volunteer.

Carla and I are asked to come to the podium. My remarks are brief. My voice breaks while delivering them. I thank our guests for coming and I thank the Marines who took their time to honor our son. I tell them the truth, that losing Donald destroyed our family and severed our connection to the world that we had lived in, but that through their kindness they had brought us back. That the reason that we like to be around Lance Corporals is that through their smiles and laughter, we see our son’s smile again and hear his laughter. That we are grateful that they restored us by giving us a mission and a purpose.

The speakers play Waltzing Matilda, Anchors Away and the Marine Corps Hymn and the ceremony is over.

We provide lunch for 300 Marines as a thank you for taking their time to join us that day. It’s Carne Asada Burritos and Apple Pie. We visit with our guests and go back to the serving area and are greeted by the sight of a bunch of young Marines eating, drinking, and laughing.

It’s the best part of the day.

We spend the next hour talking with our friends and making new ones until Time raises its ugly head again. One by one our friends and family leave, we pack the car and go home.

That evening Carla and I reflect on the kindness and compassion that so many shows to us on daily. How we are truly blessed.

I’m sorry if you didn’t receive an invitation to the ceremony, we were limited in the number we could provide. You can check out the pictures of the event by going to:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/SocksforHeroes/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3241832272568122

You don’t need a Facebook account to see them. However, you were all with us in our hears that day. We’re grateful that you are all in our lives today. Thanks for joining us in our position in this fight!

Jim Hogan

In memory of our son, LCPL Donald Hogan
Posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
KIA 8/26/2009 Nawa, Afghanistan
We honor his memory by caring for Americans wherever they serve in harm’s way