About the Marine Graduation Foundation

The men and women who choose to serve our country as a United States Marine endure more in one day of boot camp than most of us will ever experience in a lifetime, and they do this every day for 13 weeks so that you and I can sleep at night knowing they are there to protect us.

None of these men and women should ever have to be alone on the day they can proudly say, "I am a United States Marine". Sadly though, there are many Marines without their families when this day finally comes. Not every family can afford the trip to Parris Island, SC, or San Diego, CA, to share this day with their new Marine, and that is just not acceptable.

The Marine Graduation Foundation became a recognized non-profit organization in May 2005 with the help of people like yourself who chose to make a difference. We are now seeking funds to ensure that NO NEW MARINE is standing alone without the support of his or her family on Family Day and Graduation. No donation is too small and with your help, we can make Family Day, as well as the Graduation, a proud, memorable day for a man or woman who has chosen to serve our country as a United States Marine. Thank you in advance for your kindness.

If you would like to mail a donation, please make checks or money orders payable to Marine Graduation Foundation and send it to:

Marine Graduation Foundation
C/O Gretchen Miller
2837 Charles St.
St. Joseph, MO 64501

You may also send a donation through PayPal by clicking the button below:
Your contribution is tax deductible.

Since our first request for assistance came in July 2005, there have been 416 new Marines like those pictured below that did not have to stand alone when it was time to greet their families. YOU and people like you make the difference. Thank you.

Below is an email received from Ken Weaver on 11/12/07, posted with permission:

First I want to thank you for what you are doing for Marines and Marine families!
In 1975, I proudly announced to my family that I had enlisted in the Marine Corps and I was then told by a family member that I was not man enough to be a Marine and that I would never amount to anything. I was determined to prove them wrong, and prove them wrong I did! When I graduated among the top of my platoon and received a meritorious promotion at graduation, I did it completely alone more than 2000 miles away from my family....the proudest day of my life....the day I amounted to something...I stood alone with no proud parent or family member to acknowledge the achievement. No strangers shook my hand, and I felt completely alone.

I can tell you that at age 50 there is a still a place in my heart that feels that hurt and remembers standing alone on that day. So I want you to know how important your mission is and what it means to the Marine. Marine Corps boot camp is the biggest challenge that most of those Marines have ever faced...No Marine should ever have to stand alone on that proud day!

I have forwarded your site to a very proud Marine Corps family, and I am pleased to see that they have given substantially. I will support your mission as I am able, and I pray that God blesses you and your Marine family.

SEMPER FI ~ Ken Weaver

Officers and Directors:

John Weant, President, who knows the true meaning of Semper Fi (read bio);

Gretchen Miller, Secretary/Treasurer, Marine Mom, Air Force Mom.
Max Beerup, Director, the guy who "does much with his dash";
Steve Nelson, Director and Marine Dad
Toni Schab, Director and Marine Mom