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.

We received the following email and wanted to share it with you. Do not think for a moment that your kindness, however small, does not effect the lives of many.

Wow! we had a wonderful time back in Parris Island, SC, thanks to the Marine Corps Graduation Foundation. There was just no way to afford this trip without your help. The finances you sent us were a gift from heaven, as far as we are concerned. I cried when I read the letter on the website from a man named Ken Weaver, who tells how he feels even now at age 50 about not having anyone there at his graduation some 33 years ago. He felt so alone. My heart just breaks at the thought...Well,I WAS there for my daughter's graduation this year on April 25,at Parris Island,SC along with my wife and oldest daughter, and her husband. All thanks to you all who have donated to such a great cause. I cant even tell you much I enjoyed the experience. On family day when I saw my daughter for the first time, after 3 months, I was so proud of her and what she had accomplished, I began to cry even before I got to within 50 yards of her. The next day at the graduation, after the recruits were dismissed as new "MARINES" for the first time, and everyone flooded the area to congratulate their family members we decided to stay back and give them time to say goodbye to their friends. But then I realized she might want some pictures of her with her friends so I took a camera and went forward into the sea of people to take some for her. Somehow, she found me, and instead of going to her friends, she turned and came straight to me. I was so overwhelmed with love for her and told her how proud I was, and we just hugged and both cried together. I remember thinking at that moment...How could I miss this for the world! Probably the best father-daughter moment ever in my life, and I also am 50 years old. It truly was a special time for all of us, and it didnt hurt that my daughter scored second in her platoon in the final PFT, received a sharpshooter award, and was a squad leader for almost the entire time she was in boot camp. On behalf of all of us, Thank you so much! We are forever in your debt.. I wanted to let all the people know who donated 5 or 10 or 20 dollars that you are appreciated and your gift DOES matter. We will also be donating to this cause as soon as we are caught up. God Bless you all! Lance, Vesta, and PFC Julianne (last name omitted) from Wauconda, Washington.

Since our first request for assistance came in July 2005, there have been 597 new Marines like those pictured here 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, CEO, Marine Veteran, Marine Corps League Life Member and father of two Marines; view bio
Gretchen Miller, Marine Mom, CFO and webmaster
LtCol Scott Payne, Director, Marine
Max Beerup, Director, FMF Corpsman Veteran
Steve Nelson, Director and Marine Dad
Stephen Escobedo, Director, Marine Veteran and Marine Dad
Holli Park, Volunteer and Marine Veteran
Theresa Smith, Volunteer and Marine Mom
Terri Horwath
Vincent Leone
Shari Wolf