It's a two-hour crash course in getting ready.

The kids will be very much alone over the next months with so many Marines deployed, and it's nice for them to have someone like a grandma or grandpa around.

It's one of the new services we try to tell Marines and their families about before they're deployed.

You're never ready, but you'll be as ready as you can be, and you'll have the resources to fall back on.

If I liken the Pacific War to a football match, I can say to you that the first half is over, we have kicked off after the interval, and we are going to carry the ball into enemy territory for a smashing victory.

I had hoped to be here in the capacity of town attorney, but I am here as a town citizen.