_________

Society Closes Pentagon Assistance Fund 1 May 2002 The Board of Directors, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, approved a recommendation from Society President Admiral Jerry Johnson, USN (Retired) to close the Pentagon Assistance Fund to new contributions effective May 1, 2002. Contributions designated for the Pentagon Assistance Fund that arrive at the Society's Headquarters after that date will go into the General Fund and be used to provide financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Service (active and retired), their eligible family members, and survivors when in need. The Society extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who made a donation to the Pentagon Assistance Fund. On May 1, 2002, the Society had received slightly more than $5 million from 4,315 generous and thoughtful individuals, organizations, and corporations. In keeping with the expressed desires of many contributors, the Pentagon Assistance Fund will be used primarily to ensure that all eligible children and spouses have the opportunity to complete four years of college, technical, or vocational school. Thirty-three active duty Navy personnel lost their lives in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, leaving behind 22 spouses and 32 children. Since then, seven spouses and eight children have been added to the list of beneficiaries as a result of Navy and Marine Corps casualties sustained in Pakistan and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, bringing the total to 29 spouses and 40 children. Should the Navy or Marine Corps suffer additional casualties in our nation's war against terrorism, their widows and children will become eligible for the same financial support afforded the families of the victims of 9/11. Return to the Society's "News" page