That drives us today.

When our Marines answered the call to serve their county, we answered the call to serve them and their families.

In early 2003 Hoosier Marines and Navy Support Personnel were activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. 105 Marines from the Detachment, Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Indianapolis, Indiana were mobilized and a short time later, sent to Iraq. This was the first time this Marine Reserve unit had been activated since 1990, in support of Desert Shield/Storm. Of the 105 Marines activated, only a very small number had deployment experience.  Unlike their active-duty counterparts, deployment and separation for the vast majority of these Marines and their Family Members was a very new experience.

Being remote from an active-duty Marine Corps Base, Reservists, and their family members do not have the resources or support activities offered when stationed at or around a major Marine Corps Base. Key Volunteers had to find alternative resources.  Following the deployment of our Hoosier Marines and Navy Support personnel, their Family Members began receiving an incredible and sometimes overwhelming amount of support from the Indianapolis Community.   A “Coalition” was developed between the Key Volunteer Group, the Peacetime/Wartime Support Team, the Marine Corps League, Young Marines, Veteran’s Groups, Churches, and Local Business Leaders.  Local businesses stepped up with home repairs, car repairs, and appliances, and the mission of our local Marine Corps League Detachment was enhanced to provide support for the Marines and their Families.   All in all, Indianapolis proved itself to be a Marine-friendly community. It was during this timeframe that the Marine Foundation of Indiana (MFOI) had its birth.

In keeping with the Marine Corps tradition of “Taking Care of our Own”, three Marines in the Indianapolis area, Lt. Colonel Charlie Haslip, USMCR, Russ Eaglin, and Lloyd Louks, began working in partnership with the Marine Corps League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, local churches and various local business people, providing support for the deployed Marines and their families. Charlie, Russ, and Lloyd worked tirelessly collecting donations, coordinating services, and providing support in whatever form needed. As the deployment time continued, the immediate needs of the Marine community slowed. While there were still needs from time to time, Charlie, Russ, and Lloyd realized the need for an additional Marine Support Services organization. Incorporated in 2005 and receiving their 501c(3) status, the MFOI defined their support strategy, their objectives and strengthened their ties to both the Hoosier Marine Community and Hoosiers throughout the business community.

In 2012, the MFOI purchased a property located at 550 S Audubon Rd, Indianapolis, this building became known as the Marine Barracks. After significant renovations, The MFOI began holding fundraising events. 100% of the funds donated went to the support of Hoosier Marines and their families. The role of the MFOI also took on an expanding role of expanding awareness of the needs of the greater Marine Veterans community and of the sacrifices of our Marines with community tributes and memorials. In addition, the MFOI began work to provide a Marine Foundation of Indiana vehicle registration tag. With the approval of this tag and the tag becoming available, the MFOI worked collaboratively with the Marine Corps League detachments, expanding public awareness for the availability of this vehicle registration tag. Further, with increased community awareness, the MFOI partnered with various corporate donor partners. The additional revenues received by the MFOI from registration tag sales and from corporate donor partners, provided a regular funding stream again allowing for additional support of Hoosier Marines, Marine veterans, Navy support personnel, and their families.

In addition to the continuation of providing grants for individuals, the MFOI began providing grants for community projects and for continuing education with scholarships. The MFOI support embraces the full 360 degrees of the needs of the Hoosier Marine and Navy Support Personnel community.

For the past seventeen (17) years, the MFOI has worked to position themselves, not to replace existing Marine Support service organizations, but as an additional resource in support of our Marines and Navy Support personnel. Today, the MFOI provides individual financial grants, community grants, and most recently, three (3) $5,000 scholarship grants annually.

While the founding members of the MFOI have retired as Foundation Officers and active board members, the next generation of Marines continues to carry forward the established mission of Charlie Haslip, Russ Eaglin, and Lloyd Louks of Supporting, Carrying, Engaging, and Educating. The efforts of the MFOI continue to have a positive effect on the morale and well-being of Hoosier Marines and their Family Members.  In the finest traditions of United States Marines, the Marine Foundation of Indiana will always Take Care of Their Own. Semper Fidelis.