A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....11-10-04....Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps!

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dutchess, dansangel, Aquamarine ~

General LeJeune's Marine Corps Birthday Message

On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of it's existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the nations foes. From the battle of Trenton to the Argonne. Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term Marine has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.



The Commandant of the Marine Corps' 2004 Birthday Message

Two hundred and twenty-nine years ago, the Second Continental Congress established a Corps of Marines to fight for a democratic people's independence. Since then countless Marines have raised their hand and sworn to defend our Nation's freedoms and preserve its liberties. This year's anniversary again finds Marines engaged throughout the globe for the same noble purposes. The bravery, heroism and selflessness of all Marines—wherever they are serving—have added significantly to our rich legacy and measured up to the high standards that have come to epitomize all who wear the eagle, globe and anchor.

The current battlefields of the global war on terror are linked to the storied campaigns of our past by an unbroken tradition of proud and loyal service. At New Providence, Chapultepec, Belleau Wood, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, Con Thien, Kuwait and now in places like Fallujah, Marines have consistently demonstrated a dedication to duty, a commitment to warfighting excellence, and a devotion to each other that has instilled a fierce determination to overcome seemingly impossible challenges. Our warrior ethos is and will continue to be the Corps' hallmark.

The fortitude and sacrifices of Marines and their families have been vital in protecting our Nation from those who would do us harm. Whether preparing and sustaining our agile force or engaged in battle, the esprit de corps, tireless energy, calm courage and inspired leadership of Marines continue to make a monumental difference in this world. Your unselfish dedication and significant accomplishments—demonstrated repeatedly over this past year in numerous places such as the Anbar province of Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, Haiti and in the crucial job here at home supporting our deployed forces—are deeply respected and valued by your fellow Americans.

Marines, as we celebrate with friends and families the founding of our beloved Corps, you should take pride in our long history of distinguished service to this great Nation and its citizens. I ask you to remember especially the sacrifices of our fallen and wounded comrades. Finally, rededicate yourselves to taking care of one another and ensuring we remain the finest warfighting organization in the world.

Happy Birthday, Marines. Semper Fidelis, and Keep Attacking. - M. W. Hagee General, U.S. Marine Corps

The Marine's Prayer

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.

Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Amen.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-08-04 Military Monday 11-09-04 What they're wearing to the Inaugural Ball

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

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[LadyX]

Quotes about Marines

We signed up knowing the risk. Those innocent people in New York didn't go to work thinking there was any kind of risk.

Pvt. Mike Armendariz-Clark, USMC; Afghanastan, 20 September 2001 As reported on page 1 of the New York Times

The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight!

MGen. Frank E. Lowe, USA; Korea, 26 January 1952

Marines know how to use their bayonets. Army bayonets may as well be paper-weights. Navy Times; November 1994

Why in hell can't the Army do it if the Marines can. They are the same kind of men; why can't they be like Marines.

Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, USA; 12 February 1918

The United States Marine Corps, with its fiercely proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth.

Thomas E. Ricks; Making the Corps, 1997

For all of those that have sons or daughters at boot camp let me pass on what I found. Let me give you a little back ground first. When my son left home he had no motivation, he was lazy, slobby, no pride, no self worth. This is the boy that got off the bus March 18th at Parris Island.

The man that I met on Thursday for parents day is AWESOME. There is no way I can describe to you all the difference. He looks different, he walks different, he talks different, he has such a sense of bearing and pride all I could do was look at him in awe. Oh yes, the training is hard, what he went through is unimaginable to any one that has not been there. They are definitely taught to be Warriors.

Let me tell you the surprise of what else they are taught. My Marine son has better values, better morals, better manners than any one I know. It is so much more than Yes Sir, Yes Mam...so much more. He cares about how he looks, he cares about what he does, and its not a boastful, bad ass thing. He is a true gentleman. I saw patience, and a calmness in him that I have never seen.

I could never express my gratitude enough to the Marine Corps for what they have given my son. I know this, I have an 11 year old Devil pup still at home. When the time comes for his turn if I had to I would take him kicking and screaming all the way. Although I'm sure that will not happen. The hero worship I see in my younger sons eyes for his Marine brother tells me I will have two Marines in the family, and I will be one very proud mother.

"Cybil", Mother of a Marine writing to the myMarine Group

The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years.
James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy; 23 February 1945
(the flag-raising on Iwo Jima had been immortalized in a photograph by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal)

I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!
General of the Armies Douglas MacArthur; Korea, 21 September 1950

We have two companies of Marines running rampant all over the northern half of this island, and three Army regiments pinned down in the southwestern corner, doing nothing.
What the hell is going on? Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., USA, Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of Staff
during the assault on Grenada, 1983

The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945

Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean, or skinny and mean. They're aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat.
RAdm. "Jay" R. Stark, USN; 10 November 1995

They told (us) to open up the Embassy, or "we'll blow you away." And then they looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these really big guns, and they said in Somali, "Igaralli ahow," which means "Excuse me, I didn't mean it, my mistake".
Karen Aquilar, in the U.S. Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991

For over 221 years our Corps has done two things for this great Nation. We make Marines, and we win battles.
Gen. Charles C. Krulak, USMC (CMC); 5 May 1997

Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?
GySgt. Daniel J. "Dan" Daly, USMC
near Lucy-`le-Bocage as he led the 5th Marines' attack into Belleau Wood, 6 June 1918

[Mama_Bear]

I'm the cousin of a Marine,the sister of a Marine,and the mother of a Marine. My first child was born on November 10.

Well, I'd say that makes you practically a Marine. :-)

Semper Fi!!!!!

Semper Fi!!

[Mama_Bear]

Yes you can save the pic, I stole it from some website, hehe!

LOL. I kinda figured you had. ;-)

[Mama_Bear]

Another Blue Angels photo! Thank you! I like that Tomcat launching also. Great photos.

[austingirl]

Happy Birthday, USMC! Prayers for all our troops.

[Mama_Bear]

he is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!

That's a fact!

[Mama_Bear]

I was wondering where the term "Devil Dogs" came from. Found this on Google.

In the Belleau Wood fighting in 1918, the Germans received a thorough indoctrination in the fighting ability of the Marines.

Fighting through supposedly impenetrable woods and capturing supposedly untakeable terrain, the persistent attacks, delivered with unbelievable courage soon had the Germans calling Marines "teufelhunden," referring to the fierce fighting dogs of legendary origin.

[Mama_Bear]

She sure does. She is supposed to be a cross between a Llapso Apso and Scottish Terrier - she definitely takes after the Terror, er, I mean Terrier side!

LOL. I know exactly what you mean. We have a Silky Terror. Way too much energy for one little dog!

[Dubya]

Great post Marine. I will be passing this on.
Thanks for posting it.
DUB SGT USMC

[humblegunner]

Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?

I believe that is first attributed to a Roman Sergeant circa BC 88.

Semper Fi.

[LadyX]

Now, gunner - then again, it coulda been The Colonel...:))

{{{{{ gunner }}}}}

[Kudsman]

Yes indeed please add my Happy Birthday wishes to all the jarheads and jarheadettes out there across the fruited plains. And please accept my heartfelt thank you for everything y'all have done for this country, it's citizens and my own. Thank you again thousands of times over.

A squid.

[LadyX]

Delightd to see this particular squid surface..:))

How are those little ones?

[Kudsman]

Growing and learning. Thx for asking. The 2nd grader kept crowing how he was *voting* for Bush too. Congrats on the election win btw. I can honestly say I was more relieved than happy initially. But the lag is wearing off and now it's starting to feel good.It is nice to know the country will still do the right thing.

Locally one of the socialist seminar letter to the editor writers has totally flipped out. It's fun to watch them frothing now. The idiot lamented the killing of the poor Iraqi citizens in this war as immoral and then threatened a civil war here in the states as solution to losing the election to President Bush. I wish I could link our paper's editorial page, unfortunately they don't post that part of the paper to the net.

Anyway enough rambling. I don't get by this way as much these days. How's all of your dearest?

[LadyX]

Just had visits from my 22-year old granddaughter in her last year pf college - yesterday and today my daughter came down with her other 3 - two sons in Florida were spared damage by the hurricanes, living in West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale.

I am blessed that all and their families walk with the Lord, and are well-adjusted and productive human beings! Cannot as for more than that...

My cup runnesth over ---

Bidding all good night, and God Bless...

[Mama_Bear]

[TexasCowboy]

"In front of the Marines stretched a hunting preserve, Belleau Wood, roughly peanut shaped, about a square mile altogether, filled with underbrush and tumbled boulders. In the first attacks Marines in well-dressed lines crossed open wheatfields. Nineteenth-century tactics and raw courage barely carried the attack forward.
Machine guns in the competent hands of veteran German gunners extracted a terrible cost. Once into the woods, the fragments of the Marine lines instinctively reformed into small combat groups, a hard lesson expensively learned.
In the first day alone more than a thousand Marines were killed or wounded, more than had been lost in all the Corps’ previous battles. But after a week’s fighting, the Marines held most of the wood.
The Marine brigade, having taken more than 50 percent casualties, pulled out on 16 June for a week’s rest, and then went back and finished the job."

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for the additional information on the "Devil Dogs" and the battle of Belleau Wood. I learn something new here everyday.

[Mama_Bear]

[ST.LOUIE1]

G'nite, fuzzy. : )