Posted on 11/10/2004 6:18:35 AM PST by presidio9
For current and former members of the U.S. Marine Corps, today is more important than Veterans Day. It is the 229th anniversary of the formation of the Corps, which dates back to 1775, before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Tradition holds that all marines celebrate Nov. 10 as the Corps birthday and balls are held worldwide for the occasion. On Nov. 6, the Lance Cpl. George L. Dramis Detachment of the Marine Corps League carried on this tradition at the Coast Guard base Officer’s Club here, with almost 100 in attendance. Capt. Curtis B. Odom, USCG, the prospective base commanding officer, was the quest speaker. He said that his comments would be brief since he knew he stood between the marines and a great party, which put him in “mortal danger, they know how to kill.” He also said that “Marine means the highest degree of efficiency and soldering virtue.” Odom reminded the audience of many members of the league or other retired military that, during World War II, compared to the U.S. Army, the Marines represented 5 percent of the ground support force, but earned 20 percent of the Medals of Honor. He said that “Sgt. Major Dailey, a two-time Medal of Honor winner, said when he was awarded the second medal that it was ‘a lot of foolishness’.” Only one other Marine was a two-time Medal of Honor winner, according to Odom. League member Gamaliel Broadley read a message, which is traditionally read at every birthday celebration, from past national Commandant General John LeJeune, who has a base in North Carolina named for him. It is also tradition to read a birthday message from the current commandant in Washington, D.C. According to Anthony Amand, who served as emcee, the first reference to having a cake as part of the ceremony can be found in 1937. In 1952, he said, it was ordered that a cake be included as part of the event. When the cake is cut, the youngest and oldest Marine present are called forward to received the first pieces. It is also tradition to cut these first pieces with a saber. This year, David Keene, who became commandant of the Dramis Detachment in October, did the sword-wielding honors for Raymond Cooper, 82, and Michael Bethel, 29. Cooper was a private first class in the Corps from 1948 until 1952. He said “I joined the Marines after being in the Army, all my friends were there.” He served in the Army between 1943 and 1946 and said “I walked across Europe.” His time as a Marine was spent state side. Bethel, is the son of Robert Bethel, also a member of the league and former commandant of the detachment. The younger Bethel served from July 1993 until September of this year and left the corps as a staff sergeant. He was in Japan for more than 10 years and also did tours of duty in Korea, the Phillipines and Australia.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
-Unknown
Happy Birthday, Semper Fi, and THANK YOU USMC!
Ya' don't look a day over 228.
MAG-31/MALS-31. 400 Div. 6027. '88-'94
As a former Army type, I must confess, Marines can break open that 55 gallon drum of Whoopass with the best of them. Happy Birthday to the Corps!
No better friend, no worse enemy.
Semper Fi! It's been a great life and I'm looking forward to another 40 years of it!
Thanks to all who stood in the breech so we could be free.
Today is our birthday. We, as a Corps, are 229 years old. There has never been, nor will ever exist, a finer fighting force on this planet and to be a Marine is something that cannot be explanied easily. When I hear the Marine's Hymn or when someone calls out, "Hey Marine!" my back gets a little straighter, my chest sticks out a little farther, my chin tucks a litte closer to my chest, and a scowl appears on my face.
I served in the Corps for 10 years until I was medically discharged. I am now the commandant of the local Marine Corps League detachment. My entire goal as the commandant is to make the public aware of the sacrifces our men and women (especially the Marines) have, and continue to give us. In these troubling times, I ask all of you to pray to almighty God to bring each one of them home to their families. I wish I could be there with them now. However, since I cannot, I will fight the good fight for them here. And for all of our brothers that will not be coming home, just know this, that they have been given new orders. They are members of Marine Security Guard, Heaven Detachment.
"...if the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scene. They will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines."
One day, a Marine in his dress blues will crisply salute you as you pass through Saint Peter's gate and say, "Welcome home sir/ma'am!"
So the next time you see a Marine, call out to him or her and see their reaction. It is priceless!
Happy Birthday Marines! Semper Fi! We love each and every one of you!
OOH-RAH!
DONE.
Fallujah is the candles on their birthday cake...
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