Posted on 11/10/2004 10:19:08 AM PST by TexasCowboy
Thanks for posting! I will bookmark.
Once a Marine always a Marine! Happy Birthday!
Terrific ! Happy Birthday Marines!
Outstanding.... Happy Birthday Marines!!!
OOH-RAH!
thag
Great post.
SEMPER FI
I was just about to post a similar post to this. This is a message I received through an email at work. I myself am an Army veteran and a Gulf War Vet, but I thougtht that the Marines that come here might like to comment on the following emailers comments, which I found very "to the Point". ENJOY!! (I know I did)
Today, November 10th 2004, is the 229th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps and Marines in general are a mystery to those who don't know us. Straight forward in our thoughts, words and actions is often mistaken for cockyness and brutishness. Fanatical in our dedication to God, Country and Corps is often mistaken for being androidal and brainwashed. As men and women who accept the challenges and hardships that come with the title of "MARINE", we are often seen as either "Not all there" or "intellectually defunct". By declaring to be the "Worlds fiercest fighting force" , is mistaken for arrogance and conceit. Let me take a moment of your time to clarfy some of these common misconceptions.
What NON-MARINES see as cockyness and brutishness, is in reality confidence and the strength of conviction. A mind set that each Marine is dedicated to the principles of the American forefathers and the brotherhood of fellow Marines, past and present and future, a brotherhood that makes each MARINE immortal. A knowledge that as Americans we all cherish our rights as individuals, but only by standing together as Americans and Marines can we survive the trials and tribulations this dangerous world presents. To the uninformed, anyone that would become a Marine, knowing that the title is not issued but is earned and that a whole lot of challenges are in store for them, may very well be "CRAZY" or "not -too-smart". But to the Marine, the aquisition of the title is only the beginning of the challenges. Marines are driven by a sense of what can be accomplished when brothers stand together against a foe without fear of death, because any brother who falls will live on in the hearts of all those who stood and fell before and after them and in the rich traditionds the Marine Corps has given us.
I could go into a long diatribe about what being a United States Marine means to me. I won't because those of you who know me, know that I attempt to show what it means to me in my everyday life. " Once a Marine Always a Marine" is not just a saying you see on a bumper sticker, it is a promise to all those Marines that came before and to all those Marines that will follow. A promise that those of us that have taken the title will never forget that the freedoms we all enjoy as Americans are not free, and that Soldiers, Sailors Marines and Airmen have been giving their lives for over 200 years to ensure our freedoms and instill the freedoms we tend to take for granted amoung those in the world who have never experienced it.
As we sit in our homes this Veterans Day, complaining that the A|C isn't cool enough or is too cool or about some idiot on the tube spouting his anti- war, anti- America, anti- government crap, please take time to remember all our Soldiers, Sailors Marines and Airmen that are doing right now what has to be done throughout the world to insure your right to complain.
The Marine Corps motto, "Semper Fidelis", means "Always Faithful". Marines are always faithful to God, Country and Corps, more importantly, we are always faithful to the ideals and sacrifices made by those who came before us.
"FOR THOSE THAT HAVE FOUGHT FOR IT, FREEDOM HAS A FLAVOR THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW"
Happy Bithday to Our Beloved Corps!
God protect you far away In Harm's Way.
Get Some!
Take No Prisoners!
Good night, Chesty... Wherever you are!
Jack.
Hoo Rah
BTT
General M.W. Hagee is the Commandant of the Marine Corps. He has issued the following 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!
As the father of a Recon Marine this was just great. The pride I feel in my son and his friends makes me have goose bumps everyday. His team has been assigned to the upcoming 26th MEU and will soon depart on their float. So when you hear about the 26th MEU in the future say a prayer.
The Marine promise is "We promise you sleep deprivation, mental torment, and muscles so sore you'll puke. But we don't want to sugarcoat it."
I know that feeling!
May the Good Lord bless you for raising a son like that!
OOH RAH!!!!!
USMC Retired
Nov 1977 - Oct 1998
Thanks!
Thank you for your service, Gyrene!
We may not be able to get into our Dress Blues anymore, but we still remember what we absorbed in the Corps!
You're welcome!
(And you're right... I can no longer get into my evening dress skirt. Amazing what five pounds in the wrong place will do!)
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