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Happy Birthday
to the United States Marine Corps!

That's a really nice birthday Post to the Marines Billie. Keep meaning to thank you for your input in this Smithsonian Bling Blings Post and for adding the sparkle to the Bling graphic.

Oh, Billie - how beautiful! Thank you!!
Watching Fox & Friends this morning, they went outside their window to a table with a large USMC Birthday Cake and a local contingent of Marines.
Two of them had the ceremonial swords to cut it, and handed one to E.D. to do the honors.
The Tradition dictates the first two pieces go to the Oldest Marine present and the Youngest one.

It so happened a Fox Sports Producer (no longer active duty, of course) qualified as the oldest present - and a 19-year old in the detail as the youngest.
She managed to work the sword to the base, and then wondered how she should get the slice out! The Marine in charge, trained to face a challenge and just "deal with it!" reached down with his fingers and plopped it on the plate, added a fork and presented it to the producer..:))
LOLOL

Aqua, in keeping with training my sons how to select gifts, 4 years ago Steve and his wife Sandy ordered from a USMC site an official huge, extra long blanket - scarlet, with the USMC Emblem on it - fleecy and warm - for my birthday present.
Even though I was not a "blanky" child, I have become one in my elder years, using it nightly..:))

thanks Billie...

I get misty eyed every year this time... With the Marine Corps Birthday on the 10th, and Veterans day on the 11th, I can't help but reflect on the people I've known, the places I've served, and the experiences I've had...

the incredible pride I feel at being blessed to serve with the best the U.S. has to offer... at the God given physical and mental stamina required of me in order to serve...

the sense of accomplishment at a job well done... the praises of my superiors, and the trust of my subordinates...

the joy of living life to the fullest, savoring the jubilance and misery, ecstasy and pain...

I also feel humble and insignificant, in light of the sacrifices of better men than I... shame at my weakness, that I'm not still with my brothers... self-consious of my challenges, and my shortcomings...

I feel sorrow at the loss of friends and fellow Marines, of all that they have suffered willingly, gladly...

I thank God for my family, my country, and my Corps... my wife who is my bastion, and my children who are my joy...

I would change nothing, save for my ability to continue to serve... but I praise God for where I am now...

God bless the United States, the Marine Corps, and all those who have answered the call...