Semper Fi, Marines. Happy 230th Birthday - OOHRAAH!

[ma bell]

Marines after taking Iwo Jima

[wickedpinto]

"It's HUA actually...everything in the military is an acronym"

Actually it isn't, in the Marines it is "HooRah" there is a tale that it is based on the fact that one of 2 servivors of Iwo, was "ira Hayes" and so the story goes that "oohrah" is a manipulation of the call "Go Ira"

I think that is crap, I think that the "hoorah" of the Marines, is based on a BARK! that was offered to the WWI counterparts who called them "Devil Dogs," the Germans called them that "Teufelhunden" So I think in response the Marines chose to Bark at their enemies letting them know who they faced.

And as far as the "Huahh" of the army? I think it is mixed with the addoration of the enemies of the Marines, AND of the mixed nature of the US army durin WWI, ie, a Chinaman with imperfect language would say "what is wuwa?"

Generaly, ALL colloqualisms are built on the dominance of a lesser populace. For instance you idiots use "izzle" as a definition of "hip hop culture" but you are wrong, and the Army is MUCH bigger than the Marines, and the Marines have "oohrah."

In essence? there is no right way to say it. All I did, and I was a HELL OF A MARINE! all I did was BARK! "WHRAH!" and "oohrah" is a convenient manipulation of response.

[Recon Dad]

They were eating good today at Camp LeJeune. He and his buddies ate steaks and lobsters at the mess hall this afternoon. He said he tried again at dinner and everything was gone.

Always a special day, thanks to everyone of them.

[bnelson44]

Happy Birthday, Marine!

[skimask]

LCPL

1st Battalion 8th Marines 2nd Mar. Div.

Hunter One Zero

[xkaydet65]

I have read and been told that the Marine "OOOHRAHH" not hoorah was developred by Recon Marines in the '60s who had been trained and deployed as raiders from submarines. They developed the "OOHRAH" as a mimic of the sub klaxon for diving which soinds like "AAAOOORAAH" It became their warcry and filtered through the Corps. In much the same way as Evans Carlson's "Gung Ho" came to mean something very different from the meaning put on it by the First raider Btln.

Anyway to all Marines out there. Happy Birthday and Semper Fi!!"

[Fledermaus]

I apologize for that terrible version from memory...got a few words wrong! ;-)

[bnelson44]

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
In the air on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to bear the title
Of United States Marines.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
The United States Marines.


Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

[river rat]

This is actually the FIRST Flag Raising on Mt. Suribachi - Iwo Jima....
It was decided to be too small to be seen over the entire island or by the fleet off shore -- so a larger one was ordered to be raised...

Happy Birthday, Brothers --pray for those that are no longer with us, and for those that still stand watch in harm's way.....

Semper Fi

[Texican]

Chesty:
My friend it has been a long time. I sure hope all is well with you. Everything here is going well, I am doing fine, still working and will not be 82 for another seven months. If you ever come back to Califonia, you be sure and give me a call. If you don't have my number let me know and I will send it to you. Just we are now 230 years old. A couple of "old farts". By the way, we now have four stamps that tell the world what we stand for. I hope you bought some.

Good evening and the very best to you and yours.

Semper Fi
Tommie

[river rat]

Semper Fi and Happy Birthday Tommie (Texican)...
It's been a long time since I've seen you in the forum...
I believe it was on our last Nov. 10 Birthday!

Stay safe and well....

Semper Fi

[wickedpinto]

Well, the number of Marines on Subs is MINUTE!!!!

But Yeah, there are a lot of myths about the "oohrah" thing. Personaly, I like the idea that they barked back at their enemies in Bellieu Wood, when called devildogs. I think that one tradition deserves another to support it. :)

[Buffettfan]

Semper Fi'
Jarhead

[virginiadogstar]

I want to tell everyone about my two brothers, one a marine in Viet Nam, one in the Navy off the coast. I love both of them and are proud to call them my big brothers.

[bnelson44]

Give them our love and respect, please.

[No Longer Free State]

I'll second that. Happy Birthday to America's Junior Land Component. Ooh Rah!

[tutstar]

some great pics on this thread...

[No Longer Free State]

Hey, man, HUA (or variations thereof) is Army. Marinespeak is "Oohrah" (or spelling variations thereof).

[Fledermaus]

Yeah...I did a search and the origins are a true mystery.

I have a feeling my brother, retired career Air Force, told me this about the Army and not the Marines!

Thanks for your service. Happy Veterans Day!