Happy 234th Birthday to the Marines

Big Government ^ | 11-10-09 | Bob Hamer

[444Flyer]

Earlier this year as I was filling up at the gas station I noticed a faded bumper sticker- vintage Bush 43-on the car next to me: “Dissent is Patriotic.” When I pointed to the bumper and asked the driver if she still believed that, she suggested I do something to myself which I am certain is physically impossible. I just laughed and said, “I’ll take that as a no.”

At the time, our Marine son and his men were deployed to a remote Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan. As I reflected on my experience at the Shell station, I wondered if this woman had any idea the sacrifices so many had made so she could exercise her 1stAmendment rights during the previous administration or this one.

I wondered if she knew about Belleau Wood, the Chosin Reservoir, Hue City, Fallujah, or the Helmand Province? Was she aware that at Tarawa, 1,020 Marines were killed in the seventy-six hour battle? She may have seen the photo but did she know at Iwo Jima, the thirty-six day assault left more than 26,000 Americans wounded and 6,800 Marines dead? Did she have any clue as to the sacrifices others have made throughout this nation’s history so she could live free?

My wife and I recently spent a week on the Marine Corps base where our son is stationed. As we walked up and down the residential street where he and his family live we realized almost half of the homes had husbands deployed to a combat zone. The other half had spouses who recently returned or were about to leave. It was humbling to see parking lots with so many cars displaying Purple Heart license plates or seeing the injured frequenting the PX. Did the woman know about these recent sacrifices?

[444Flyer]

"...Today, November 10th, a date known by every Marine, marks the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day, a chance to remember all who served. Maybe you can say thanks in a tangible way this year by supporting the USO,Freedom Alliance, Iraq Star, Operation Gratitude, Hope for the Warriors, or any number of charities serving our servicemen and women who have earned our respect and admiration with their shed blood."

[444Flyer]

"In AMERICAN PATRIOT by Robert Coram, Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Bud Day is quoted as saying “It is not a widely known fact, but military people are weepers. They weep when they watch a parade and the flag goes by. They weep when they hear the National Anthem. They weep at tales of valor and sacrifice.” When I read that, a sense of relief washed over me. If maybe the most valiant man I ever met can weep then I guess it’s okay for me to admit shedding a tear. I’ve shot guys and never flinched but tales of valor and the sacrifices I have seen by my military heroes and their families choke me up every time. I wonder if the woman at Shell ever cries and if so, for whom or for what?

My vehicle has only one decal…a scarlet and gold U.S.M.C. on the rear window. I’ll often have someone pull up next to me at a light and nod knowingly. I only spent four years on active duty as a somewhat marginal Marine yet after a twenty-six year career in the FBI, many of those years undercover, I’m prouder to say I was a Marine than to say I was an FBI agent. Although only a small portion of my life was in the Corps, I am forever part of a brotherhood of warriors..."

[Wiggins]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93mkzZ-sLQI

[444Flyer]

[donmeaker]

November 10th is the second birthday. The first was July 1834, which it remained until after WWI.

[444Flyer]

And...back atcha!;)

“Semper Fidelis” (by John Philip Sousa)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL6qQ7plqaA&feature=fvw

[Semper Mark]

Good post, 444Flyer.

[NoRedTape]

BEAUTIFUL!For Beautiful folk.

God Bless the Marines, forever.

God Bless D. Minear; killed by the enemy in Pearl Harbor. Always a Marine; always in our hearts along with any and all Soldiers.

[444Flyer]

Ping.

[Freedom2specul8]

HAPPY 234TH BIRTHDAY USMC!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE OR ARE CURRENTLY SERVING OUR COUNTRY!

In 1942, it came down to one Marine

EXCERPT:
It's hard to envision -- or, for the dwindling few, to remember -- what the world looked like on Oct. 26, 1942, when a few thousand U.S. Marines stood essentially stranded on the God-forsaken jungle island of Guadalcanal, placed like a speed bump at the end of the long blue-water slot between New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, the most likely route for the Japanese Navy to take if they hoped to reach Australia.

On Guadalcanal, the Marines struggled to complete an airfield. Japanese Adm. Isoroku Yamamoto knew what that meant. No effort would be spared to dislodge these upstart Yanks. Before long, relentless Japanese counterattacks had driven supporting U.S. Navy vessels from inshore waters. The Marines were on their own.

[444Flyer]

There is a story of true valor.

[Freedom2specul8]

I wish we had a ping list for every single serviceman on FR..wouldn’t that be great. I want them to know that we DON’T take them for granted.

[444Flyer]

Let's give them a flyover salute!

[Allegra]

Happy Birthday Marines! Hooooooo-rah!

[A.A. Cunningham]

Shove your revisionist crapola where your head resides, pogue.

[Freedom2specul8]

I LOVE THAT PIC!!!!! WOW!

[444Flyer]

Water vapor ring around the Hornet as it breaks the sound barrier. Beyond cool...

[Irishguy]

haha that is a great picture...

happy birthday marines — and may God protect each and every one of you.

[freema]

Well, Kim, we've got a ping list for over 200 Marines & Family and I am happy to pass your sentiments along. ♥

[sweetiepiezer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A78ynPCE6Ec