HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!

11/10/2002 | SELF

[kellynla]

The few, the proud...please keep my brother and sister Marines in your prayers. Semper Fi

[NormsRevenge]

Young Marines - How do you make a Marine? Info about ROTC, Young Marines League, etc. Now Give Me 50, maggot!!! urrrrr.. son ;-)

Marines Heading to Horn of Africa -

Marine Corps.com - everything U.S. Marines. For Marines. By Marines. Includes encyclopedia, news, chat, image library, and screen savers.

[Search4Truth]

My apologies to all the women in the Marines who are in combat fighting to keep America free.

P.S. A Sharp Shooter does not a Soldier make.

[Dubya]

IT TAKES ALL OF US TO WIN A WAR.
LET US ALL GET ALONG ON WISHING ALL MARINES A
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

[xJones]

God bless our Marines. I just received a phone call from my 21 year-old nephew. He's in the Navy and was on leave (just married a beautiful girl). We were supposed to have a late lunch together today. He told me his leave had been canceled and he's been ordered to report back in immediately.

Iraq, it all depends on Saddam's reaction to the UN resolution, and things don't look good. Let's say prayers for all our servicemen and women. But it's agreed, the U.S. Marines are well-known around the world for being one tough bunch of fighters.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Believe you meant to write hiding under the bed crying your nonhacking candy a** off.

[Search4Truth]

It was not my intention to diminish the contributions that women Marines are recently making. My point is that their contributions are not on a par with the sacrifices men Marines have made for 200 years and are continuing to make - the ultimate sacrifice.

God bless and protect all our brave Marines.

[gunner03]

HAPPY 227th BIRTHDAY, Brother Marines !From Marine Gunner (CWO111) Ret."O3 Marine" and to my Son in Second Recon. Semper Fi

[Dubya]

I understand good buddy. No problem here. Thanks for the Birthday wish. some Marines do give more than others in War. Some give it all and they are special to all of us.

[NormsRevenge]

[Cultural Jihad]

BTTbirthdayT for the Marines

[paddles]

Thanks, Kellynla.

Nursing mondo hangover after last night's birthday ball in DC. Quite a show, with Mitchell Paige, John Warner, and a cast of thousands of wonderful jarheads and beaucoup beautiful gals.

[rintense]

To all Marines, past, present and future- and to all Freeper Marines, thank you for your service. God bless you.

[JoeSixPack1]

Today is My MARINE CORPS' Birthday.

We will gladly kick your butt & educate you tomorrow, but today is a celebration of birth.

Respect my Marine Corps, MEN & WOMEN!

Semper Fi

[Dubya]

The History of the Marine Corps Birthday


The U.S. Marine Corps begins preparations for its "birthday party" every summer. Activities become more feverish as the fall hues arrive. By early November every Marine is either rehearsing his role in the "party" or pressing, polishing, and spit-shining in order to appear at his or her best for the Birthday Ball. This has not always been the case however. In fact, Marines have not always celebrated their founding on November the 10th.


Formal commemoration of the birthday of the Marine Corps began on 10 November 1921. That particular date was chosen because on that day Congress resolved in 1775 to raise two battalions of Continental Marines.

Until 1921 the birthday of the Corps had been celebrated on another date. An unidentified newspaper clipping from 1918 refers to the celebration of the 120th birthday of the Marine Corps on 11 July "as usual with no fuss." It is doubtful that there was any real celebration at all. Further inspection of documents and publications prior to 1921 shows no evidence of ceremonies, pageants, or parties. The July date was commemorated between 1798 and 1921 as the birthday of the Corps. During the Revolution, Marines had fought on land and sea, but at the close of the Revolution the Marine Corps and the Navy were all but disbanded. On 11 July 1798, President John Adams approved a bill that recreated the Corps, thereby providing the rationale for this day being commemorated as the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.

On 21 October 1921 Major Edwin McClellan, officer-in-charge, Historical Section, Headquarters Marine Corps, sent a memorandum to Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune suggesting that the original birthday on 10 November 1775 be declared a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated throughout the Corps. McClellan further suggested that a dinner be held in Washington to commemorate the event. Guests would include prominent men from the Marine Corps, the Army, and the Navy, and descendants of the Revolution.

Accordingly, on 1 November 1921, Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series, 1921. The order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps and directed that it be read to every command on 10 November each subsequent year in honor of the birthday of the Marine Corps. This order has been duly carried out.

Some commands expanded the celebration during the next few years. In 1923 at Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania, the celebration of the Marine Corps' 148th birthday took the form of a dance in the Barracks that evening. Marines at the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, staged a sham battle on the parade ground in commemoration of the birthday. The battle lasted about twenty minutes and was witnessed by Portsmouth and Norfolk citizens. At Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Birthday was celebrated on the 12th since a special liberty to Santiago had been arranged on the 10th. The morning activities included field and water sports, and a shooting match. In the afternoon the Marines won a baseball game 9-8 over a Cuban team. In the evening, members of the command put on a variety show followed by four boxing bouts.

The first so called "Birthday Ball" such as suggested by McClellan was probably held in 1925 in Philadelphia. No records have been located of one prior to 1925. Guests included the Secretaries of War and Navy, Major General Commandant Lejeune, famous statesman, soldiers, and sailors. The principle event was the unveiling of a tablet on the site of Tun Tavern. The tablet was a gift from the Thomas Roberts Reath Post, American Legion, whose membership was composed exclusively of Marines. The celebration was held in conjunction with the annual convention of the Marine Corps League. A parade included Marines, Regular Army, and Navy detachments, National Guard, and other military organizations. The evening banquet was held at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel and a ball followed at the Bellevue-Stratford.

It is not possible to determine precisely when the first cake ceremony was held, but the first on record was held at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. in 1937. Major General Commandant Thomas Holcomb presided at an open house for Marine Corps officers. Ceremonies included the cutting of a huge cake designed after the famous Tun Tavern in Philadelphia.

From 1937 on, observances of the Marine Corps Birthday appeared to develop spontaneously throughout the Corps as if they had a life of their own. The celebrations were publicized through every media. Newsreels, motion pictures, and displays were prepared to summarize the history of the Corps. In 1943, standard blank Marine Corps scrap books were forwarded to all districts to be filled with 168th anniversary clippings, scripts, pictures, programs, and other memorabilia and returned to Headquarters. Unfortunately none of these scrapbooks remain in official files.

In 1951, a formal Birthday Ball Pageant was held at Head- quarters Marine Corps. Similar to the pageant today, the script described the Marines period uniforms and the cake ceremony. Although this is the first substantive record of a pageant, The Leatherneck of 10 November 1925 pictures Marines at a pageant in Salt Lake City, Utah, which had taken place "several years ago."

On 28 October 1952, Major General Commandant Lemeuel C. Shepherd, Jr. directed the celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday be formalized throughout the Corps and provided an outline for the cake ceremony, as well as other formal observances. This outline was included in the Marine Corps Drill Manual approved 26 January 1956.

Traditionally, the first piece of Birthday cake is presented to the oldest Marine present and the second piece to the youngest Marine present. When and where this tradition began remains unknown. Some records indicate this practice, and others vary it depending on the dignitaries present at the ball. First pieces of cake have been presented to newlyweds, the Secretary of the Navy, governors, and others, but generally speaking, the first pieces of cake go to the oldest and youngest Marines at the ball.

At present, celebrations of the Marine Corps Birthday on 10 November differ at posts and stations throughout the Corps. All commemorations include the reading of Marine Corps Order 47 and the Commandant's Message to those assembled. Most commands sponsor a birthday ball of some sort, complete with pageant and cake ceremony as prescribed in the Marine Corps Manual.

Like the Corps itself, the Birthday Ball developed from simple origins to become the polished, professional function that the Marines of 1999 will commemorate on November 10th around the world.

[Dubya]

A MARINE WIFES PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, now the evening shadows gather, the lonely night is here. This day which has been so empty is almost gone. Oh Dear God, be with my husband who is so far from home. Help him when the thoughts of his loved ones bring the awful heartache on. Lord, let him know that with Your ever-lasting love, You are right beside him, with Your loving mercy from above.

Help him with his heartache, with the closeness of a friend, a smile of understanding. It will lift the burden from his heart. Let him also be a blessing to one who needs him. Let him feel the prayers of his loved ones whose thoughts are always with him.

And, Dear God, when the tide has turned against him, his whole world seems upside down, let him see things more clearly. Show him how to love Thee more dearly. Let his faith in Thee stay unbroken. Inspire him with new courage every day so that he will soon be with us. Make him strong to run the race.

In Jesus'Amen

[Militiaman7]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
MARINES

[kellynla]

I would also like to remember those who help keep us alive. The Corpsmen. Semper Fi

[Search4Truth]

The Marines Prayer

---

Almighty Father , whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. AMEN.

[Tiger6]

Semper Fi Brother and Sister Marines. 1951-1972 Mustang

[kellynla]

Thanks for posting. We may overlook your earlier remarks yet. Semper Fi