Born in a bar in Philly even before the nation was officially declared independent. Yes, it's true. The U.S. Marine Corps is 234 years young today. I celebrated my first Marine Corps birthday on active duty before I was even commissioned. I remember one of my OCS sergeant-instructors making sure that I knew that the USMC was older the nation itself. Then, he went on to lecture me about how "stin'g lawyers and politicans were threatening to ruin the stin'g country." He was right ... and this was 20 years ago.
Marines possess uncommon valor, but also uncommon, common sense. Sgt. Carrasco gave me a hard time from the get-go, because I was the only lawyer in my platoon. In fact, when our platoon staff was huddling just prior to introducing themselves to us, the first words we overheard them say were, "Get me the name of my lawyer." All of my new buddies looked at me and said, basically, "Whoa." Then they looked at me like a dead man. I am sure they all thought ... Note to self: Stay away from the guy with leprosy.
But I survived and became a Marine 20 years ago next month. On a professional level, it's by far the best decision I ever made. I am not sure what is second. It doesn't matter.
I have never been shot at. I am no hero, but I have many brothers who are. And I will forever be grateful for their allowing "Stin'g Matlock" (as Sgt. Carrasco called me) to join the Marine family.
Say a prayer tonight for young Marines in Afghanistan who will take a little time out from patrolling to reflect and celebrate. If you ever get down about the state of the nation, spend a few minutes with them on a "great, Marine Corps day". It's almost mystical and magical how the nation produces them and then they become the next generation in the Marine Corps' storied tradition. I love them so much my heart hurts.
I think it's important to point out, too, that today is really a day for all who love America's Marines to celebrate. Many share the Marines' spirit and love of country. I appreciate you all more than words can say.
Because you know, many nations have marines. But there is only one U.S. Marine Corps.
It's the nation that both celebrates and makes its Marine Corps.
Semper Fidelis
28 comments:
As an Army vet, I always thought Marines were the coolest.
And I'll always love the Marines....they gave me ammo in Fallujah, Iraq.
What military service is older than the Marines?
Thanks for your service, Nickie! Marines look hot in dress uniforms! :-D
As one who had two uncles and a cousin serve in the Corps, yinz are extra special to me.
Happy Birthday to the finest fighting force in the history of mankind!
the army ci roler dude is older than the corps, june 14, 1775. happy birthday marine, from an army paratrooper.
The toughest guys and the coolest dress uniforms. Their loyal service will be needed until tyranny has been defeated.
DC, hats off to you!
CI, that's great to hear. Funny, but about the only thing the Marines are usually not running low on (supply-wise) is ammo. God bless you and thank you for being there.
Bill, B&G, J. Summ, thank you and best wishes on this day, as well.
St. Nick, a tip of the cover to you, sir, and to all who love and defend the nation in word and in deed.
Semper Fi, you sexy soldiers!
Happy Birthday, USMC! May you never have to protect us from ourselves.
Where do we draw the line? You can start with the Liberal PC crowd.
So Jihadist Islam strikes again – and the sycophantic media and the liberal hand-wringers on the blogs are desperately busy trying to convince as many Americans as possible that the slaughter that occurred yesterday at Fort Hood Texas was ANYTHING but a Jihad terror zealot fulfilling his obligation to Islam.
We’ll hear about how this “alleged gunman” was picked on for his Islamic faith; how he was so distraught over our unjust war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Watch the media make this guy the poster child. We’ll hear that it was Bush’s fault or even Glenn Beck’s fault. As everything seems to be if you listen to those bleeding heart asswipes leftist bloggers.
Well let me tell you this! Hasan isn’t the sole guilty party. The US Army’s unforgivable political correctness is also to blame for the casualties at Fort Hood. Kissing the ass of these lefties and allowing Obama to get away with all the shit he is throwing at us is a major part of the problem.
Given the myriad warning signs, it’s appalling that no action was taken against a man apparently known to praise suicide bombers and openly damn US policy. But no officer in his chain of command, either at Walter Reed Army Medical Center or at Fort Hood, had the guts to take meaningful action against a dysfunctional soldier and an incompetent doctor.
Had Hasan been a Lutheran or a Methodist, he would’ve been gone with the simoom. But officers fear charges of discrimination when faced with misconduct among protected minorities.
Now 12 soldiers and a security guard lie dead. At least 38 people were wounded, 28 of them seriously. If heads don’t roll in this maggot’s chain of command, the Army will have shamed itself beyond moral redemption.
There’s another important issue, too. How could the Army allow an obviously incompetent and dysfunctional psychiatrist to treat our troubled soldiers returning from war? An Islamic wacko is counseled for arguing with veterans who’ve been assigned to his care? And he’s not removed from duty? What planet does the Army live on?
Get ready for the apologists, get ready to hear that Shaw Kenawe, TAO, TRUTH101 and that little fink of a lapdog Arthur-Stones saying things like "he was misunderstood, or that he was provoked by bullies.
Wow DC! Brought tears to my eyes, man. I'm 52 and just saw my son deployed to Afghanistan Sunday night. Spent a lot of time with the group leaving - about 7 hours. Those young men (boys) are AMAZING!!! I thank God everyday that there are Americans who will fight for liberty anywhere, anytime. And I pray that they will succeed in their mission(s) and come home safe. Semper Fi, DC. And thank you for your service! Semper Fi, Marines!
By the way, have you guys heard about The Oath Keepers? Anyone a member?
Hoping, God bless you and your son. I think parents and family members of our military are making a huge sacrifice, as much as those that go. Thanks for raising and supporting your son as you obviously have.
Opie, who are you talking to? And Mrs. D, no need to be blue. The Marines have landed and the situation is well in hand.
BTW, Hoping, be very careful of the Oath Keepers. Not a good idea. There is not an "Obama Exception" to the oath to obey the orders of the President. There are limits to what consitutes a lawful order, as there have always been.
Check out this overview at the following link: http://www.redstate.com/streiff/2009/10/21/the-malignant-nature-of-the-oath-keeper-movement/
I guess I have to wish the jarhead Happy Birthday. Oh well...
Seriously, even the SF son, and the paratrooper, and the Air Assault kid all say the Marines are special. I raised them right.
Happy Birthday to you and Mark.
Rhod, your brood is special. Thanks. A tip of the cover to you and yours ...
DC, when you guys go through Jump School at Benning - probably Recon men - they object to the use of parachutes. Now THAT's tough...
DC:
Thank you for your service to our country.
Happy Birthday DC and Semper Fi. But why Custer and not Chesty?
Every year I keep losing beers over the damned Army/Navy game to my best friend since 9th grade, who left for the Marines a couple months before I went into the Army. He got me into celebrating the Corps' b-day every year with him, and occasionally he even remembers the Army's...
My favorite Marine self-love quote:
"We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever since."
I looked at that link DC. And I raised this question weeks ago on my blog. What happens if there is a conflict with the oath? What happens if you can't defend the Constitution AND obey the President because they aren't compatable? Sooner or later, if push comes to shove, the Constitution MUST take precedence. Thus the "Obama Exception" is a moot point, it would pertain to ANY President trying to destroy the Constitution in whatever way they chose. And I for one am quite certain that Constitutional rights are being infringed upon, and have been for years, by the laws Congress has enacted, by the people in the Obama Administration, and by this President. And the longer we wait to address that issue, the worse off we'll end up.
Steve, love that quote!
C-Lady, you are very kind. But I have been repaid many times over what I ever gave.
Steve, that's a good one I had heard before but forgot. Marines can be a little brash and can rub some the wrong way, I hear.
C-Pot, I used to have a cool parachute and all, but I changed the pic in honor of Nick. Plus, it reminds me not to take myself so dang seriously.
Yes, I love you all so much my heart aches.
Sad that we are both minorities.
Opus, I have a friend who is a Marine Recon - SARC - Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman.
Hell of a job.
He made me a copy of his training in video format. I'd upload it but it reveals persons so I probably won't, but at the end, one of the instructors describes the students as twisted steel and sex appeal.
True that.
Steve, Great quote !
My son is a Marine. Happy Birthday and Thank you to you both.
Frances, that is great. Semper Fi.
Thank you for this post! I am the wife of a GySgt who is nearing his 20 year mark...broken time...and he struggled to get back to the Corps after he left..he couldn't stay away..in essence he is through and through a US Marine.
I thank God for all of our service members, but the Marines hold a special place in my heart.
Semper Fidelis from a wife of one of the few good men.
Unclogged, God bless you and your husband. Semper Fi.
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