And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marines.
With great honor and respect we would like to wish the United States Marine Corp a Happy and Healthy Birthday ......246 years ago a recruitment drive began in the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia ( a spot near Penn landing that is now marked with a historic landmark sign as the original building was razed) by Sam Nicholas and the Manager of the Tavern Robert Mullan....to recruit an elite force of veteran men to assist George Washington and capable of fighting both on land and at sea.
Through the past two centuries and a half the USMC has distinguished itself as the greatest fighting force the world has ever known. As horrific as the battle against Germany on the shores of Normandy was, the campaign in the Pacific was far worse. Perhaps because these battles were fought on islands in the sea , the press at the the time was unable or unwilling to share the unfathomable details with the folks back home .....at least not the brutal details of hand to hand combat against the Godless Japanese bastards.
Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Tarawa, Guam, Tinian, Cape Gloucester, Saipan, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa saw the most fierce fighting the United States has ever experienced in her glorious history. The Navy rose from the ashes of Pearl Harbor and forced the ultimate surrender onboard the Mighty Missouri , but make no mistake; that war could not have been won at sea alone. The Human sacrifice to take and hold they key series of islands that lead to the Japanese homeland were crucial in the eventual dropping of the Atomic bomb by the Enola Gay.
I interjected once at a bbq on behalf of a friends father.....a WWII Marine Vet ( no names please) who was engaged with a simpleton career civilian...a pompous ass that loved to bloviate about nothing and was minimalizing at best or mocking at worst the role of the Marines in the Pacific. ( surely it was a failed attempt at humor for a socially awkward introvert), but i couldn't listen anymore and had to school this man who was 20 years my senior............now my friends Dad certainly didn't need me sticking up for him, but i had been drinking cold beer in the hot sun and couldn't resist........he pulled me aside discreetly so that nobody's feeling were hurt and just said "he's not worth it".............that says more about his character and that of his fellow United States Marines.......God Speed and Thank You All for saving the World....truly the World's Greatest Generation.
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.
2 comments:
The Marine Corps 246th Birthday: The continuity of values.
Today is the 246th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Those of us who served and those of us who appreciate what Marines have always accomplished despite odds or suffering are proud of that birthday and what it signifies.
During the Iraq and Afghanistan commitments (the victories now tossed in the dumpster), the Marine Corps abilities to win were proven again and again in the worst combat conditions that Marines uniquely train for, have the attitude for, and the will for. The Marine Corps adapted and was used as a land army.
Now that China is increasingly competent and focused on taking over the Pacific, and is doing so step by step without much restraint, the Marine Corps is returning to its maritime roots. It has stepped up its training to even higher toughness and smarts. The Marine Corps is being missioned with a dispersed strategy to be on islands and ships spread across the Pacific and strike deathly blows back. But, there's a big problem there: the Marines will be sacrificed while the US leadership is not spending adequately to back the Marines up by building counterforces and lacks the political will to win. I am terribly saddened.
Will we get a new President who can smartly and determinedly stand up to lethargy and rouse patriots in America and Congress to be the overwhelming nation in readiness that will make war and sacrifice unnecessary? I pray so.
Honor, Loyalty, Courage are the Marine Corps values. May Americans also live those values. My son and I were honored to address the annual Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation's banquet. The theme was continuity of values. After I spoke about Honor and integrity, regardless the cost, Loyalty to country and comrades, regardless the cost, Courage to overcome obstacles, regardless the cost, my son spoke. He looked at me and said, "Yes, that's what he taught me." In a large room of seasoned Marines, my son brought them to their feet.
As you go about your day, about your life, take the time to pass on those American values. Especially to the young.
Posted by Bruce Kesler
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