Marine Corps Birthday

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[An Old Man]

 

HISTORY OF
MARINE CORPS DAY

(MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY)

 

The United States Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775, to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. The recruiting headquarters was set up by Capt. Samuel Nicholas in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is considered to be the birthplace of the Marines.

After success in many campaigns, the Corps was abolished at the close of the Revolutionary War for reasons of economy. On July 11, 1798, Congress ordered the creation of the Corps, named it the United States Marine Corps and directed that it be available for service under the Secretary of the Navy.

The Corps celebrated its birthday, or Marine Corps Day, on July 11 from 1775 until 1921 when the date was permanently changed to November 10 to commemorate the establishment of the Corps to aid in the Revolutionary War.

The day is still observed by U. S. Marines worldwide. Special exhibits, parades, drill team performances, and speeches typically mark the occasion. The Birthday Ball, which culminates in the cutting of the birthday cake, is held that evening in Washington, D.C. It is not possible to determine precisely when the first cake ceremony was held, but the first on record took place at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., in 1937. Major General Thomas Holcomb, the Commandant, presided at an open house for Marine Corps officers, including the cutting of a huge cake in the shape of Tun Tavern.

[An Old Man]

Happy Birthday Brothers!

Semper Fi

[firewalk]

BTTT

[RightOnline]

"The recruiting headquarters was set up by Capt. Samuel Nicholas in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is considered to be the birthplace of the Marines."

Yep, even then.................had to get 'em drunk first.

JUUUUUUUUUUUST kidding, Marines, and Semper Fi (congrats from an old Blue Suiter).

[opbuzz]

As a second generation Marine, and father of two third generation Marines, I wish all leathernecks,present and former, a happy birthday!

It's a good thing the government gave us the day after to recuperate.

Semper Fi

[WhiskeyPapa]

On November 1st. 1921, John A. Lejeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, directed that a reminder of the Corps be published by every command, to all Marines throughout the globe, on the Birthday of the Corps. Since that day, Marines have continued to distinguish themselves on many battlefields and foreign shores, in war and peace. On this Birthday of the Corps, therefore, in compliance with the will of the 13th Commandant, Article 38 United States Marine Corps Manual, Edition of 1921, is published as follows:

"On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date many thousands of men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres, and in every corner of the seven seas that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term Marine has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps."

LONG LIVE THE UNITED STATES AND SUCCESS TO THE MARINES!

Walt

[BillF]

As Secretary of the Navy James Forestal saw the raising of the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima's dominant Mount Suribachi, he said that "means a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years!"

God bless America and God bless the U.S. Marines who help keep her free!

[fortheDeclaration]

TO ALL MARINES OUT THERE-SEMPER FI!

[harpu]

bttt

[Alabama_Wild_Man]

God bless America and God bless the U.S. Marines who help keep her free!

HOO-RAH !! !! !!

[Joe 6-pack]

Ex-Army here...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!!!!!

[stumpy]

To All Marines in the High Desert of L.A. County, for the 15th year we will once again drink to the Corps, and the memory of those who fell at Coache's bar and Grill in Lancaster Ca. Party starts at 1600 hrs. See Ya there, Semper Fi '65-69

[The Shrew]

Happy Birthday Marines! To all others welcome aboard!

Semper Fi!

TS

[mafree]

Happy Birthday you Jarheads!

In all seriousness, I mean that with the deepest gratitude for your strength, fidelity and courage. Also, a memorial bump for US Marine CHIEF Negotiator- rest in peace buddy.

[SwankyC]

As Marines you may have have seen small murals in your Company or Battalion HQ with the inscription [paraphrased], "To those who have fought for it, freedom has a special flavor that those who have never fought for it will never know."

I reflect on what I consider my "sweetest" MC Birthday every 10th of Nov. I was in Somalia and had been eating MRE crap forever. The ship flew us out a hot meal of steak and corn on the cob. God I remember it as being one of the best meals I ever ate, and I dont really know why.

C-Btry 1/11. Semper Fi Devil Dogs

[MCFujiTanker]

A buddy of mine sent me a postcard from Somalia made from an MRE carton he cut with scissors (MRE - Meals Rejected by Ethiopians), I still have it. I was on CV-63 then, so my meals were pretty decent. "Eagle, Globe and Anchor...Marine Corps Tanker!!", Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis to all my fellow Marines!!

[MCFujiTanker]

A buddy of mine sent me a postcard from Somalia made from an MRE carton he cut with scissors (MRE - Meals Rejected by Ethiopians), I still have it. I was on CV-62 then, so my meals were pretty decent. "Eagle, Globe and Anchor...Marine Corps Tanker!!", Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis to all my fellow Marines!!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES!

FYI - The History Channel is currently running some great stuff. Tonight I saw the program on the Marine Raiders - awesome.

Thank you all for your service!

[Robert Lomax]

I LOVE The MARINE CORPS!

Semper Fi

[Dubya]

THANKS ALL YA'LL MARINES
SGT. DUB, USMC

[VOA]

Bump and Happy Birthday from a grateful civilian!

[eternity]

Right now I am listening to the Joey Reynolds Show 710 AM on radio and they are broadcasting from the USS Intrepid docked now in New York. They are now caking a cake to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday. The Marine Corps Band is their also. I am happy to have spent my service time in such a great organization. Sempter Fi.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

[Alas]

An open invitation to USMC Vets.

http://www.christianpatriot.com/vets.htm

Nukem

[hobbes1]

Happy Birthday Bump!

[Straight Vermonter]

My sons have wanted to become Marines since they saw one at a recruiting booth at the county fair. They recently heard about the cake tradition and now they are insisting on a cake!

[colorado tanker]

Happy Birthday, Marines, from the army, especially to those Marines in the MEU's in the carrier battle groups in the Indian Ocean!

[MudPuppy]

ROUTINE R 301500Z OCT 01 PSN 686164M31

FM CMC WASHINGTON DC//CMC//

TO ALMAR

UNCLAS //N01500//
ALMAR 054/01

MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//

SUBJ/2001 U.S. MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE//
POC/SGT WOODS/ADMIN CHIEF/CSG/-/TEL:(703) 614-2326/EMAIL: WOODSJP@HQMC.USMC.MIL//<

RMKS/1. AS WE COMMEMORATE THE 226TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING
OF OUR CORPS, MARINES EVERYWHERE CAN TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS
TO OUR GREAT NATION. WE ARE A CORPS BORN OF AN
ACT OF CONGRESS, CONSECRATED IN SACRIFICE, STEEPED IN TRADITION,
AND TESTED IN BATTLE. OUR EARNED LEGACY IS FILLED WITH THE NAMES
OF MANY GREAT MARINES: LEJEUNE, VANDERGRIFT, PULLER...BUTLER,
BESTWICK, DALY -- WHO FILL THE ANNALS OF OUR LINEAGE WITH THEIR
INSPIRED ACTS OF VISION AND GALLANTRY.

2. HEROIC ACTIONS ON THE BATTLEFIELD ARE A HALLMARK OF OUR LEGACY.
EQUALLY COMPELLING ARE THE COUNTLESS HEROIC DEEDS OF MANY OTHER
MARINES WHO EXEMPLIFY THE VIRTUE OF PLACING THE NEEDS OF
OTHERS ABOVE THEIR OWN. WHETHER IT BE A MARINE SAVING AN OKINAWAN
CHILD FROM DROWNING, OR PULLING PEOPLE FROM A BURNING WRECK, OR A
FAMILY EXTENDING ITSELF TO PROVIDE A SAFE, NURTURING HOME FOR
DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN, OUR LIVES ARE INDEED FULL OF HEROISM. TODAY
WE CELEBRATE THESE DEEDS, NOT AS EXPLOITS, BUT AS CONTRIBUTIONS TO
THE GREATER GOOD -- CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE MARINES TAKE CARE OF NOT
JUST THEIR OWN, BUT REACH OUT TO CARE FOR OTHERS.

3. A LONE MARINE STANDING VIGIL ON A DARK NIGHT IN KOSOVO; A MARINE
RESERVIST WHO AS A FIREFIGHTER OR POLICE OFFICER FIRST RESPONDS TO
AN EMERGENCY IN HIS COMMUNITY; A CIVILIAN MARINE WHO WORKING
ALONGSIDE HIS COUNTERPARTS IN UNIFORM SHARES THE PERILS AND REALITIES OF
A TERRORIST ATTACK; AND A COMMITTED SPOUSE WHO FINDS
TIME TO SERVE AS AN ADVOCATE FOR FAMILY PROGRAMS IN ADDITION TO
MAKING A HOME AND SUPPORTING HER FAMILY -- THESE ARE AMONG THE
HEROES OF ALL GENERATIONS. WE ARE INDEBTED TO THEM FOR THEIR
EXAMPLE OF STRENGTH AND THEIR PRESENCE OF CHARACTER. THEY EMBRACE
OUR CORE VALUES AND EMBODY THEM TO THE FULLEST. THEY INSPIRE US TO
DO THE SAME. WE MUST RISE TO THE LEVEL OF THEIR EXAMPLE AS WE
CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR CORPS AND ITS RICH HERITAGE. LET US
ALWAYS BE FAITHFUL, AS OUR MOTTO URGES, TO OUR GOD, OUR COUNTRY,
OUR CORPS AND TO OUR FAMILIES, BUT LET US ALSO RESOLVE TO BE ALWAYS
FAITHFUL TO THOSE MARINES WHO HAVE BESTOWED UPON US OUR PROUD LEGACY
OF SACRIFICE, COURAGE, AND SUCCESS.

4. TO ALL MARINES, PAST AND PRESENT, WHO UPHOLD THE FINEST TRADITIONS
OF OUR EAGLE, GLOBE, AND ANCHOR, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

5. SEMPER FIDELIS, J. L. JONES, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//

[LadyX]

"Also, a memorial bump for US Marine CHIEF Negotiator- rest in peace buddy."

We will always love you and miss your being here among us, CHIEF.
Can't wait for you to help each of us aboard in style!

May God bless us, one and all, and keep America strong and free.
A proud Semper Fi and Happy Birthday from a veteran of the Korean Conflict!

[bmoc]

A toast, "To those that have gone before, to those that are out there now, to those that are training and being recruited for the future - Happy Birthday! and Semper Fidelis". Bmoc

[FreedomFarmer]

All you Force Recon knotheads that had to deal with me to get through jump school at Benning...
You deserved it.

Just kidding...Happy Birthday!

[depenzz]

!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES !!!!!

From this Ex ( which every Marine knows can't be ) Marine to the past, present and future Marines!

[COB1]

I know you're celebrating with us, CHIEF!

Here's your favorite song:
THE MARINE CORPS HYMN

[razorback-bert]

The earth is full of anger,
The seas are dark with wrath,
The Nations in their harness
Go up against our path:
Ere yet we loose the Marines -
Ere yet we draw the blade,
Jehovah of the Thunders,
Lord God of Battles, aid!

[tet68]

Oooorah!

Semper Fi my brothers.

Just wish GW would show up to take that sabre and cut the cake!

What a night that would be!

I'd jump into hell to see that!

[Billie]

Happy Birthday Bump to all you Marines everywhere!

[Billie]

Love the Reagan graphic - miss the CHIEF.

[RaceBannon]

You can have your Army khakis,
and your Navy Blues,
but here's a different fightin' man
I introduce to you

His uniform is unlike
any you've ever seen
The Germans call him Devil Dog
His title is Marine

He was trained on Parris Island
the land that God Forgot
The sand was 14 inches deep
The Sun was Blazin Hot

He wakes up every mornin
To see the risin' sun
He runs about a hundred miles
before the day is done

And when I go to Heaven
St Peter I will tell
Another Marine reporting, Sir
Ive served my time in Hell

On Parris Island

SEMPER FI

USMC 1977-1981

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Happy Birthday US Marines
from a tin can sailor

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Online Petition to Reform the Veterans Administration System!
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Stop in and help support our military, their families and Vets!
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[Poohbah]

OOH-RAH!

[TrueBeliever9]

Happy Birthday to the Marines from an Recon Mom!

Special memories of the CHIEF who was a great source of encouragement to a Recon Mom!

[drew]

Happy birthday to the Corps! My Dad served in Korea. Semper Fi!

[NixNatAVanG InDaBurgh]

I posted this on the Canteen Thread. Billie suggested I post it here...so...here, and Semper Fi.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, USMC!!!

HILL 88

Golf Company Second & Weapons Platoon October - November 1969

In October of 1969 the Second Battalion of the Twenty-Sixth Marines went on board ships of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet. Our company was berthed on the USS New Orleans (LPH11) pictured below.

By the Child of a Hill 88 Fallen Patriot
Written in 1979

Oh Country! My Country. These words I write
for men left in Viet Nam tonight.
I say they're men, because in war,
boys become men and nevermore
will they see this world through the eyes
of the very young. They've aged. Their cries
heard by mothers in the night,
as dreams relive a bloody fight.
They left as children, hearts aglow.
Adventure awaited. How could they know
until they were thrust into the arms
of that greedy war? No good luck charms
protect them now. They became afraid
Adventure revealed its masquerade.
They watched their friends as one by one,
they fell. They fell. Their war was done.
They saw faces, nameless, in every leaf
of that jungle's trees, and through their grief,
hatred turned their hearts to stone
and they felt they must fight on alone.
They were killed they were maimed, but heard the call,
no pity now for those who fall,
just a desperate will to stay alive.
Their hatred helped them to survive.
My Country, you did this to your Favorite Son;
then you left him with his war unwon.
They were captured. Some died. And some came come
to leers and jeers. They hadn't known
no one would care, or feel their pain.
Someday, Lord, may we right this shame.

I would like to extend a world of thanks to every Viet Nam Vet, but on this USMC birthday, and up until Thangsgiving Day, THIS IS Viet Nam for me and mine. It is the birthday that many, many of us will never forget and the Thanksgiving turkey dinner we have chosen not to have.

[SemperFi2]

Happy Birthday fellow Marines!

Semper Fi

[oldngray]

Thanks for the memories!

I so appreciate the posts from those who were not Marines. Birthday greetings from all Marines are expected and respected in a special way.

I celebrated my first Marine Corps Birthday while at Parris Island in the '40s. It would be very difficult to describe the inner thoughts and feelings of Marines regarding "their" birthday.

Have had the privilege and honor of celebrating the Birthday in more climes and places, including the midst of combat, than I care to recall. Every one has been special. It is the social event of the year at every command, worldwide.

Tomorrow, at every Marine command, and I especially think of those in the Arabian Sea, on every ship that has Marines embarked, there will be a cake and a formal celebration. The senior officer present will cut the cake with a saber and present the first and second pieces of cake to the oldest and youngest Marine present. The message from the Commandant will be read and a toast proposed with whatever beverage is at hand (even coffee). It's a wonderful tradition.

God bless the United States of America!

God bless the United States Marines!

God bless every member of the armed services of the United States!

[Sonar5]

First off,
Semper Fi

Happy Birthday to all of my fellow Marines...Always remember,

Once a Marine, Always a Marine

And one big.... Ooooh-Rahhhhh

Joe
Sonar5
PP-ASEL
Veteran-United States Marine Corps (1983-1987)

[Pete-R-Bilt]

ping

[usmcobra]

"The Marines have a better Propaganda department then Josef Stalin"----President Harry S. Trumen
When told that the only unit that he could personally order was the Marine Corps Band,
President John F. Kennedy replied "We shall defend the White House against any invader!"
Semper Fi

[real saxophonist]

[stumpy]

Race, You forgot to tell them that the chorus to that verse is Marine, Marine, Marine, and it is sung to the tune of "Ghostriders in the Sky". And it was around when I hit boot camp in '65