Happy Birthday USMC

[madmickey]

The Commandant of the Marine Corps'
2004 Birthday Message

Two hundred and twenty-nine years ago, the Second Continental Congress established a Corps of Marines to fight for a democratic people's independence. Since then countless Marines have raised their hand and sworn to defend our Nation's freedoms and preserve its liberties. This year's anniversary again finds Marines engaged throughout the globe for the same noble purposes. The bravery, heroism and selflessness of all Marines—wherever they are serving—have added significantly to our rich legacy and measured up to the high standards that have come to epitomize all who wear the eagle, globe and anchor.

The current battlefields of the global war on terror are linked to the storied campaigns of our past by an unbroken tradition of proud and loyal service. At New Providence, Chapultepec, Belleau Wood, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, Con Thien, Kuwait and now in places like Fallujah, Marines have consistently demonstrated a dedication to duty, a commitment to warfighting excellence, and a devotion to each other that has instilled a fierce determination to overcome seemingly impossible challenges. Our warrior ethos is and will continue to be the Corps' hallmark.

The fortitude and sacrifices of Marines and their families have been vital in protecting our Nation from those who would do us harm. Whether preparing and sustaining our agile force or engaged in battle, the esprit de corps, tireless energy, calm courage and inspired leadership of Marines continue to make a monumental difference in this world. Your unselfish dedication and significant accomplishments—demonstrated repeatedly over this past year in numerous places such as the Anbar province of Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, Haiti and in the crucial job here at home supporting our deployed forces—are deeply respected and valued by your fellow Americans.

Marines, as we celebrate with friends and families the founding of our beloved Corps, you should take pride in our long history of distinguished service to this great Nation and its citizens. I ask you to remember especially the sacrifices of our fallen and wounded comrades. Finally, rededicate yourselves to taking care of one another and ensuring we remain the finest warfighting organization in the world.

Happy Birthday, Marines. Semper Fidelis, and Keep Attacking!

M. W. Hagee
General, U.S. Marine Corps


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General John A. Lejeune's Birthday Message (1921)

On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand 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 era 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 [so] 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.

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Contact: Leatherneck Magazine

© 2004 Marine Corps Association. All rights reserved
http://www.mca-marines.org/Leatherneck/bday.htm#CMC

[Whistling Death]

Happy Birthday, my brothers.
Semper Fi.

[captskillet]

As the son of Korea Marine vet I am proud to say Happy B'Day and Semper Fi to all you Leathernecks past and present!!! [&o]

[Xargun]

Having never served in any military manner (long story why I didn't go into the navy) I would like to say Happy Bday and thanks for my freedom... Don't forget folks, tomorrow is Veterans Day...

Xargun

[Nikademus]

happy birthday ya Jarheads. hee hee, i'm safe noone can reach me.....

wait.....my pops is an ex-Jarhead....and HE KNOWS WHERE I LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


[X(]

[DrewMatrix]

Thanks to all of you.

[Graycompany]

To my fellow marines around the world, and those in the ultimate fight in fallujah, happy birthday to those that have always been faithful, you continue to be in my prayers everyday.


Semper Fi

[Embark]

Yeah our Command decided that for our birthday we would go on a 12 mile hump and then do the gas chamber. What more motivating way to celebrate 229 years of Marines than that? (/Sarcasm)

Heh I am not bitter or anything Happy Birthday Marines!!! Everyone is celebrating already over here and next week we have the Ball.

[ZOOMIE1980]

And also celebrating by kicking the ever living sh!t out of the sub-human pond scum in Fallujah!

[Chaplain]

Happy B-day to my brothers in arms, current and former. Semper Fi!

[rogueusmc]

ORIGINAL: Nikademus

happy birthday ya Jarheads. hee hee, i'm safe noone can reach me.....

wait.....my pops is an ex-Jarhead....and HE KNOWS WHERE I LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


[X(]

Being called a Jarhead by a Jarhead is esrit de corps...anyone else....[:D]...BTW, there is no such thing as an EX Jarhead...it's FORMER Jarhead...once a Marine ALWAYS a Marine...OOORAHHH, GIMME ONE OOORAHHH

[madmickey]

ORIGINAL: rogueusmc
Being called a Jarhead by a Jarhead is esrit de corps...anyone else....[:D]...BTW, there is no such thing as an EX Jarhead...it's FORMER Jarhead...once a Marine ALWAYS a Marine...OOORAHHH, GIMME ONE OOORAHHH

I know a Marine Raider and that is his exact sentiment. He suffered from Malaria in the Solomons and he was shipped back home because of medical reason. He also tell me that Marine feel an obligation even when they are sent back and miss being in combat with their comrades. That is why I also put up the BBC piece.

[pasternakski]

Ah, yes. "Semper Fidelis," the motto that, loosely translated into English, means, "If you can't eat it or f#ck it, shoot it."

In August, I was in D.C. for a national conference on homeless veterans. The invocation featured a Baptist choir doing a medley of service songs. When they came to the Marine hymn, about 25 guys all around the room snapped out of their chairs to attention. Scared the he11 out of the uninitiated.

I lost two good friends this year, both Marines. I love 'em.

Happy Veterans day. I love 'em.

[captskillet]

...BTW, there is no such thing as an EX Jarhead...it's FORMER Jarhead...once a Marine ALWAYS a Marine

Amen to that rogue...my Dad was jarhead through and through till the day he died.

BTW my dad ( Cpl. BD Hall ) is in a book that the Republic of Texas Press published . The title is 'Korea-The Forgotten War...Texas Veterans Remember Korea'. The guy who wrote it is from Garland and was in the Navy Hospital in Corpus Christi with my Dad when he got back from Korea after getting WIA in April of 1951. If you get a chance check it out!!