We Are The Marines

I am a US Marine. I shall remain a Marine until the day God calls me home. I have not worn the uniform or received any military pay in years, but I have never stopped being a Marine. Marine is a title that I earned and claimed over 30 years ago.

I am no different than any other that has worn the uniform bearing the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. I am never alone because Marines leave no one behind and we take care of our own. I am part of a brotherhood that many will never understand. We were forged under pressure allowing the fire to burn out all the dross, leaving behind the tempered spirit and strengthened body of a warrior.

Major Samuel Nichols was the first Marine and served as the first Commandant. The second Marine, Robert Mullan was a bar owner. He was commissioned as a Captain and became the first Marine Recruiter. The first Marines swore allegiance to a fledgling country on 10 NOV 1775, in a Philadelphia, PA bar called Tun Tavern. By their service, they helped plant the seeds of the Tree of Liberty. Their spilled blood watered the seedling. Their blood runs through the veins of every Marine that has come after. This blood, this life force bands us together as brothers. This blood, this Esprit De Corps, connects every Marine, has been shed to protect this Country.

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother." -- William Shakespeare | Henry V 

Blood that was spilled in “every clime and place”.

1stSgt Brad Kasal, 13 NOV 04.

Blood that clumped the desert sands of the Barbary Coast in a place called Tripoli.

Blood that ‘striped’ the Halls of Montezuma.

Blood that was sweetened by Cuban sugar.

Blood that mixed with the mud at the bottom of European trenches.

Blood that stained the sand on South Pacific beaches.

Blood that froze on a reservoir called Chosin.

Blood that dotted hillsides and valleys of Far East jungles.

Blood that painted the barrack walls in Beirut.

Blood that was spent liberating Kuwait.

Blood that ran as thick as sweet crude in Iraq.

Blood that blackened Afghanistan deserts.

“We have fought our country’s battles” in places like Chapultepec, Tripoli, Belleau Wood, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Inchon, Chosin, Da Nang, Hué, Khe San, Beirut, Kandahar, Fallujah, and Mosul.
We will continue to voluntarily go to “far off Northern lands, and sunny tropic scenes” and do whatever is necessary. We will “fight for right and freedom”. It is what we were destined to do, We are Marines.

Once we earned the title, we are accepted into the Brotherhood of Marines. We become warriors and we draw on the legacy of all previous Marines. We are strengthened by this legacy, and in return, we strengthen the Corps. We are defined by our character that consists of three values: Honor, Courage, and Commitment.

Honor: First and foremost, each Marine must adhere to a code of personal integrity, holding himself accountable for his actions, and do everything in his power to not soil the reputation of the Corps.

Courage: We must have the courage and moral fortitude to do what is right, whether on the battlefield or “back on the block”.

Commitment: We commit ourselves to a higher standard and are determined to never give up and never quit. We dedicate ourselves to achieving excellence. We live out our motto of Semper Fidelis—Always Faithful—to God, Country and Corps in all that we do.

We know and accept we are Marines 24/7/365, in and out of uniform. “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”. We are the standard for which others model. We are the benchmark for which others strive. We are the First to Fight, we are the Leathernecks, we are the Devil Dogs, we are the Few, we are the Proud, WE ARE THE MARINES.

Each 10 NOV, I take a moment to reflect on my time in the Corps, who we are and what we do. I think about the Marines that came before me, their legacy, and sacrifices. I think of the Marines currently serving dealing with their injuries. I think of those that gave their all. I am filled with pride, gratitude, and sadness. I listen to the Marines' Hymn. All of this puts a lump in my throat. I then lift a glass of Jack Daniels and say, “here’s health to you and to the Corps”. Guess this is only fitting since the Corps started in a bar.

Thank you United States Marine Corps for making me the man I am. Thank you for all you have done for this country and the World. Thank you for 239 years of serving proudly. Happy Birthday Marines.

OOH RAH!

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” - Thomas Jefferson

[Note: For mobile users, the Commandant's birthday message is below, but does not appear on some mobile devices. If you would like to view this touching message, click on this link.]
Commandant's 2014 USMC Birthday Greeting