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.
Blood that was spilled in “every clime and place”."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
1stSgt Brad Kasal, 13 NOV 04. |
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.
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.
[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.]“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” - Thomas Jefferson
Commandant's 2014 USMC Birthday Greeting
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