The United States MARINE CORPS

US Marine Corps

The official home page of the United States Marine Corps.

www.usmc.mil

US Marine Forces Reserve

The official home page of the US Marine Forces Reserve.

www.marforres.usmc.mil/

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES MARINES!!!

November 10, 2009

Around the world this day, Marines will stop to remember and celebrate the high ideals and incredible values on which the United States Marine Corps was founded! "Happy Birthday Marines! November 10, 2009"

Two hundred and thirty-four years ago, a committee of our Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to draft a resolution which would establish two battalions of Marines to fight for a democratic people's independence on sea and shore. This resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming our 'Continental Marines', the naval infantry.

With Captain Samuel Nicholas as the first commandant and Patriot Robert Mullan as the first captain and recruiter, the Marines were 'ready for action' by early 1776. Serving aboard our Continental Navy ships, it was the Marines duty to provide security for the ships whether in or out of port and for the ship's officers against any mutiny attempts.

Since that time, the duties and responsibilities of our Marine Corps have evolved and expanded according to the defense needs of the United States, advancing military doctrine, and American foreign policy. Their mission taking new form and direction, their pride and honor growing as the noble and glorious legacy of the Marines took shape over the years.

In the year 1921, the Marine Corps began officially celebrating it's birthday on November 10, the anniversary of its founding. General John A. Lejeune issued the Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921 which directed that the history, traditions, and mission of the Corps would be read to all Marines on that date.

Though certainly taking many forms over the years depending on location and circumstances, the celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday is one of the most famous Marine customs. Often festivities, which include a formal ball, will begin at the end of October and continue until mid November. The first formal Marine Corps Ball to celebrate the birthday of the Corps was held in Philadelphia in 1925.

At the ceremonies, a sword is used to cut the birthday cake, a reminder that Marines are a unique band of warriors. The first piece of cake is to be served to the guest of honor -- by tradition, cake is then presented to the oldest and youngest Marine attending; a legacy shown,, the nurturing of those following Marine Corps footsteps.

An excerpt from the Marine Corps Manual is read along with the current year's 'birthday message' from the Commandant of the Corps.

The following is the 2009 message from General James T. Conway:

"UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE - 10 NOVEMBER 2009
Date Signed: 10/5/2009
ALMAR Active Number: 033/09
R 051329Z OCT 09
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 033/09
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS//
SUBJ/UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE - 10 NOVEMBER 2009//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/

1. UNITED STATES MARINES REPRESENT THE BEST YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OUR NATION HAS TO OFFER. TO BE A MARINE IS TO BE A MEMBER OF AMERICA'S WARRIOR CLASS - TO BE ONE OF THE FEW WHO STEPS FORWARD WITH THE COURAGE AND CONVICTION TO FACE WHATEVER DANGERS AWAIT. OUR NATION EXPECTS HER MARINES TO BE READY WHEN THE NATION CALLS; TO LEAVE FAMILY AND THE COMFORTS OF HOME BEHIND; TO MARCH INTO BATTLE AND THRIVE UNDER AUSTERITY; AND TO COME HOME UNDER A VICTORY PENNANT.

2. FROM AL ANBAR IN THE WEST OF IRAQ, TO HELMAND PROVINCE IN THE SOUTH OF AFGHANISTAN, OUR CORPS OF MARINES CAN ALWAYS EXPECT TO BE FOUND WHERE THE FIGHT IS TOUGHEST. SUCH IS OUR HISTORY. TODAY, AS WE WRITE THE FINAL CHAPTER ON OUR VICTORY IN IRAQ, WE WILL INCREASINGLY TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY IN AFGHANISTAN AND ADD NEW PAGES TO OUR LEGACY IN PLACES CALLED DELARAM, NOW ZAD, AND GARMSIR. ONE DAY, WE WILL RETURN TO OUR NAVAL HERITAGE AND PATROL THE HIGH SEAS WITH OUR NAVY BROTHERS. SUCH IS OUR FUTURE.

3. AS WE CELEBRATE OUR CORPS' 234TH BIRTHDAY, WE FIRST PAUSE TO REFLECT AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE MARINES WHO HAVE GIVEN THE LAST FULL MEASURE IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM. WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO OUR MARINE CORPS FAMILIES - THE UNSUNG HEROES WHO ENDURE HARDSHIP AND SACRIFICE SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GO FORWARD AND ACCOMPLISH ANY MISSION. WE EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR COUNTRYMEN WHO HAVE ANSWERED OUR EVERY NEED. AND WE CELEBRATE THE MAGNIFICENT MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILLINGLY AND SELFLESSLY CONTINUE TO GO INTO HARM'S WAY TO PROTECT THIS GREAT NATION.

4. TO ALL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE, TO THOSE WHO WEAR THE UNIFORM TODAY, AND TO THE FAMILIES THAT GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO FORGE AHEAD - I WISH YOU ALL A HEARTFELT HAPPY 234TH BIRTHDAY!

5. SEMPER FIDELIS! JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS//"

For those serving and those who have served, the Birthday of the Marines is a special day to celebrate their heritage, their legacy, and their distinguished service. Many are away this year in the battles of war; may they know the high regard and pride their country holds them in. My they celebrate within their hearts, for wherever Marines are, the Marine spirit , values, and virtue are there also!

SEMPER FI,
Happy 234th Birthday to the United States Marine Corps, November 10, 2009!

~ Rev. Lin

Connecticut Military Department http://www.ct.gov/mil/site/default.asp

Find a Marine Recruiter http://www.marines.com/rmi

Connecticut Military Support Program http://www.ct.gov/msp/site/default.asp

Marine Corps League - Department of Connecticut http://www.mcldeptct.org/

Connecticut Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve http://www.ctesgr.org/index.asp?pg=home

CT - MARINE CORPS RESERVE

6 Motor Trans Det HC Svc Co 30 Woodward Ave. New Haven, CT 06512 Phone: 203-467-5322
C Co, 1/25 Marines 1 Linsley Drive Plainville, CT 06062 Phone: 860-747-1643 ext. 7

National Museum of The Marine Corps http://www.usmcmuseum.com/index.asp

Marine Corps Systems Command http://www.marcorsyscom.usmc.mil/

Submit Your Marine Website Link To Have It Listed Here: linda.mcgee@us.army.mil

The Creed of the United States Marine

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My rifle is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life.
My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless.
I must fire my rifle true.
I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me.
I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will . . . .
My rifle and I know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make.
We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit . . . .
My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life.
Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights, and its barrel.
I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage.
I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.
We will become part of each other. We will . . . .
Before God I swear this creed.
My rifle and I are the defenders of my country.
We are the masters of our enemy.
We are the saviors of my life.
So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace!

Major General W. H. Rupertus,
USMC

Marine - Staff NCO Creed:

I am a Staff Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Marine Corps. As such, I am a member of the most unique group of professional military practitioners in the world. I am bound by duty to God, Country, and my fellow Marines to execute the demands of my position to and beyond what I believe to be the limits of my capabilities.

I realize I am the mainstay of Marine Corps discipline, and I carry myself with military grace, unbowed by the weight of command, unflinching in the execution lawful orders, and unswerving in my dedication to the most complete success of my assigned mission.

Both my professional and personal demeanor shall be such that I may take pride if my juniors emulate me, and knowing perfection to lie beyond the grasp of any mortal hand, I shall yet strive to attain perfection that I may ever be aware of my needs and capabilities to improve myself. I shall be fair in my personal relations, just in the enforcement of discipline, true to myself and my fellow Marines, and equitable in my dealing with every man.

Semper - Fi Heart

Some may wear the uniform
And even look the part
But to truly be a real Marine
You must have a "Semper-Fi Heart"
This "Heart" is not "Earned in Boot camp"
But is "Developed along the Way"
And it "Grows" because of "Dedication"
Through "Service" each and every day
"Semper" is Latin for "Always"
"Fidelis" means "Faithful" and "True"
"Faithful" when things don't go your way
And "Faithful" when they do
You may not understand the rationale
Nor even know the reason why
But the "Mission" will be "Accomplished"
When your "Heart" is "Semper-Fi"

Written by, PFC Loyde P. "Snake" Arender 2454394
USMC

My Morning Offering

This is from the official Marine Corps Field Devotional Book.

O God, for another day,

for another morning, for another minute,

for another chance to live and serve You,

I am truly grateful.

Do..... this day free me:

from all fear of the future,

from all anxiety about tomorrow,

from all bitterness towards anyone,

from all cowardice in the face of danger,

from all laziness in the face of work,

from all failure before opportunity,

from all weakness when Your power is at hand.

But fill me

with Love that knows no barrier,

with Sympathy that reaches all,

with Courage that cannot be shaken,

with Faith strong enough for the darkness,

with Strength sufficient for my tasks,

with Loyalty to Your Kingdom's goal,

with Wisdom to meet life's complexities,

with Power to lift me to You.

Be with me for another day, and use me as You will.

Amen.

~ From The Heart ~

THE OLD MAN!

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.

The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away..

I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too and took a few steps towards him.

I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, 'You shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine.

He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay.. I had seen enough and I approached the old man.
He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you're having a problem.'

He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back... I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one
of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?'

He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal ..

He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over. As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card.

He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket.. We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife.

I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me

One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly
like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled
over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time. The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name.......... 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'

I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America ..

Thanks to those who served....& those who supported them.

Remember, Freedom isn't Free, thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.

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THANK YOU!

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Christian Military Fellowship http://cmf.com/

VFW National Home For Children http://www.vfwnationalhome.org/