When the Continental Congress established the US Marine Corps, two hundred twenty six years ago on November 10th, 1775, it was to provide landing forces for the fleet. The Corps was disbanded for a short while after the American Revolution but came back into existence on July 11th, 1789 and has been in continuous service since that date.
It is not the writer's intent to recount its glorious victories that mark the long and illustrious history of the Corps. The history of the Corps reflects a unique breed of fighting man whose renown is worldwide. There are reasons for that renown, but can be narrowed to those elements that mark those who have borne its name and who continue to refer to themselves as Marines long after doffing the uniform for civilian clothing.
Why are Marines so different? Because they are imbued with the notion that when they are awarded the name Marine, they are a breed apart, invincible, a special category of warrior who understands ones own: strengths, of which there are many, and weaknesses, of which there are few. Their mastery of combat skills is second to none, their dedication to one another is as strong as to ones family, their esprit de corps and love of country is second only to their love of the Almighty Creator of the Universe.
Marines pride themselves in doing whatever has to be done, without fanfare
or self-aggrandizement. They don't gloat that they are better than most, they accept it as fact. They don't trivialize the enemy, they respect them as warriors whose love of their own country is comparable to their own. They don't "dance" when they win, because that assumes that there was a question about the outcome. They live to train, and train to live, in training that is as realistic as humanly possible and where no effort is spared to achieve perfection.
Military perfection is complimented by the patriotic fervor that erupts during a Marine Corps Battle Color Ceremony and inspires elation in even the most jaded hearts. Many Marines, of all ages, make a pilgrimage to observe a performance at Marine Barracks, 8th and I Streets in Washington, DC, for it is there that the Ceremony embodies the life, breath and soul of the Corps.
Are they good? Just ask one, but the words of the Marines' Hymn say it best: "If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded, by United States Marines." Each year Toys for Tots brings happiness to hundreds of thousands of children who would otherwise have no gift at Christmas time. That labor of love and devotion to children everywhere by Marine Reservists, belies the velvet glove exterior
that covers a fist of steel.
Ultimately, it is the Corps' abiding institutional moral authority and strength that prompted one former Assistant Secretary of the Army to refer to the Corps as a group of "extremists." For, to the extent that honesty, integrity, trust, responsibility, accountability, and Marines imputed with the aforementioned qualities are the philosophical essence and embodiment of the Corps, although that may result in being labeled "extremists," and to the extent that the nation expects no less, there will be a United States Marine Corps--and as long as there is a US Marine Corps, there will be a United States of America.
To all Marines, both active duty and otherwise, let me sincerely wish a Happy Birthday. SEMPER FI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
