Happy Birthday, Marines!

Me in Saudi Arabia with the 2nd Marine Division, December 1990.

Semper Fidelis

10 November 2006 is the 231st birthday of the United States Marine Corps. It is an old joke that asks why Veterans Day was November 11th. The punchline is that it gives the Marines a day to recover. This day is one Marines hold dear, and regardless of where in the world they may be, there will be a birthday cake and a ceremony that is almost as old as the Corps itself. I don't know how to share my pride and reverance for this day, and for the Corps itself, other than to give you some quotes about Marines.

Eleanor Roosevelt said of the Marines: “The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!”

I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold. (At Belleau Wood, the Marines earned the name Tuefelhunden, or Devildog, from the Germans because of their ferocity and war howls. It is the nickname for Marines today)
1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMC
in Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918

Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?
GySgt. Daniel J. "Dan" Daly, USMC
near Lucy-`le-Bocage as he led the 5th Marines' attack into Belleau Wood, 6 June 1918

The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle.
Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing, U.S. Army
Commander of American Forces in World War I

Do not attack the First Marine Division. Leave the yellowlegs alone. Strike the American Army.
Orders given to Communist troops in the Korean War;
shortly afterward, the Marines were ordered
to not wear their khaki leggings.

I can't say enough about the two Marine divisions. If I use words like 'brilliant,' it would really be an under description of the absolutely superb job that they did in breaching the so-called 'impenetrable barrier.' It was a classic- absolutely classic- military breaching of a very very tough minefield, barbed wire, fire trenches-type barrier.
Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, U. S. Army
Commander, Operation Desert Storm, February 1991

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight!
MGen. Frank E. Lowe, USA; Korea, 26 January 1952

We have two companies of Marines running rampant all over the northern half of this island, and three Army regiments pinned down in the southwestern corner, doing nothing. What the hell is going on?
Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., USA, Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of Staff
during the assault on Grenada, 1983

You'll never get a Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!
Capt. Henry P. Crowe, USMC; Guadalcanal, 13 January 1943

Happy Birthday to my Dad (USMC retired, 1950-1970), my brother (USMC 1987-1994), Colonel Mike, who is the finest Marine officer I ever served under, Dave Dougan - wherever you are, and to the other Marines with whom I served. Anytime, Anywhere my brothers.

The Marines have always been tasked with the toughest of combat missions, because of their role as "stormtroopers" - fast, hard, and deadly. As you read this, at this very moment somewhere in Iraq, that tradition is being upheld. Take a moment of silent thanks, as well as a prayer for our men and women who serve.

Last but not least, If you have $10 that you want to part with, visit Ace and TJ , a pair of morning radio show hosts based in North Carolina. They have a campaign called "Operation Call-i-days" to collect phone cards for our troops to call home for the holidays. You may not think about this, but calls home are not free. In 1991, it was something like $5 a minute. You can find the address on their homepage. This small amount of money will give a holiday gift not just to the individual, but to his/her spouse and children as well.