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November 10, 2009
The Corps’ 234th Birthday
Col. Jeff Bearor, (USMC, ret.)
On Tuesday, 10 November in a thousand places around the globe and here at home Marines, former Marines, their families and friends will pause and celebrate the Corps’ 231st Birthday. It’s usually a simple ceremony, but for Marines it is laden with meaning.
A Marine cannot talk about the present or the future without remembering the past and all those millions of Americans who have earned the title Marine. At every Marine Corps birthday celebration a piece of cake (sometimes just a simple MRE cake from a plastic pouch) is given to the oldest Marine present then passed from the oldest to the youngest Marine there signifying the passing of knowledge and of responsibility for our Corps’ legacy. This simple act will occur this week many hundreds of times all over the world in places as different and distinct as the Grand Ballroom at the Washington Hilton, aboard US Navy ships at sea, at company outposts in Al Anbar Province in Iraq, and with Marine advisor teams in the mountains of Afghanistan.
At the birthday ceremony we read the birthday message issued in 1921 by Major General Commandant John A. LeJeune. General LeJeune’s message says in part,
“In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.”
“This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of our Corps.”
Again at this year’s birthday we find tens of thousands of Marines far from home carrying Freedom’s torch in tough fights against our nation’s foes. The vast majority of Marines (more than 72%) are 25 years old or less. Barely mature, they carry an awesome burden and responsibility to live up to the Corps’ near mythic legacy and to look out for the Marines on their left and right. That these young Americans continue to carry the weight and perform so superbly is a testament to their training certainly. But what is really striking is that our nation continues to produce young men and women of such high caliber and moral virtue. These kids who volunteer to be Marines could do anything they set their minds to; they are superb, as good as any men and women our country offers – yet they choose to serve you, their country, and each other before all else. What a great testament they are to the basic strengths of America.
A Marine’s greatest fear isn’t necessarily death. A Marine fears above all else that he or she might let down a fellow Marine or not live up to the legacy passed to Marines by the history of our fabled Corps. A line of dialogue heard early in the recently released movie “Flag of Our Fathers” says everything you need to know about the young Marines celebrating their Corps’ birthday this week, “Marines may fight for their country, but they give their lives for their buddies.” Remembering why we fight, and what we fight for is what the Corps’ birthday is all about.
Don’t for a minute think that young Marines don’t understand or follow the debates going on around the country about Iraq. They follow very, very closely because it is their lives on the line not those of the debaters. Despite the verbal clashes of politicians and pundits, these young Marines continue to serve with “distinction and soldierly repute” precisely because they believe in their country, their Corps, their mission, and each other.
Marines don’t need much encouragement to serve. They don’t ask for much either. In fact all they want is for us to acknowledge every so often their service. If you see a Marine this week, tell them thanks for their service and happy birthday. That will mean more to a young Marine than a chest full of medals. Happy Birthday Marines!
FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor Col. Jeff Bearor (USMC, ret.) is a career Marine Corps officer, the former commanding officer of the Recruit Training Regiment at the US Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, SC, and has served as Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Training and Education Command, Quantico, VA.
Reader Comments: Submit Your Comment (2) | Sign Up for FSM Updates!
I read this article in the 11Nov2009 issue of Family Security Matters.
YESTERDAY WAS 10NOV2009. Not today. Why wasn't this in yesterday's edition?!
posted by: marineseabee
Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 02:22 AM
If the Col has thin skin tough! But, he of all people should know there is no such animal as a "former Marine".
ANY Marine not on active duty who has be honorably discharged, is a Marine veteran. HE IS STILL A MARINE.
If the Col doesn't like my comment, I live in Tucson, AZ.
posted by: marineseabee
Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 02:27 AM
