Happy Birthday, Marines!

Today is the 236th birthday of the founding of the United States Marine Corps.  All over the globe, Marines will be cutting into some form of cake. The oldest present will have the first piece, the youngest served next- honoring both the leadership of experience and the pride of the youth coming into the tradition-

"Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos cuts the Marine Corps birthday cake during the cake cutting ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington Nov. 8. A sword is used to cut the cake to remind Marines that they are a band of warriors, committed to carrying the sword so that the nation may live in peace."  2011

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From the halls of the Pentagon to the fields of Afghanistan to the corporate world, Marines remember.

   233rd Birthday, 2008

Unless you are in the field, the cake is cut as part of a long and traditional ceremony.  And obviously, even there, decorum is maintained. The flags are presented, sabers are raised, the cake is wheeled in and  the current Commandant's address to the Corps is read.  And since 1921,  previous Commandant General John A. Lejuene's eloquent message is  also read-

MARINE CORPS ORDERS
No. 47 (Series 1921)
HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS
Washington, November 1, 1921

759. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the   
10 November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it 
will be read upon receipt.

 "On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history. 

The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence, the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas [so] that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security. 

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..... http://www.marines.mil/usmc/documents/lejeuneMessage2004.pdf




And at many balls, after listening with one ear and watching carefully to insure MY Marine didn't lock his knees and pass out midway through the sword ceremony, I relaxed (like I had any control of the event anyway).  Then we ate and danced.  And yes, there was a lot of drinking in between.

I remember a few birthday Balls- 

1979- my first amazing parade of American military, i.e. USMC history at Pensacola, Forida- the Marines really pull out the big guns when they aren’t on home turf.  Pensacola is home to Navy Aviation-  and of course the heart of Naval Aviation is Marine pilots.  So Marines strutted their stuff and showed off for their envious Navy and Coast Guard fellow pilots.

"The US Marine Corps Aviation- the superior core of Naval Aviation"

(I may get some flack for that one!)

And in 1990 we arrived at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas- home of proud and ambitious Army officers at Command and General Staff College…. and as soon as our neighbors knew we were Marines, it was - “Can we get tickets to the Ball?”   Well, by now we had been to multiple balls and the glow was a little less blinding. I had just had baby number 4 in August and it was just another birthday ball.  After all there were less than twenty Marines at the school!

Well, it wasn't just another Marine Ball.  Turns out the Marines really are the worst dancers in the military.  I had long suspected but it was confirmed when the Army took to the dance floor.  They danced!   And some smart officer (probably Army) chose the band so we COULD dance. We learned Texas Two Step and line dancing before line dancing was cool. Must be all those Army posts in Texas.  Great ball.

Thank you, United States Army- you can lead the way on the dance floor any time. 

One more memory- in 1982, the much loved movie ET was released. 

That year was a rowdy ball. It was in a huge warehouse or hanger- with the customary backlit parachutes hanging from the ceilings, disco balls, complimentary wine glasses with the date inscribed- most Marines have a sizable collection of ball paraphernalia. And it was all done by Marines for their ladies. We didn't lift a finger except to drive them home.

Well, the evening started early, the food didn't offset the alcohol and the speaker - who really did resemble ET- went on and on. Someone took a large North Carolina pine cone and added stubby legs and floppy arms and sent it up the long, littered table with our own birthday message...."ET-phone home." At the time is was hysterically funny- now I look back and think, "Wow, the world's finest fighting men are little boys at heart!"  Love them still. 

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And even when the Corps is but a memory, the birthday is still celebrated. 

2005. This was Bill's last time to honor the Corps and share a cake with the people he worked with at Computer Sciences Corporation.  As is tradition, he ordered the cake, brought in his sword and his lady was just there to enjoy the moment.  

Semper Fidelis to the end. 

And here's the Marine who cares for his beloved daughter.  Bill would have so approved of  Steven R. Haack, USMC

Happy Birthday, Captian Haack!

So - from memories past to future glory- here's to the United States Marines.  

Semper Fi!