Ahhh yes. Today is the 232nd birthday of the Marine Corps. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the Corps started in a bar, do you?
Whether you call them gyrenes, jarheads, leathernecks, devildogs, husband/wife, son/daughter or boyfriend/girlfriend, they are devastatingly good looking in their dress blues, no?
Now, the Marine Corps has many traditions and the one most closely associated with THE BIRTHDAY is the Birthday Ball.
I have attended plenty of Birthday balls and although these fetes start off as formal, they don’t end that way. I could make the post about Ball antics like this but I would like to retain at least a shred of personal dignity before Spousebuzz Live. I have a sneaking suspicion that after the conference, that shred will be gone too.
Even if there is no Birthday Ball, there is always a cake cutting ceremony. The oldest and the youngest Marines in attendance receive the first two pieces. General John Lejeune’s original Birthday order is read as well as a message from the Commandant. Marines greet each other on this day with a hearty "Happy Birthday" as if it were their own and in a very real way, it is.
I suppose I could go on and on about why I love being a Marine wife and mom, why I love the traditions of the Corps, why I love their loyalty to their fellow Marines, and why I love their big, old goofy hearts. Maybe another day…
Today, I’ll just say,"Happy Birthday" to the Marines and the people who love them.
Urrahhh!!!!
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SFW – We wish the Marines a Happy Birthday!!
Being the wife of a Navy Seabee, I appreciate how good he looks in his dress uniform. However, I have to say that there is no more spectacular sight than a Marine in his dress blues!! I don't think it matters if you are 2 or 92, male or female, civilian or military. When you see a Marine in his dress blues you stop and stare in awe and appreciation. Personally, I get tears in my eyes at the honor, tradition and commitment they represent for the ideals our country was founded on.
We have a very dear friend who is a Marine Vet and he still proudly displays the Marine flag. Before my husband left on deployment, he took a Marine flag with him to fly over camp for him. The Marines on base took it out on a mission with them, signed it to our friend and today I know it is being flown over their Seabee compound on the Marines birthday. I know that when our friend receives it in the mail (hopefully soon), it will move him. There is such pride and tradition in every Marine. I love it!
Now that's not to say there isn't pride and tradition in the other military branches but I think most would agree that there is a certain something extra in the Marines. Saying that, I am still very proud to be a Navy wife!
Happy Birthday to some magnificent men and women.
Happy Birthday!
Semper Fi and Happy Birthday, Marines!
Happy Birthday!!!!
Seebee Senior Wife, at the end of the day, we're all just damned proud…regardless of which service..but oh yes, those dress blues…sigh…probably clinched the deal with Lancelot. :)
Hoist one today for those Marines who can't!!
Happy Birthday to Uncle Sam's Misguided Children where ever you may be!!!
Happy 232nd Birthday, Marine Corps! Semper Fi!
Happy Birthday!
Semper Fi
Alex USMC '79-'99
Yes, Happy Birthday to all the marines and their families! I know that my newphew is living it up in Japan this weekend! I am a wife of a sailor and no matter what we do agree that the marines uniforms are the best looking!!
We Marines thank each & everyone of you who offered up a Birthday wish for the Corps'. I'm not sure where some of this mail has been, considering a note with many say something like "239 weeks ago", but nonetheless appreciated. Although I am a retired Marine of 20 yrs active duty, in 1952 all of us teenagers not in or planning to go to college at the moment, were about to be drafted or join something we wanted to be in or off to the Army. Having been raised on & around boats and the water, my family & some friends figured I'd go in the USCG or USN, the latter I chose & went so far as everything but the swearing in with 2 HS buddies. About that time a few brothers and friends of my classmates started showing up in town in their dress blues on leave prior to mustering out from the Korean War. That was just the icing on the cake and 10 of my buddies & I joined the Marine Corps. Interestingly enough no more than 2 of us were assigned to any one platoon in boot camp, but we managed to see one another in Korea & Japan. It was on one of those rare occasions I learned we could have joined for 2 yrs (wouldn't you know I was that last to know & joined for 4). Over my 20 yr career, the only one who stayed in, my wives (war is hell isn't it) and I attended many Marine Corps Balls and as was written earlier by several, it was celebrated from Pvt's to the Commandant (a
4 star General) and I don't believe any one of them didn't enjoy the pomp & ceremony with Sabers & Swards, Rifles, Flags & Medals glistening, not to mention the always present Marine Corps Band and/or its various drum & bugle corps'. It was also a time to show off our beautiful & in most cases patient wives, while we were away from home for long periods of time. They loved it and looked so beautiful in their gowns and cocktail dresses, but I think they were equally as happy to be on the arm of a Marine. Today, 6/15/2012 I was at a Dr.'s appointment at the Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI and saw some dignitary type tents in front, lots of Federal Police Guards and other brass. In inquired as to the event and was advised it was part of the Army's 237th Birthday Ceremonies. In the hospital I noted a few signs around about dinner & dancing at the Hale Koa Hotel in Honolulu that night & over the weekend. I can only surmise a full scale parade & ceremony was held at the Army's Schofield Barracks at the top of the island, or I would certainly hope so. In any event, I echo many of those who wrote earlier in this section, All the services should use the Marine Corps as a guide to holding their own full scale ceremonial birthday recognition to their service & themselves every single year we have all earned that one extra special day per year. Happy Birthday to the USA today and all the others in the future. Respectfully, 1stSgt Frank G. Mead, Jr. – USMC (Ret)