It’s almost that time of year again. Yes, it’s our birthday. Time to figure out is the oldest and youngest for the cake, dress in your best, roast a beef, and break out your best red. Although we all know, or at least should know, General LeJeune’s message, I’m posting a little early in case some guys who are “out of action” and are planning a ball need some incentive and/or this years ALMAR by the Commandant for same. Current official message for 2002 (official distribution removed) is as follows:
ROUTINE
R 301030Z OCT 02 PSN 000179S17
FM CMC WASHINGTON DC
TO ALMAR
UNCLAS
SUBJ: 227TH MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE - 10 NOVEMBER 2002
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/CMC//
SUBJ/227TH MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE - 10 NOVEMBER 2002//
RMKS/1. WE ALL KNOW THAT A POWERFUL COMBINATION OF TEAMWORK AND INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT FORMS THE STRENGTH OF OUR CORPS. WE ARE MARINES, FIRST AND FOREMOST. THROUGH INNOVATION, TRUST, AND MUTUAL RESPECT, WE HAVE EVOLVED INTO AN ADAPTIVE AND FLEXIBLE FIGHTING FORCE IDEALLY SUITED FOR 21ST CENTURY CHALLENGES. THOUGH THE CHARACTER OF WAR CONTINUALLY CHANGES, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE NATURE OF WAR IS TIMELESS: THAT THE ULTIMATE ARBITER OF BATTLE IS THE HUMAN WILL. WE RECOGNIZE THIS, AND WE EMBRACE THE VALUES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR WILL AND DEFINE OUR CHARACTER. FOR TWO HUNDRED AN TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS, MARINES AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO THE CAUSE OF THE DEFENSE OF FREEDOM. OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ADORN THE MASTHEAD OF THE BATTLE COLOR OF THE MARINE CORPS FOR ALL TO ADMIRE, AND THEY REFLECT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LEGACY WE INHERIT AND WILLINGLY ACCEPT.
THROUGH SHARED EXPERIENCE AND SUCCESS IN BATTLE, WE DISTINGUISH OURSELVES BY SELFLESS SERVICE - IN A SENSE, WE ARE A FRATERNITY OF SACRIFICE. AS STEWARDS OF OUR RICH HERITAGE, WE CONTINUALLY REFLECT UPON THE GENERATIONS OF MARINES WHO, IN THEIR TIME, FAITHFULLY ANSWERED OUR COUNTRY’S CALL. IN THEIR EXAMPLE WE WILL FIND THE STRENGTH AND INSPIRATION NECESSARY TO MEET THE COMING CHALLENGES. WE CELEBRATE THIS CONNECTION WITH OUR HISTORY, YET WE REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE CHALLENGES OF OUR FUTURE. WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT DUAL RESPONSIBILITY; TO REMAIN READY FOR TODAY, WHILE TRANSFORMING OUR CAPABILITIES TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW.
WE FIND PROFOUNDLY GRATIFYING, OUR LIFE-LONG PRIDE OF ASSOCIATION WITH FELLOW MARINES - ACTIVE, RESERVE, VETERAN, AND CIVILIAN - AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE CONTRIBUTE DAILY TO SECURING OUR NATION’S FREEDOM.
I ENCOURAGE ALL MARINES TO CELEBRATE THE CAMARADERIE, ENRICHMENT, AND FULFILLMENT OF SERVICE WITH MEN AND WOMEN SUBORDINATED TO A GREATER CAUSE: PREPARING FOR AN EXCITING FUTURE
SEMPER FIDELIS, J. L. JONES, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
BT
Happy Birthday Boys!!! Keep your hair short, your weapon clean, and your johnson wrapped. Stand tall, be proud, and hoist one for the bird with a ball and chain. Oo-rah, Hey hey, Oh yeah, and all the rest of that motivational stuff.
Semper Fi and here’s to you all:)
Not a Marine, but I wish I was (at times).
I love the quote regarding the heroism of the USMC along the lines of ‘The Marines have assured their existence for the next 500 years!’.
Even after my personal history, I may wear blue, but I still yearn for the anchor, globe, and eagle.
Tripler
That was James Forrestal, then SecNav, referring to the flag raising on Suribachi.
And if it helps Trip, I sometimes think of you as a jug:)
Spit
November 5, 2002, 4:10pm
4
I’m trying to join the Air Force, But DAMN…I wanna be a Marine!
You guys have nothing but respect from me.
Thanks Turbo Dog . On both counts.
Tripler
My son is a Young Marine. We are having our Birthday Ball on Saturday night. The little guy has worked really hard this year and he will be getting a promotion to Lance Corporal at the ball. He plans to be a Marine when he grows up.
From the Young Marines, Semper Fi.
