MI-80

On this day, in 1775, our Continental Congress called forth by resolution a Corps of Marines. That was the birth of the United States Marine Corps, and from its humble beginnings at Tun Tavern to the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan today, there is no mistaking a Marine.

To begin to understand why the Corps holds its birthday so sacred, you must begin to understand the Marines’ history. As the Marine Corps Hymn goes, “From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli,” the Corps has distinguished itself on battlefields across many foreign shores in both war and peace. Over 40,000 Marines have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of our freedom, and over another 200,000 wounded. These wounds are not just physical, but mental and spiritual as well. Every Marine who has served in combat comes back with something they would rather forget, and they carry it with them the rest of their lives.

It is difficult for civilians to imagine the demons that follow our Marines home from combat. In some ways, our Marines have more in common with their enemy than with their friends and family at home. Unfortunately, while even our liberal Nation craves we defend its freedom, few want to hear the unpolished truth of what our fighting men and women have to do. Society says it is wrong to kill, and then it orders our Marines to do just that, only to return to us and remember that killing is an unforgiveable sin. This is what makes it so hard for our veterans to speak of their past actions at times.

The job of the Marine Corps is simply: to make Marines and win battles. Marines are warriors. They are to get there first, fight, and to kill or die, on command. The ethos says, “Every Marine is a riflemen.” There is no better way to put this. It is a tough job, and few can, or are willing, to do it. That is what makes Marines “The Few, The Proud.”

That is also what separates Marines. Marines run towards the guns. Instinct tells them not to run away, but to give their lives willingly to defend their brothers in arms and their Nation. Marines are proud to be the most ready when the Nation is the least ready, and even as the smallest fighting force our Nation has, are proud to take on the most difficult missions that our Nation expects of its most elite warriors. Throughout the world, they have earned titles such as “Devil Dogs” and “The First to Fight” for their ferocity in combat. At the same time, Marines are all too aware that war is not glamorous. It is difficult and dangerous, and nobody enjoys it. Marines more than anyone hate warfare.

Our Corps defines itself by the core values of honor, courage, and commitment. The Corps motto is “Semper Fidelis,” Latin for “Always Faithful.” Faithful to God, our Nation, and our Corps. The life of a Marine is an unselfish one. You do not get rich or famous. You go in harm’s way and leave your loved ones and the comfort of home in the name of something larger than yourself.

Because of this long legacy of sacrifice and valor, Marines everywhere honor the Corps birthday every year. This is to pay homage to our warriors past, present and those yet to come. Marines honor their heritage because they know they cannot let those who have come before them down. After all, “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.” Three months of hell at Boot Camp makes you a Marine the rest of your life. This is important because every Marine knows that even if they pay the ultimate sacrifice and die, the Corps will live forever, and so will their legacy. No Marine is left behind. It is this sense of unyielding brotherhood that no one, except Marines, can experience, and that which is celebrated.

This celebration is also not just for Marines. It is for all those family members and friends of the Corps who sacrifice so much in support of our fighting men and women. To all of you, wherever you are tonight, raise a glass, or canteen cup, and join us in toasting the amazing Nation we stand for, all the warriors who have come before us, our families who stand behind us at grave personal cost, and to our Corps.

Marines will hold balls and ceremonies all over the world tonight. While they are celebrations for those who attend, they are dedicated to those many brave Marines overseas who are tonight without dates or fancy ceremonies. So, in closing, to all of my warrior brothers and sisters abroad. To all our warrior Marines deployed, I say happy birthday, Semper Fidelis, and OORAH!