Happy Birthday Marines!

[Vulture6]

This Saturday is the 232nd birthday of our Corps. Traditionally, Marines will pause on this day, November 10th, to celebrate their commradeship with their fellow Marines and those who are no longer with us. Sometimes it is a formal affair with dress blues, evening gowns, and the reading of General Lejeune's message. Sometimes it's only a couple of minutes pause and a toast with luke warm coffee or cocoa in a canteen cup. These latter are often the most meaningful and memorable.

A tradition that I've participated in for the last several years involves all Marines present at the celebration joining hands and then going around the room, one at a time, to mention the name of one or more Marines - brothers all - who are no longer with us. In the last couple of years, I have held hands with Marines who fought on Tarawa who teared up mentioning a lost squad leader and I've held hands with young Marines home on boot leave, who choked up mentioning his brother's name, lost in Iraq the year before. There is a bond of common experience that links us all together, regardless of generation. It is a bond of blood, and a bond of brotherhood.

So, I ask that sometime this Saturday, or when you are at your fomal Marine Corps birthday celebration, that you pause for a moment and think of those who are no longer with us. Let their names pass your lips and raise a glass for their memory and their sacrifice... and remember those who are out there now at the tip of the spear who may not see the Marine Corps birthday next year.

Semper Fi, brothers!

One heart, one blood, one soul.

[KARL THE GRUNT]

Happy birthday brothers and sisters.
Good hunting to all of us in the bush.

karl