not individually, but collectively.
To Jim Webb, Smedley Butler, Chesty Puller, Edmund Carlson, Sgt. Major Dan Daly, Chuck Robb, or any of these notables
To all who have ever worn the proud colors and earned the right to greet one another with Semper Fi!
235 Years ago today, Tun Tavern, Philadelphia, Capt. Samuel Nicholas enrolled the first United States Marines.
As a service we are older than the nation.
We guard the capital ships of the Navy, and the embassies of the State Department.
It costs $20,000 per Marine than it does per soldier or sailor - we Marines have always known how to do more with less.
Leathernecks. Jarheads. Go ahead - we accept those names proudly.
Survive Parris Island or San Diego, and live for graduation day where for the first time you are entitled to be called that most important of words - MARINE.
First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to wear the title of United States Marine.
Happy Birthday, USMC. And Semper Fi to all my fellow Marines.
Kenneth J. Bernstein, 2105714