[jimschlaefer]

Today is our Birthday Marines, 247 years of honorable dedication to a country, an ideal and its people. A time to rejoice, remember and revere a lasting brotherhood of warriors. And I say blessed be all Marines, living and departed. I pray for the safety of those Marines who today walk dangerous paths in harm’s way and that those who have served can find peace. God Bless You All. Semper Fi

America has gone through a very tumultuous year in 2022 and today our country faces challenges from within and outside its borders that are just as lethal to our country’s future as we have ever encountered, but are definitely different from what a Marine traditionally expects to confront in battle. The threat from within to tear at the fabric of our great nation seems more pronounced than since the Civil War. Many of those things that brought on the Civil War are now repeating themselves in the halls of Congress and on the streets of America’s cities. The impact and influence of the Internet and Globalization provide challenges that are yet to be fully understood or realized. Progressive concepts chew at our roots and principles that make America and Our Corps strong and durable. These threats as well as traditional ones face our country and our Corps on a daily basis.

247 years ago, America was forming an identity of its own and wished to bring personal and religious independence and freedom to all its inhabitants. A national experiment, founded upon Christian faith and the individual rights of man, never before in history attempted and never since duplicated was underway. A country that promised the opportunity to any individual, regardless of race, creed or religion, who had the drive, will power and determination to succeed. The first steps, and many that would follow to sustain this ideal, would be paid for in the blood of patriots. On November 10th, 1775 at a little brew house in Philadelphia on the corner of Water Street and Tun Alley, the United States Marine Corps was “born”. Not founded, not established, not created, but born. The brew house, built by Samuel Carpenter in 1685, was the first brew house in Philadelphia and was known as Tun Tavern. It would later become known as “Peggy Mullan’s Red Hot Beef Steak Club at Tun Tavern” and host, on occasion, both the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress.

I say this often, but the feeling never diminishes within my heart and my being; I am humbled to be a member of this fraternal Corps and to have the privilege to have served with and known so many great people I can call brother and sister Marines. Today I stand as dedicated and ready, though undoubtably not as able, to fully honor the oath I took in 1966, before God, to defend this great country from “all enemies both foreign and domestic”. As I travel this great land, I continually encounter total strangers who share a bond of brotherhood that others will always wonder about and desire to own. That bond is never given and can only be earned. Few will ever know such a bond though many will desire and yearn for it, for it belongs only to the Marines. Semper Fi

On this our birthday, new generations of Marines continue the centuries old tradition and stand in harm’s way; ready and willing to defend those freedoms and privileges that have been paid for in blood over the last two-plus centuries. Doing what Marines do best, they will face the challenges and horrors of war that Marines before them have had to deal with, adapt to, and have overcome since our founding. Just as in the past, today’s Marines have picked up the gauntlet so many others lack the guts to accept and refuse to pick up in order to protect the freedoms they love so dearly, expect so selfishly, and hide behind so despicably. I feel confident today’s young Devil Dogs will uphold the honor of our corps and the safety of America faithfully with honor and courage. They will stand in harm’s way, on the walls of this great nation, and protect it from ALL enemies both foreign and domestic. A day never goes by that I don’t think about you, Marines; you are always in my prayers. You voluntarily go forth to face those threats others cower in the face of and fear to understand. I sleep soundly tonight knowing the gates are well guarded. God Bless you all, America owes you a huge debt for your loyalty, dedication and sacrifices.

Happy 247th Birthday, Marines

God Bless You and Semper Fi

[Aloha1]

Semper Fi!

[Taltarzac725]

Happy Birthday!

[D.Bolen]

I wish my father, who served as a Marine in the Korean war, was still with us to read your post today. As his eldest, he often regaled me with accounts (censored for my young ears) of his Marine Corps experiences, and I know he would have enjoyed reading the history (much of which I believe he was unacquainted) and heartfelt feelings you have shared. In his honor, I hereby express my sincere appreciation to you for what you have written so sincerely and so well.

[Byte1]

Gyrenes, Devil Dogs, Leather Necks, Grunts, but always a MARINE. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

[Kenswing]

Happy Birthday my fellow Marines. Semper Fidelis!

[dave from deland]

Originally Posted by jimschlaefer

Today is our Birthday Marines, 247 years of honorable dedication to a country, an ideal and its people. A time to rejoice, remember and revere a lasting brotherhood of warriors. And I say blessed be all Marines, living and departed. I pray for the safety of those Marines who today walk dangerous paths in harm’s way and that those who have served can find peace. God Bless You All. Semper Fi

America has gone through a very tumultuous year in 2022 and today our country faces challenges from within and outside its borders that are just as lethal to our country’s future as we have ever encountered, but are definitely different from what a Marine traditionally expects to confront in battle. The threat from within to tear at the fabric of our great nation seems more pronounced than since the Civil War. Many of those things that brought on the Civil War are now repeating themselves in the halls of Congress and on the streets of America’s cities. The impact and influence of the Internet and Globalization provide challenges that are yet to be fully understood or realized. Progressive concepts chew at our roots and principles that make America and Our Corps strong and durable. These threats as well as traditional ones face our country and our Corps on a daily basis.

247 years ago, America was forming an identity of its own and wished to bring personal and religious independence and freedom to all its inhabitants. A national experiment, founded upon Christian faith and the individual rights of man, never before in history attempted and never since duplicated was underway. A country that promised the opportunity to any individual, regardless of race, creed or religion, who had the drive, will power and determination to succeed. The first steps, and many that would follow to sustain this ideal, would be paid for in the blood of patriots. On November 10th, 1775 at a little brew house in Philadelphia on the corner of Water Street and Tun Alley, the United States Marine Corps was “born”. Not founded, not established, not created, but born. The brew house, built by Samuel Carpenter in 1685, was the first brew house in Philadelphia and was known as Tun Tavern. It would later become known as “Peggy Mullan’s Red Hot Beef Steak Club at Tun Tavern” and host, on occasion, both the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress.

I say this often, but the feeling never diminishes within my heart and my being; I am humbled to be a member of this fraternal Corps and to have the privilege to have served with and known so many great people I can call brother and sister Marines. Today I stand as dedicated and ready, though undoubtably not as able, to fully honor the oath I took in 1966, before God, to defend this great country from “all enemies both foreign and domestic”. As I travel this great land, I continually encounter total strangers who share a bond of brotherhood that others will always wonder about and desire to own. That bond is never given and can only be earned. Few will ever know such a bond though many will desire and yearn for it, for it belongs only to the Marines. Semper Fi

On this our birthday, new generations of Marines continue the centuries old tradition and stand in harm’s way; ready and willing to defend those freedoms and privileges that have been paid for in blood over the last two-plus centuries. Doing what Marines do best, they will face the challenges and horrors of war that Marines before them have had to deal with, adapt to, and have overcome since our founding. Just as in the past, today’s Marines have picked up the gauntlet so many others lack the guts to accept and refuse to pick up in order to protect the freedoms they love so dearly, expect so selfishly, and hide behind so despicably. I feel confident today’s young Devil Dogs will uphold the honor of our corps and the safety of America faithfully with honor and courage. They will stand in harm’s way, on the walls of this great nation, and protect it from ALL enemies both foreign and domestic. A day never goes by that I don’t think about you, Marines; you are always in my prayers. You voluntarily go forth to face those threats others cower in the face of and fear to understand. I sleep soundly tonight knowing the gates are well guarded. God Bless you all, America owes you a huge debt for your loyalty, dedication and sacrifices.

Happy 247th Birthday, Marines

God Bless You and Semper Fi

Semper Fi and back at ya from 1st Marine Division, 3/5, Vietnam.

[jimschlaefer]

Originally Posted by Byte1

Gyrenes, Devil Dogs, Leather Necks, Grunts, but always a MARINE. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

That CAR is the one that really counts. Semper Fi, Brother

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by jimschlaefer

That CAR is the one that really counts. Semper Fi, Brother

The Villages is the first place I felt comfortable wearing a Veteran ball cap. When I first arrived, about ten year ago, I was shopping at either Walmart or Publix and a stranger (also a Vet) said "Welcome home Marine." It hit me so hard that I almost made a fool of myself by crying. After all those years, someone finally said something that made me proud instead of discouraged, embarrassed. The Villages is a great place to live, especially if you are a Vet. Many of us came back from war, broken. Broken but would still do it over again if our country called. If you voted this month, thank a veteran. For those that did not serve but still say "Thank you for your service" GOD BLESS you!
Just a side note:
Many police officers are veterans of our armed forces. Try to remember that when you see them. I am continuously amazed when I am in a food service establishment and try to pay the bill for a few police officers that are enjoying a quick meal and almost every time someone else has already picked up the tab. What a great place to live!
GOD Bless all of you brothers in arms!

[bilcon]

Semper Fi Brothers 1957-60. Boy, was I born the right time.