Happy 234th Birthday, United States Marine Corps

November 10, 10:16 AMSF Holidays ExaminerCarol Hilker

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San Francisco's, Joe Rosenthal, took this infamous photo of the US Marine Corp, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.

                                                                                                                                                                                          The United States Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775 by Captain Samuel Nicholas in a tavern in Philadelphia by a committee of the Continental Congress, or the Continental Marines  as naval infantry.   A resolution was drafted to form two battalions of Marines providing a force to fight on land and sea. The resolution to form the United States Marine Corps was approved Nov.10, 1775.  But it means  much more than that for the thousands serving and the thousands of thousands of loved ones of those serving. 

The mission of Marine Corps has evolved with changing military doctrine and American foreign policy. The Marine Corps served in every American armed conflict since it's establishment.  Its ability to respond rapidly to regional crisis gives it a strong role in the implementation and execution of American foreign policy.  The United States Marine Corps includes just over 203,000 (as of October 2009) active duty Marines and just under 40,000 Marine Reserves.   

So how do the Marine Corps celebrate today? By tradition, the first slice of cake is given to the oldest Marine present, who in turn hands it off to the youngest Marine present, symbolizing the old and experienced Marines passing their knowledge to the new generation of Marines. The celebration also includes a reading of Marine Corps Order 47, republished every year, as well as a message from the current Commandant, and often includes a banquet and dancing if possible. Marines are reputed to celebrate the birthday, regardless of where they may be in the world, even in austere environments or combat.

In a more somber tradition, Samuel Nicholas's grave in the Arch Street Friends Meeting graveyard in Philadelphia is marked with a wreath at dawn by a group of Marines annually on November 10th to celebrate his role in the founding of the Corps.

Send a holiday present or wish to a US Marine via the USO.

To honor our Marine's, join Marin County's official Veterans Day program  on Wednesday, November 11, 2009  at 9:30 a.m. The celebration will take place at the Marin Center's Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

Related Articles:

Happy Birthday Marine Corps - Meet John L. Hampton, the Bay's Oldest Marine

Sources: Wikipedia.com, USCCCMA.org

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