What does the title Marine mean to you?

[MillRatUSMC]

Years have past since we wore the uniform, but we never can take off the title.
We take pride in the title and conduct ourselves with the thought, our actions are representive of what a Marine is noted for.
Our historic past is noted for the valor of many and that legacy has been passed to many.
Some now are underfire, adding another page to our long historic past.
We might not always agree, the world would be a very dull place if we were all the same.
Those little things that makes what we're now, were instill in us by a Drill Instructor on a distant drill field of our youth.
We can look back of how young and unsecure we were than.
All these are what makes Marines, a title that has to be earned.
All of the above is what the title Marine means to me...my wife says "You never left the Marine Corps"...she correct because it's part of me...
She also says "All you think about is death"...she correct there too, how can we forget the deaths of friends or fellow Marines of other units on distant battlefields...it's what I am, and I hope I never change...

Semper Fidelis/Semper Fi
Ricardo

[Phantom Blooper]

She also says "All you think about is death"...she correct there too, how can we forget the deaths of friends or fellow Marines of other units on distant battlefields...it's what I am, and I hope I never change...


Today is a wonderful day for celebration and festivities for all who have worn the uniform,and have earned the title of U.S. Marine, and all who support the uniform and our cause. It is also a bittersweet day as I pause and reflect on our fallen heroes of the battlefields of time and of the many devildog freinds of this cyberspace. To my brothers of the past and my brothers and extended family of the future I say "Happy 229th Birthday!" Semper-Fi! and Never let the memories of the Marines and our traditions falter!" Semper-Fi! Chuck Hall:marine:

[yellowwing]

I feel terrific today about being part of the 229 years of tradition of perfecton and being second to none.

Many of us will partake of Time Honored Cermonies and Birthday Cake. Charging our glasses and raising toasts to all who haved served over these two centuries, Chesty Puller, Dan Daily, John Basilone, Ira Hayes, and many more...

Then I think of our Brother Marines now moving through Fallujah, No doubt they haven't even slept since Monday 0400. Today I would pray and Honor those Warriors that carry on our Tradition.

Right now their 10 November is a cold MRE and a warm canteen of processed water. Just as two generations ago, there was a 10 November in Khe Sahn and Phu Bai.

I raise a glass and prayer to them and give them thanks and a word of protection!

Semper Fidelis! :marine:

[cjwright90]

I raise a glass to all past, present and future Marines. I pray for you all here on this board, and all those in Fallujah and else in the Middle East. I pray you all have a safe day and am proud to be one of you. Semper Fidelis, to each and all of you.
In God's name, Amen
CJ

[OLE SARG]

GOD BLESS ALL MARINES EVERYWHERE!!!!!

MAY GOD HOLD EACH AND EVERY MARINE IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!!!!!!

SEMPER FI
OLE SARG

[CAR]

To all my fellow Marines I say thank you. Many generations have stepped on those yellow footprints before me and many have paved the way. I Honor you all for the sacrifices you have made in combat and in time of peace. I am proud to share the title with such americans.

HAPPY 229th BIRTHDAY !!!!!

[Namvet67]

The title Marine means that you have taken the test and passed. It means you will no longer think the way you did before stepping on the yellow foot prints. It means that you believe in yourself and your brothers. It means that you think of yourself as the best and you are no longer afraid. As Millrat says, you do think of death and that will never change. Even if you tried, you could not become a civilian again...maybe on the outside but not on the inside...Once a Marine always a Marine will only be understood by those who earned that title. Semper Fi

[Carl V. Strout]

Hey G. Budd Sorry if you don't count me.
you said you were my friend. ill not invade your trust
Thanks Buckeye

[Carl V. Strout]

My blessings to all of you thanks for being there since the halls Of Montazuma to the shores of Tripoli And every island in the Pacific you shed your blood for love of Old Glory & freedom of the opressed
I recieved a photo from Marine friend yesterday on this site of Flag rasing on Iwo Jima where my Marine brother was at same time same outfit. Needless to say i treasure it its signed by person that allso part of it. Sorry to say was not aware that hospital Corpsman was part of it. That was what i was on Okinawa with 2nd Marine airwing VMF311 April 1945 on Yontan airstrip as a 20 yr. old. I never claim any credit as i think the men who were covered with the soil were the ones who paid the price for our freedom allso Guadacanel Iwo Mindanaro& Iwo & Okinawa to nanme a few are my heros. Peace brothers Buckeye HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[hector verduzco]

Once a MARINE always a MARINE No matter what we do to this day, we'll always think MARINE. The title MARINE was earnd by each and everyone of us. It was not given nor bought. We didn't get medals or ribbons like other services. Instead we gave blood, sweat, and tears. The pain of weakness was leaving our bodys as we changed from devil pup, to Devil Dog to the title that we all have in common, the title of becomming a MARINE.
Everywear you go, people want to know who you are, so we tell them, we are MARINES and proud to be a MARINE.

[artymarine]

At the age of 17 I had a young Col. at Parris Island call me a Marine for the first time. I will never forget that feeling. I gave our Corps 27 yrs and have been retired for 10, but somewhere inside I am still that young 17 yr old Marine

[larry0351]

I knew I had made my goal when my drill instructer shook my hand and called me Marine. I had three months of yelling and more bends and thrust than I would like to recall. But to this day I will allways be gratefull to three Marines, ssgt. Pruit,ssgt. malina, and sgt Fletcher. They were my Di`s. Thanks to these three men I will allways be called Marine.

[HardJedi]

I'm running a bit late joining this one, but here goes.

To me, it mean this. If nothing else in my life I EARNED something that can never be taken away. It was not given to me.
It also means that at any given time, somewhere out there, a person that I might not ever know, that I might dislike on a personal level, is my brother, and he is putting his life on hold and on the line, so that my children will have a chance to sleep safely tonight.

It means to me that despite my fear of it, I had the courage to try and do something that I was SURE I would fail at, and succeed. It means that of the hundreds of milions of people who were ever US citizens, I did something that only a relativley few can claim.

It means, come hell, even now, I know that there are p[eople I could call, and they would come running.

[hrscowboy]

I got your back brother jedi

[snipowsky]

HONOR COURAGE AND COMMITMENT! GOD COUNTRY CORPS! It's my way of life until the day I die! Civilians wouldn't have any idea what it's like to be a US Marine. I live my life by these creeds. I still live my life like I am still in the Corps. I don't use or abuse drugs. I barely drink alcohol. I respect my elders. I always do my good deed for the day if it's presented to me. I treat others how I'd like to be treated. Best friend or worst enemy is what I am. I remember my 14 leadership principles and apply them to my daily life. I remember what good values my NCO's and Staff NCO's taught me and I also apply them to my daily life.

I'd do anything for my brother Marine or sister Marine. That's why I love this site so much. I get a taste of the Marine Corps everytime I log on here. The comraderie is great here and the Marines who frequent this site are even better. I'm just blessed to have such good friends and family here.

So to me Marine is just not a title... It's a way of life!

Semper Fi Marines!

[Namvet67]

Hey Buckeye...you do count...You were a corpsman and you are part of us..I am sure you think more like a Marine than some of your brothers. Semper Fi