thedrifter
11-11-06, 11:10 PM
11/12/2006
Editorial: Remember sacrifices of U.S. Marines
Saturday, America honored the millions of servicemen and women who have worn the uniform and continue to serve our country with pride and distinction. In this time of war, every branch of service deserves kudos for the selfless efforts each provides every day to keep all of us free.
While it’s hard to single out one branch, the Marine Corps, which on Friday celebrated the 231st birthday of its illustrious existence, deserves top billing.
While veterans and current members of the other branches of the military might disagree, there’s little doubt the Marine Corps is America’s finest fighting force.
Originally organized as the Continental Marines in 1775 as naval infantry, the Marine Corps has been able to adapt no matter the military doctrine or America’s foreign policy. The Marine Corps has served in every American armed conflict going back to the Revolutionary War. It attained its status in the 20th century when its practice of amphibious warfare proved prescient, and ultimately formed a cornerstone of the Pacific campaign of World War II.
Despite being the smallest of America’s armed forces, with 180,000 active duty and 40,000 reserve Marines as of 2005 (the Coast Guard, about one-fifth the size of the Marine Corps, is under the Department of Homeland Security), the Marine Corps has always been the first to fight.
Since the start of the war in Iraq in March 2003, more than 600 Marines have been killed and thousands have been wounded, which is an enormous number considering the size of the Corps.
Only two American service members have been awarded the Medal of Honor -- the highest award for bravery that can be given -- in the Iraq war. One was Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, the other will be Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham, who President Bush announced Friday will receive the award posthumously.
Dunham’s story is so typical of a Marine.
In April 2004, Dunham was leading a patrol in an Iraqi town near the Syrian border when the patrol stopped a convoy of cars leaving the scene of an attack on a Marine convoy, according to military and media accounts of the action.
An occupant of one of the cars attacked Dunham and the two fought hand to hand. As they fought, Dunham yelled to fellow Marines, "No, no watch his hand." The attacker then dropped a grenade and Dunham hurled himself on top of it, using his helmet to try to blunt the force of the blast.
Dunham was critically wounded in the explosion and died eight days later at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.
He would have turned 25 Friday.
So as you sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee today, remember the sacrifices U.S. service members have made to protect our freedom.
Especially the sacrifices of Marines from Samuel Nicholas, the first commandant of the Marine Corps to John LeJeune to Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller to Archibald Henderson to Dan Daly to Smedley D. Butler and the Marines who are serving so proudly in Iraq in a senseless war. They are America’s true heroes.
So happy 231st birthday to the Marine Corps, and many, many more.
Ellie
Editorial: Remember sacrifices of U.S. Marines
Saturday, America honored the millions of servicemen and women who have worn the uniform and continue to serve our country with pride and distinction. In this time of war, every branch of service deserves kudos for the selfless efforts each provides every day to keep all of us free.
While it’s hard to single out one branch, the Marine Corps, which on Friday celebrated the 231st birthday of its illustrious existence, deserves top billing.
While veterans and current members of the other branches of the military might disagree, there’s little doubt the Marine Corps is America’s finest fighting force.
Originally organized as the Continental Marines in 1775 as naval infantry, the Marine Corps has been able to adapt no matter the military doctrine or America’s foreign policy. The Marine Corps has served in every American armed conflict going back to the Revolutionary War. It attained its status in the 20th century when its practice of amphibious warfare proved prescient, and ultimately formed a cornerstone of the Pacific campaign of World War II.
Despite being the smallest of America’s armed forces, with 180,000 active duty and 40,000 reserve Marines as of 2005 (the Coast Guard, about one-fifth the size of the Marine Corps, is under the Department of Homeland Security), the Marine Corps has always been the first to fight.
Since the start of the war in Iraq in March 2003, more than 600 Marines have been killed and thousands have been wounded, which is an enormous number considering the size of the Corps.
Only two American service members have been awarded the Medal of Honor -- the highest award for bravery that can be given -- in the Iraq war. One was Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith, the other will be Marine Cpl. Jason Dunham, who President Bush announced Friday will receive the award posthumously.
Dunham’s story is so typical of a Marine.
In April 2004, Dunham was leading a patrol in an Iraqi town near the Syrian border when the patrol stopped a convoy of cars leaving the scene of an attack on a Marine convoy, according to military and media accounts of the action.
An occupant of one of the cars attacked Dunham and the two fought hand to hand. As they fought, Dunham yelled to fellow Marines, "No, no watch his hand." The attacker then dropped a grenade and Dunham hurled himself on top of it, using his helmet to try to blunt the force of the blast.
Dunham was critically wounded in the explosion and died eight days later at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland.
He would have turned 25 Friday.
So as you sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee today, remember the sacrifices U.S. service members have made to protect our freedom.
Especially the sacrifices of Marines from Samuel Nicholas, the first commandant of the Marine Corps to John LeJeune to Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller to Archibald Henderson to Dan Daly to Smedley D. Butler and the Marines who are serving so proudly in Iraq in a senseless war. They are America’s true heroes.
So happy 231st birthday to the Marine Corps, and many, many more.
Ellie