Marine Corps Birthday 2004

[CAR]

Happy Birthday Marines. 229 and going strong.

[MillRatUSMC]

TNAR,
Thanks for that tribute...it was great...
Yes, it's great that they chose to take a stand...

Semper Fidelis/Semper Fi
Ricardo

[thedrifter]

Happy 229th Birthday Marines!


http://www.happydaycards.com/birthdays/marine2.html


Love,

Ellie

[vision836]

Happy Birthday Marines and to all that serverd and serving now. Semper Fi & God Bless.

[GunnyL]

I just want to send out a Happy Birthday shout to all of the Devil Dogs here on Leatherneck.com.

Semper Fi

GunnyL

[airframesguru]

http://www.uspharmd.com/usmc/mchymn.htm

Happy birhtday Marines!

Semper Fi,

Mike

[snipowsky]

Happy 229th Birthday my Marine brothers and sisters! Wish you all well and Godspeed!

[lurchenstein]

HAPPY 229TH BIRTHDAY MARINES!

[DSchmitke]

Happy 229th Birthday to my Brothers & Sister Semper Fi !

[thedrifter]

Happy Birthday!


http://www.happydaycards.com/birthdays/marine3.html


Love,

Ellie

[Namvet67]

TNAR...thanks for passing that on..Semper Fi

[Timber]

Happy 229th to all SEMPER FI

[thedrifter]

Happy Birthday to Marine family
November 10,2004
STAFF REPORTS
JACKSONVILLE DAILY NEWS STAFF

As the United States Marine Corps celebrates another anniversary of its founding, it's interesting to look at where the service is now - as well as where it's been.

In his birthday message, Commandant M.W. Hagee celebrates the occasion with these thoughts: "The current battlefields of the global war on terror are linked to the storied campaigns of our past by an unbroken tradition of proud and loyal service. At New Providence, Chapultepec, Belleau Wood, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, the Chosin Reservoir, Con Thien, Kuwait and now in places like Fallujah, Marines have consistently demonstrated a dedication to duty, a commitment to war-fighting excellence, and a devotion to each other that has instilled a fierce determination to overcome seemingly impossible challenges. Our warrior ethos is and will continue to be the Corps' hallmark."

Pride in the Marine Corps' mission and its execution are nothing new. Although Hagee's message addresses the 229th Marine Corps Birthday, with the exception of the geography, his words could just as easily have been uttered by other, earlier commandants.

Take a look at what former commandant and namesake of Camp Lejeune, Gen. John Lejeune, had to say about the Corps in his message for the 146th birthday:

"During 90 of the 146 years of its existence, the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas [so] that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

"In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term 'Marine' has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue."

Pride in the fighting ethic, honor and duty - all themes that resonate with the many Marines who live and work in Onslow County and the surrounding area. But, in this time of war and international conflict, it's worth noting the differences in the two messages the commandants have sent to the troops.

In his 1921 communication, Lejeune continues to talk about esprit de corps, their duty and their history, while Hagee continues his message with these thoughts:

"The fortitude and sacrifices of Marines and their families have been vital in protecting our Nation from those who would do us harm."

Marines and their families. The spouses, parents, siblings and children of men and women who serve as Marines. The people who kept the households running, took care of the children, paid the bills, sent their love, worried and waited while their Marines - our Marines - did their jobs.

Perhaps nowhere is there more appreciation for the sacrifices made by the families of those who serve this country than right here in Eastern North Carolina.

With thousands of servicemen and women stationed locally, area residents get to see firsthand what others chose to ignore - that it's the support system that makes it work. Support from the government, from the American people and, most of all, support from the people who mean the most to them, the people they are fighting to protect, whose system of government they are avowed to preserve.

Birthday wishes to the U.S. Marines are in order, but it takes more than the Marines to blow out those candles. It takes the help of those who stand beside them, and it's rewarding to see them achieve official recognition.




Ellie

[Walter]

Happy birthday Marine Corps...Many more!

[Lawrence Coffer]

Once again we are celebrating the founding of our corps. I am writing to wish all my fellow Marines past and present a safe and happy 229th birthday.
SEMPER FI
Larry Coffer