Happy 229th Birthday USMC

[Dave Anderson NH]

While tomorrow is Veteran's Day, those of us who were Marines feel strong kinship on this day. We celebrate those who went before us, those on active duty, and those who are now retired. Hopefully most of our brothers and sisters serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will have enough of a break today to celebrate.

[Ted Shrader]

Semper Fi !!

[Michael Stafford]

Absolutely agree! Thanks to all of our servicemen and women for all they do and have done to ensure our freedom and safety! God bless America and God bless our troops!!!

[Glenn Clabo]

From a Navy vet...I salute all Marines...both past and present.

[Jim Becker]

229 years? Seems like only yesterday...

Seriously, thanks to all the men and women in our armed services, including the Marines.

[Halsey MCCombs]

Fm Secnav Washington Dc
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Unclas //n02300//
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Msgid/genadmin/secnav Washington Dc/-/nov//
Subj/honoring Veterans Day//
Rmks/1. America Is Not Just A Place; Rather, It Is An Ideal, A
Profound Ideal That All People Should Live In Freedom And Liberty.
These Are Not Innate Rights. Freedom And Liberty Have To Be Earned,
Protected And Defended By Every Generation. As President Reagan
Said, "freedom Is Never More Than One Generation Away From
Extinction."
2. For 229 Years, Americans Of All Races, Colors, Creeds And Social
Positions Have Stepped Forward In Time Of Need To Protect This
Ideal. Veterans Day Is The Time For Our Nation To Reflect On The
Sacrifices Of These Generations Of Veterans And A Time To Say Thanks
For Their Service.
3. Today, We Find Ourselves Once Again Protecting The American
Ideal Of Freedom And Liberty For All People. The Magnificent Men
And Women Who Wear The Cloth Of Our Nation, Tomorrow's Veterans,
Have Taken Up The Mantle Of Responsibility To Keep America Safe For
Us And For Future Generations.
4. We Are In An Age Of Great Promise, But Also An Age Of Great
Danger - An Age When Liberty Can Be Expanded But Also A Time Of
Deadly Global Terror. It Is A Historic Moment For Our Nation, A
Moment That Will Demand Much Of Our Citizens And Especially Of Our
Military.
5. With Great Clarity Of Vision And Unwavering Resolve, President
Bush Has Expressed Our Responsibility This Way, "the Advance Of
Freedom Is The Calling Of Our Time, And The Calling Of Our Country.
We Believe That Liberty Is The Design Of Nature. We Believe That
Liberty Is The Direction Of History And We Believe That The Freedom
We Prize Is Not For Us Alone, It Is The Right And Capacity Of All
Mankind." As President Bush Later Said, "we Will Finish The Work
Of Democracy That We Have Begun."
6. To All Of Our Veterans Who Have Given Us This Great Gift Of
Freedom And Liberty And To All Of The Men And Women Who Today Wear
The Cloth Of Our Nation And Are Defending These Freedoms And
Liberties, Thank You For Your Dedication, Devotion, Sacrifice And
Commitment To Our Nation's Ideal.
7. God Bless All Of Our Veterans, Those Serving Today And Their
Families.
8. Release Authorized By The Secretary Of The Navy

[Keith Outten]

A tribute that is deserving every day of the year.


'Twas The Night Before Christmas
Written by a Marine on Okinawa

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
in a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a Marine, once I could see clearly.

The Marine lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room so unclean,
not how I pictured a United States Marine.

Was this the hero of whom I'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these Marines, willing to fight.

Soon 'round the world, the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
because of the Marines, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay lone,
on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Marine awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
my life is my God, my country, my Corps."

The Marine rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
and we both shivered in the night's cold chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
Then the Marine rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa, it's Christmas Day, all is secure."

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night."