perfidy

Today is the 230th anniversary of the birth of the United States Marine Corps. On November 10th, 1775, the Second Continental Congress authorized the raising of two battalions of Continental Marines. In the last 230 years, Marines have traveled throughout the world and proved time and again that in the Marines, you can have no better friend, and no worse enemy.

So, find a Marine. Don't give 'em a hug. Just shake his* hand and say. "Thank you!"

Read the Commandant of the Marines' birthday message here and General Lejeune's message from 1921 here. An excerpt:

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.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish, Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.

You can also witness R. Lee Ermey's birthday multimedia extravaganza, read more about the heritage of the Marines, and visit the internet home of the Marine Corps.

* or her

[wik] Great article by Mac Owens over at NRO, thanks to the Llamabutchers.

[alsø wik] Semper Fidelis!