The Marine Corps Birthday

Nobody wants a Marine around unless they are in danger. They think we are ONLY killers yet most of us are quiet, unobtrusive and most always respectful of others (unless you get our dander up).

We live by a code of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

We are the first to fight for your freedom and keep you protected from all harm both foreign and domestic.

And we ask nothing in return.

I always wanted to become a Marine.

I can remember as a boy my neighborhood friends and I would play war with toy, plastic soldiers and armored vehicles. Then, as we grew older, we built forts and staged "mock" battles using cap guns. However, we eventually graduated to bb guns and dirt clauds for granades. Those kinda stung when you got hit.

I grew up watching John Wayne in "Flying Leathernecks" and "Sands of Iwo Jima." I wanted to be like him, not John Wayne but the character he played in Sands of Iwo Jima, the Marine, Sergeant Stryker.

My father joined the Navy at 16 (he lied about his age) and found himself onboard ship in the South Pacific during WWII. When I told him I wanted to join the Corps he almost had heart failure.

He said: "Son Marines die. I don't want you to die."

I said: "But Dad, Uncle Lime was in the Corps and he lived. Uncle Kenneth was in the Corps too and he is alive."

My dad, just looked at me, shook his head and smiled. He and my mom signed for me so I could join at 17 and I am forever grateful because in retrospect, becoming a Marine and serving with my Marine brothers and sisters is my only worthwhile accomplishment. OORAH, Marine Corps!

For all of those that have son's or daughter's at bootcamp let me pass on what I found. Let me give you a little back ground first. When my son left home he had no motivation, he was lazy, slobby, no pride, no self worth. This is the boy that got off the bus March 18th at Parris Island.

The man that I met on Thursday for parents day is AWESOME.

There is no way I can describe to you all the difference.

He looks different, he walks different, he talks different, he has such a sense of bearing and pride all I could do was look at him in awe.

Oh yes, the training is hard, what he went through is unimaginable to any one that has not been there. They are definitely taught to be Warriors.

Let me tell you the surprise of what else they are taught.

My Marine son has better values, better morals, better manners than any one I know. It is so much more than Yes Sir, Yes Mam...so much more. He cares about how he looks, he cares about what he does, and its not a boastful, bad ass thing.

He is a true gentleman.

I saw patience, and a calmness in him that I have never seen. I could never express my gratitude enough to the Marine Corps for what they have given my son.

I know this, I have an 11 year old Devil pup still at home. When the time comes for his turn if I had to I would take him kicking and screaming all the way. Although I'm sure that will not happen. The hero worship I see in my younger sons eyes for his Marine brother tells me I will have two Marines in the family, and I will be one very proud mother.

There are certain guidelines that need to be observed when wanting to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is NOT open to the general public.

In order to attend you must be:
a. Active duty Marine
b. Marine Reservist
c. Retired or separated Marine
d. A guest of one of the above.

If you wish to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball and are a retired or separated Marine be advised that you should open comms with the respective Units Ball Coordinator to obtain authorization prior to purchasing your tickets online. Failure to do so may be construed as a donation on your behalf instead of a ticket purchase and the Units respective Ball Coordinator has the final authority on who is able to attend.  

For information on attire, tickets, etiquette and other FAQ's go here or here

For information on the regulations of use and wear of the Marine Corps uniform go here

Dakota Meyer (born c.1988) is a United States Marine Corps veteran who has been approved to receive the Medal of Honor. Sergeant Meyer, a Corporal at the time of his heroic action, will be the first living Marine to receive the award in 38 years.

Meyer could become the first living Marine recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. Only one Marine, Cpl. Jason Dunham, has received the award for actions in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he was honored posthumously after throwing himself on a grenade in Karabilah, Iraq, in 2004 to save the lives of fellow Marines.

Meyer was recommended for his actions on Sept. 8, 2009, near the village of Ganjgal in Kunar province. He charged into a kill zone on foot and alone to find three missing Marines and a Navy corpsman who had been pinned down under enemy fire for hours by about 150 well-armed insurgents. Already wounded by shrapnel before braving enemy fire, he found them dead and stripped of their gear and weapons, and carried them out of the kill zone with the help of Afghan soldiers, according to military documents obtained by Marine Corps Times.

Dakota Meyer - Reported in "Battle Rattle" July 26, 2011

He is the third living recipient, and the second Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The first Marine awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan was Corporal Jason Dunham but Dunham's award was given posthumously.

Jason Lee Dunham (November 10, 1981 - April 22, 2004) was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps who earned the Medal of Honor while serving with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines during the Iraq War.

While on a patrol in Husaybah, his unit was attacked and he deliberately covered an enemy grenade to save nearby Marines. When it exploded Dunham was seriously injured and died eight days later.

Cpl. Jason Dunham is the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in the War on Terror, and the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. His Medal of Honor citattion reads as follows:

Citation

"The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to:

CORPORAL JASON L. DUNHAM
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Rifle Squad Leader, 4th Platoon, Company K, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines (Reinforced), Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division (Reinforced), on 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah. As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham. Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Corporal Dunham gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service".[12][13]

General James T. Conway, 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps, invites you to celebrate the Marine Corps' 234th Birthday at the Commandant's Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.

The Commandant's Marine Corps Birthday Ball is the official ball of the Marine Corps, and is open to all hands. The celebration is a national-level event, attended by active duty and retired Marines and their families, as well as influential national, community, and civic leaders. This year's ball will continue the proud tradition of celebrating the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

If you are looking for information about a birthday ball in your area, please contact your local unit.

Sgt. Daniel Gurr, a 21-year-old Recon Marine died Friday in Malozai, in the Sangin district of the deadly Helmand Province of Afghanistan, shot in the head by small-arms fire while he was on patrol. You can read two different stories written about this Marine here:

Utah News - The Salt lake Tribune

Desert News

It is because of men and women like Sergeant Gurr, who pay the ultimate price, that we keep the liberties we enjoy.

I was 17 and my folks had to sign a release so I could enlist. I arrived at MCRD, San Diego for boot camp in June of 1972, right after high school graduation.

During my 12+ weeks of boot camp I served as squad leader, qualified Expert with the M14 rifle and I graduated with a meritorious promotion to Pfc (E-2) and since my GCT scores were fairly high I was offered the Platoon Leaders Course which was, at that time, an alternative course for Officer Candidates who had not graduated from college. The Corps would send me to college and during my first or second year I'd attend OCS. And ...

Although the offer looked amazing on the surface it actually posed some drawbacks to a young 17 year old Marine, just out of boot camp, who wasn't sure at that point as to whether he wanted to become a "lifer" or not. So being young I passed on that tremendous opportunity electing to simply be the best enlisted Marine I could be. Anyway ...

I remember the day we were introduced to CS gas, hehehe. I can laugh now ... wasn't to fun at the time. My platoon was marched into a big barn-like quonset structure. We also lived in smaller quonset huts for our first 2 phases of boot camp. Didn't have hotel-like squad bays until 3rd phase. Anyway ... We were told to put on our gas masks. Our SDI gave us a short briefing and then the fun began. Gas was introduced. When it was so thick you could barely see we were given the order to drop our masks and begin singing the Marine Corps Hymn. It seemed like it took forever to sing it. :-)

Marines live and die by a code of honor, courage and commitment. Not everyone is Marine Corps material. Many try but few make the cut. IF you are thinking of becoming a Marine you'll need to qualify and Marine Corps Recruit Training may very likely be the most grueling 12 weeks of your entire life. If you make it you'll have the right to be called a Marine for the rest of your life. And their is no finer distinguishment on earth than to have earned the right to be called a U.S. Marine.

The Marine stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The Marine squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I've never expected, or had much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell