Marine Corps Birthday...

In honor of our beloved Marine Corps Birthday....

"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!"

-Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945

The United States Marine Corps is more than just boot camp, social events, training, deployments, hierarchy, and even Birthday Balls.  There are very deep roots and reasoning attached to all of these functions and traditions.  So ladies hold your head high when these men invite you to these function because they are truly a part of the few and the proud and you are lucky to be an extension of them. 

The United States Marine Corps traces its roots to the Continental Marines of the American Revolutionary War, formed by Captain Samuel Nicholas at Tun Tavern (which to me explains why a lot of the ceremonies and traditions are centered around alcohol) in Philadelphia on 10 November 1775, to raise 2 battalions of Marines. That date is regarded and celebrated as the date of the Marine Corps' "birthday". At the end of the American Revolution, both the Continental Navy and Continental Marines were disbanded in April 1783. The institution itself would not be resurrected until 1798. In that year, in preparation for the Quasi-War with France, Congress created the United States Marine Corps. Marines had been enlisted by the War Department as early as August 1797 for service in the new-build frigates authorized by Congress. The "Act to provide a Naval Armament" of March 18, 1794 authorizing them had specified the numbers of Marines to be recruited for each frigate.

Since then there has been countless missions and wars from the Civil War to Operation Enduring Freedom (or OEF) that the Marines have had a huge participation in. At the inception of the Marine Corps the need was basically infantrymen and has grown to now include pilots, security forces, administration personnel, and so many more jobs including our never failing, brave and hardworking infantry (aka grunts).

Everyone from presidents to high ranking officers and even celebrities have commented on how important, committed and passionate Marines are to the mission of keeping the United States of America safe. These men’s dedication and persistence is what makes us stand perfectly still and hold our hands over our hearts while the National Anthem is being played. These men have pride and honor for their jobs more than any civilian will ever know. When they celebrate their Marine Corps Birthday these men are not just using this day as an excuse to party hard, have a day off or to slack off. Not every Marine gets to have dinner in a classy location surrounded by flowers and alcohol. They are celebrating and honoring their current brothers and past Marines the ones who could attend and the ones who could not. Some who have come and gone and the Marines who have died in combat for Americans freedoms and safety not hesitating to give this ultimate sacrifice if it means we’ll be able to sleep peacefully one more night. As wives we have an overwhelming sense of pride for OUR Marines, their service and commitment to duty and I know their pride is over 10 times more than what any of us could ever imagine. We are all in this together and no we didn’t say the oath but being married to your Marine you are also part of this amazing Corps! So I hope everyone has an amazing Marine Corps Birthday! Have some cake, kiss your Marine, and enjoy this day!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES!!!