Happy 233rd Birthday, Marine Corps

I just returned from celebrating the 233rd birthday of the United States Marine Corps with the Marines and friends of Marine Corps League 708 here in Hernando County. The pageantry cannot match many of the prior events that I have attended over more than five decades, but the spirit was as great.
Many of my readers are former Marines and fully understand the significance of this day to all Marines. Elite organizations such as the Marines pay close attention to traditions and stories about their past. Recruits at Parris Island and San Diego and officer candidates at Quantico are imbued with the meaning of this history. Individual and unit exploits are related in great detail.
This past week saw the passing of two heroes from the Corps; Gen. Robert Barrow, the 27th Commandant, and Col. John Ripley, a legend in his own right. Gen. Barrow served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and as such was awarded the Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star for his heroic actions during those three conflicts. Col. Ripley personally stopped a North Vietnamese tank assault by blowing up a bridge across the Quang Tri River during the Easter offensive in 1972. He also was awarded the Silver Star for actions during his first tour in Vietnam.
Men like these are the examples that are presented to our new potential Marines.
I recall attending graduate school at the University of Virginia in 1973. There were about 20 to 25 Marines at different stages of their studies at the school, and we held a Birthday Ball at one of the hotels in Charlottesville and invited many of the professors. We did all of the various stages for the celebration and the professors were amazed. Towards the end of the evening, I stepped out of the area and met some people who asked what was happening? I told them that we were celebrating the 198th birthday of the Marine Corps. One of these people mentioned that the country was only 197 years old. I said that it makes you wonder doesn't it?
This event is the most cherished of any for Marines. No matter where we are, as long as a couple of us are together, we will do something to celebrate. In combat, it may only be sharing a dessert from our combat rations. In Washington, D.C., it will include all the top brass, the Drum and Bugle Corps and the Marine Band. A few thousand will be in attendance at that particular event and the preparations are extensive.
Today, one could see veterans from all of our wars since World War II at the celebration. We posted the colors, played the Marines' Hymn, listened to a guest of honor, read the orders of Gen. John Lejeune, who started this tradition on Nov. 10, 1921, read the birthday message from the current commandant, and had the cake cutting ceremony when the oldest and youngest Marines present receive the initial slices along with the guest of honor.
To all Marines, I say happy birthday, and to all those who support us, I say thank you.