R 051329Z OCT 09 UNCLASSIFIED// ALMAR 033/09 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC DMCS// SUBJ/UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY MESSAGE - 10 NOVEMBER 2009// GENTEXT/REMARKS/
1. UNITED STATES MARINES REPRESENT THE BEST YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OUR NATION HAS TO OFFER. TO BE A MARINE IS TO BE A MEMBER OF AMERICA'S WARRIOR CLASS - TO BE ONE OF THE FEW WHO STEPS FORWARD WITH THE COURAGE AND CONVICTION TO FACE WHATEVER DANGERS AWAIT. OUR NATION EXPECTS HER MARINES TO BE READY WHEN THE NATION CALLS; TO LEAVE FAMILY AND THE COMFORTS OF HOME BEHIND; TO MARCH INTO BATTLE AND THRIVE UNDER AUSTERITY; AND TO COME HOME UNDER A VICTORY PENNANT.
2. FROM AL ANBAR IN THE WEST OF IRAQ, TO HELMAND PROVINCE IN THE SOUTH OF AFGHANISTAN, OUR CORPS OF MARINES CAN ALWAYS EXPECT TO BE FOUND WHERE THE FIGHT IS TOUGHEST. SUCH IS OUR HISTORY. TODAY, AS WE WRITE THE FINAL CHAPTER ON OUR VICTORY IN IRAQ, WE WILL INCREASINGLY TAKE THE FIGHT TO THE ENEMY IN AFGHANISTAN AND ADD NEW PAGES TO OUR LEGACY IN PLACES CALLED DELARAM, NOW ZAD, AND GARMSIR. ONE DAY, WE WILL RETURN TO OUR NAVAL HERITAGE AND PATROL THE HIGH SEAS WITH OUR NAVY BROTHERS. SUCH IS OUR FUTURE.
3. AS WE CELEBRATE OUR CORPS' 234TH BIRTHDAY, WE FIRST PAUSE TO REFLECT AND PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE MARINES WHO HAVE GIVEN THE LAST FULL MEASURE IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM. WE EXTEND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO OUR MARINE CORPS FAMILIES - THE UNSUNG HEROES WHO ENDURE HARDSHIP AND SACRIFICE SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GO FORWARD AND ACCOMPLISH ANY MISSION. WE EXTEND OUR APPRECIATION TO OUR COUNTRYMEN WHO HAVE ANSWERED OUR EVERY NEED. AND WE CELEBRATE THE MAGNIFICENT MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILLINGLY AND SELFLESSLY CONTINUE TO GO INTO HARM'S WAY TO PROTECT THIS GREAT NATION.
4. TO ALL WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE, TO THOSE WHO WEAR THE UNIFORM TODAY, AND TO THE FAMILIES THAT GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO FORGE AHEAD - I WISH YOU ALL A HEARTFELT HAPPY 234TH BIRTHDAY!
5. SEMPER FIDELIS! JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS//
Why not? Everyone can meet with everyone in their region.
Why don't we here in Southern California get together and do something? I'm open to wherever anyone wants to meet and it would be great to meet face to face with you all.
Ha ha ha ha ha ... our old alma matta the Play Pen where life began as a brand new shiny Marine. Hadn't even earned Devil Dawg yet! God where we ever that young?
How about Oceanside? Any place in particular?
How about putting out a thread inviting the rest of the Family? Should be a great time where we all finally meet face to face. I'm with you.
Won't be in the SoCal area the 10th,but I sure will hoist a few at the local Legion hall here in sunny Florida.And Deano,I'm surprised you can remember all the way back to boot camp.Back at the turn of the century,wasn't it??
I wish I could attend some celebration. But alas, here in the Midwest we are far and few.
I used to attend a get together in Washington, D. C. but the economy put a drag on that.
By the way, the Commandant will be delivering the address at this years wreath laying ceremony at the Marine War Memorial in Arlington on Tuesday this year.
The Presidents Own will perform with the Commandants Own Drum and Bugle Corps, the Silent Drill Platoon and the Marine Barracks company will also perform.
Come on, Buzz, you ain't going to live forever, break out some of those bucks squirreled away in your mattress before the moths eat them.
I plan on being there; staying at the Best Western Iwo Jima this year. Road tripping out of Boston, with a stop in Gettysburg. A trip down the road to Quantico to visit the Marine Corps museum after the Wreath Laying Ceremony is on the agenda.
See you Marines there! I'll be wearing a jacket with Marine Corps and 2ndMarDiv patches on it. Oh, wait...
I'm in and the weekend is a great idea so friday or saturday is good to go here. Oceanside sounds like a winner as well so if anyone wants to pick a place then we can all meet there. Just say the time.
Also a friendly reminder for anyone who hasn't been there for a little bit: OPD is really strict now and has no sense of humor with drinking and driving so anyone indulging should definitely have an alternate transportation plan.
Does Saturday, 7 November around 1700 at Lone Star BBQ sound good?
How about we also celebrate our USMC birthday get together by combining EGA and Mil.com? I'll even bring several buddies (non-members) from Camp Pendleton.
My compliments Hollywood. Celebrating MCB with Marines from all generations is a really good touch and a way to show our current Warriors how we're with them. Good to go Brother.
I should be there early for chow but will cut out after that as I'm not drinking. Just a personal choice I'm not putting on anyone but myself. I can be designated driver for anyone who needs one while I'm there if you all like.
Deano... I guess you and I will be the only Marines from this site meeting this Saturday. I'll bring a few buddies, and hopefully my two cousins (a Gunny and the other a Pfc).
