Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Marines 234th Birthday

So yesterday we had a birthday celebration for the Marine Corps. They were officially born on November 10th, 1775 at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia where 2 battalions of Marines were raised under the Capt Samuel Nicholas. Their mission was defined in the National Security Act of 147 (amended 1952). Today the Marine Corps is 234 years old. We celebrated yesterday, the 11th, to correspond with it being the 10th in the U.S.

Other important dates one should remember are that the Marines came under the Department of the Navy in 1834. Marines will retort that they are part of the ‘men’s department’. I will often remind them that the men’s department is often found in the basement.

In the Battle of Belleau Woods in France during WWII the Germans were so impressed with the tenacity of fighting from the Marines that they called them Teufelhunden which translates to ‘Devil Dogs’. Marines use to hear this name with pride and call each other ‘devil’. Now in our politically correct society Marines are encouraged to refrain from using this nickname in case some may find it derogatory. I don’t know about you, but I like our Marines to have an edge.
So, they have a very formal cake cutting ceremony followed by a BBQ. Some of us had cigars, some participated in pull up contest and yet others participated in football. It was a very important occasion with the Marines with everyone going around wishing each other ‘happy birthday’.

Semper Fidelis!

Happy Veteran's Day!






BBQ setup.















Having a cigar with some Marines.













Participating in the pull-up competition.











Taking a break from festivities.














Marines playing football on dirt lot.

5 comments:

  1. Nice biceps! I hope you enjoyed your cigar after the pull-up competition!

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  2. Hey Uncle Mark,
    While Mason was looking @ the pix from your blog, he asked, "Why is there no water where Uncle Mark is?" I thought you'd be the best person to answer that question because: 1) I'm busy. 2) You have lots of time on your hands. 3) That's what Uncles do. On that note, Miles asked me recently, "Where does air come from?" We look forward to your answers to BOTH questions. Yay for Uncle Mark!

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  3. Hey Mr. Mark,
    Happy Marine Birthday!!! We are so proud of you :-) Thank you for serving our country...Diesel misses smelling all your nooks and cranies. He can't wait to attack you!!!!

    Love,
    Familia Tucker

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  5. Liz, the cigar was smoked before the officers suddenly decided we needed to participate in the pull up competition. We were the oldest team and took 2nd place. I was the sole Navy rep

    Mason, though I am in the Navy (mainly so I could live by water), we support the Marines who like to play in the dirt. We have plenty of dirt here and actually have water, but it is all underground. The lack of lakes, rivers and no ocean front is why Afghanistan is one of the most desolate areas you could ever visit.

    Miles, the air around you is generated from your mother's lungs. In other words, it is empty space with no real substance to it :)

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