The United States Marine Corps history is filled with many traditions and the Marine Corps Birthday is no exception. Today Monday November 10, 2008, Marines around the world will be celebrating the 233rd birthday by having cake, having a letter from General Legeune read, and attending their Battalion or Company Marine Corp Ball. Obviously, those stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan won’t be having a Ball.

The first tradition is the cake. I think all birthdays should have a cake or its just a birthday party. Its just a regular party which can be quiet lame at times. One grand tradition with the cake is that the oldest Marine and the youngest Marine in the command present each other a piece of the cake.

The second retired tradition is a message that General John A. LeJeune sent to all Marines on Nov 1st 1921. It reads:

MARINE CORPS ORDERS
No. 47 (Series 1921)
HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS
Washington, November 1, 1921

759. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt.

(1) On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental
Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name “Marine”. In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

(2) The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous
military organizations in the world’s history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the
Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation’s foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the
Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home,
generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every
corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

(3) In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves
with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

(4) This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received
from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of the Corps.

JOHN A. LEJEUNE,
Major General Commandant
75705–21

The third an funnest of all of the Marines Corps Birthday traditions is the Marine Corps Ball.

The first official “Birthday Ball” was probably held in 1925 in Philadelphia. No official records of the event were held prior to that date. Guests at the ball in 1925 included the Secretary of the Navy, General Lejeune, well-known national leaders, and representatives from all the military services.

All of the Marines get to dress up in their Dress Blues Alphas (the Dress Blue alpha uniform requires you to were the actual medals that you have earned. The Dress Blue Bravo uniform you only wear the ribbons of the medals.) Each Battalion or Company (those are links to the Battalion and Company that I served with from 1990-1994) holds its own Ball. Getting groups of Marines any bigger than that and feeding them and giving them free booze is just a bad idea.

So though out this month when you’re out and about on a Friday or Saturday night you might see a hard charging Leatherneck wearing his Dress Blues go up to him, or her, and wish them a Happy Birthday and hand shake or a hug. If you know a Marine, of any age, give them a call and wish them a Happy Birthday. They would appreciate it.

And to all of my Fellow Marines no matter where you are in the world remember that every country in the world has an Army filled with Soldiers. Not every country has a Marine Corps, and that is why you are special. It is also why Americans hold you to a higher standard.

SeeqPod – Playable Search