The Marine Corps Birthday and Birthday Ball

HAPPY MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY SHARE OF THE DAY

The Marine Corps' birthday is a day of pride and respect, and its celebration is one of the most revered traditions in the Corps. Each year, on November 10th, Marines around the world celebrate what they see as their "second" birthday, the day the United States Marine Corps was born.

The tradition runs deep. For years, Marines have been telling each other "Happy Birthday" on November 10th and attending Marine Corps Birthday Balls in cities across the globe. Each year, the Commandant of the Corps reads his "Birthday Message" to all Marines, and they "...reflect upon the legacy of [the] Corps and upon the awesome responsibilities lying ahead." (Warrior Culture of the U.S. Marines by Marion F. Sturkey).

History

Since the time of the Phoenicians and Greeks, roughly three millenia, fighting men on ships have served as boarding parties (in attacks on other ships) as well as infantry (while securing land bases and harbors). In 1664, the Royal Marines were formed as the Maritime Regiment of Foot (or Admiral's Regiment).

Approximately one century later, in the developing American Colonies, a committee of the Continental Congress met at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to draft a resolution calling for two battalions of Marines able to fight for independence at sea and on shore. The resolution was approved on November 10, 1775, officially forming the Continental Marines. The resolution stated that:

On 11 July 1778 the new U.S. Congress passed "An Act for Establishing and Organizing a Marine Corps"

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk SGT (Join to see) SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth ] Sgt (Join to see) SPC Michael Terrell A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney GySgt Jack Wallace CPL LaForest Gray SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM PV2 Larry Sellnow SPC Gary C. SPC (Join to see) SGT Steve McFarland SGT Jim Arnold Amn Dale Preisach SGT Ruben Lozada Lt Col Charlie Brown