| On November 10th, 1775, The United States | | | | the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they |
| Marine Corps was founded by the Continental | | | | will find the streets are guarded by United |
| Congress in Philadelphia, Pa. Appropriately, | | | | States Marines." Competently so. |
| 'Tun Tavern' was the place where history was | | | | |
| made. | | | | I pay silent tribute today and on every |
| | | | November 10th to all those who went before |
| Since that date Marines have been in | | | | me... and after... having given so much in |
| uninterrupted service to our country for 232 | | | | service to their Corps and country. Now |
| years and have distinguished themselves "in | | | | decades older, I clearly remember many with |
| every clime and place" in such far off lands | | | | whom I served as young men unselfish in their |
| and remote beaches "from the Halls of | | | | dedication and unwavering in their loyalty |
| Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli": in | | | | while never questioning their duty to defend |
| France at Belleau Wood; on the infamous Iwo | | | | our nation. Always with a determined 'Gung |
| Jima and throughout the Pacific islands; at | | | | Ho' attitude, Marines have stood ready to |
| Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir in Korea; at | | | | fight our country's battles "on the land, in |
| Khe Sanh and Hue City in Vietnam; and now | | | | the air, or at sea" wherever and whenever |
| throughout Iraq in such towns as Fallujah and | | | | called upon. |
| the Anbar Province. | | | | |
| | | | And so, on this special day, I will hoist a |
| Marines historically have heroically answered | | | | toast to those Marines, past and present, who |
| our country's call never faltering in their | | | | have risked their lives for their country and |
| dedication. "Semper Fidelis" ("Always | | | | I will especially never forget those who have |
| Faithful") is their motto and "Once a Marine, | | | | made the ultimate sacrifice; their memory |
| Always a Marine" their creed. | | | | bolsters my faith in our youth, our steadfast |
| | | | values and our blessed nation. |
| The Marines' Hymn proclaims "if the Army and | | | | |