From The Borg Conspiracy

Today is the 235th anniversary of the birth of the most formidable fighting force to ever be assembled on this planet. The United States Marine Corps is small. It always has been, for that is the way it was meant to be and that is the way it remains.

But lest we forget, it's not the size of the Corps in the fight, but the size of the fight in the Corps. And many of America's enemies have paid the ultimate price for having underestimated and challenged the Teufel Hundens.

Regardless of their size as a Corps, there has never been any question of those who proudly wear the eagle, globe and anchor, or their commitment to the defense of this country and the preservation of its freedom.

Through the decades and over two centuries many have offered their respects and appreciation for the Marine Corps. While others have paid the price of their lives on the end of a Marine bayonet or rifle. The price paid for having doubted the capabilities of the greatest brotherhood of fighting men to have existed since the beginning of time.

Ronald Reagan once said, "some people go through life wondering if the made a difference, Marines don't have that problem." What better summation of a brotherhood and a creed that remains as true today as it did when Dan Daly uttered the famous words......"Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?" at Belleau Wood.

Down through the ages young men have answered the call. They have endured the pain and fought through their own self doubt and weakness to be forged into something that is incalculable and immutable. Something that is born through pain and the catharsis of becoming what is known the world over as the few and the proud.

The day you don the eagle, globe and anchor and walk that parade deck to be finally called a US Marine, something is stamped upon the soul. Something not immediately obvious to the casual observer, but something none the less present through the remainder of life.

Marines know it and recognize it and one day when they each pass from this life to the next, they know that as they approach the keepers of eternity, there will be those there who will step forward and say "let this one pass, he is a United States Marine."

Semper Fidelis my brothers and Happy Birthday.........

Semper Fidelis from xtnyoda as well... and Happy Birthday.

And... God Bless America.

xtnyoda, shalomed