Marines toast to a mess of camaraderie
 

Marines toast to a mess of camaraderie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 2004512204825
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert



CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (April 15, 2004) -- A rosy shade of pink painted the faces of several officers and staff non-commissioned officers at The Palms, April 15 as the leaders from 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment participated in a mess night.

?There isn?t any particular reason we are doing this, it?s just a way for all us Staff NCOs and officers to have a good time together,? said Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Koops, administration chief for the battalion and Mr. Vice at the mess night.

The origins of the Marine Corps? mess night come from different points in history. The gathering of troops to a feast after a battle is rooted in Roman and Viking culture, while toasting is something passed from the knights of ancient British empires.

The first mess night U.S. Marines participated in is believed to have taken place in Shanghai, China during the 1920?s where Marines from the 4th Regiment were guarding U.S. civilians and property at an international settlement there.

Marines from the regiment were invited to a mess night held by the 2nd Battalion, Scots? Guards during their time in Shanghai. Captain Lemuel Shepherd, an officer of the 4th Regiment who later became commandant, was so impressed by the event, that he and other Marines from the 4th Regiment established their own mess night.

Since that time the mess night has evolved into the gala it is today. Mixing the humorous shenanigans of charging fellow Marines for past mistakes and the humbling toasts to fallen Marines of campaigns, the mess night has become a regular tradition of the Marine Corps.

More than 90 Staff NCOs and officers from 3/12 participated in the April 15 mess night. With battalion commander Lt. Col. Michael E. Langley behind the gavel as Mr. President, the Marines began immediately issuing charges to their comrades. From embarrassing stories of mistakes in the field to general bloopers in garrison here on Okinawa, laughter filled the dining hall.

Guest speaker at the mess night was the battalion commander for Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Col. David A. Kelley who spoke of his own previous experiences as an artillery officer.

?It was good to hear Col. Kelley speak on his past experiences,? Koops added. ?It was like a reassertion that Marines are the cream of the crop and our responsibility to national defense is not something to take lightly.?

The evening ended with toasts to fallen Marines who died in battle. Different Staff NCOs stood to honor their forefathers in arms who lost their lives during the American Revolution, Belleau Wood, Islands of the Far East Pacific, Vietnam, Desert Shield/Storm, and the recent casualties from the War On Terror.

After a final toast, which called for all Marines to raise their glass and shout ?long live the United States Marine Corps,? the Marines from 3/12 ended their evening with perhaps the same pride for the Corps as the men from 4th Regiment serving in Shanghai had almost a century ago.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image...2004-01low.jpg

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan ? Members of the head table at the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, mess night at The Palms April 15, toast to the success of the Marine Corps. Toasting is an ancient custom dating back to the times of knights serving The British Empire. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert


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Ellie