Corps Celebrates 228th Anniversary

[thedrifter]

Corps Celebrates 228th Anniversary

Submitted by: MCB Camp Lejeune
Story Identification Number: 20031149232
Story by Lance Cpl. Andrew D. Pomykal



CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.(Nov. 4, 2003) -- November 10, 1775: a date all U.S. Marines are familiar with. This year marks the Corps' 228th anniversary, and whether they're manning far-flung posts or accomplishing stateside duties, all Marines will find ways to celebrate.

Annually, Camp Lejeune hosts a public Joint Daytime Ceremony which includes a historical uniform pageant, a rededication of National and Marine Corps organizational colors, honor guard platoons and a traditional cake cutting ceremony. This year's event is scheduled for Nov. 6 at 9:30 a.m., at Liversedge Field.

The U.S. Marine Corps begins preparations for its "birthday party" every summer. Activities become more feverish as the fall hues arrive. By early November, every Marine is either rehearsing their role in the "party" or pressing, polishing, and spit-shining in order to appear at his best for the birthday ball. This has not always been the case, however. In fact, Marines have not always celebrated their founding on Nov. 10.

Formal commemoration of the birthday of the Marine Corps began Nov. 10, 1921. That particular date was chosen because on that day the Second Continental Congress resolved in 1775 to raise two battalions of Continental Marines.

Until 1921, the birthday of the Corps had been celebrated on another date. An unidentified newspaper clipping from 1918 refers to the celebration of the 120th birthday of the Marine Corps on July 11 "as usual with no fuss." It is doubtful that there was any real celebration at all. Further inspection of documents and publications prior to 1921 shows no evidence of ceremonies, pageants, or parties. The July date was commemorated between 1798 and 1921 as the birthday of the Corps. During the Revolution, Marines had fought on land and sea, but at the close of that conflict, the Corps and the Navy were all but disbanded. On July 11, 1798, President John Adams approved a bill that recreated the Corps, thereby providing the rationale for this day being commemorated as the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps.

On Oct. 21, 1921, Maj. Edwin McClellan of the Corps' historical branch, sent a memorandum to then Commandant Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune, suggesting that the original birthday on November 10, 1775 be declared a Marine Corps holiday to be celebrated throughout the Corps. McClellan further suggested that a dinner be held in Washington to commemorate the event. Guests would include prominent men from the Marine Corps, Army, and Navy, and descendants of the Revolution.

Accordingly, on Nov. 1, 1921, Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. The order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps, and directed that it be read to every command on Nov. 10 each subsequent year in honor of the birthday of the Marine Corps. This order has been duly carried out.

Some commands expanded the celebration during the next few years. In 1923 at Fort Mifflin, Pa., the celebration of the Marine Corps' 148th birthday took the form of a dance in the barracks that evening. Marines at the Navy Yard, Norfolk, Va., staged a mock battle on the parade ground in commemoration of the birthday. It lasted about twenty minutes and was witnessed by Portsmouth and Norfolk citizens.

At Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the birthday was celebrated on the 12th, since a special liberty to Santiago had been arranged on the 10th. The morning activities included field and water sports, and a shooting match. In the afternoon the Marines won a baseball game, 9-8, over a Cuban team. In the evening, members of the command put on a variety show followed by four boxing bouts.

The first so-called "Birthday Ball," such as suggested by McClellan, was probably held in 1925 in Philadelphia. No records have been located of one prior to 1925. Guests included Lejeune, the secretaries of War and Navy, and famous statesmen, soldiers, and sailors. The principle event was the unveiling of a tablet on the site of Tun Tavern. The tablet was a gift from the American Legion Post named after Thomas Roberts Reath, whose membership was composed exclusively of Marines. The celebration was held in conjunction with the annual convention of the Marine Corps League. A parade included Marines, regular Army, and Navy detachments, National Guard, and other military organizations. The evening banquet was held at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel and a ball followed at the Bellevue-Stratford.

It is not possible to determine precisely when the first cake ceremony was held, but the first on record was held at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., in 1937. Presiding Commandant Maj. Gen. Thomas Holcomb hosted an open house for Marine Corps officers. Ceremonies included the cutting of a huge cake designed after the famous Tun Tavern in Philadelphia.

From 1937, observances of the Marine Corps Birthday appeared to develop spontaneously throughout the Corps as if they had a life of their own. The celebrations were publicized through every media. Newsreels, motion pictures, and displays were prepared to summarize the history of the Corps. In 1943, standard blank Marine Corps scrapbooks were forwarded to all districts to be filled with 168th anniversary clippings, scripts, pictures, programs, and other memorabilia, and returned to Headquarters. Unfortunately, none of these scrapbooks remain in official files.

In 1951, a formal birthday ball pageant was held at Headquarters Marine Corps. Similar to the pageant today, the script described the Marines' period uniforms and the cake ceremony. Although this is the first substantive record of a pageant, Leatherneck magazine of November 10, 1925 pictures Marines at a pageant in Salt Lake City, Utah, which had taken place "several years ago."

On Oct. 28, 1952, then Commandant, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., directed that the celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday be formalized throughout the Corps, and provided an outline for the cake ceremony, as well as other formal observances. This outline was included in the Marine Corps Drill Manual, approved Jan. 26, 1956.

Traditionally, the first piece of birthday cake is presented to the oldest Marine present and the second piece to the youngest Marine present. When and where this tradition began remains unknown. Some records indicate this practice, and others vary it depending on the dignitaries present at the ball. First pieces of cake have been presented to newlyweds, the Secretary of the Navy, governors, and others, but generally speaking, the first pieces of cake go to the oldest and youngest Marines at the ball.

Presently, the Corps' birthday celebrations differ at posts and stations throughout the Corps. All commemorations include the reading of Marine Corps Order No. 47, and the Commandant's message to those assembled. Most commands hold a birthday ball of some sort, complete with pageant and cake ceremony as prescribed in the Marine Corps Manual.

For information regarding a particular unit's celebration or ball schedule, contact your local representative. Facts in this article were gleaned from www.usmc.mil.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...B?opendocument

Sempers,

Roger

[Keith_Hixson]

we've been discussing its demise. We shouldn't hit the old when their down should we?

Go Corp and Happy Birthday!

Keith

[Desdichado]

They don't look a day over 210.

May Uncle Sam's Misguided Children have a home for another 228.

[thedrifter]

Marines celebrate 228 years with a little 228-mile
fun run


By Scott Schonauer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Saturday, November 8, 2003

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain ? In celebration of the Marine Corps? 228th birthday, Marines laced up their combat boots and ran 228 miles nonstop in less than two days.

Members of Marine Corps Security Force Company, Europe ran the last two-mile leg together on Friday afternoon.

The run is just one of the many ways in which Marines worldwide are observing the Corps? anniversary this month. The Continental Congress created the Corps on Nov. 10, 1775, to defend ships and Navy installations.

About 200 Marines in Rota participated in Friday?s final jog, carrying a Marine Corps flag while chanting and clapping until the finish.

Lt. Col. Michael Popovich, executive officer of the Norfolk, Va.-based Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, and Maj. Frank Lugo, the company commander, led the pack as it snaked up and down naval station roads.

Popovich is the guest of honor at Saturday?s Marine Corps Birthday Ball in El Puerto de Santa Maria.

Staff Sgt. Jason Grove, the company?s operations chief, came up with the idea of having a run this year.

?Before I could even formulate any kind of a detailed plan, the Marines of this company were all about running a total of 228 miles,? Grove said.

The company began on Wednesday around 5 p.m. Teams of three or four ran two- and four-mile routes in shifts. Marines ran during their free time.

Lance Cpl. Shawn Thorson said he volunteered to run for ?all of the Marines who have died in war.?

The company might make the run an annual event.



Scott Schonauer / Stars and Stripes

Marine Lt. Col. Michael Popovich (holding flag), executive officer of the Norfolk, Va.-based Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, and Maj. Frank Lugo (right), commander of the Marine Corps Security Force Company, Europe, lead a company run Friday at Naval Station Rota, Spain.




Scott Schonauer / S&S
Marines get ready to run the last leg of a 228-mile run in celebration of the Marine Corps' 228th birthday Friday at Naval Statioin Rota, Spain.




Scott Schonauer / S&S
Marine Gunnery Sgt. Juan Lizalde screams after singing the "Marine Hymn" Friday at Naval Statioin Rota, Spain. Lizalde and about 200 members of Marine Corps Security Force Company, Europe, sang the hymn before running the last leg of a 228-mile company run in celebration of the Marine Corps' 228th birthday. The Marine ran the 228 miles in shifts, beginning on Wednesday

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?...&article=18565


Sempers,

Roger

[thedrifter]

Just An Old Soldier

He was getting old and paunchy.........And his hair was falling fast

He sat around the Legion.........Telling stories of the past
Of a war that he once fought in.........And the deeds that he had
done In his exploits with his buddies...........They were heroes, every one 'Tho sometimes to his neighbors...........His tales became a joke All his buddies listened quietly...........For they knew where of he spoke But we'll hear his tales no longer..........For ol' Bob has passed away The world's a little poorer...........For a Soldier died today He won't be mourned by many..........Just his children and his wife For he lived an ordinary..........Very quiet sort of life He held a job and raised a family..........Going quietly on his way The world won't note his passing............'Tho a Soldier died today When politicians leave this earth............Their bodies lie in state While thousands note their passing........... And proclaim that they were great
Papers tell of their life stories............. From the time that they were young But the passing of a Soldier............Goes unnoticed, and unsung Is the greatest contribution............To the welfare of our land Some jerk who breaks his promise.............And cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow............Who in times of war and strife Goes off to serve his country...............And offers up his life? The politician's stipend............And the style in which he lives
Are often disproportionate.............To the service that he gives
While the ordinary Soldier............ Who offered up his all Is paid off with a medal..............And perhaps a pension, small
It's so easy to forget them............For it is so many times
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys.............Went to battle
We know it is not the politicians...........With their compromise
and ploys Who won for us the freedom............ That our country now enjoys Should you find yourself in danger...........With your enemies at hand Would you really want some cop-out............With his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Soldier...........His home, his country, his kin
just a common Soldier...........Who would fight until the end
He was just a common Soldier..................And his ranks are
growing thin But his presence should remind us..............We may need his like again For when countries are in conflict............We find the Soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles............That the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor..............While he's here to hear the praise Then at least let's give him homage..............At the ending of his days Perhaps just a simple headline.............In the paper that might
say.....................

"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."


"God Bless the U.S.A."

[thedrifter]

I am a Soldier

Turn up your sound.....


http://www.mamarocks.com/i_am_a_soldier.htm

[Advisor]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL DEVIL DOGS. SEMPER FI!

[Jerry D]

Happy Birthday Marine! and Chesty Too! god bless them all and thanks for being there for us Air Force guys when we needed someone to secure our LZ when we came to deliever the Mail,rotate out troops and bring in the new guys,ammo and rations these 228 yrs. (50 or so for the USAF "the other New Guy")