Sgt. Grit,
I wanted to share this speech my father, GySgt Richard N.
Steiner, gave during our 237th Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony.
Attached is a photo of the Marines from Fox Co., 2nd Battalion,
23rd Marines Salt Lake City, UT, escorting the best birthday
cake I've ever seen! You guys helped make this year's charity a
success. Thank you for all your support Sgt! Semper Fi!
My son Jeff asked me to give a short talk on the Marine Corps
Birthday. I thought I would do it with Marine Corps Bumper
stickers. On November 10, 1775, the Marine Corps was founded in
a small tavern in Philadelphia. The founders believed in "Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Anybody Who Threatened It." They were
determined that "America, be the Home of the Free Because of the
Brave," and they were bound and determined to "Provide Enemies
of America an Opportunity to Die for Their Country since 1775."
Who here can tell me what day the US Army birthday is on? Or
the US Navy? Or the Air Force? Or how about the French Foreign
Legion? Other services don't celebrate their birthdays like we
do.
Every year on November 10th there are hundreds of Marine Corps
balls, and Marine Corps Birthday celebrations throughout
America, in many of the other nations of this world, and even
aboard US Ships on the seven seas. How many of the US services
even celebrate their existence at all other than the United
States Marine Corps? We, on the other hand, celebrate our
service openly, proudly displaying the Eagle, Globe and Anchor
and adorning our cars with unique bumper stickers reminding
others and ourselves of who we are.
What makes the Marines different? In 1969, I was in the Ashau
Valley, Vietnam, with "The 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, the
Walking Dead". We were in the bush for 63 straight days,
engaging the enemy every day. Part of our duty was to go
through the personal effects of the dead NVA we found finding
anything that would provide intel for us. I did a lot of that,
and found that the NVA approached the Marine units in Vietnam
entirely differently than other military units. The NVA
respected them, but they feared Marine Corps units. They knew
they could fragment many military units with relative ease, and
that Marine Corps units were much harder to fragment, and the
NVA needed much stronger firepower and more soldiers to fight
against them. Marines know that hero's don't win wars, that
armies do. We don't fragment. We know that the key to military
success is teamwork. From the first day a Marine enters boot
camp, he is taught to forget everything civilian he knows and
how to become part of a team. Boot Camp is "Just Another Day in
Paradise – USMC" and that "All Men are Created Equal,but a Few
Become Marines." Marines win battles and wars because Marines
follow orders, and follow them without question. To a Marine,
the success of his unit is everything. There is plenty of room
for heroics, but the welfare of his fire team, squad, platoon,
company and battalion come first. We know that "Failure is Not
an Option."
The Marines are a force to be feared. We believe "A Dead Enemy
is a Peaceful Enemy, and Blessed be the Peacekeepers." We
believe that "We are in the Azs Kicking Business and Business is
Good." We believe that you "Should Not Wish Ill for Your Enemy,
but Should Plan It." In terms of battle strategy Marines
believe "Gun Control is Hitting Your Target" that "When in
Doubt, Empty the Magazine" that "Happiness is a Belt-fed Weapon"
and we believe that "Artillery Brings Dignity to What Would
Otherwise Just Be a Brawl."
On a more serious note Marines always live in the shadow of
death. Every Marine knows that death may be required of him to
protect the other men of his unit, and to ensure victory to the
battle. Marines don't pray for their own safety, they pray for
the strength to do their job. That, folks, is what makes us
different. Marines are "Brothers to the End", we believe that
"Death Smiles at Everyone, but Marines Smile Back" We also
firmly believe that "He Who Shed Blood With Me Shall Forever Be
My Brother" that "All Give Some, and Some Give All" and that
"There is No Such Thing as a Former Marine." That is why we are
here tonight.
Marines don't question whether wars or police actions are right
or wrong. We simply carry out the wishes of those who make
those decisions. "People Sleep Peacefully In Their Beds at
Night Because Rough Men Stand Ready To Do Violence On Their
Behalf." We know that in many instances "America Is Not At War,
America's Military Is At War. America Is At The Mall". We know
that "Pacifism is a Luxury Paid For By Warriors" and that
"Patriotic Dissent Is A Luxury Of Those Protected By Better Men
Than They." But we also know "You Only Have The Rights You Are
Willing To Fight For", and we understand to the fullest that
"For Those Who Fought For It, Freedom Has A Flavor The Protected
Will Never Know".
Marines are a special breed. We know "Some People Spend An
Entire Lifetime Wondering If They Made A Difference. The
Marines Don't Have That Problem." We know that America is "One
Nation Under God and His Marines Standing Guard." Marines know
that "Once a Marine. Always A Marine" and that "Semper Fidelis
Is Not Just a Saying, It Is a Way Of Life". When all is over,
and said and done a Marine can say "You Will Die, but I Will Die
A Marine"
To this we say "Oohrah… It's a Marine thang". Semper Fi. Let
the Birthday Celebration begin.
This was awesome reading. Semper Fi Marines.
Ooh-Rah! Outstanding Marine!
Great speech! Semper Fi!
That was “awesome” and should be published so that it could be read at every National Marine Corps Celebration.
I absolutely agree with that. It definitely should be published.
He hit the nail right on the head. There are two branches of the military in this country. The Marine Corps, the Girl Scouts and the rest of the pussy outfits. Viet Nam with G Co 2/26, 1968 and 1969. Semper Fi!!!
Out F***standing best description of the Corp I have ever heard
A Marine Creed forever.
I can say at 69 years old that being a Marine is the proudest thing I ever did in my life.I have got to meet true hero,s from Iwo Jima ,Korea,and a lot of the great battles.These are the finest people you will ever know.They are great because they did what had to be done and went on there way or died with humble lives. I do not think there will ever be greater people you can ever know than People In the Marine Corps.What greater gift can a man give than his life for another person? Semper Fi.
1Batt. 9th Marines gone of the best outfits in Vietnam if not the best. Never have I heard a bad word from any of the Marines from (The walking dead). OOHRAH t o 1/9. Thanks for your Service. 1/3 RVN 69/70. Happy Valley
Great speech,how true.
Nothing like a speech like this to get my 60 year old body pumped up OOH RAH
I know how to strip a 14 and a 45. but not too hot on e-mails .How can I mail to old buddies Bumper sticker speech.
Hey young Sergeant! Just click on the address bar where you are reading the speech, it will become hi-lited, Put the cursor on the hi-lited area, right click and select “copy” from the list that shows up. Then just right click anywhere in the body of your email and select paste. The address will be active and your old buddies can click on the link to read the speech! Semper Fi!
Great speech.
This is the best tribute speech that I have ever read pertaining to my beloved Marine Corps. I wish that I could have been there to hear it. I know that we Marines totally understand every word that was said, and it can be shared, but no other branch will fully grasp who we are, for they chose wrong. Sgt. Apodaca-RVN 1969 / 1970.
Out freaking standing! God Bless the Corps! 2/5 Ist Marines RVN LZ Baldy and An Hoa 1970
Hey Mike, I served with Golf 2/5 out of An Hoa in 1970. Any chance we might have met?
Twenty Years of reading all sorts of descriptions of what the Marines are this is the best by far. It sums up our Traditions, Pride, and Responsibilities all in one. Semper-Fi Brothers, and Happy Birthday
I agree this should be published somewhere so it can be shared , and it is something that only Marines can fully understand. A great speech.
Fantastic description of the Marines! Says it all! My late husband was a Marine in Nam with the 2nd Marine division. Oh, they were there, alright. Just not there, if you get my drift. I love the Marines. You guys rock! OOH RAH!
Great speech! Semper Fi, my brothers! 1st Recon Bn, RVN 67-68. Proud Sgt. Of Marines!
What a recruiting speech… At seventy, after reading I was pumped and ready… Semper Fi brothers…RVN 65/66/69…..
That letter reminded me of my Marine recruiting days. I think the letter hit on all of the topics that were on my recruiting posters. You can really see the difference while on this type of duty because the civilians would always comment that they wished the other services were like the Marines. Other would simply say, no one is like Marines. It is not just those dress blues that you wear, it;s the person wearing them, and in an environment of civilians they see that difference from the other services. People would go into the other offices, and they looked like they were visiting a mall, but when it came to our office it was like they were entering hallowed ground. It is fine letters like this that make you suck in the gut, and press out that chest, and know “that it is hard to be humble when you are the finest”.
The letter is what the Marine Corp stands for from top to bottom. It was great to read how proud every marine is of there service to there county. I am 71 years old and I always wear a Marine Corp shirt or jacket because I am very proud of my service also. 2nd Marine Div. 10th Marines 1963 to 1967 Semper Fi Till I Die
This was the very reason that I joined the Corp, to be part of something that was bigger and better than oneself. This is truly a brotherhood of dedicated service. My work takes me on the road and, everywhere I go, I find a brother. Wonderful description of who we are! Semper Fi
Awesome speech Gunny Steiner, I salute you “brother”, and thank you for your dedicated service!! I was a gunner with 3rd. 175 mm gun btry. @ Red Beach, L.z.Ross & an Hoa during 69 & 70, hopefully we were able to provide some artillery support to your unit. Only two kinds of people in this world, “Those that are Marines, and Those that wish they could be”!! SEMPER FI..
This is why the Gy Sgts. run the unit. They know what is in our hearts and souls and what we will do to get the mission done. It’s all here in this speech…..
OOH RAH, Well stated.! First Marine Division, 1964-68, RVN ’66. Semper Fi
SSGT Steve State 1st Marine Div 1964-1968 1st Tank Battalion RVN 66. Outstanding Gunney
Great and very accurate letter written by a Gy. Sgt. who has been there done that and speaks for all Marines, past, present and those to soon be Marines. I wear a Marine shirt or cap at least once a week as well as displaying the logo on my vehicle. Play the Marine Hymn every day just to get me going and get me ready for what the day will bring. Semper Fi. OOHRAH Cpl RVN 67-68, 1/1/1st. Rec.
Outstanding! Becoming a Marine proudest thing I ever accomplished.(I needed help becoming a Dad) God Bless us all> Past,Present and Future. Semper Fi, Sgt A J Graber
Wonderful to hear so much in such a short speech, took me back in time. People will ask about being a Marine but whatever you say only another 0311 will understand. I salute you Gunny and Semper Fi to all my brothers. Sgt. Munsey RVN 65/66
Fantastic!!! I just had a stent installed into one of my arteries to my heart yesterday. This really got my heart pumping this morning. If I read it yesterday, I might not have needed the stent. The two best things I’ve done in my life is marrying my wife, and being a Marine, and I would not have met my wife if I hadn’t been a Marine first. I wish our politicians had the same drive for the Team (Our Country) to win rather than fulfilling their own self interests. SEMPER FI !!!
Great Speech . Being a Marine is one of the proudest things in my life. RVN 66-67 DaNang 1st Marines 3371
Oohra Marines stay hard second force recon
All I can say is wow ! SEMPER FI !
The Gunny obviously gets the Sgt Grit catalogue! Del “Doc” Powell. HM2, 3-5.
Great speech, and great theme – who’d a thunk such a Tell-it-like-it-was/is/will be could come from bumper stickers? All the way though it, as I was reading, I’m nodding my head; yup, yup, that’s right, yes, been there, done that….. One thing: the bumper sticker on the back of my car says “There are no *ex-* Marines”.