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.
