Each year on or around 10 November, Marines gather in groups large and small to celebrate our history, honor the memory of those who have gone before us, and rekindle the bond that unite all generations of Marines. This year, we mark the 241st anniversary of our Corps- 241 years of uncommon valor, innovation, and combat excellence.
Marines, we are part of something bigger than any of us could imagine. Whether you fought in the battles of World War I, in the Pacific during World War II, in Korea or Vietnam, in Desert Shield or Desert Storm, or in the street of Iraq and Afghanistan – or you are just starting out on your Marine Corps journey- we are all part of an elite family of warriors. For the rest of your life, the first term people use to describe you will be “Marine.”
When the Continental Congress stood up two battalions of Marines in 1775, a culture of discipline, vigilance, professionalism, and military excellence was born that characterized our Corps for nearly two and a half centuries. As Marines, we have a profound respect for our traditions and heritage, and for taking care of each other. We know we’re strongest when we’re together as a team. Wherever you are celebrating our Corps’ birthday this year, look around at the Marines beside you and remember the bonds forged in training, in garrison, and in combat. Take this time to reconnect.
We are Marines for life. It’s our responsibility, our duty, to maintain and build upon the legacy of those who have gone before us. What we do today, guided by what we’ve learned from past generations, will determine the future of our Corps. So as we celebrate this 241st anniversary of our Corps, we also look ahead an prepare for our next success. Take pride in carrying our legacy forward.
Happy Birthday Marines!
Semper Fidelis,
Robert B. Neller
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or submit your own story!
This new newsletter SUCKS. the format is terrible. PLEASE back to the old set up.
I agree with you William it don’t interest me anymore I have deleted the two or three that were sent People sometimes change a good thing for a screwed up one.
To all of my Marine brothers and sisters past , present and those that gave their lives I would like to wish a very Happy 241st Birthday Anniversary of our beloved USMC
Oorah!
SEMPER FI
Pvt.Redwood
Our Corps lives on. Unfortunately my time with this news letter doesn’t. I have just unsubscribed since I find the new format cumbersome and irritating.
“Fo” ???
A Very Happy Birthday to All the Marines, past, present,, and future Marines,A very Happy Birthday Semper Fi Sgt Daniel Alley 1970 to 1974
“AYE, AYE, SIR !!!!!!” I AM 65 YRS. OLD & A FULL-TIME VOLUNTEER WITH “THE SEMPER FI SOCIETY OF BRAZOS VALLEY”, SEALY, TX. I PAY MY YEARLY DUES & HOLD THE RANK OF “HONORARY E-1”, WITH AN MOS #0000 (VOL). I HAVE SERVED THIS GROUP OF MARINES SINCE 2012 & VERY HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN “OFFICIALLY ADOPTED INTO THE CORPS” THROUGH THEM.
MY CREEDO: “ALTHOUGH I NEVER OFFICIALLY SERVED IN THE CORPS, I SERVE THOSE WHO DID SERVE. I NEVER RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL “EGA” PIN, AS AN INDICATOR OF GRADUATION FROM USMC BOOT-CAMP. MINE IS TATTOOED ON MY HEART !!!!!!”. SEMPER FI, OOORAH, & HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL FELLOW MARINES——PVT. WHITLOCK
Being a Marine will always be something that i am very proud of, i think about all the young Marines out there being deployed and putting their lives on tbe lines for their fellow Marines amd it brings tears yo my eyes and a swelling of pride inside me. No matter what the cause or the situation Marines jave always stood tall. God, Country, Corps! Semper Fi and Happy Birthday Marines
To all Marines, Past and present, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Semper Fi and Happy Birthday to all my fellow Marines. Enjoy your celebration but be careful
Happy Birthday Marines ! 241 and STILL going STRONG ! OOH-RAH !
SEMPER FI !
Happy Birthday Jarheads! Semper Fi.
Simper – fi god bless
The older I get the prouder I am for having served with the US Marines. ’71-’93
Happy 241st Birthday to all who have served in the USMC
Totally agree with Sgt. Bassent, new format disappointing to say the least. Current newsletter has five submissions if you count Commandant’s birthday wish. Year ago on 11/4/15 newsletter contained TWENTY-FOUR! Please shape up before many of us ship out.
Cpl. Mumford
The only danger we face to continued success is our political leadership. Vote carefully…always!
Ooohrah! Thanks to ALL Marines that have served in the Brotherhood, from those just starting, to those retired and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It makes me proud to have earned the title “Marine” and will all my life. I love the Corps; I was medically retired against my will for repeated injuries to my spine and the Navy, in it’s typical fashion, wanted to board me out with a payment of approximately $35,000 (this was back in 1990). I appealed, first the doctor’s decision that my back couldn’t be fixed by going to Oakland Naval Medical Center for a second opinion, then to the University Washington for a third opinion. The spine specialist surgeon at UW felt he could repair what was wrong, so I was excited. But the Navy said, no, and they overruled his prognosis and they went ahead with the Medical Board. I also then appealed the Navy’s decision that I only rated a 30% (I believe) disability rating which would have made me unable to retire. This is where my fellow Marines came in. My C.O., Col. McPherson, my SgtMaj, my NCOIC, etc. all swore affidavits stating what they had witnessed with my condition and the type of Marine I was (NOT a sh*tbird). Their affidavits, along with those supplied by some civilian personnel and the outstanding work of a Lt J.G., changed the Medical Board’s ruling to 70% for my back and 20% for my shoulder (which was a different injury). The VA then ruled I was 100% unemployable. If not for the Marines sticking by me, I’d probably be homeless now and that is no exaggeration since I’m unable to do the easiest tasks anymore at 59 years of age. I can’t imagine how tough it must be for some of those who came back missing limbs, being in a wheel chair or even being blind. It’s one reason I try to contribute as much as I can to organizations like Wounded Warrior or DAV. Semper Fidelis and Happy Birthday to ALL Marines!!!
The rating system sucks as a Camp LeJuern water Marine many of my necessary repairs should have rated as caused by the contamination. Such as cataracts at age 40. But life goes on ,I’ll be deaf soon from jet engine noise, shell they even had base housing right in the take off and landing flight paths. But I must have lost my hearing doing something in civilian life . Put me back in the Corps let me be an advisor I can shoot straight walk a lot of miles . Save a young life if I could .
Happy 241 God’s speed Semper Fi to Marines one and all.
50 years ago I celebrated my 1st Marine Corps Birthday during my 7th week of boot camp at PI. Still proud to be a Marine. Semper Fi!
God bless you General and may his love be with you always. Semper-Fi, Cpl Ed Noll 56 – 59 KMCAS, Hawaii
To all Marines who served from June 1975 thru August 1990 (known as The Cold War)…. HAPPY 241st BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Kendel Scaffe
Former Sgt
USMC/USMCR
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MARINE CORPS/THERE IS ONLY ONE PROBLEM WITH ALL THE WHO HA, THE MARINE CORPS DOSN’T WANT TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE VIET NAM VETERANS. YOU TELL ANY ONE YOUR A VIET NAM VETEREN AND THEY WILL IGNORE YOU SO MOST OF US HAVE LEARNED TO NOT SAY ANYTHING FOR FEAR OF REPRISAL
I had the Honor of serving with the Corps as an FMF corpsman in the early 60’s. I loved serving with the corp. I was asked to ship over a couple of times,but I felt it was better for me to serve as a corpsman. I always had the backs of my unit, and they Always had mine, no matter where we were. Now I belong to the Marine Corps League in Eureka Ca. and have met Marines from ww2, Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, Afganistan, and it is great to know these men and woman who have served our nation. It is a pleasure to know you, and to walk along side you all. Semper Fi, and Blessings to all my Brothers, and Sisters,” Devil Doc” John T.
Happy Birt
Happy birthday. semperfi
Semper Fi and Happy Birthday, Marines!
Oooh rah! Once a Marine always a Marine!
Happy birthday to every Marine past and
present. Semper Fi!
SEMPER FI!
Happy Birthday to our beloved Corps.
Happy Birthday to all of my Marines, past, present, and future. Hooorah!!!& semi-fi.
Happy Birth day Marines! May our God Bless and Protect you all. 1961 at ITR Camp Pendleton, the Santa Winds was playing hell with eating the cake, the first of many more to come, now retired, but still a Marine. Thank you all for all you have given our Corps, and Nation. Vote with the guidance of our God and Corps.
To my Brother and Sister Marines, Semper Fi and have a Happy 241st Birthday
Happy Birthday Devil Dogs, celebrate like Marines and make all others envious and honored to be in your presence. OOOOOH Rah Semper Fi.
Happy Birthday to all my Brothers and Sisters in the Corps. Semper FI !!!
To all fellow marines happy 241 served 1969 to always . Semper Fi
As an old Marine who looks forward to all posts on Sgt. Grits website, I must say that your new format is less than acceptable. Continued use of this format will result in loss of readers and customers. And I will lead the charge. Semper Fi.
First, Happy 241st. I was not a Marine, but did 3 years in Helmand with the Marines building FOBs and other support. The culture is dear to me. I continue to support all vets through a program called Vets on the Farm, that offers education and assistance to all vets interested in agriculture (from farm to fork) after getting out, offering employment, materials, and advice through my general contracting business. I too think the new format is awkward and hard reading. The comment section might be better, but the rest sucks. I have deleted all newsletters since the first couple, but decided to check back in to see if ithad improved. When I saw the comments, I had to add my support. Oorah!, gents. Semper Fi.