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Semper Fidelis
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Table of
GET TO KNOW
Gen. David H. Berger Commandant of the Marine Corps
Contents Aviation Innovation.........................................................................4-5 Third Culture Kids, Regiment of Retired Marines.............................. 6 All-Marine rugby................................................................................ 8 All-Marine Wrestling........................................................................ 10
COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE, HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS
Marine Uniforms Through the Ages............................................12-13 Timeline of the U.S.M.C............................................................. 14-15 Adopt a School........................................................................... 16-17
General David H. Berger received the battle colors of the Marine Corps from Gen. Robert B. Neller during a passage of command ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, July 11, signifying his new position as the 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Berger, a Woodbine, Maryland native and 38-year Marine veteran, assumes responsibility as the senior ranking officer of the Corps. “This is a special generation of Marines and Sailors, and I am quite confident that we will continue to be the force the nation needs us to be,” said Berger. “I am honored for the opportunity to continue serving in this cloth.” Neller, an East Lansing, Michigan native, relinquished command of the Marine Corps after serving in the top post since 2015. During his time as the 37th Commandant of the Marine
Corps, Neller moved forward to meet challenges with his planning guidance stressing innovation, adaptation and winning America’s battles. “Thanks to all Marines, Sailors and their families that I have had the honor and privilege to serve with,” said Neller. “Your efforts and sacrifices as warfighters and citizens make the nation proud. Every day strive to be men and women of virtue and honor. Protect what you’ve earned.”
John A. Lejeune Birthday Address.................................................. 18
A U.S. Marine with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 364, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, participates in a simulated air-raid as part of the Middle East Amphibious Commanders Symposium, Sept. 24, 2019. Cover photo by Sgt. Branden Bourque
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Aviation Innovation
CH-53K to handle heavy lifting for future Marines
Photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Lyden
Updated heavy-lift helicopter brings new transport capabilities to the Marine Corps By Pat Gruner - Managing Editor Marine Corps Aviation has come a long way since 1st. Lt. Alfred Cunningham first reported for duty in Annapolis. As a fighting force helicopters are key to Marine Corps operations, both as gunships and for their transport capabilities. Heavylift helicopters are also crucial to maintaining supply lines over long distances. Over the next few years, the Marine Corps is getting a bit of a facelift in their heavy-lift capabilities. The CH-53K King Stallion is a new-build design variant and replacement for the CH-53E Super Stallion. According to the official 4 | USMC 244TH BIRTHDAY
Marines.mil site, “The CH-53K evolves the CH-53E design to improve operational capability, reliability, maintainability, survivability and cost of ownership. The CH-53K is the only fully marinized, heavy-lift rotorcraft capable of supporting current and future warfighting concepts by lifting 100% of the equipment in the Marine Corps’ ‘middleweight force,’ the vertical MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force).” The CH-53K has been tested as having over three times the lift capability of the CH-53E under the same conditions. Additionally, the aircraft’s engine produces more horsepower with fewer parts than the previous design while having a
number of added flight capabilities and modern design. “The CH-53K is a complete redesign. (The new design) improves its reliability, maintainability and survivability, while reducing the total ownership costs,” said Lt. Col. William Slack, commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training on Marine Corps Air Station New River. “It increases the payload of the external carrying capacity to 27,000 pounds, which is three times the payload of its predecessor.” A new cargo system will also improve the speed at which operations can take place. It will be able to move three independent external loads to various landing zones as
well, rather than take time and fuel to return to a logistical base. Faster logistics also means smoother operations for the MAGTF. With the opening of a new hangar for the CH-53K on MCAS New River earlier this year, the advent of the new aircraft is well on its way. That means aviators are getting the chance to test fly these aircraft via simulators and give them a chance to understand proper aircraft maintenance before using the bird in action. “This is the first sign that we are actually moving forward with the program of the CH-53K,” said Col. Curtis Ebitz, commanding officer of MCAS New River, of the hangar opening. “This allows the main-
Photo by Lance Cpl. Shannon Doherty
The CH-53K King Stallion lifts a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.
tainers to get hands on with the aircraft prior to the pilots training out in the fleet.� The CH-53K is slated to see initial operational capability toward the end of 2019. Operational deployments are set to commence in 2024 with full operational capability intended in 2029. For now, steady integration into the fleet will occur over the next few years. For aviators, the new tool of the trade is another aspect to make warfighters as efficient and lethal as possible. Lance Cpl. Taylor Smith contributed to this article.
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Third Culture Kids By Erin Vance - Lifestyles Writer Military kids are in a classification of their own and are considered a “third culture” group. Third culture refers to the blending of other cultures to produce a distinct other culture. We live a hodgepodge existence that is unique to us and only us. And even within this there are two factions. Some kids, like me, relocated a lot. There were others though who stayed at one duty station most of their life; we called them unicorns because we heard they existed, but it was rare to see one. It didn’t matter the type of military kid though, we lived in that third culture. For most military kids, they are regularly separated from a parent. Their parents are gone for long periods of time. Sometimes, parents cannot even tell them where they are going. When they are coming home is up in the air.
Just because someone is supposed to be home on a certain day, does not mean that will actually happen. Shorter separations, the 2 week to 1 month, are even more common, as many service members must often travel for training exercises. These separations can bring a mix of complex emotions for everyone in the family. The other parent may be stressed and missing their partner. The kids see the struggles of both parents, the struggle of siblings and their own feelings. Kids see more than we think they do. Children respond to this stress in different ways. They can sometimes become more dependent on the parent who is home. They can become fixated on matters of personal safety or the safety of the parent who is gone. Children may also struggle with chronic sadness, depression or anxiety. Nothing pulls on the heart string as hard, at least for me, as when my daughter
yelled out for “Daddy” the first time she got in trouble when he was gone. All I could say was “Sorry, kid. You’re stuck with me today.” Previously acquired developmental milestones, like sleeping through the night or potty training may temporarily back-track. The opposite could also be true. Some kids, who adjust easier, are way ahead of milestones. They can pick up more responsibilities and be more helpful. Other kids will withdraw and boycott chores; after all, now there is only one person at home to lay down the law. Other children act out or become more confrontational as they struggle with feelings of anger. Allowing them to process these feelings without fear or judgment is important. This is especially common in younger children. As frustrating as it can be for the parent who is home, it is important to remember that anger comes from a place of
fear. It will usually pass. Every kid is different. Though each child’s reaction to stress is unique, we know that military children are highly adaptable, because ultimately, this has become their new normal. There are ways to assist your child with their adjustment so they can better process whatever emotions come up. If they struggle with a move, help them find ways to stay connected with their friends. If they are struggling during the deployment, maybe writing a journal to send to the other parent will help. Most duty stations have support groups, mom groups, play groups and activities for kids several times a month to help with adjustment. You can also, check in with your child’s doctor and seek support if you suspect your child might be struggling with a deployment or relocation.
Retired Marines keep having a Ball By Pat Gruner - Managing Editor For many Marines, service doesn’t stop following an end of active service. Instead, they become community leaders through their careers, veterans groups or other niches they can carve out with their military experience. Along with that service, the pride of being a U.S. Marine is something that remains. To celebrate their birthday, they look to the Regiment of Retired Marines’ Birthday Ball. “The Ball has been around for at least 20 years,” said Lou Alers, retired affairs officer with Marine Corps Installations East. “The men who started it we call our plankholders,” said Mark Munger, Marine for Life Southeast Region network coordinator. “A number of these men were senior enlisted during the World War II era. They started holding these retiree balls and just didn’t stop.” 6 | USMC 244TH BIRTHDAY
The balls serve to keep the Marine Corps’ bonds alive after service. “We keep the mantra of ‘Semper Fidelis’ always present,” Alers said. “Just because your ID changes to a blue card that doesn’t change what you did.” Active duty Marines who attend get the added perspective of seeing men who were part of the history of the nation. “It’s not often you get to talk to a guy who served with Chesty Puller,” Alers said. “These men are living, breathing historical monuments.” Maintaining traditions is also important to these Marines. As such, the event is celebrated the exact same way as it would be anywhere else. “If you went to Division you would see the same thing,” Munger said. “Our plankholders are near and dear to our heart,” Munger said. “They are always at the forefront of whatever task we have planned.”
Courtesy photo
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Rugby a growing sport among Marines Women’s All-Marine rugby team takes silver at inaugural Armed Forces Championship Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Timothy Hazel
Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Cole Euverard carries the ball during a match against the Coast Guard in the Armed Forces Championship tournament.
Photo by Chief Mass Communications Specialist Patrick Gordon
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kate Herren of the All-Marine women’s rugby team carries the ball against two All-Coast Guard defenders during the inaugural Armed Forces Championship.
By Calvin Shomaker - Sports Writer The United States Marine Corps has a long history of producing great athletes. Among the many legendary athletes who served in the Marine Corps are baseball players such as Ted Williams and Roberto Clemente, and boxers like Leon Spinks, Ken Norton and Jamel Herring, but some of the Marine Corps’ most unheralded premier athletes have belonged to the All-Marine Sports program. One All-Marine sport that made a splash among Marines in the past year was rugby. Rugby became an All-Marine sport in 2008, but it wasn’t until this year that a women’s team got started. At the inaugural Armed Forces Championship for women’s rugby, held in Wilmington, North Carolina this past July, the All-Marine team earned silver by winning 8 | USMC 244TH BIRTHDAY
three matches against the other branches of service while losing just one. The women Marines started the tournament off with a 27-0 loss to the All-Army team, the eventual champion, but then came back strong on the second day of competition. The Marines took down the Navy 31-12 and shut out the Coast Guard 31-0 prior to ending the round-robin style tournament with a narrow 5-0 victory over the Air Force. Following play versus the other branches of service, the All-Marine women faced elite talent in the Cape Fear 7’s Rugby Tournament, a tournament that was founded in 1975. The women Marines won two of three matches against some of the region’s top teams, including the Atlanta Harlequins of the Women’s Premiere League. The successful showing by the first-ever All-Marine women’s rugby team was seen as a major
statement in the eyes of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Alan Mcalister, the team’s head coach. “I think [the women’s success] makes a statement that we can compete with these other branches, these larger military branches,” Mcalister said, a three-time All-Marine rugby player for the men. Mcalister is also a firm believer that all Marines have the capability to balance both participating in the All-Marine Sports program as well continuing to do their jobs well as Marines. “As Marines, we are directed to be warfighters at all times, but we showed that we can maintain job proficiency as well as play at the highest level of athletics as we can,” Mcalister said. Whereas the women were able to take home some hardware from this year’s Armed Forces Championship, the men’s team picked up one win while losing three in
Glendale, Colorado, also known as Rugbytown, USA, where the tournament is held yearly. Despite not medaling, Mcalister thought his fellow Marines showed good heart and determination, even though the team only had about two weeks to come together and find cohesion, a challenging task in such a team based sport. The Marines did, however, place a team member on the Armed Forces All-Tournament Team in 2nd Lt. Cole Euverard, a 2019 graduate of the Naval Academy who began playing rugby while enrolled. On the women’s side, Marine Corps Capt. Kate Herren was selected to the all-tournament team. Looking ahead, Mcalister and the other All-Marine players are hoping to get more Marines involved in rugby, a sport he calls the fastest growing sport in America and the fastest growing women’s sport in the world.
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All-Marine Wrestling Team builds momentum heading into 2020 By Calvin Shomaker - Sports Writer Wrestling has a long history in sport, often designated as the world’s oldest form of athletic competition. However, it is also one of the fundamental building blocks of combat. Maybe that’s why wrestlers have so much success in the Marine Corps and it’s certainly why Marines seem to make excellent wrestlers. Take Greg Gibson for instance, who enlisted in 1978 and retired as a master sergeant in 2003. Gibson would go on to be silver in the Greco-Roman Heavyweight division in 1984. Ask any Marine that’s part of the All-Marine Wrestling Team (AMWT), headquartered on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and they’d be the first to tell you Marine wrestlers are a cut above the competition. The 2019 team has accomplished a great deal in the world of wrestling this year. The AMWT placed six Greco-Roman style wrestlers on the United States National Team and two on the World Team. Three All-Marine wrestlers made the Puerto Rican National Team. Sgt. Raymond Bunker had one 10 | USMC 244TH BIRTHDAY
of the more outstanding years for the Marines, going undefeated against U.S. opponents on his way to winning the U.S. Open, the Dave Shultz Memorial International tournament and the Armed Forces Championship. Bunker’s climb to number one in the nation in the 72 kg weight class earned him a spot on the World Team, which allowed him to compete in the World Wrestling Championships in Kazakhstan. Bunker placed 12th in the world. Sgt. John Stefanowicz also had an impressive year. He won the World Team Trials (WTT) Challenge in May before winning at Final X: Rutgers in June at the 82 kg weight class. Stefanowicz’s progression to number one in the nation solidified his spot on the World Team, enabling him to join his teammate and fellow Marine at the World Championships. The AMWT had two more Marines capture titles at the WTT Challenge tournament this year. 1st Lt. Jamel Johnson and Sgt. Xavier Johnson both made appearances at Final X, one the United States’ most prestigious wrestling events, after winning at the WTT Challenge. Lt. Johnson also wrestled
at the Military World Games in China this Oct. alongside Capt. Daniel Miller, a former U.S. National Champion and a 2019 National Team member. 1st Lt. Peyton Walsh also made this year’s U.S. National Team for the second year in a row. For Miller, being on the AMWT has been life changing in more ways than one. “The All-Marine Wrestling Team has provided me with opportunities not just in my athletic career, but in my professional development that I don’t think I would have gotten anywhere else, not only within the Marine Corps, but with any other organization,” Miller said. Sgt. Josh Medina, Cpl. German Diaz and Lance Cpl. Marciano Ali are the three All-Marine wrestlers who made the Puerto Rican National Team this year. Medina won a bronze medal at this year’s Pan-American Championships. For Jason Loukides, the AMTW’s coach, it is a unique opportunity to be able to coach such driven wrestlers and Marines. “It’s a dream of mine to be here working with these Marines who are so disciplined and so easy
to coach,” Loukides said. “My problems are keeping them from working too hard, keeping them from being too tough and making sure they take care of their injuries, which is so very different from coaching in the average civilian environment.” Though the AMWT is having success with the Marines they have, they are still searching for the next Marines to join the team. Each year, there are open tournaments held for Marines on bases like MCB Camp Lejeune and Okinawa where talented Marine wrestlers can get discovered and put their skills on display. For many All-Marine wrestlers, that is how they began their journey to the All-Marine team. “We are always looking for Marines,” Loukides said. “It’s a continuing process. We want our guys to win medals, move out of the way and other guys win medals after them.” Next up for many of the All-Marine wrestlers? They are preparing for a chance to make the 2020 Olympic team and an opportunity to bring home a medal for the United States and the Marine Corps.
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Broadcloth and blood stripes:
Marine uniforms through the ages By Erin Vance - Lifestyles Writer Since Nov. 10, 1775, the USMC has distinguished itself from other branches of service, in part, with unique uniforms. The first Marine Corps uniforms were made from green broadcloth because it was widely accessible at the time. The first dress blue uniform associated with the modern day Marine Corps didn’t appear until 1798. The official uniform guides required dress uniforms coats made of dark blue broadcloth with red facing and instead of regular buttons, the coats featured brass naval buttons. In 1834, the blue coats went back to green due to President Andrew Jackson’s preference for the original uniforms. The green cloth was scarce, and expensive to export from Great Britain at the 12 | USMC 244TH BIRTHDAY
time. In 1839 President Martin Van Buren brought the blue uniforms back. They remain to this day. One of the most recognizable features of the blue dress uniform is the scarlet blood stripe that runs down the outer seam of each pant leg. This style is reserved for Marines of the rank corporal and above. If you ask a Marine about the stripe, you will probably hear about the battle at Chapultepec. A favorite story handed down from drill instructors to recruits is that it signifies a great sacrifice in the Marine Corps’ history during that battle. As the tales go, in 1847, the majority of a force of Marines were killed attempting to storm the castle of Chapultepec, in Mexico City. In truth, the blood stripe was introduced in 1834, 13 years prior to Chapultepec and was inspired by the Army’s decision to match
trouser stripes to the color of jacket facings. As for the famous charge, seven Marines died out of about 450, but the tale is still told today. For less formal occasions, Marines wear the service uniform which consists of khaki and green colors. Commonly referred to as ‘cammies’, for their camouflage patterns, there are minor variations on the service uniform that occur depending on situation or environment. The term leatherneck can be an insult depending on how it’s said and who says it, but the term originated from the one of the first Marine Corps uniforms. In order to help keep high collars straight, Marines wore a leather stock around their necks. After the Civil War, the stock was removed and a black strip of leather affixed to the inside of the uniform’s collar. Mod-
ern uniforms have done away with leather entirely and use swatch cloth that sits behind the front of the collar. The eagle, globe and anchor came into being in 1868. Prior to that, a bugle was used to on the Marine Corps uniform. Brigadier General Jacob Zeilin decided an update was necessary and, with a panel of officers, created a new symbol. Marines have the ability to get to any part of the world quickly, thus the globe. The anchor is a nod to their Navy roots and the eagle represents the United States. In 1875, the symbol was adopted as the emblem of the Marine Corps. Sometimes, there is a banner which states the Marine Corps motto of ‘Semper Fidelis’ or ‘Always Faithful’, but the banner is left off the uniform version of emblem.
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244 years
The Battle of Chapultepec was an assault by American forces on Mexican forces holding Chapultepec in Mexico. The battle gives the opening verse of ‘The Marines’ Hymn’, “From the halls of Montezuma,” its meaning.
of the
U.S. Marine Corps
Brevet Brigadier General Henderson, longest serving Commandant
First women enlist
Battle of Nassau
Battle of Belleau Wood
Creation of USMC
Battle of Chapultepec
Battle of Derna (Tripoli)
John A. Lejeune, Commandant
The Battle of Derna at Derna, Cyrenaica, was the decisive victory in April–May 1805 of a mercenary army recruited and led by United States Marines under the command of U.S. Army Lieutenant William Eaton, diplomatic Consul to Tripoli, and U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant Presley Neville O’Bannon. It is from whence the famous “shores of Tripoli” in “The Marines’ Hymn” originates.
John Archer Lejeune had nearly 40 years of service in the Marine Corps. In 1920, he was named Commandant of the Marine Corps, which he served as until 1929. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina was named in his honor during World War II. Lejeune is often referred to in the present day as being the “greatest of all Leathernecks” and the “Marine’s Marine.”
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Courtesy photo
The United States Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775, to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. The recruiting headquarters was set up by Capt. Samuel Nicholas in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is considered to be the birthplace of the Marines.
The Battle of Belleau Wood (1–26 June 1918) occurred during the German Spring Offensive in World War I, near the Marne River in France. The battle that catapulted the Marine Corps to worldwide prominence, and it was a battle that helped turn the tide of The Great War in favor of the Allies. The battle has become a key component of the lore of the Marine Corps, in part for German soldiers’ reference to Marines as teufelshunde, “The Hounds of Hell.” Now, the nomenclature has changed to “Devil Dogs.”
Courtesy photo
Opha May Johnson (Jacob, 4 May 1878 – 11 August 1955) was the first woman known to have enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. She joined the Marine Corps Reserve on 13 August 1918, officially becoming the first female Marine.
KEY * Deactivated ** Disbanded
1st MARDIV established; Women’s Reserve; 2nd MARDIV
Battle of the Chosin Resevoir
3rd MARDIV
Battle of Marjah
Alfred Masters Operation Desert Storm 6th MARDIV**
Battle of Iwo Jima Iraq War 4th MARDIV; 5th MARDIV*
Battle of Huê´ Courtesy photo
Island-hopping campaign The battles of Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Okinawa were fought during the island-hopping campaign in World War II.
Alfred Masters (February 5, 1916 - June 16, 1975) was the first African-American member of the United States Marine Corps. Masters became the very first African American in the United States Marines at his swearing-in on June 1, 1942, at 12:01am in Oklahoma City. His first training camp was Montford Point. Masters rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant.
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Helping out on the homefront: Marines make a difference in schools
Photo by Sgt. Ashley Lawson
Students from Parkwood Elementary School run alongside Marines during a log run competition at a Commander’s Cup event with 2nd Transportation Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group at Onslow Beach, May 24, 2019. The unit adopted Parkwood Elementary in January 2019 School and are volunteering their time with students weekly.
By Pat Gruner - Managing Editor Mentors are essential to growing, both as an adult and a child. Thanks to Adopt-a-School programs, schools and Marines are able to help one another grow as people and citizens. “As school liaisons, we already have a partnership in place,” said Donna Grady, a school liaison at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. “This was a way to take it up a level between the community and the base… We’d get Marine volunteers to help with our events and someone said ‘I wish we had more chances to volunteer.’ So I told them, wait a minute, I have 16 | USMC 244TH BIRTHDAY
something for you.” 21 schools on Camp Lejeune and in the surrounding area are part of the Adopt-A-School program, with many more across the nation. The program provides a positive influence on students who might have parents deployed while also giving Marines a chance to help in the community. For the schools, getting a helping hand from these Marines has a number of perks. Mentor programs can help students with their academics. The partnership is no one way street, however, as schools make sure to help out the Marines when given the chance. “We had a great assembly with
them [2nd Tank Battalion (2nd Tank Btn)] last year,” said Shelia Giliard, principal at Brewster Middle School. “It brought people to tears. We also brought in 25 Marines from the Single Marine Program for Thanksgiving Dinner. These are young people who are far from home. We had a desire to give back. At Christmas, we send cards and cakes for the Marines.” Brewster Middle School hopes to replicate the ceremony they engaged in last year, which included a full cake cutting ceremony. Those in attendance told Giliard that the event was “a reflection of the Marine Corps’ traditions.” Marines also do things such as
run the chains at football games or invite kids to certain events. At the beginning of the school year, Marines from 2nd Tank Btn were on site to welcome students back to school. Earlier this year, Marines with 2nd Transportation Battalion had students from Parkwood Elementary School in attendance during their annual Commander’s Cup event. While the Marines pushed themselves physically, kids ran alongside them and even showed how many push-ups they could do. While it wasn’t quite as many as the Marines, the students certainly provided some good vibes. “Seeing the kids cheer on those
Marines was something,” Grady said. For Marines, being able to volunteer has benefits as well. From a purely logistical standpoint, documenting volunteer hours looks very good in a promotion package. Through the lens of service and support, being able to help out at events gives Marines a chance to connect on a deeper level with the community. Young Marines in particular can benefit from going out to help at schools. “It gives them a chance to go out and document what they are doing for boards and such, but it also gets them active in the community,” said former corporal Keith Harvey, who served as a liaison between Victor 1/2 Alpha Company and Sand Ridge Elementary School in Hubert, N.C. “It helps break up some of the more routine parts of the job as well, being able to go out and meet these kids. As a Marine it really left an impression on me as well as the Marines I was leading.” “It’s so rewarding when I see Marines enjoying themselves doing something they don’t often get to do,” Grady said. “Those connections are important, especially if they are far from home and relatives they love. Say they miss their kid brother, this gives them something to relate to. Also, when they call home, they have something to talk about.” Whether it is providing aid to foreign countries or making a positive impact at home, Marines always lend a helping hand.
Photo by Cpl. Jered Stone
U.S. Marine Cpl. Caleb T. Ambaye, an administrative specialist with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron (MWHS) 2, eats lunch with a student at Creekside Elementary School in New Bern, North Carolina, Nov. 16, 2018. MWHS-2 visited the school to renew their Adopt-a-School partnership and visit the students.
Photo by Cpl. Ashley Gomez
Dr. Christine Sherretz, principal of Johnson Primary School, signs the school adoption proclamation with the members of the 1st Class, 2nd Class and Junior Enlisted Petty Officer’s Association, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 1, 2019. “I’m really happy about this partnership,” said Sherretz. “We have a lot of events coming up and having volunteers to help with the kids is great.” The Adopt-A-School Program was implemented to help develop a mutually beneficial relationship between military personnel and local schools.
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1921 Marine Corps Birthday Address from Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune In Oct. of 1921, historian Maj. Edwin N. McClellan sent a memorandum to Maj. General John archer Lejeune, then commandant of the United States Marine Corps. In it, McClellan suggested the Marine Corps birthday of Nov. 10 be considered a holiday Corps-wide. With McClellan’s advice in mind, Lejeune declared the following Marine Corps order.
“MARINE CORPS ORDERS No. 47 (Series 1921) HEADQUARTERS U.S. MARINE CORPS Washington, November 1, 1921 The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt. On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date many thousand men have borne the name "Marine". In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history. The record of our corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility
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at home, generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security. In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue. This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps. JOHN A. LEJEUNE, Major General Commandant
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