The Few, The Proud

Happy 229th Birthday, United States Marine Corps.

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev'ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job--
The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

(Interesting history of the hymn).

There are many things that make me proud to know R, to be his wife and an intimate part of his life, but in the top five is he served this country with his life as a Marine. To this day he is a committed and knowledgeable man and being a part of the USMC contributed to that development. Tonight he will call his commrades, catch-up, and wish his brothers many happy returns of the day, in the field, and throughout life as a United States Marine. "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."

Update: Found the letter from the Commandant of the Marine Corps to the Marines via Deb.