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All over the world, Marines will be holding Birthday Celebrations to honor their legacy since 1775. Since 1921, the reading of Major General John A. Lejeune’s order No. 47 has been a mainstay of every Marine Corps Birthday Ball, serving as the official verbal declaration of the history, mission, and traditions of the Corps.
“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 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.”
One of my favorite Marine Corps Birthday Ball traditions, is the serving of the cake. Cake is cut with a sword (what else did you expect from a Marine, a knife?) then given to the oldest Marine in attendance and then passed to the youngest. This signifies the passing of experience and knowledge from the old to the young in the Corps. Additionally, the oldest issued weapon in the United States military arsenal is the Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) sword. No matter where Marines are on November 10, they gather in celebration. Every Marine deserves to hear the words “Happy Birthday, Marine.” Please expect that Birthday wish to be returned with a dog bark, a YUT, or a loud, Semper Fidelis!
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARINES and SEMPER FIDELIS!
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