November 10, 2006, - 9:52 am
Happy 231st, U.S. Marines!
By Debbie Schlussel
Today is the 231st birthday of the United States Marine Corps. We’re very grateful of the service of the USMC in protecting our country (with the exception of the intellectually-challenged Lt. Josh Rushing, who now works for the Terrorist News Network, Al-Jazeera).
In honor of today’s Marine Corps birthday, the National Museum of the Marine Corps opens, today, in Triangle, Virginia (officially open to the public, this Monday, November 13th). It’s located adjacent to the Marine Corps base in Quantico.
From an ad in today’s USA Today:
This living Museum will, for all time, attest to the Corps’ honor courage and commitment in service to our Nation.
Sounds very cool. Happy Birthday, USMC! Here’s to 231-plus more years. Semper Fidelis.
Tags: Debbie Schlussel, Josh Rushing, National Museum, Triangle, United States, United States Marine Corps, USA Today, Virginia
Debbie, good tribute to the U.S.M.C. Iím not a Marine, but I have nothing but respect for them. Two relatives of mine served in the U.S. Marines, one was badly wounded at the beginning of the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam, and was medically discharged after he recuperated.
The other relative was my cousin, Carlos The Marine, whom Iíve quoted on my blog from time to time. Carlos also volunteered to serve in Viet Nam.
He tried to join the Marine Corps right out of high school in 1968, but he had slightly elevated blood pressure and didnít pass the initial physical. He didnít take no for an answer, and he wrote a letter to our U.S. Senator at the time, Peter Dominick, and Carlos told the good Senator that it was his birthright as an American to serve his country, especially while we were at war in Viet Nam.
Senator Dominick wrote back to Carlos and promised to do what he could. Well, he must have done something because his office later called Carlos and invited him to enlist one more time. Funny thing, this time he passed the physical.
Carlos served in Viet Nam for a year, came home to the States, and served 5 more years in the Marines as a Military Policeman. Carlos developed atypical Leukemia, it was determined that the disease was due to exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam. Even after he started to get really sick, Carlos never complained about his exposure to the deadly chemical. He was a proud Marine to the end, and I am still proud of him today.
Carlos and I grew up together and he was my best friend. After all this time, I still get misty eyed when I think of him.
Thanks again.
Rocky on November 10, 2006 at 10:51 am