U.S. Marine Corps Birthday!

The Marine Corps Birthday U.S. Marines Silent Platoon

Leathernecks and the Tun Tavern
231 years ago to this date, the 2nd Continental Congress was looking for “a few good men” to keep their small fleet of ships safe from the British. So with great insight, our “Founding Fathers” passed a resolution creating the United States Marine Corps and appointed Samual Nicholas as the first Commandant of the two newly formed battalions of Continental Marines. Nicholas commissioned his friend and proprietor of Peggy Mullan’s Red Hot Beef Steak Club at Tun Tavern, Robert Mullan, to be the first Marine Corps recruiter, Mullan immediately set up shop at the Tun Tavern, (Philadelphia, PA) hence the birthplace of the Marines. If you get a chance, check out the video GoDaddy.com put together by clicking here. From low-maintenance haircuts, to the coolest uniforms in the world, here are 219 reasons to love your Corps, by Chris Lawson from the Marine Corps Times.

Party on Wayne
146 years later, the 13th Commandant of the USMC, Major General John LeJeune issued Marine Corps Order no. 47, Series 1921 to establish the celebration of the Marines Corps Birthday. Of course, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball is quite reflective of the discipline, traditions and polish of the Marines (as Jenna Jameson recently learned) but the Birthday Ball is more than just pomp and circumstance. The tradition of the Birthday Ball is as important for strengthening the bonds of the Corps as Thanksgiving is for civilian families.

This is not the first time she’s been black-balled
Taking into consideration the traditions, standards and elitism of the United States Marine Corps and in extension, the Marine Corps Ball, the reasons for the USMC Miramar base’s “Brass” requesting their guest speaker, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter, Tito Ortiz to leave his girlfriend Jenna Jameson at home. Indeed, Ortiz has a big fan base with Marines and was honored to speak, but he too has to stay Semper Fidelis at home so he respectfully with drew his acceptance to speak. Then again, if Mr. Ortiz needs someone to watch his girlfriend while he gives his speech, Jenna is welcome to hangout with the Bushido and friends here in Charleston.

Not a Marine, here’s how to celebrate in style anyway
Once a Marine, always a Marine, but if you weren’t in the Corps, I suggest watching a few Marines on the big screen. Clint not only made a kick-a** flick Heartbreak Ridge about Recon Marines, but he just released Flags of our Fathers about the raising of Old Glory at Iwo Jima and the effect this event had on our country. If you want a wider selection of movies choose from any movie made by other Former Marines who made it to the big screen: Steve McQueen, Burt Reynolds, Lee Marvin, Charlton Heston, Gene Hackman, and George C. Scott to name a few. If you are not into movies, go to a toy store and stock up on merch to donate to the Marine sponsored Toys for Tots this Christmas.

Happy Birthday to all current and former Marines! Ooh-rah!