“It’s my birthday next Tuesday,” Dad said last week.
“No it’s not,” said my Mom – indignant and confused.
“The Marine Corps birthday! November 10, 1775!” he explained.
And she knew, and I knew, that Tuesday would be his birthday. Because the day that one joins the armed forces – isn’t that the day you start over, become someone else – someone new?
Happy Birthday, United States Marine Corps.
Happy Birthday, Dad.
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.
the sloppy copy 