Friday, November 10, 2006
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Ooh-Rah! Happy Birthday, Marine Corps!
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Posted by:
Mary Katharine Ham at
11:26 AM
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My friend Sherri Francescon took this picture (but I did the croppin', baby!) earlier this summer at the Sunset Parade, which is held every Tuesday from June to August at the Iwo Jima Memorial. The Marine band and silent drill teams put on a show for free for anyone who can grab a seat on the soft, grassy lawn.
You guys remember Sherri, right? Her husband Patrick was in Iraq last year, bustin' up terrorist junk in Fallujah. Then he came home.
She loves it when I use that picture. Before Patrick got home, Sherri and I and a group of friends went to the Sunset Parade to watch the few and the proud. And, wow.
"I love and respect every Marine that has ever served, because we knew when we signed up that we might be called on to give our lives for the country that we love. I only have one more thing to say and it comes from the bottom of my heart and soul, SEMPER FI."
"This year’s celebration again finds many from our ranks serving with distinction in harm’s way. As we have for the past 231 years, our Corps is answering the nation’s call. I can report first hand that our Marines fighting on the front lines of the long war on terror are performing brilliantly, acquitting themselves with honor, dedication, and dignity in difficult and dangerous environments."
"Born in an old Philadelphia alehouse, with the barkeep as its first officer, the fledgling Continental Marine Corps was composed of a motley band of adventurers and street toughs; nothing like the 178,000-plus elite U.S. Marine Corps we know today. But somewhere along the way the proverbial formula was discovered. According to tradition – and in Lt. Gen. Victor H. “Brute” Krulak’s book, First to Fight – Marines started telling themselves they were the best. They started believing it, and they’ve been busy proving it ever since."
“While I was in that house, I made three life or death decisions,” Kasal said. “I never thought I would live through any of them, but I did what I did to help the other Marines.”
Uncommon valor remains a common virtue among these men and women, thank God.
All photos by Sherri Francescon.
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The illegal aliens that will be allowed to live here and suck the benefits need to have a term in Iraq in the front lines. That would earn them something and teach them the cost of what they're getting free. |
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Congratulations to the Corps! US Army First Sergeant Retired. |
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...to the Marines. As Veterans' Day is tomorrow, I ask the following request: Whether you support the decisions made by the administration or not, I ask you to take a moment and reflect on the lives sacrificed by our fellow brothers and sisters, those that gave their lives to protect our freedoms. Let us also remember those that are still out there today, not just in Iraq and Afghanistan, but the thousands of Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines watching our backs as we sleep at night.
From one veteran to others out there, both who may read this and cannot because they have given the ultimate sacrifice... Thank you. Thank you for giving what others may spit in our faces for, for giving the ultimate gift to Americans: our freedom.
(After reading this, I will probably put this on my blog as well.) |
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I'm sure I don't know all the nuances, but if this information is true (http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2006/11/more-duping-of-america-democrats-media.html#comments), we need to get it out there despite MSM obfuscation. |
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Thanks so much for the lovely birthday tribute to the Corps, Mary Katherine :)
Kasal's story is a must read - it's not every day the Navy Cross is awarded. I don't know where we get such men but I hope we never stop telling their stories. |
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I spent 2 years at the Marine barraks in Washington, D.C. I was behind the scenes for two parade seasons, but i"ll never forget the thrill of the parade, silent drill team, and the drum and bugle corps. will never leave me. |
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thoroughly enjoyed this. Thanks. |
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Thanks guys. You make me proud to be an American. God bless and come home safely and soon.
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