Happy 236th Birthday, USMC!

The roots of the United State Marines can be traced back to the Continental Marines, which was a resolution of the Second Continental Congress on November 10, 1775 to raise 2 Marine battalions. Since then, the date was regarded as the official "birthday" of the Corps.

In 1923, the Marine Barracks in Pennsylvania hosted a formal dance, while the Marines at the Washington Navy yard held a mock battle. The first formal birthday ball, however wasn't held until 1925 in the Benjamin Franklin Hotel. The tradition grew and the ceremonial cutting of the cake was added by the Commandant, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. in 1952. Today, the ceremony is kept in the same way.

This past weekend, I was honored to have attended the famous Ball. I and my family have always held in high regard the Men and Women of the Armed Forces, but attending the actual event was priceless.

To all United States Marines - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Semper Fi.

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 every 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.