Today is a special birthday. It is the birthday of our Marine Corps! How can I get to attend this birthday party, other than trying to crash? From the cakes that I have seen, the cake alone would be worth it! Plus, criminal that I would be, for crashing, I would get arrested by a team of Marines?  Crashing for cake and Marines? I am so tempted, but I will refrain, and concentrate on getting on with the article.

Let’s resume where we left off with the history of the Marine Corps.

Overshadowed by the events in the Persian Gulf during 1990-91, were a number of other significant Marine deployments demonstrating the Corps' flexible and rapid response. Included among these were non-combatant evacuation operations in Liberia and Somalia and humanitarian lifesaving operations in Bangladesh, the Philippines, and northern Iraq. In December 1992, Marines landed in Somalia marking the beginning of a two-year humanitarian relief operation in that famine-stricken and strife-torn nation. In another part of the world, Marine Corps aircraft supported Operation Deny Flight in the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. During April 1994, Marines once again demonstrated their ability to protect American citizens in remote parts of the world when a Marine task force evacuated U.S. citizens from Rwanda in response to civil unrest in that country. Closer to home, Marines went ashore in September 1994 in Haiti as part of the U.S. force participating in the restoration of democracy in that country. During this same period Marines were actively engaged in providing assistance to the Nation's counter-drug effort, assisting in battling wild fires in the western United States, and aiding in flood and hurricane relief operations.

All together to the tune of “Ghostbusters”: “Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters” looking remarkably like Marines! No job is too small or too large for these warriors. Remember, the Marines birthday preceded even the birth of the Republic.

Sheriff Paul gives us a great recap of the history of the Marine Ball from its early beginnings to what it has become:

On Oct. 28, 1952, the Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., directed that the celebration of the Marine Corps Birthday be formalized throughout the Corps, and provided an outline for the cake ceremony, as well as other formal observances. This outline was included in the Marine Corps Drill Manual, approved Jan. 26, 1956.

Like the Corps itself, the Birthday Ball developed from simple origins to become the polished, professional function that all Marines commemorate on Nov. 10 around the world.

Didn’t I remark in a previous article that one of the things I love about the Marines is the continuous efforts to improve the product? Yes, I did. The above account is more proof of that display of excellence.

Want more proof of excellence? My friend Ollie, knowing my infatuation with our Marines, sent me what I am labeling the Marine mindset.  How could you not like the following characteristics?

So what is it about the U.S. Marines that they stick U.S. flags on
everything and do more with less, a less that is either old or an army
hand-me-down? We call it Esprit de Corps, but it goes deeper than that. We
learn and maintain myths of the past, which also means living up to those
historical examples. Marine Corps boot camp is the longest of the services;
it is where we mold young men and women into the mythical image called a
Marine.

A few years ago, a congresswoman from Colorado felt that the Marine Corps
was radical and extreme. She contended that the Marine Corps was not
politically correct, nor did we seem to be part of the Department of
Defense's transition to a "kinder and gentler" military. She was correct,
and the Marine Corps took it as a compliment.

Marines are mission oriented. Live or die, the most important thing to a
Marine is accomplishing the mission. Whether taking the bridge, river or
town, accomplishing the mission is the Holy Grail of being a Marine. How the
mission is accomplished is not so important, as it is expected of all
Marines to accomplish the mission with the tools available.

Marines take pride in their work, even if that work is war.
We are just Marines and that is what we do.

This brings the list of “reasons why I love my Marines” to at least 236! Let’s all show our love by donating to Project Valour-IT. We are in the home stretch.

You received a written account of the Marine Ball from Sheriff Paul. Here is a pictorial from Penn State University. I am getting that “crashing the party” feeling again! Maybe I will take two aspirins and don’t call the doctor in the morning.

All right – get ready to “bust a move!” It is time to really get down and party! Join in the Cha Cha slide!    I am taking lessons from the Marine on the right side of the screen!

Happy Birthday to our Marines….and many more!