Good Night Chesty, Wherever You Are
There is a unique holiday between Halloween and Veteran’s Day. It isn’t on the calendar, and therefore often overlooked. It is a day recognized only by a select group of people, but those who do recognize it hold it as one of the most important and celebrated days of the year: The birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
If you know a Marine, then you probably already know that their birthday was this past weekend. As the running cadence goes, “back in 1775, my Marine Corps came alive.” November 10, 1775, to be precise.
At the dawn of the national struggle, the Second Continental Congress – meeting in Philadelphia at the time – resolved that two battalions of Marines be raised to serve as a landing force for the new American Naval Fleet. According to Marine lore, the first recruitment drive was held at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. There, a former innkeeper named Samuel Nicholas appointed the tavern manager, Robert Mullan, as the first “Marine recruiter” and swiftly began signing men to terms of enlistment. Nicholas would soon be Captain Nicholas, first ever Marine Officer.
Nicholas would serve as the Marine Commandant for the duration of the Revolutionary War. The Marines participated in various naval engagements, conducted the first assault ashore in the Bahamas to capture British arms and equipment, and fought alongside General Washington at the Battle of Trenton. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris brought an end to the war and, for a time, the Marine Corps.
The hiatus was short lived; the Marines were back on duty in 1798 for service in the Quasi-War with France and the Barbary Wars. From then until the present, Marines have served in every conflict America has endured, including many that aren’t publicly known.
The Corps, as it is affectionately called, celebrates its founding all around the world: in fancy ballrooms and aircraft hangers, embassies and combat outposts, defensive fighting positions underground and aboard Naval vessels. Wherever there is a Marine or two – active or former – the birth of the Corps is toasted. This is rather fitting, since America’s elite force of soldiers from the sea was founded in a bar.
Tradition runs deep in the military. Marines, like they do with most things, tend to take tradition to an extreme. The formal birthday celebration revolves around a ceremony, complete with dress uniforms, a sword detail, and a color guard to escort a cake which is cut by the Commanding Officer. Per tradition, a piece is presented to the guest of honor. Another is presented to the oldest Marine present. They in turn give it to the youngest and Marine signifying the passing of tradition. The adjutant will read the birthday message posted in 1921, by the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General John A. LeJeune of WWI fame. A message is also played from the currently serving Commandant of the Marine Corps. Speeches are given and after the ceremony, the night turns to dinner, drinks, and dancing. All around merriment and rowdy celebration ensue.
It's a real party. And trust me, Marines know how to party.
The birthday isn’t only about celebration, though. It is also about remembrance. Sometimes the event includes a uniform pageant featuring Marines wearing Corps uniforms dating back to the Revolution. Most often, it is sea stories about comrades, combat, or adventures Marines have had over the years. They swap jokes, insults, or quotes from legendary Marines such as Lewis “Chesty” Puller, Smedley Butler, Dan Daly, and Gregory "Pappy" Boyington.
A particularly special tradition is the memorial to Marines unaccounted for. Placed in the corner of the ball room, a table sits with a single chair. The table holds a single place setting and special items, memorializing the fallen, missing, and their families.
There is a single red rose in a vase with a yellow ribbon, an inverted glass, a black napkin, a slice of lemon and pinch of salt on the bread plate. On the table sits a book of faith, and, of course, a Purple Heart Medal.
Marines remember and celebrate all Marines, including those who haven’t come home.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention those deployed Marines who stand in freezing rain or blistering desert sun. They, too, are rigid at attention as a Marine reads General Lejeune’s message. Perhaps they sing a verse of The Marines’ Hymn before receiving the command to return to duty.
10 November may never make it in the calendar as an official holiday. And that is probably for the best. I don’t think Marines would want it that way. It’s our day. It’s a day to celebrate being a part of something small, special, and endearing. Young, old, regardless of race or religion, Marines share a creed. Marines who have never met can find common ground with two powerfully simple words: Semper Fi.
Happy 249th Birthday Marines. Here’s health to you and to our Corps.
I will end this blog as I end most birthday celebrations: Remembering one of the greatest to ever live the creed.
Good night, Chesty. Wherever you are.
