Happy Birthday Marines

[shadowjack1]

Happy Birthday to all my Jarhead, leather neck friends.
245 years ago we started in a Bar room and have been fighting ever since.

[flatbutt]

Allow me to add my thanks and best wishes for all Marines to keep adapting and improvising so that they may overcome all obstacles!

[macssc911]

Semper fi brothers

[svandamme]

Have a good crayon you guys !

[Norm K]

If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.

Semper Fi, brothers!

_

[Flat Six]

I grew up in a Marine family. Dad enlisted in 1951, retired as a Major in 1981. Korea, Vietnam twice, Okinawa once. We were lucky and didn't have to move much. I grew up in north San Diego county while he was stationed at Camp Pendleton; only time we moved was to KMCAS in 1969. I know, hardship posts!

He was transferred to MCAS El Toro (3rd MAW, I think) in '65; we continued to live in Oceanside while he commuted every day. I drove with him for a while -- he'd take me to day care there. We listened to some kind of morning radio program on the drive up, and right about the time we reached San Onofre the morning DJ would play 'King of the Road' by Roger Miller ("Trailers for sale or rent, rooms to let 50 cents . . . ") and we'd sing along at the top of our lungs. I don't remember anything about the drive home, but I still know nearly all the words to that song by heart.

He taught me to wrench and to love all things mechanical. I got free reign of his tool shed, with two rules: put everything back where you found it, and don't hurt yourself.

When I was a child we were pretty poor, though I didn't realize it until I reached high school. My mom and older brother picked vegetables and strawberries in the summers with the migrant workers who worked the produce fields. Like most Marines I've met in my life, Dad liked beer. But we could only afford pretty cheap beer, usually PBR or Hamm's depending on what was on sale (or Hawaii's version -- Primo).

So every year on Dad's birthday and on the birthday of his beloved Marine Corps I hoist a Hamm's (or two or three) in his honor. When I traveled for business a lot, I'd see some servicemembers traveling in uniform and get the chance to buy them a beer, a meal, a dessert -- something -- partly to thank them for their service and partly in remembrance of my Dad. Now that I'm retired that chance doesn't present itself much anymore. But here's a standing invitation: Any of you Marines who ever get to Las Vegas, let me know -- I'd love to buy you a beer.

Mom and Dad at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Camp Pendleton, in 1966 I think:

[70racing]

Semper Fi
Sgt, 144xxxx

[DavidI]

Semper Fi and a toast to Devil Dog Mr. Flat Six!

[mdj930]

Happy birthday leather necks.
Semper Fi