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| US Marines in the Washington Navy Yard, 1864. Public Domain (link) |
The few. The proud. The Marines.
Today the United States Marine Corps (USMC) celebrate their 238th birthday .... from the USMC History Division website (link),
On November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces with the fleet. This resolution established the Continental Marines and marked the birth date of the United States Marine Corps. Serving on land and at sea, these first Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations, including their first amphibious raid into the Bahamas in March 1776, under the command of Captain (later Major) Samuel Nicholas. The first commissioned officer in the Continental Marines, Nicholas remained the senior Marine officer throughout the American Revolution and is considered to be the first Marine Commandant. The Treaty of Paris in April 1783 brought an end to the Revolutionary War and as the last of the Navy's ships were sold, the Continental Navy and Marines went out of existence.
Following the Revolutionary War and the formal re-establishment of the Marine Corps on 11 July 1798, Marines saw action in the quasi-war with France, landed in Santo Domingo, and took part in many operations against the Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli".
I came to appreciate the Marines every time I visited Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH) overlooking Kaneohe Bay. In honor of the Marine Corps, I am giving away a MCBH tote bag plus a book choice from my convention stash ... because they guarantee your freedom. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about the USMC - do you know any Marines? Do you have a favorite movie about the Marines?
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, November 16, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 17.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
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| Marines from Headquarters & Service Company, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines, conducting a dawn patrol in Nawa District, Afghanistan. Image by Sgt. Mark Fayloga Public Domain (link) |
