And the Commandant of the Marine Corps sent us a very nice note:
SUBJ: 230TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY
UNCLASSIFIED//
ALMAR 050/05
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/230TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY//
POC/SGT K. PTAK/ADMIN CHIEF/CMC STAFF GROUP/-//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. ON 13 OCTOBER 1775, THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
RESOLVED THAT TWO SWIFT SAILING VESSELS, EACH FITTED WITH TEN
CARRIAGE GUNS AND 80 MEN, WOULD BE CHARGED WITH DEFENDING OUR YOUNG NATION’S FREEDOM. AS WE CELEBRATE THIS ANNIVERSARY, MARINES AROUND THE GLOBE ARE HONORED TO SALUTE YOUR PROUD LEGACY OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO OUR GREAT NATION.
2. WHETHER UNDERWAY ON THE HIGH SEAS OR STANDING WATCH ASHORE, IT
IS FITTING TO REFLECT ON YOUR MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, HONORING YOUR RICH HERITAGE BY PAYING TRIBUTE TO PREVIOUS GENERATIONS OF IRON SAILORS. YOURS IS A LEGACY OF ALWAYS ANSWERING OUR NATION’S CALL, FROM DEFENDING OUR SHORES TO PROTECTING OUR COMMERCE ON THE HIGH SEAS, FROM ENGAGING OUR ENEMIES IN HOSTILE WATERS TO PROVIDING AID AND COMFORT TO THOSE IN NEED. THE EVENTS OF THE PAST YEAR HAVE ADDED ANOTHER LUSTROUS CHAPTER TO THE U.S. NAVY’S LEGION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS. YOUR UNPARALLELED READINESS AND AGILITY WAS
EVIDENCED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN OPERATIONS SUPPORTING THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR, IN THE WAKE OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN TSUNAMI, AND MOST RECENTLY IN THE ASSISTANCE YOU PROVIDED THOUSANDS OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS STRICKEN BY HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA.
3. AS WE COMMEMORATE 230 YEARS OF PROFESSIONALISM, DEDICATION, AND
SELFLESS SERVICE, THE “SOLDIERS OF THE SEA” ARE HONORED TO STAND
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THE WORLD’S FINEST NAVY AS WE PROUDLY
SERVE TOGETHER BOTH IN PEACE AND IN HARM’S WAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND
SEMPER FIDELIS, M. W. HAGEE, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//
BT
And this kind note was forwarded to your humble scribe by one of his Marine brothers-in-arms here on the imperial staff, who added:
All
I just wanted to make sure you saw this and to wish you a “Happy Birthday!” and my sincere appreciation for your support.
After-all, every time there’s a war – the Navy gives us a ride.
Semper Fi,
Semper sigh
Ah, the value of NMCI. I read it on a blog before it comes over the DMS!
This message is a first in my experience.
B2
Happy Birthday, Navy! Proud to stand tall with ye!
Semper Fi!
Lex, (Sir!)
As one who served as a young lance corporal under Mike Hagee when he was but a light colonel, and who now proudly wears a beautiful gold anchor on his collar, that message from the Commandant is especially meaningful to me. Goose bumples, even. No tears, cause Chiefs don’t do that, right? Anyhoo, he’s right. And our birthday is occasion for us dirt sailors to say “hey, you fleet guys and airdale types are alright by us. Get us where we need to be and cover our six just like you do the Marines.” Happy Birthday to us all!
Waiting for the next nail-biting installment, by the way…
Ernie, proud to be a Seabee Chief/Marine LCPL
“first in my experience” – me too, I think. A nice touch, especially from the encumbered service.
Thanks, Sgt B!
And you too, ernie – been around the block a bit, haven’t you? Seabee, is it? Come to the sea! Come sail with me!