desire as the time on the part of
the U.S. Marine Corps to have a motto entirely different from that of the British Royal Marines. The motto undoubtedly enjoyed the good fortune of benefiting from the marching song "Semper Fidelis," written by John Philip Sousa in 1888.
You may be interested in the following historical vignette.
During the Civil War (or the War between the States), a resolution was introduced in the U.S. Congress to transfer the Marine Corps to the Army as an additional regiment. Colonel Commandant John Harris wrote to a number of prominent Navy officers for their opinions on the necessity and the efficiency of Marines on shore and afloat. The reply of Commander John Pope, dated 16 December 1863, contained the observation that "...I have ever found the Marines efficient, both afloat and on shore, always faithful and effective whenever employed." Somewhat the same expression was made by a Lieutenant Commander F. A. Roe, who remarked that the Marine Corps "has ever maintained its high character, proudly meriting the title of the ever faithful...Their fidelity has passed into a proverb."
As a final note, in an ALMAR of 16 December 1996, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Charles C. Krulak, USMC referred to Semper Fidelis as "The Marine's pledge to remain always faithful to these [core] values and to God, Family, Country, Corps. Our core values remain the very soul of our institution, underlying all that is best in Marines,
You may be interested in the following historical vignette.
During the Civil War (or the War between the States), a resolution was introduced in the U.S. Congress to transfer the Marine Corps to the Army as an additional regiment. Colonel Commandant John Harris wrote to a number of prominent Navy officers for their opinions on the necessity and the efficiency of Marines on shore and afloat. The reply of Commander John Pope, dated 16 December 1863, contained the observation that "...I have ever found the Marines efficient, both afloat and on shore, always faithful and effective whenever employed." Somewhat the same expression was made by a Lieutenant Commander F. A. Roe, who remarked that the Marine Corps "has ever maintained its high character, proudly meriting the title of the ever faithful...Their fidelity has passed into a proverb."
As a final note, in an ALMAR of 16 December 1996, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Charles C. Krulak, USMC referred to Semper Fidelis as "The Marine's pledge to remain always faithful to these [core] values and to God, Family, Country, Corps. Our core values remain the very soul of our institution, underlying all that is best in Marines,
and must continue
to frame the way we live and act as Marines."
WE MARINES!
Weep Not For Me I am a Marine!
Do not stand at my grave weeping, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds drifting gently over the land, I am God's diamond, a light glistening through the sky's, His snow crystal riding winds, carrying not where fate takes me, happy to flow through endless beauty. I rise, I soar, I change, gently, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the seasons that call to the earth, becoming the gentle autumn rain caressing land. You awaken to the dawn hush; I am the swift, uplifting warmth of the morning breeze.
At night, I am the star that shines, I was old yet, and you see me, able to run once again as I shoot through the night sky. I am the splendor of the harvest moon. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, my spirit soars on the wind; I did not die the way you think
because...
All Marines die in the red flash of battle or the cold loneliness of a nursing home, their bodies broken, and aged because of war. In the vigor of youth or the infirmity of years all eventually cross over but our Marine Corps lives on. Every Marine who ever existed is living still through our young Marines who claim our title today.
It is the sense of brotherhood that outlives our mortality. It is belonging to
WE MARINES!
Weep Not For Me I am a Marine!
Do not stand at my grave weeping, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds drifting gently over the land, I am God's diamond, a light glistening through the sky's, His snow crystal riding winds, carrying not where fate takes me, happy to flow through endless beauty. I rise, I soar, I change, gently, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the seasons that call to the earth, becoming the gentle autumn rain caressing land. You awaken to the dawn hush; I am the swift, uplifting warmth of the morning breeze.
At night, I am the star that shines, I was old yet, and you see me, able to run once again as I shoot through the night sky. I am the splendor of the harvest moon. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, my spirit soars on the wind; I did not die the way you think
because...
All Marines die in the red flash of battle or the cold loneliness of a nursing home, their bodies broken, and aged because of war. In the vigor of youth or the infirmity of years all eventually cross over but our Marine Corps lives on. Every Marine who ever existed is living still through our young Marines who claim our title today.
It is the sense of brotherhood that outlives our mortality. It is belonging to
our Marine Corps, which gives us light to live by, our honor to uphold, traditions to pass on, our warrior code to give our new generation...
UPDATE MEDALS
Stolen Valor Act Passes Congress: This act amends the federal criminal code to expand the prohibition against wearing, manufacturing, or selling military decorations or medals without legal authorization. It prohibits the purchasing, soliciting, mailing, shipping, importing, exporting, producing blank certificates of receipt for, advertising, trading, bartering, or exchanging such decorations or medals without authorization. It further prohibits falsely representing oneself as having been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces or any of the service medals or badges. The Stolen Valor Act significantly increases penalties for violations if the offense involves a distinguished service cross, an Air Force Cross, a Navy Cross, a Silver Star, or a Purple Heart. The bill was sent to the President this week and he is expected to sign it into law. Note: The VFW was in the forefront, actively supporting the passage of this act.
Michael H. Wysong, Director
National Security and Foreign Affairs
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
DUES:
Time to send me your dues for 2007. They are 5 Past Due for 2005 and 32 Past Due for 2006.
UPDATE MEDALS
Stolen Valor Act Passes Congress: This act amends the federal criminal code to expand the prohibition against wearing, manufacturing, or selling military decorations or medals without legal authorization. It prohibits the purchasing, soliciting, mailing, shipping, importing, exporting, producing blank certificates of receipt for, advertising, trading, bartering, or exchanging such decorations or medals without authorization. It further prohibits falsely representing oneself as having been awarded any decoration or medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces or any of the service medals or badges. The Stolen Valor Act significantly increases penalties for violations if the offense involves a distinguished service cross, an Air Force Cross, a Navy Cross, a Silver Star, or a Purple Heart. The bill was sent to the President this week and he is expected to sign it into law. Note: The VFW was in the forefront, actively supporting the passage of this act.
Michael H. Wysong, Director
National Security and Foreign Affairs
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
DUES:
Time to send me your dues for 2007. They are 5 Past Due for 2005 and 32 Past Due for 2006.