The Marine Corps was originally established to serve as an
infantry unit on the naval vessels. This movement, along with
other duties, birthed the Marine Corps, and we now have what
we know today. The formal re-establishment wasn’t until July
11, 1798, after the end of the Revolutionary War. Marines have
participated in every single United States war, and in most
cases, they were our front men, and still are. “To date, Marines
have executed more than 300 landings on foreign shores.” The
Marines today have almost 200,000 active duty members, and
nearly 40,000 in reserve.
“The Marine Corps has been America’s expeditionary
force in readiness since 1775. We are forward deployed to
respond swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis. We are
soldiers of the sea, providing forces and detachments to
naval ships and shore operations. We are global leaders,
developing expeditionary doctrine and innovations that set
the example, and leading other countries’ forces and agencies
in multinational military operations. These unique capabilities
make us 'First to Fight' and our nation’s first line of defense.”
- U.S. Marine Corps
It is important to remember the sacrifices that these brave
men and women make for our great nation. They have given
their lives and dedicated all of their time to providing us with
comfort and protection.
In his 2015 birthday letter to the Navy, President Obama put it
excellently in the explanation he gave as to what these service
members actually do: “From protecting our homeland to bringing
shelter and hope in times of disaster, they [the Navy] reflect
America at its finest. And by devoting themselves to performing
every mission with impeccable courage, skill, determination, they
remind us that our country was built from forces of camaraderie
and common purpose, and that as long as we summon that spirit
and stay true to our mission, America’s greatest breakthroughs
and victories will always lie ahead.”
We, as civilians, take for granted the amount of work and dedication that goes into being a military service member. From the
time they enlist, to the time they retire, these men and women
stand true to their mission and they vow to give their lives for the
United States. The families of these service members also give
something up: their loved ones. They sacrifice just as much to be
AdventureOutdoors
Outdoors
50 Fall 2016 Adventure
a part of our protection systems, and often are left alone to pick up
the pieces of the lives their loved ones left behind.
It is our duty to provide these men and women with whatever they
may need, and to tell them that they are loved and appreciated
every single day. We must show how grateful we are for what they
do for us, and in turn, celebrate everything that this country has
given us, from a warm bed in the safety of our borders, to triumph
and great victory after malicious threats and attacks.
We celebrate these two military branches and their birthdays, and
we remember the history behind their existence, as a tribute to
their sacrifices. So many lives have been lost, so many families
have been left to mourn the deaths of their beloved, and still, in
light of this sadness, so many of us are given the opportunity to
wake up another day as free men and women of the United States
of America.
Wherever you are, whatever you may be dealing with, take a moment to remember and thank a military service member. And to
those of you reading this right now, whom have served this great
country, know that we will never forget what you have done for
us. Happy Birthday, soldiers and sailors, SEALs and SOCOMs.
We love you, and we thank you.