Norsemans birthday messsage

It is Marine Corps tradition that today we will attend a birthday celebration, witness the reading of Gen Lejune's birthday message and the message from the current commandant.  Additionally, there will be a cake cutting ceremony and the honoring of the oldest and the youngest Marines present.  This tradition will be taking place around the world in literally ever climb and place.  It will even happen in fighting holes with a canteen of coffee and an MRE cookie.  I am honored to share this 236th birthday with my fellow Marines and tonight I will be attending our local birthday ball celebration.  For my brothers and sisters around the world.  I know that you are the ones we are celebrating.  When we are dancing, eating and drinking it will be your names on our lips.  Those of you that have to put down the cup and pick of rifle.  Just know that as you spend your birthday standing a post or walking a patrol we are there with you in spirit.  We celebrate what you are doing and the legacy that you leave for future Marines to emulate.  Keep the Morale high and stay alert, this is your day and you are being celebrated.  I would like nothing more than to set down my pen and take your watch, It would do me no greater pleasure than to be able to shoulder the load with you my brothers. 

For the all the Marines that have fought for the principals that make this country free, and moved on to bigger and better things.  Remember that you too are celebrated.  You paved the way and we will maintain that route and keep it clean.  Wear your head high tonight, wherever you may find yourself.  If any one ever asks you if you were a Marine, tell them no I WAS a civilian, that guy is dead now, I AM a US Marine.

I would say that for a group of  drunks, pirates and patriots, we have done all right for ourselves.

Semper FI!

Said of the Marines:

I come in peace, I didn't bring artillery.  But I am pleading with you with tears in my eyes:  If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all.

Marine General James Mattis, to Iraqi tribal leaders

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share.
Ned Dolan

I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!
General of the Armies Douglas MacArthur; Korea, 21 September 1950  

 The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945

We have two companies of Marines running rampant all over the northern half of this island, and three Army regiments pinned down in the southwestern corner, doing nothing. What the hell is going on?
Gen. John W. Vessey Jr., USA, Chairman of the the Joint Chiefs of Staff
during the assault on Grenada, 1983

 They told (us) to open up the Embassy, or "we'll blow you away." And then they looked up and saw the Marines on the roof with these really big guns, and they said in Somali, "Igaralli ahow," which means "Excuse me, I didn't mean it, my mistake".
Karen Aquilar, in the U.S. Embassy; Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991

Political SALT

The more that I look at our system of government the more upset that I get.  I have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies foriegn and domestic.  It seems to me that those are becomming only token phrases.  What power does the individual service member have to protect the constitution within the walls of the country?  Some of those that are seeking to destroy it are our bosses or hold powerful offices that effect our livlihood.  

A funny story:  The other day I was in the yard with a few other vets and we were having a beer and being brotherly.  Along comes this kid on a bycycle and hands me this flier.  He said "I am running for state senate and I would like your support".  My reply was "how old are you?"  He answered 25.  I asked if he had ever been in the military and he produced a stupid look.  Well what are your plans to help veterans in the state if you get the seat?  He started into a WELL REHURSED speach about his platform that requires all people that are receiving gov funding to fill out applications that would be automatically submitted for job openings, BLA BLA BLA.  What the hell does that have to do with Vets! Nothing, he replied but government spending BLA BLA BLA.  So you are asking for our support and we dont get your support?  He replied, there is nothing that I can do at the state level to help vets.  One of the vets said, try looking people in the eyes when you lie to them boy! How much are you going to make as a state senator, we asked?  Only 10K a year {smirk} plus benifits.  Get the fuck out of here boy!  There are only three types of people in this country.  Vets, Those that are UNABLE to serve, and those that are UNWILLING to serve.  You "BOY" are not wanted here.  He replied, Im done here anyway!

The reason that I mentioned that story is that it is so sad to me that a NEW politition is starting out by following all the bad exmples of people that we are trying to replace.  Have we been so screwed up for so long that there are no more good examples to follow?

Think of our system of government and all of its parts as a fine meal prepared by a master chef.  With just the right combination of ingreedents and spices.  Now for the final ingreedent, A PINCH OF SALT, to bring out the flavor and keep it interesting.  In adding that dash of salt it appears that the lid fell off the container and dumped all of the salt into the meal.  There is no ammount of spices and herbs to repair that or hide that bitter taste.  The only course of action is to cut your losses, toss out the meal and start a new one.

Norseman