"" General J. F. Dunford, Commandant of the
Marine Corps, issued a birthday greeting to
his troops this weekend and it seems fitting
for the world to hear his words as well:
“In his birthday greeting 70 years ago, General
Alexander Vandegrift, our 18th Commandant
noted that, “A Birthday is a fitting time to peer
backward – and forward.” That year, Marines
reflected on an extraordinary year in combat
during their amphibious drive across the
Pacific. Despite the challenges and the horrific
conditions, Marines prevailed at Guam, Saipan,
and Peleliu. On 10 November 1944, Marines
looked back with pride on their
accomplishment – confident in their ability to
meet future challenges.
In 2004, 20,000 Marines deployed to Al Anbar
Province, Iraq – many Marines celebrated the
birthday in places like Fallujah, Ramadi, and
Al Qaim while decisively engaged in combat.
That year, Marines also responded to crisis in
the Pacific following a tsunami which claimed
the lives of more than 200,000 people. On 10
November 2004, Marines looked back with
pride on their accomplishments – confident in
their ability to meet future challenges.
As we celebrate our 239th birthday, Marines
are in combat in Afghanistan. Since we last
gathered to celebrate our Corps’ birthday, we
also responded to crises in the Philippines,
South Sudan, Libya, and Iraq.
Some things change. This year found us in
different climes and places that our
predecessors in 1944 and 2004. We have
adapted our organization, training, and
equipment to the ever-changing operating
environment. Some things remain the same.
Marines attacked this year’s challenges with
the same courage, commitment, loyalty, self-
sacrifice, and adaptability as their
predecessors in Peleliu and Fallujah. For that
reason, on 10 November 2014, we Marines
can look back with pride on our
accomplishments- confident in our ability to
meet future challenges.
Thanks for who you are and what you do.
Happy Birthday Marines.

Semper Fidelis,

J. F. Dunford, Jr.
General, U.S. Marine Corps
Commandant of the Marine Corps""

@WalkSoftly:

Happy Birthday USMC!

Semper fie!!

Hoooraaa !!!

Semper fi!!

That just suck's.

What sucks?

Well Ill tell ya what DOESNT suck...my past and present Jarhead brothers......Semper Fi Marines!


And other U.S. veterans, tomorrow is your day too! Thank you for your service!