Happy Birthday Marines –
As is custom during birthday celebrations, a wish is made before blowing out the candles on our cake.
It is also a custom not to reveal that wish for fear that it may not come true. My Marine Corps Birthday wish each year has been the same since my 1st at USMC Base Quantico VA. However, I did not blow out the candles then and still do not today. Before I tell you why and what I wish for, let me 1st say a bit about Marines.
Many times I’ve been asked “What makes Marines so special”.
It’s something I thought about and have settled on an answer that I’m comfortable with. Although we have a long history of traditions, achievements and esprit de corps that I believe is unmatched among the services, I don’t believe that alone is the answer.
I believe Marines have always possessed something as a group that is uniquely different than the other groups which still sits in the hearts of Marines today.
What sets Marines apart is our innate desire to be the first to answer our Nation’s call to fight. We are taught and trained to do this with an unwavering commitment to emerge victorious. We develop a collective purpose, unbreakable bonds and singular focus on winning. We have a willingness to fight because it’s in our nature.
When someone asks me “What makes Marines so special” the best answer I can give is:
“If you want to see what makes Marines so special, look them in the eyes”.
“If the eyes are the window to the soul then you will see the light of a flame that burns within the hearts of each and every Marine”.
My wish has been a constant, so do not fear telling it.
The wish is that the flames within each and every Marine continue to burn…
Happy Birthday Brothers and Sisters…. Keep the candles burning and Semper Fi….
The Bow Legged Blogger 
Semper fi! A few years ago I got to finally realize a lifelong dream and attend the Marine Corps Ball. As a child, I watched my parents dress for the ball whenever my dad was not not overseas during the event and it never occurred to me that the ritual wouldn’t be mine when I grew up. Well, It isn’t. But I did get to go once. I had not known about the cake. The pomp and majesty of something so simple as a cake. I believe that’s what makes Marines different — honor in everything. Connie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Connie Lynn, Thank you for sharing your memory with me. One thing I’ll bet you might have noticed about your Dad was his attention to detail. Marines are taught that details matter, a spotless rifle saves lives, a clean body keeps you fit for duty a detail even Eleanor Roosevelt noted when she stated ….“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!”
It is with a focus on detail that compels me to say the following:
Connie Lynn, you are a gifted writer, I love that you share your ever streaming conscience. Don
LikeLike
Thank you so much! Yes. Attention to detail. He always said proper prior planning prevents poor performance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late, If you are late you’re in a hurt locker”.
LikeLike