Feelin' green...

As there were no pressing translations today, I spent more time at the store. Today was the first day we were authorized to sell the "Distinguished Marines" commemorative stamps.

Lejeune, Puller, Basilone, and Daly. Every Marine is familiar with their names, some even with their nicknames: "Chesty" Puller, "Manila John" Basilone, and plain old "Dan" Daly.

I remember how our drill instructor took great pains to inspire in us the qualities that made Puller great by telling us about his life. While everyone else was cleaning their rifle, he'd have me read aloud excerpts from Chesty's biography to the squadbay.

Daly was awarded the Medal of Honor not once, but twice, and it was he who, at Belleau Wood, ordered an attack by leaping forward, and yelling to his tired men, "Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?"

For a time, "Manila John" was the only Marine to have survived "winning" the Medal of Honor during World War II, for having held off a company of Japanese single-handedly one night on Guadalcanal, armed with a machine gun and Samuel Colt's .45 automatic. On Iwo Jima, he was cut down by a mortar shell.

Only Lejeune really remains a mystery to me. He had no warrior's nickname, as far as I can tell, and isn't particularly known for any one thing. He was just a hell of an all-around Marine, often called "the greatest of all Leathernecks," and today, Swamp Camp Lejeune in North Carolina bears his name.

Here is his message to the Marine Corps, from 1921:

On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence, the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas [so] that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish, Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.

Happy Marine Corps birthday, jarheads!

Cheers...