| On November 10th, 1775, The United States | | | | find the streets are guarded by United States |
| Marine Corps was founded by the Continental | | | | Marines." Competently so. |
| Congress in Philadelphia, Pa. Appropriately, 'Tun | | | | I pay silent tribute today and on every November |
| Tavern' was the place where history was made. | | | | 10th to all those who went before me... and after... |
| Since that date Marines have been in | | | | having given so much in service to their Corps |
| uninterrupted service to our country for 232 | | | | and country. Now decades older, I clearly |
| years and have distinguished themselves "in every | | | | remember many with whom I served as young |
| clime and place" in such far off lands and remote | | | | men unselfish in their dedication and unwavering in |
| beaches "from the Halls of Montezuma to the | | | | their loyalty while never questioning their duty to |
| Shores of Tripoli": in France at Belleau Wood; on | | | | defend our nation. Always with a determined |
| the infamous Iwo Jima and throughout the Pacific | | | | 'Gung Ho' attitude, Marines have stood ready to |
| islands; at Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir in | | | | fight our country's battles "on the land, in the air, |
| Korea; at Khe Sanh and Hue City in Vietnam; and | | | | or at sea" wherever and whenever called upon. |
| now throughout Iraq in such towns as Fallujah and | | | | And so, on this special day, I will hoist a toast to |
| the Anbar Province. | | | | those Marines, past and present, who have risked |
| Marines historically have heroically answered our | | | | their lives for their country and I will especially |
| country's call never faltering in their dedication. | | | | never forget those who have made the ultimate |
| "Semper Fidelis" ("Always Faithful") is their motto | | | | sacrifice; their memory bolsters my faith in our |
| and "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" their creed. | | | | youth, our steadfast values and our blessed |
| The Marines' Hymn proclaims "if the Army and | | | | nation. |
| the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will | | | | |