November 10th is the birthday of the United States Marine Corps. For 243 years, the U.S. Marine Corps has answered the call when this nation had a wrong it needed made right. It is sometimes easy to forget 
that liberty and freedom are not free. Its price has been paid in the blood and sacrifice of those who have gone before us. Since 1775, the U.S. Marines have boldly and bravely marched toward the sounds of gunfire and have fought fiercely and honorably to defeat the enemies of this nation. We are Marines – that is what we do.
It was current Secretary of Defense James Mattis, when he was the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division who said to his Marines prior to entering Iraq in 2003, “Demonstrate to the world there is ‘No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy’ than a U. S. Marine.” For 243 years, Marines have done exactly that. Whether it was the wheat fields of Belleau Woods, the snows of the Chosin, the streets of Hue city, the alleys of Fallujah or the streets of Safar in Helmand Province, Marines have proudly defined the standards of the world’s most elite military organization.
On November 10th, everywhere in the world, wherever there are two or more Marines, the oldest and the youngest will share a slice of birthday cake. This sharing of food, this breaking of bread together, represents the passing of history and traditions from one generation to the next. It is a reminder of a heritage written in the sacrifice of those who came before and a challenge to be met by those who carry the Corps’ battle colors now and in the future.
To the few, the proud, the Marines on November 10th, I say: Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis.
