This Wednesday, May 26, 2010, my school will be hosting a tribute to soldiers that have fought and died for their country. I am proud to say that we were given 18 Desert Storm uniforms in which 18 of my students volunteered to learn cadence and show the Military just how much they appreciate what they have done for this country.  People ask me if I ever regret joining the Marine Corps, but I just tell them that it made me the strong person I am today…Like they say Once a Marine, A lways, and I truly mean it, Always a Marine…to those still out there fighting for our country …Semper Fi!

P.S. Sgt Rohr…you were a hell of a Drill Sgt. I’ll never forget you!

If you have never been in the Marines but want to get in shape, this site is great for you too!  There are workouts for all fitness levels and they can be done with minimal equipment in the comfort of your own home.

Visit Marine Style Fitness for more information.

1. Samuel Nicholas (28 November 1775 – 25 August 1781)

2. William Ward Burrows (12 July 1798 – 6 March 1804)

3. Franklin Wharton (7 March 1804 – 1 September 1818)

4. Anthony Gale (3 March 1819 – 8 October 1820)

5. Archibald Henderson (17 October 1820 – 6 January 1859)

6. John Harris (7 January 1859 – 12 May 1864)

7. Jacob Zeilin (10 June 1864 – 31 October 1876)

8. Charles Grymes McCawley (1 November 1876 – 29 January 1891)

9. Charles Heywood (30 June 1891 – 2 October 1903)

10. George Frank Elliott (3 October 1903 – 30 November 1910)

11. William Phillips Biddle (3 February 1911 – 2 February 1914)

12. George Barnett (25 February 1914 – 30 June 1920)

13. John Archer Lejeune (1 July 1920 – 4 March 1929)

14. Wendell Cushing Neville (5 March 1929 – 8 July 1930)

15. Ben Hebard Fuller (9 July 1930 – 28 February 1934)

16. John Henry Russell, Jr. (1 March 1934 – 30 November 1936)

17. Thomas Holcomb (1 December 1936 – 3 December 1943)

18. Alexander Archer Vandegrift (1 January 1944 – 31 December 1947)

19. Clifton Bledsoe Cates (1 January 1948 – 31 December 1951)

20. Lemuel Cornick Shepherd, Jr. (1 January 1952 – 31 December 1955)

21. Randolph McCall Pate (1 January 1956 – 31 December 1959)

22. David Monroe Shoup (1 January 1960 – 3 December 1963)

23. Wallace Martin Greene, Jr. (1 January 1964 – 31 December 1967)

24. Leonard Fielding Chapman, Jr. (1 January 1968 – 3 December 1971)

25. Robert Everton Cushman, Jr. (1 January 1972 – 30 June 1975)

26. Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr. (1 July 1975 – 30 June 1979)

27. Robert Hilliard Barrow (1 July 1979 – 30 June 1983)

28. Paul Xavier Kelley (1 July 1983 – 30 June 1987)

29. Alfred Mason Gray, Jr. (1 July 1987 – 30 June 1991)

30. Carl Epting Mundy, Jr. (1 July 1991 – 30 June 1995)

31. Charles Chandler Krulak (1 July 1995 – 30 June 1999)

32. James L. Jones (1 July 1999 – 13 January 2003)

33. Michael W. Hagee (14 January 2003 – 12 November 2006)

34. James T. Conway (13 November 2006 -

Our flag’s unfurl’d to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes,
You will find us always on the job -
The United States Marines.

Here’s health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we’ve fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven’s scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Actor

Don Adams is most famous for his role as Agent Maxwell Smart on the 1960s sitcom Get Smart

Lawyer

F. (Francis) Lee Bailey was a Marine pilot and then admitted to the bar in 1960. He was a successful defense attorney for cases such as the Torso Murder case (1960), Boston Strangler case (1966), and many others including the O. J. Simpson Case.

Screenwriter

His first screenplay was for The D.I. (1957), about a Marine drill instructor. He also penned the 1965 biblical epic, The Greatest Story Ever Told. Barret also wrote pilot episodes for TV series and screenplays for TV movies.

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt; steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Amen.

My rifle, without me is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will….

My rifle and myself know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit….

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will….

Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.
So be it, until there is no enemy, but Peace!

THE CREED OF THE UNITED STATES MARINES

“There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.” Unknown

“Uncommon valor was a common virtue.”
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

“Panic sweeps my men when they are facing the AMERICAN MARINES.”
CAPTURED NORTH KOREAN MAJOR

“The MARINES have landed and have the situation well in hand!”
RICHARD HARDING DAVIS

If I had one more division like this First Marine Division I could win this war.
General of the Armies Douglas McArthur in Korea,
overheard and reported by Marine Staff Sergeant Bill Houghton, Weapons/2/5

Do not attack the First Marine Division. Leave the yellowlegs alone. Strike the American Army. Orders given to Communist troops in the Korean War;
shortly afterward, the Marines were ordered to not wear their khaki leggings.

The Marine Corps is the Navy’s police force and as long as I am President that is what it will remain. They have a propaganda machine that is almost equal to Stalin’s.
Harry S. Truman

“The deadliest weapon in the world is a MARINE and his rifle!”
GEN. PERSHING, US.ARMY

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” GEORGE ORWELL

“A ship without MARINES is like a garment without buttons.” ADM. DAVID PORTER, USN

“The more Marines I have around, the better I like it.”
General Clark, U.S. Army

“No one can say that the Marines have failed to do their work in handsome fashion.”
Major General Hagood, U.S. Army

“There is no military body in our country of higher efficiency than the Marine Corps.
They take great pride in their profession. They never let things slack a bit.”
Rear Admiral C.M. Wilslow, U.S. Navy

“They’re on our right, they’re on our left, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us;
they can’t get away from us this time.”
Chesty Puller, USMC, Chosin Reservoir, Korean War

Old breed? New breed? There’s not a damn bit of difference so long as it’s the Marine breed. Chesty Puller, USMC

“Marine Corps integrity is doing that thing which is right, when no one is looking”
Col. Colin Lampard, USMC

Every Marine is, first and foremost, a rifleman. All other conditions are secondary
General A. M. Gray, USMC

Ensure that no Marine who honorably wore the eagle, globe and anchor is lost to the Marine Corps family. General James L. Jones Jr., Commandant of the Marine Corps

“They (Marines) have given us our only real fight.” Commanding Officer of the British, War 0f 1812

“The American Marines are terribly reckless fellows… they would make very good storm troopers.” Unidentified German officer at Belleau Wood

The US Air Force Chief-of-Staff would never be called — Airman
The Chief-of-Naval Operations would never be called — Sailor
The Commanding General of The US Army would never be called — Soldier
BUT the Commandant of the Marine Corps would be proud to be called a –
United States Marine

“Marines know how to use their bayonets. Army bayonets may as well be paper-weights.” Navy Times; November 1994

“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!” Eleanor Roosevelt

“We are United States Marines, and for two and a quarter centuries we have defined the standards of courage, esprit, and military prowess.” Gen. James L. Jones, USMC

“My only answer as to why the Marines get the toughest jobs is because the average Leatherneck is a much better fighter. He has far more guts, courage, and better officers… These boys out here have a pride in the Marine Corps and will fight to the end no matter what the cost.” 2nd Lt. Richard C. Kennard, Peleliu, World War II

“It’s a funny thing, but, as years go by, I think you appreciate more and more what a great thing it was to be a United States Marine… People will tell me what a shame it was I had to go back into the service a second time, but I’m kinda glad I did.. Besides, I am a U.S. Marine and I’ll be one till I die.” Ted Williams