Happy Birthday Marines

It's the 232 birthday of the United States Marines. The story goes that after the Continental Congress passed a resolution on November 10, 1775, stating that "two battalions of Marines be raised" the first headquarters was a tavern and the first Marine recruiter was the bar keep, Robert Mullen.

Captain Samuel Nicholas took the Marines on the first amphibious raid, to the Bahamas in March 1776. Nicholas, later promoted to Major, is considered to be the first Marine Commandant.

Marines have long been associated with alcohol, as the story of how it was created shows but there is an even more interesting, and amusing story about Marines and drinking that I've heard.

It seems in 1913 the Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels, declared that no alcohol be allowed aboard ships. The rum, or whiskey, ration had been abolished during the Civil War but could still be served in wardrooms on ships. Daniels went further, he said no alcohol could be sold to enlisted personnel at stations ashore. This did not make Daniels a popular fellow with Marines, or it seems, their wives.

Shocked and dismayed by the edict from Secretary of the Navy, the socialite wife of the Marine Corps Commandant outmaneuvered Daniels with authorization to use liquor in cooking. At the historic home of the Commandants, Mrs. George Barnett--a doyenne of Washington society, well known for her sparkling cocktail parties at the expense of pretentious politicians--served the Secretary of the Navy and the other guests a dinner they would not likely forget. Grapefruit came first, laced with at least the alcohol content of two cocktails. Soup consisted mostly of sherry, while the terrapin arrived floating in Madeira. Traditional roast beef was followed by rum sherbet, and a salad of champagne frappe. Brandied peaches ended the repast. As Mrs. Barnett recalled the evening in her memoirs, the Senator on her left declined a second helping of dessert with a grave response: "Madam, I just couldn't eat another drop!"

Call them Devil Dogs, leathernecks or gyrenes, just don't call them late for dinner. To anyone who's ever served, thank you.

Three of my uncles served in WWII, all in different branches. My uncle Dave was in the 82nd Airborne and my uncle Jim was in the Navy but my uncle Vernon was a Marine. He taught me the Marine Corps Hymn at a very early age, mostly to annoy my other two uncles. Here's the lyrics, for those who may not know anything but the first verse.

Marine Corps Hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma

To the shores of Tripoli

We fight our country's battles

In the air, on land, and sea.

First to fight for right and freedom

And to keep our honor clean;

We are proud to claim the title

Of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled 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.