“Do you know what today is?”
If I weren’t married and out of the house, I guarantee you my dad would be asking me this question today. In fact, I’m guessing he probably already has asked my mom and brother. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he calls in the next few hours to pose the question to our household.
The answer? The one that’s been ingrained in my mind every November 10th for as long as I can remember?
Today is the birthday of the United States Marine Corps. The 233rd birthday, to be exact.
Hence, the Ball the other night.
(I always take any chance I get to use the word “hence.” Or “thus.” I love “thus.”)
I remember the first ball we went to, when a personal friend walked up to us as we entered the ballroom and told me “Happy Birthday.”
I, the Marine wife of only a couple months, looked at her quizzically and said quite eloquently… Huh?
John later explained that since it was the Marine Corps birthday ball and since I was now among the ranks of the USMC spouses, people would be telling ME happy birthday, too.
“But, so, well… why are they even telling YOU “happy birthday” when it’s the Marine Corps that’s old, not, you know, YOU. It’s kinda weird.”
He further explained (while, you know, pulling me aside to shield me from the shocked and appalled stares of the seasoned Marines and spouses around us) that, well, in fact, the Marines? They ARE the Marine Corps.
Oh. Yeah. I guess that’s right, isn’t it? Weird. But it makes a little more sense.
But given a few more years, a few more nights of duty, a few more weekly haircuts, a few promotions, a few moves, a deployment and a whole lotta last-minute-changing-of-the-”set-in-stone”-plans… it makes sense to me.
Because the Marines? They ARE the Marine Corps.
Novel concept.
So, as a Marine daughter and now a Marine wife, I’d like to wish my daddy, my husband, the oodles of friends and family who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor–and their spouses (this is you, fellow bloggie Marine wives!)–a very happy birthday.
Oh, and check out this seriously awesome tribute to the Few and the Proud. We loved it. Merritt clapped his hands and screamed. When it was all over, Troy said, “Aw, I’n proud uh you, Daddy!” How he knows what that means, we have no clue. But, boy, was it cute.
And also–bonus points to the first civilian who can tell me where the USMC was started. Without Google help. Ha.
Mary Lucas says:
Do I count as a civilian now?
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November 10th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
SonReignsRanch says:
civilian would not be the wife of a marine …would it?
I know I know!!!
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November 10th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Katie says:
I know that I know this, because I have a friend who did Marine Corps ROTC stuff in college… but I don’t know. I SO want to Google it. But that’s cheating.
So instead, I’ll tell you that we LOVE our Britax Marathon carseat, even though it costs an arm and a leg. (but it’s on dramatic sale on Amazon RIGHT NOW! In certain colors!) It’s super safe, very sturdy, easy to use, comfy… and BIG. Will last forever. Or up to 65 pounds, whichever comes first.
:)
Just weighing in.
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November 10th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Bekah.Hope says:
I know, but does it count if I know the answer due to another subscription I just read in my Google Reader? I admit it wasn’t knowledge I had until a few minutes ago…
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November 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Mary Lucas says:
Yeah, I still consider Marine wives civilians, sorry.
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November 10th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
SonReignsRanch says:
lol me too… I am just waiting to see if anyone else knows the answer…
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November 10th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
50s Housewife says:
Well, I know, but as a Marine mom I don’t think I count. :)
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November 10th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
April says:
I know, but I don’t think I count, either. ;-)
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November 10th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
LeAnna says:
I heard it had started in a tavern! In Philly? We attended a beautiful Veterans service at my parent’s church on Sunday. The lead speaker was a Marine, so we got a good bit of trivia on the Marines. Even heard from a young man who was there when the Hindenburg blimp was brought down. He’d been in the Marines since 1933. Amazing!
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November 10th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Megan says:
Hi Hi! Well, then, Happy Happy Birthday!! Whatever the case may be, watching that video made me want to give you ALL big hugs- and say thank you, congratulations, happy birthday, and every other grateful word– but I think Troy put it best. So cute– I’n proud uh you… that’s so cute!!!
So I don’t know how to “twitter”, but I saw your last 2 recent little tweets (is that what you call them? twitter reminds me of a bird tweeting, and i was imagining that it got it’s name from the phrase: “a little birdy told me” so i’m going with it…)
When Jake was little I researched the carseats and decided upon the Britax Boulevard. The Britax Marathon was also approved- it’s basically the same as the Boulevard but without the side impact protection around the head. Anyways, at that time they were tested in Europe and these carseats passed at higher speeds (like 65mph maybe?) whereas most of the other carseats didn’t pass. The results became UN-published because in America we only test at like 35-45mph so they had to unpublicize their results. Something like that. It’s been 2 1/2 years so I don’t remember all the details, but I got the same carseat for both boys. But… it’s WAY too expensive… it HURTS.
Oh, also– you took the step my husband and I have been talking about for a year now… Cable OFF! How is it? Did you turn off ALL of the channels? Jake’s been asking for “TV On” every morning this week and it has broken our hearts.
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November 10th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Jen says:
America! I win *grin*
Have I just de-lurked?
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November 11th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Mishel says:
I just watched the tribute–awesome! Happy Birthday USMC! Ooh-Rah!
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November 11th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Laural Out Loud says:
This post came with perfect timing! When I saw our neighbors last night, I said Happy Birthday to the Marine husband, and got a VERY impressed thank you back, lol. So thanks for making me look good!
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November 11th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Rebekah says:
I already know I don’t count for the bonus points, but that’s okay. I’m happy just knowing and being.
Happy Birthday!
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November 12th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Beth says:
Tun Tavern in Philly?
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November 12th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
The Mrs. says:
happy belated birthday!
ps. tun tavern. just like the marine corps to have started in a bar!
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November 13th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Shari says:
You Ooh-Rah has lasted a really long time. Can you pretty please write a funny post? I love your blog! :)
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November 20th, 2008 at 9:20 pm