Happy Birthday Marines

Today, we honor the men and woman of the past and the present who serve in the United States Marine Corps founded November 10, 1775, and originally called the Continental Marines.

The Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines in anticipation of the War of Independence (also known as the Revolutionary war) with Great Britten. Congressman and prosperous Philadelphia merchant, Robert Morris, is credited with financing the armaments for the Continental Marines as well as financing the Continental Army with $10,000 of his own money which enabled General George Washington to cross the Delaware and win the victory battle at Trenton.

When our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776), they knew they were possibly signing a death warrant that put a target on their back, their property, and their wealth. Of the 56 signers of the Declaration, 9 died in the war, 5 were captured and tortured by the British, 12 had their homes burned to the ground, looted, or defaced by occupying troops. After the war, there was not enough money to finance the navy and the Continental Marines were disbanded.

On July 11, 1798, Congress ordered the re-creation of the Corps, renaming it the United States Marine Corps, under the command of the Secretary of the Navy. The motto of the Marine Corps (adopted about 1883), is “Semper Fidelis” which means, “Always fruitful.”

Our love, respect, and compassion goes out to the men and women who sacrificed all, giving the fruits of their labor, and even their lives, to protect the United States people. God bless you all and the families who served and sacrificed right along side you.