God, Country, Corps

Tomorrow I will join my brothers and sisters in celebrating 242 years of freedom and prosperity protected by the world’s most amazing, violent, and trusted warriors – the United States Marines. Our motto “Semper Fidelis” means always faithful. Our warrior ethos and culture of “Once a Marine, always a Marine” means no matter what, no matter when, no matter where, Marines are always on watch, ready, and willing to lay down our lives for your beloved freedom. But even the Marine Corps understands its place in the cosmos – God, Country, Corps.

God, Country, Corps.

God first, followed by these United States – the greatest nation of confederate states to ever grace the face of this Earth, then our beloved Marine Corps, in that order of precedence.

For 242 years, men and women have volunteered to defend this nation and have added to the global reputation of our Corps. Ronald Reagan said it well in 1985 when he said, “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem.” And perhaps Eleanor Roosevelt captured the spirit of our Corps the best when she said, “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!”

That’s right, thank God for the United States Marine Corps.

Every Marine understands his or her place in the pecking order. As servant leaders, Marines lead the way into battle, hold the door for children and ladies, eat last and pray to God that we have lived a life He will honor, sometimes through violence, but always through reverence. Every Marine Corps base has a chapel and every Marine Corps patrol prays with the Chaplain. Every Marine who has ever been in combat will tell you, there are no atheists in battle – you either love God or you hate Him.

So today, on the precipice of another Marine Corps birthday and Veteran’s Day holiday, I challenge you to take a moment to recognize the weight and consequence represented by the importance and reverence given to God by the greatest fighting force in the history of man. Because 242 years of winning wars and protecting freedom makes for a very cogent argument for God.

And if you disagree, then I’ll leave you with this quote from Marine Corps General James “Mad Dog” Mattis. Which side of the aisle will you choose?

“Demonstrate to the world there is ‘No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy’ than a U.S. Marine.” – Letter to 1st Marine Division