Marine Corps League

Thames River Detachment #1334

P. O. Box 254, Quaker Hill, Ct. 06375

More talk about the United States Marine Corps,

what more can we say! Except Page 3

23.  Marines die, that what we're here for. But Marines Corps lives forever. And that means YOU live forever

The mythical GySgt. Hartman, USMC; portrayed by GySgt. R. Lee Emery, a Marine Corps Drill Instructor using his own choice words in the movie Full Metal jacket.

24.  My only answer as to why the Marines get the toughest jobs is because the average Leatherneck is such a 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, USMC, Peleliu, World War II

25.  This was the first time that the Marines of the two nations had fought side by side since the defense of the Peking  Legations in 1900. Let it be said that the admiration of all ranks of 41 Commando for their brothers in arms was is unbounded. They fought like tigers and their morale and esprit de corps is second to none.

LtCol. D.B. Drydale, Commanding, 41 Commando, Chosen Reservoir, Korea, on the 1st. Marine Division

26.  By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marines Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully, Among the Americans  who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, U.S. Navy

27.  Ensue 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

28. "Marines are about the most peculiar breed of human beings, I have ever witnessed. They treat their service as if it were some kind of cult, plastering their emblem on almost everything they own, making themselves up to look like insane fanatics with haircuts to ungentlemanly lengths, worshipping their Commandant almost as if he were a god, and making weird animal noises like a band of savages. They'll fight like rabid dogs at the drop of a hat just for the sake of a little action, and are the cockiest sons of bitches I have ever known. Most have the foulest mouths and drink well beyond man's normal limits, but their high spirits and sense of brotherhood set them apart and, generally speaking, the United States Marines I've come in contact with are the most professional soldiers and the finest men I have ever had the pleasure to meet."

By an anonymous Canadian Citizen

29. The first reason I like Marines: They set high standards for themselves and those around them, and will accept nothing less. I like the way Marines march. I like the way Marines do their basic training whether it's Quantico, Parris Island, or San Diego. I like the idea that Marines cultivate an ethos conductive of producing hard people in a soft age. I like the fact that Marines stay in shape. I like the fact that the Marines only have one boss - the Commandant. And I like the directness of the Commandant. I like the fact that Marines are stubborn. I like the way Marines obey orders. I like the way Marines make the most of the press. I like the wholehearted professionalism of the Marines. It occurred to me that the services could be characterized by different breeds of dogs. The Air Force reminded me of a French Poodle. The poodle always looks perfect...sometimes a bit pampered and always travels first class. But don't ever forget that the poodle was bred as a hunting dog and in a fight it's very dangerous. The Army is kind of like a St. Bernard. It's big and heavy and sometimes seems a bit clumsy. But it's very powerful and has lots of stamina. So you want it for the long haul. The Navy, God bless us, is a Golden Retriever. They're good natured and great around the house. The kids love' em. Sometimes their hair is a bit long...they go wandering off for long periods of time, and they love water. Marines I see as two breeds, Rottweilers or Dobermans, because Marines come in two varieties, big and mean or skinny and mean. They're aggressive on the attack and tenacious on defense. They've got really short hair and they always go for the throat. That sound like a Marine to me! So what I really like about Marines is that first to fight isn't just a motto, it's a way of life. From the day they were formed at Tun Tavern 221 years ago, Marines have distinguished themselves on battlefields around the world. From the fighting tops of the Bonhomme Richard, to the sands of Barbary coast, from the swamps of New Orleans to the halls of Montezuma, from Belleau Wood, to the Argoone Forest, to Guadalcanal, and Iwo Jima, and Okinawa and Inchon, And Chosin Reservoir and Hue City and Quang Tri and Dong Ha, and Beirut, and Grenada, and Panama, and Somalia and Bosnia and a thousand unnamed battlefields in godforsaken corners of the globe. Marines have distinguished themselves by their bravery, and stubbornness and aggressive spirit, and sacrifice, and love of country, and loyalty to on another. They've done it for you and me, and this country we all love so dearly. They asked for nothing more than honor of being a United States Marine. That's why I like Marines! A speech by Radm J. Stark, USN, President of the Naval War College, made in Newport, RI on 10 Nov 1995