LADIES, GENTLEMEN, HONORED GUESTS, MARINES; FIRST OF ALL, I MUST TELL YOU THAT I AM DEEPLY MOVED AND HONORED TO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE MARINES AND SAILORS OF EWTGPac TONIGHT. IT IS ALSO FITTING THAT WE CELEBRATE WITH OUR NAVY BRETHREN; AFTER ALL, WE ARE THE BOAT PEOPLE.

THE STEEL OF THE NAVY-MARINE CORPS TEAM HAS BEEN HONED IN COUNTLESS FIGHTS IN EVERY CLIME AND PLACE. IN A WORLD OF UNPRECEDENTED POLITICAL INSTABILITY, THE POTENTIAL FOR EMPLOYMENT OF THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS TEAM IS EVER PRESENT. WHEREVER SALT WATER CAN REACH, IN ANY OCEAN OF THE WORLD - MARINES AND SAILORS ARE ON-WATCH AND READY. THERE WILL BE NO QUESTION THAT THEY ARE READY TO DO WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS, WHEREVER THEY ARE THREATENED.

I ALSO REALLY ENVY THIS OUTFIT WORKING FOR THE LIKES OF HIMSELF: COL RIC WEST and COL JEFF POWERS: TWO MEN ABANDONED BY WOLVES AND RAISED BY THEIR PARENTS...I KNOW THAT HE'S THE TYPE OF LEADER WHO I WOULD FOLLOW INTO HELL ITSELF JUST TO WATCH HIM MAKE THE DEVIL DANCE!!!

YOU KNOW, IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHERE WE CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAY. IN A GRAND BALLROOM WITH A CLOSE COMPANION BY OUR SIDE OR IN A DARK, MUDDY FOXHOLE IN SOME 3RD WORLD SHITHOLE WITH A MATCH STUCK IN AN MRE CHOCOLATE DEATH CAKE, THE SENTIMENT IS THE SAME. OF COURSE, YOU WILL AGREE IT'S ALWAYS A NICER EVENT WITH APPROPRIATE LIBATIONS.

OUR GATHERING THIS EVENING REPRESENTS THAT ELITE FRATERNITY OF CITIZENS WHO HAS PUT OUR NATION FIRST. YOU HAVE EACH GIVEN UP YOUR MOST PRECIOUS COMMODITY-YOUR TIME. NO ONE CAN EVER GIVE THAT BACK. YOU EACH REALIZE THAT OUR NATION MAY PERISH BECAUSE TOO FEW OF ITS PEOPLE HAVE FOUND WHAT FREEDOM REALLY COSTS. IT DOESN'T COME WITHOUT SACRIFICE OFTEN ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. IN OUR HISTORY AS A NATION ONLY 4 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE EARNED THE RIGHT TO BE CALLED "MARINE". IN EACH GENERATION THE MARINES HAVE FOUND THE FEW, THE PROUD, THE BRAVE. IT IS THIS BROTHERHOOD OF MARINES THAT HAS STOOD TOGETHER NOT ONLY IN THE PRIDE OF OUR NATIONS AND CORPS GREAT VICTORIES, BUT ALSO IN THE PAIN OF DEATH. THE MARINE CORPS HAS BEEN BETTING ITS HONOR,- ITS MISSION AND THE COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL HIDES OF ITS MEMBERS FOR MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES ON THE PREMISE THAT TEENAGED MARINE PRIVATES WHO ARE AS GREEN AS THEIR FIELD UNIFORMS CAN BE TRUSTED ABSOLUTELY TO RISE TO THE DEMANDS OF THEIR DUTY. AT THE COST, IF NECESSARY, OF OUR LIVES.

THINK FOR A MINUTE ABOUT THE IWO MEMORIAL IN WASH, D.C. THE MOST FAMOUS MONUMENT OF THE 20TH CENTURY. THE WORDS INSCRIBED IN STONE ARE "UNCOMMON VALOR WAS A COMMON VIRTUE" IT DOESN'T SAY, IT WAS EASY.... AS I LOOK BACK I THINK OF HOW LUCKY WE ALL ARE TO BE HERE TONIGHT. MANY OF OUR CONTEMPORARIES WERE NOT. THEY NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO FULFILL THEIR DREAMS, AND IT IS IN THEIR MEMORY AND THAT OF COUNTLESS OTHER MARINES THAT WE HONOR THIS EVENING.

DESPITE A LOT OF HOLLYWOOD HOORAH AND HYPE TO THE CONTRARY, THE MARINE CORPS DOES NOT RECRUIT ROCKET SCIENTISTS OR IN MONASTERIES, SO WHY ARE WE SURPRISED THAT A YOUNG MARINE LIKES TO FIGHT, RAISE HELL AND CHASE MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. OUR SECRET IS THAT WE CAN TAKE ORDINARY YOUNG AMERICANS AND TEACH THEM THAT IF THEY WILL WORK TOGETHER AND DEPEND UPON EACH OTHER TOTALLY, THEY CAN WORK MIRACLES. THAT TRUST, THAT CONFIDENCE IN OTHERS DEPENDABILITY, THAT SURE KNOWLEDGE THAT OTHER MARINES WILL NOT LET HIM DOWN IN THE CRUNCH, IS THE INDIVIDUAL MARINES' SWORD AND SHIELD.

MARINE DRILL INSTRUCTORS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MASTERS OF AN UNFAILING ALCHEMY WHICH CONVERTS DISORIENTED YOUTHS INTO PROUD, LEAN, SELF-RELIANT CITIZENS - INTO WHOSE HANDS OUR NATION'S MOST SENSITIVE AND CRITICAL AFFAIRS CAN BE ENTRUSTED. EVERY ONE OF US SHED THE VESTIGES OF CIVILIAN LIFE AND STOOD BEWILDERED ON THE YELLOW FOOTPRINTS AND WONDERED WHAT THE HELL WE WERE DOING WHILE SOME MANIAC BERATED OUR FAMILY LINEAGE, UNLESS YOU WENT TO S.D., WHERE THEY NEVER RAISE THEIR VOICE. YOU KNOW AT PISC, WHEN WE MEMORIZED THE GENERAL ORDERS, YA HAD TO SAY 'EM BEFORE A MATCH BURNED DOWN, BUT I HEAR TELL THAT IN SD THEY USE A FLASHLIGHT AND WAIT FOR THE BATTERIES TO RUN OUT!!!

EACH GENERATION OF MARINES SINCE 1775 HAS FACED CHALLENGES. YOUR GENERATION IS NO EXCEPTION. WE MARINES KNOW WHEN WE TAKE THE OATH OF ENLISTMENT THAT THE TASK THAT AWAITS US WILL NOT BE EASY. THIS IS INDEED A DIFFICULT TIME FOR OUR NATION AND OUR CORPS. MAKE NO MISTAKE; WE ARE AT WAR WITH AN ELUSIVE AND DETERMINED ENEMY. I SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER FIGHTING THE EVIL EMPIRE A.K.A. COMMUNISM, AND WAS VERY PROUD TO DO SO. AMERICA WON THAT FIGHT AGAINST A VERY TOUGH OPPONENT. IT TOOK GREAT EFFORT AND MANY YEARS OF SUSTAINED VIGILANCE AND SACRIFICE BY SO MANY WHOSE NAMES WE WILL NEVER KNOW.

YOUR NATION NEEDS YOUR SKILLS NOW MORE THAN EVER. THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE LONG AND ARDUOUS, AND I KNOW YOU WILL MORE THAN RISE TO THE CHALLENGE. OLD OSAMA, SADAAM AND THEIR PECKER-HEAD RUNNING MATES ARE GONNA BE IN A WORLD OF HURT THAT'S FOR SURE.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT YOU ARE ALL JOINED TOGETHER ON AN EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY, THE MEMORY OF WHICH WILL LAST FOREVER. THERE WILL BE AS MANY WONDERFUL MOMENTS AND GREAT SEA STORIES OF WHO YOU WERE AND WHAT YOU DID, THE RULES YOU BROKE, AND THE SCAMS YOU PULLED, AS THERE ARE MARINES ON THE MORNING REPORT. HELL, LETS ADMIT IT, SOME OF US ARE JUST INCIDENT REPORTS WAITING FOR A DATE TIME GROUP. REMEMBER: TELLING MOM AND DAD AND FAMILY THAT YOU ARE ENLISTING AND SEEING DAD'S EYES WELL UP WITH UNABASHED PRIDE AND THE LOOK OF WORRY COME OVER MOM'S FACE BECAUSE SHE KNOWS WHAT MARINES DO.... AND WHERE HER BABY WILL BE GOING

• THE INITIAL SILENCE AND UNEASY JOKES AS THE BUS ENTERS THE MCRD GATE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
• THE FIRST SHATTERING LOOK AT WHAT USED TO BE YOU AFTER THE FIRST RECRUIT HAIRCUT
• OPEN SQUAD-BAYS, LINED UP ROWS OF LOCKER BOXES AND DOUBLE-DECK STEEL COTS, AND SIDE-BY-SIDE CRAPPERS, BECAUSE MODESTY IS A THING OF THE PAST
• THE QUICK FLICKER OF TIME BETWEEN TAPS AND THAT AWFUL SOUND OF A SHITCAN ROLLING DOWN THE CENTER OF THE SQUAD BAY ACCOMPANIED BY THAT AWFUL BRAYING OF GET UP, GET UP AN LOCK YOUR BODY
• FEET ACHING FROM HOURS ON THE GRINDER, LICKIN' AND STICKING AND MAGGIES DRAWERS
• COUNTLESS PUSHUPS AND A STRANGE NEW SOUND AS REAL BULLETS PASS CLOSE OVERHEAD
• THE DOWNRIGHT HAUNTING BEAUTY OF CADENCE SUNG BY UNSEEN MARINES IN FORMATION IN THE EARLY MORNING FOG,
• CORFAMS ON LIBERTY IN A STRANGE NEW TOWN - HOW DID JA' KNOW I WAS A MARINE
• LONG WEARY HOURS OF FIELD DAYS, FORMATIONS, AND WAITING FOR THE WORD THAT ALWAYS CHANGES
• THE SMELL OF THE INSIDE OF A GP MEDIUM ON A HOT AFTERNOON
• LISTER BAGS AND CHOW LINES, AND "...SPREAD OUT GODDAMN IT..."
• LONG HUMPS AT NIGHT AND SLEEPING ON COLD, ROCKY GROUND, FOOT POWDER, MOLESKIN, ACHING BLISTERED FEET, THE SOFT GREY LIGHT OF DAWN MIXED WITH CLEARED THROATS, LOUD FARTS AND WRY COMMENTARY: COME ON YOU SCROUNGY RAT BASTARDS, TIME TO RISE AND SHINE AND BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF ANOTHER GRAND AND GLORIOUS DAY IN OUR BELOVED CORPS,
• BOOT LIEUTENANTS WHO AIN'T EVEN SHAVING YET AND COMPANY GUNNIES OLDER THAN DIRT AND HARDER THAN WOODPECKER LIPS,
• THE WHINE OF ROTOR BLADES AND OVERPOWERING SMELL OF JP5; DOOR GUNNERS AND .50 CALS READY TO ROCK AND ROLL
• MREs, TABASCO, AND CHOCOLATE DEATH CAKE,
• THE OLD SLIT TRENCH AND THE JOYS OF INDOOR PLUMBING
• UNDERSTANDING THE PUCKER FACTOR: WHERE THE MORE HAIRY THE SITUATION, THE TIGHTER YOUR SPHINCTER GETS THE FORMULA IS: S=Suction+ H=Hairy Situation +I=Interest in staying alive +T=Tracers coming your way [BEST EXPRESSED AS SHIT!!!]
• CURIOUS BLENDS OF MONOTONY, TENSION, PHYSICAL EXERTION AND A SPECIAL SORT OF DISCIPLINE THAT OTHER SERVICES CAN ONLY ENVY AND IF ALL THESE THINGS, WHICH WE ALL SHARED, CAN-BY SOME MINDLESS LOGIC OF A WITLESS PISS ANT IGNORANT OF WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT-BE CALLED JUST ANOTHER JOB-THEN, I DON'T KNOW SHIT FROM APPLE BUTTER.

IN ALL HONESTY, I WILL NOT TELL YOU THAT EVERY DAY IN THE CORPS IS GREAT. THERE ARE CERTAINLY PEAKS AND VALLEYS...NOT BEING SELECTED FOR A SCHOOL OR PROMOTION; SEEING SOMEONE ELSE GET THE COMMAND THAT YOU WORKED SO HARD FOR, STANDING AT ATTENTION LISTENING TO THE MOURNFUL SOUND OF TAPS BEING PLAYED AT THE FUNERAL OF A CLOSE FRIEND OR BROTHER MARINE; BUT THE PEAKS MORE THAN MAKE UP FOR ANY DISAPPOINTMENT.

• BEING ENTRUSTED WITH THE MANTLE OF COMMAND;
• KNOWING THAT WHAT YOU ARE DOING DOES EFFECT THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION, OUR CORPS AND YOUR FAMILY,
• GETTING A MARINE BACK ON TRACK AFTER THEY STEP ON THEIR SWORD, THEN SEEING THAT YOUNG MARINE YEARS LATER AS A SNCO, AND KNOWING THAT YOU MADE THE RIGHT CALL WHEN EVERYONE ELSE WANTED THEM TO BURN. I AM NOT NAIVE, AND ALSO KNOW THE WIVES GO THRU SOME GUT WRENCHING FEELINGS, MINE SURELY HAS...WHEN YOU HATE THE CORPS FOR WHAT IT DOES TO US AND TO YOU...
• THE TRIPS THAT WERE CANCELED AT THE 11TH HOUR FOR WHAT AT THE TIME SEEMED LIKE SUCH A BOGUS REASON, MISSED BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS AND LATE NIGHTS JUST WAITING FOR US TO BE SECURED.

BUT THAT ALL FADES INTO INSIGNIFICANCE AT AN EVENT SUCH AS THIS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CEREMONY OR FORMATION AND KNOW THAT'S YOUR MARINE OUT THERE, WHO REPRESENTS ALL THAT IS RIGHT AND GOOD WITH AMERICA, OR THE PRIDE YOU FEEL WHEN SOME ONE ACTUALLY THANKS THEM FOR BEING A MARINE AND DEFENDING OUR WAY OF LIFE OR EVEN BETTER WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU HOW MUCH YOUR MARINE HAS MEANT TO THEIR SPOUSE!!!

WE ALL KNOW THAT OUR CORPS IS STEEPED IN TRADITION. NCOS ONLY NEED TO FEEL THE ROUGH CLOTH OF THE "BLOOD STRIPE" ON THEIR DRESS BLUE TROUSERS WHICH DISTINGUISHES OFFICERS AND NCOS FROM NON-RATED MARINES. I MUST ALSO COMMENT THAT MARINE OFFICERS AND NCO'S CARRY A SWORD FOR WHAT IT IMPLIES RATHER THAN ITS USE.

YOU MAY NOT KNOW THAT MARINE NCO'S ARE THE ONLY NCO'S IN ANY BRANCH OF THE REGULAR US ARMED FORCES WHO STILL HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF CARRYING A SWORD. OUR SHARED DUTY IS TO LEAD AND THE SWORD BEST SYMBOLIZES THE WARRIOR IMAGE.

TO THE NCOS HERE THIS EVENING, YOU AND I SHARE A SPECIAL BOND ENJOYED BY VERY FEW. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM MY BIO, I ONCE HELD THE DISTINGUISHED TITLE AS A SERGEANT OF MARINES. FOR THAT AND MANY OTHER REASONS, NCOS WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. TONIGHT WE CELEBRATE THE "HOLY GRAIL" - THE BIRTHDAY OF OUR CORPS. AND THE LEAST THAT I CAN DO IS FILL THE GRAIL WITH GOOD IRISH WHISKEY - SO COME ON UP LATER AND SEE ME LADS FOR A BIT O' BUSHMILLS FINEST.

TO THE STAFF NCOS, I GOTTA TELL YOU THAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MY HEROES. FOR IT WAS A SNCO WHO TAUGHT ME AND EVERYONE HERE HOW TO BE A MARINE. NOT AN EASY TASK. BUT I GUESS IT WORKED! WE ALL REMEMBER THE SNCO I'M TALKING ABOUT - PROBABLY WAS OUR SENIOR DI. HELL, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS I STILL REMEMBER GYSGT R. P. HUNT, WHO I SWEAR AT MCRD/PISC IN JULY/AUGUST, NEVER SWEAT AND COULD MAKE MILK CURDLE JUST BY LOOKING AT IT. IF HE WALKED IN RIGHT NOW, I'D JUST START BENDING AND THRUSTING, BECAUSE I OWED HIM AT LEAST 1 MILLION...

SNCO'S ALSO CARRY THE EXTREMELY CRITICAL RESPONSIBILITY OF SERVING AS THE VITAL LINK BETWEEN THE YOUNG OR OLD FART OFFICER AND THE ENLISTED MARINES IN THEIR CHARGE. IT IS THIS UNSPOKEN RELATIONSHIP WHICH IS THE MAIN FABRIC AROUND WHICH OUR CORPS IS WOVEN. SO, QUITE OBVIOUSLY YOU CANNOT STAND BACK, REMOVE YOURSELF AND LET THE CORPS PASS YOU BY. STAFF NCO'S MUST CONTINUE, AS STAFF NCO'S ALWAYS HAVE, TO EXERT A PROFESSIONAL INFLUENCE ON THEIR JUNIORS AS WELL AS THEIR SENIORS.

TO THE OFFICERS, I URGE YOU TO SEEK COMMAND AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. THERE IS NOTHING FINER THAT A MAN CAN DO THAN TO LEAD MARINES. NEVER FORGET, THAT A COMMANDER EXISTS ONLY FOR HIS MARINES. TAKE CARE OF THEM AND TOGETHER THERE IS NOTHING YOU CANNOT DO.

UNIFORMS MAY CHANGE, NICKNAMES CHANGE, BUDGET AND POPULAR SENTIMENT CHANGES, BUT THROUGH IT ALL, THERE IS ONE ABIDING CONSTANT - THE BASIC ISSUE, RAGGEDY-ASS, DO-OR-DIE MARINE. HE WILL DO DAMN NEAR ANYTHING ASKED OF HIM UNDER TERRIBLE CONDITIONS WITH BETTER RESULTS AND FEWER COMPLAINTS THAN ANY CIVILIZED NON-MARINE SHOULD HAVE REASON TO EXPECT. AND WE, WHO HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO LEAD THEM, MAKE PLANS AND EXECUTE MISSIONS BASED MORE ON THAT ONE ABIDING CONSTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE. MY GOD, ITS A PRESUMPTION SO GRANDIOSE AND ABSURD THAT IT APPEARS ALMOST FOOLHARDY, EXCEPT THAT FOR 227 YEARS IT HAS KEPT THE WOLF AWAY FROM AMERICA'S DOOR.

LET ME ALSO DIRECT SOME REMARKS TO THOSE OF YOU ON THE CHECK-TO-WIFE PROGRAM. WE EACH OWE MUCH OF WHO AND WHAT WE ARE AS MARINES TO OUR BIGGEST FAN -- OUR SPOUSE, WHOSE LOVE, DEVOTION AND SUPPORT IS SO IMPORTANT. MANY MARINES LEAVE OUR CORPS BECAUSE OF AN UNHAPPY SPOUSE. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT SPOUSES PUT UP WITH A LOT OF CRAP AND FREQUENTLY MUST ENDURE UNCERTAINTY, HARDSHIPS, AND LONELINESS. YOU ARE THE SILENT HEROES, AND SHOULD BE HONORED THIS EVENING. WE ALL LAUGH AND SAY, THAT THE ONLY THING HARDER THAN BEING A MARINE IS BEING MARRIED TO ONE -- YOU ALL KNOW IT'S TRUE. USMC ALSO MEANS UNCLE SAM'S MISGUIDED CHILDREN!!! WE ARE HARD TO LIVE WITH AND THE CORPS IS A HARD TASK MASTER AND FICKLE MISTRESS, WHO SOONER OR LATER WILL BREAK YOUR HEART. SO TO ALL SPOUSES, I SAY THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR MARINE WITH OUR CORPS. TO THE REST OF THE BEAUTIFUL LADIES HERE THIS EVENING, I SALUTE YOUR GOOD JUDGEMENT IN SPENDING SOME TIME WITH AMERICA'S FINEST: A UNITED STATES MARINE!!

TO MY FELLOW RETIRED AND MARINES WHO ARE NO LONGER ON ACTIVE DUTY WE TOO HAVE AN IMPORTANT JOB AHEAD. I HAVE IT ON GOOD AUTHORITY THAT WE HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY ASSIGNED TO RECRUITING DUTY. YEP, WE ARE AUTHORIZED BY THE CMC TO INTERACT WITH THE YOUTH OF AMERICA SO THAT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST CONTINUE TO FOLLOW OUR COLORS. GUESS THAT MEANS THAT SEA STORIES ARE AUTHORIZED AND OF COURSE, THEY ARE ALL TRUE!! THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FAIRY TALE AND A SEA STORY AS WE ALL KNOW IS ONE BEGINS WITH ONE UPON A TIME, THE OTHER WITH THIS IS A NO SHITTER!!! ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, THERE IS NO QUOTA, SO DON'T SWEAT ROLLING ANY DONUTS!!!

YOU KNOW THAT BEING A MARINE IS SERIOUS BUSINESS. WE'RE NOT A SOCIAL CLUB OR A FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION. WE DON'T SELL COOKIES OR MAGAZINES. WE'RE AN ASSEMBLAGE OF "WARRIORS" -- NOTHING MORE. WE'RE IN THE ASS KICKING BUSINESS AND WE DO IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL, WITH A RIFLE AND BAYONET. THE MERE ASSOCIATION OF THE WORD "MARINE" WITH A CRISIS IS AN AUTOMATIC SOURCE OF CONFIDENCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO ALL. WE MARINES KNOW THAT WE MUST NOT ONLY BE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE, BUT DIFFERENT AS WELL.... AND WE ARE!!!

MARINES WALK DOWN THE STREET WITH THAT SALTY AUDACIOUS SWAGGER THAT TELLS THE WORLD WE ARE A ROGUISHLY HANDSOME, COCKY, CONCEITED, SELF-CENTERED, OVERBEARING, MEAN, AMPHIBIOUS, SOB'S WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO PERPETRATE HELLACIOUS, ROMPING, STOMPING, DEATH AND DESTRUCTION UPON THE FESTERING SORES OF ANTI-AMERICANISM AROUND THE GLOBE . . . . WE NOW OWN THIS SIDE OF THE STREET AND MAYBE WE'LL COME OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE KICK YOUR ASS AND TAKE OVER THAT ONE TOO. ARE YA LISTENING BIN LADEN!!!! !!!! AND YOU TOO SADAAM INSANE. WE ARE COMING AND WE ARE VERY PISSED, AND INTEND TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE OUT YOUR HEALTH RECORD!! OOH RAH!!!

WE EACH FOUGHT LONG AND HARD TO GAIN THE COVETED TITLE - U.S. MARINE. ON THE DAY WHEN WE FINALLY BECAME MARINES, IN OUR HEARTS, A FLAME OF DEVOTION AND FIERCE PRIDE BURNED BRIGHTLY. WE SHOULD NEVER DO ANYTHING TO EXTINGUISH THAT FLAME IN OUR OR ANY OTHER MARINE'S HEART. I URGE YOU TO KEEP THAT FLAME BURNING BRIGHTLY. THAT FLAME WILL KEEP YOU WARM WHEN TIMES ARE HARD, AND YOUR MOTIVATION MIGHT FALTER. IT WILL PROVIDE LIGHT IN THE DARKEST OF NIGHTS. USE IT, DRAW STRENGTH FROM IT, KEEP IT SHINING ON YOUR MARINES.

KEEP THE FEELING OF BEING A MARINE ALIVE:

THE FEELING OF YOUR FIRST COMMAND; THE SOUND OF A UNIT HUMPING ALONG TO THE ETERNAL RHYTHM THAT ONLY THOSE BOOTS CAN MAKE; THE FEELING OF REBIRTH AS THE SUN CREEPS UP OVER THE HORIZON AND YOU AWAIT THE ORDER TO MOVE OUT. IT'S WAITING IN THE DARKNESS AND SOLITUDE OF NIGHT BEFORE JUMPING OFF IN THE ATTACK; BEING PACKED IN THE THROBBING BELLY OF A HELICOPTER OR AMTRAK NOT KNOWING WHERE YOU ARE GOING OR IF IT WILL FLY OR FLOAT;OR GAZING FROM THE DECK OF A GATOR AT NIGHT ON AN EMPTY SEA. IT'S THE BEAUTY OF A CRIMSON DAWN ON A LONELY HILLTOP AT THE FAR FLUNG REACHES OF THE EMPIRE; THE LONELINESS OF A LONG DEPLOYMENT AND THE JOY OF HOMECOMING. IT'S THE FEELING YOU HAVE WHEN A MARINE TELLS YOU THAT YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HIS OR HER LIFE.

I MAY NO LONGER BE ON ACTIVE DUTY, BUT BY GOD, I STILL FEEL THAT WAY. AND IF YOU DON'T, TURN IN YOUR ID CARD TO SGTMAJ JONES AND GO ON HOME.

I'D LIKE TO SHARE SOME THINGS I KNOW, FOR WHAT ITS WORTH. THEY'RE JUST STATEMENTS THAT NEED NO EXPLANATION:

• FOCUS ON WHAT'S IMPORTANT, ALWAYS TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND DO THE THING RIGHT!
• DON'T POLE VAULT OVER MOUSE TURDS.
• TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS.
• IF YOU SAY YOU WILL DELIVER...YOU HAD BETTER BE THE WORLDS BEST MAILMAN.
• WHAT SCARES ME: A 2NDLT WHO SAYS - IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE A MAJOR WHO SAYS, I'VE BEEN THINKING A SERGEANT WHO SAYS; HEY SIR, WATCH THIS SHIT
• LEARN HOW TO LISTEN.
• ACCEPT THAT SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE PIGEON; SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE STATUE.
• BE FOR THINGS, NOT AGAINST THEM.
• REMEMBER, THE MIND OF THE AVERAGE LCPL IS NOT ONLY CRAZY; IT IS CRAZIER THAN WE CAN IMAGINE.
• AND, FINALLY, EVERY DAY WE MAKE DEPOSITS IN OUR SUBORDINATES MEMORY BANKS. WOULD YOUR CHECK CLEAR OR BE RETURNED FOR INSUFFICIENT FUNDS?

THROUGH IT ALL, I URGE YOU NEVER FORGET HOW TO LAUGH AND ENJOY LIFE. I DON'T TRUST ANYONE WHO CAN'T LAUGH. THAT'S ONE OF MY BASIC RULES. AFTER ALL, BEING A MARINE IS ABOUT AS MUCH FUN AS YOU CAN HAVE WITH YOUR CLOTHES ON!! SEE. LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!!!

WHILE MY JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE AS AN ACTIVE DUTY MARINE, IS OVER -- FOR MANY OF YOU -- IT'S JUST BEGINNING. I AM NOT SURE THAT I COULD SURVIVE AS A YOUNG MARINE TODAY. MY P12 CERTAINLY WOULDN'T SUPPORT RE-ENL THAT'S FOR DAMN SURE, I'D HAVE BEEN 6105'd AND GONE. AND FOR SOME OF THE STUNTS I HAVE PULLED AND LIVED TO TELL THE TALE, YOU NOW GET YOU A GENERAL COURT MARTIAL AND DUCK DINNER!! GUESS THAT'S WHY I NEVER GOT A GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL!! WHEN I WAS YOUNG, NOT THAT I AM OLD, ALL I WORRIED ABOUT WAS STAYING ALIVE TO SEE ONE MORE SUNRISE. YOU HAVE A LOT TOUGHER CHALLENGES: A SMALLER MARINE CORPS, ITS TOUGHER TO STAY, SLOWER PROMOTIONS. HELL, IN MY DAY, IF YOU COULD FOG A MIRROR, AND HADN'T MURDERED ANYONE SAY IN THE LAST WEEK, YOU COULD RE-ENL. THERE AIN'T NOTHING LIKE BEING ON THE VARSITY. IN THE PARADE OF YEARS, SURELY ADJUTANTS CALL SOUNDED ONLY YESTERDAY. AND YET, SEEMINGLY AT THE DOUBLE-TIME, AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF MARINES HAVE PASSED IN REVIEW. I, LIKE YOU, ONCE SAT OUT IN THE AUDIENCE AND LISTENED TO AN OLD FART COLONEL PHILOSOPHIZE ON WHAT BEING A MARINE IS ALL ABOUT (OF COURSE, NOW THAT I ARE ONE, COLONEL'S ARE A LOT YOUNGER AND BETTER LOOKING). BUT THE MESSAGE IS THE SAME.

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ASSIGNED OR WHAT MOS YOU CARRY-DATADINK, SPARKCHASER, STEWBURNER, WIREDOG, BUTTPLATE, REMINGTON RAIDER, GRUNT, GUNBUNNY, ROTORHEAD, BRIG RAT, LEGAL BEAGLE, , SKIVVIE STACKER, MP, BOX KICKER-WHAT YOU DO AND HOW WELL YOU DO IT IS IMPORTANT. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE DESTINY OF OUR CORPS DEPENDS ON EACH OF YOU. FOR, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, ARE THE CORPS. LET US THEN REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO THOSE VALUES AND VIRTUES WHICH DISTINGUISH US AS MARINES.

I AM VERY ANGRY THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS NATION WHO FEEL IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO WEAR A FLAG ON THEIR LAPEL BECAUSE THEY ARE ON THE NEWS, OR IN A PUBLIC JOB OR PUBLIC SCHOOL, AND DON'T WANT TO OFFEND FOREIGN STUDENTS. WHAT A CROCK OF CRAP. I PITY THE PERSON WHO TRIES TO REMOVE THE FLAG FROM MY LAPEL OR THAT OF ANYONE ELSE HERE TONIGHT!! THE STARS AND STRIPES IS A SYMBOL OF ALL THAT WE HOLD DEAR AS AMERICANS. IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN ABROAD, OR IN HARMS WAY, AND SEEN THAT FLAG FLYING UPON YOUR RETURN. THEN YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE DEEP PRIDE AND HONOR ONE FEELS TO SEE IT WAVE.

HISTORY WILL JUDGE US. OUR ENEMIES DO NOT REALLY UNDERSTAND WHO WE ARE. WE ARE THE NATION OF MICKEY MOUSE, MICKEY MANTLE, MICROSOFT, MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL AND THE MARINES. THE STEEL OF OUR RESOLVE HAS BEEN FORGED IN HEAT OF COUNTLESS BATTLES IN EVERY CLIME AND PLACE. MAKE NO MISTAKE, WE ARE COMING... AND WE WILL DESTROY YOU AND ALL THAT YOU STAND FOR.

IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU A QUOTE FROM MAJOR GENE DUNCAN THAT BEST EXPRESSES WHAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SAY:

I HAVE GROWN TO LOOK UPON MARINES AS SOMETHING SACRED.
I HAVE LAUGHED WITH THEM AND CRIED WITH THEM;
CURSED THEM AND PRAYED FOR THEM;
SHIVERED AND SWELTERED WITH THEM;
SUFFERED WITH THEM; FOUGHT WITH THEM, BLED WITH THEM,
AND HELD THEM IN MY ARMS WHILE THEY DIED.

I HAVE BURIED THEM. AND ALL THE TIME, I HAVE LOVED THEM.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS AMERICA, SEMPER FI AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES.