"You can give your heart to Jesus but your ass belongs to the Corps."
Marines can dig up the Christmas spirit just about anywhere in the world it seems.
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| Sgt. Maj. Wayne Rumore, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment sergeant major, and Staff Sgt. Kyle Provencher, jump platoon commander, 3rd Bn., 23rd Marines, gather around a Christmas tree, Dec. 25, 2008, at Expeditionary Patrol Base Tanner. Marines living in austere conditions still found a way to celebrate the holiday with minimal assets. Marine Corps News |
At home, these Marines work pretty hard at Christmas too. In case you haven't seen it on TV yet ...
It looks like my Marine and his family have a nice bright town to hang in for the season ... seems a lot of people have gotten into the spirit.
President Barak Obama visited the Marines in Hawaii on Christmas day wishing them both Merry Christmas and "Mele Kalikimakas" (Merry Christmas in Hawaiian.). The family attended the Kaneohe Marine Base chapel service, chatted with Marines and Obama played with babies, including one who stuck his hand in the president's mouth. The photo is from last year, but they did this again this year.
Semper Fi and Good Night
Written by Jessica, Wife of a 1/7 Marine
Twas the nite before Christmas,
they lived far from home,
in dark,sandy quarters,
but not all alone
After clearing the checkpoints,
and with presents to give,
I wanted to see the Marines
Who in these quarters did live.
As I looked all about,
an awesome sight I did see,
some of the few and the proud,
U.S. Marines
Some young, some old,
with boots full of sand,
Marine Corps brothers
with rifles in hand.
Seeing bravery, courage,
and toughness of mind,
a sobering thought came thru my mind
For these quarters were different,
housing hardcharging Marines;
Who make it through
with various routines
The only easy day was the one they just got thru;
Uncommon valor, still a common virtue
Yet their spirits were high,
Minds and bodies were strong;
Despite the months
that were trying and long
These were the heroes
of whom I had read;
Whose main purpose was
to make the enemy dead
I knew the Americans
who i saw on this night
owed their lives to these men,
the first ones to fight.
Soon 'cross the country,
Americans would rise;
ready to celebrate
with joy in their eyes
Each one enjoyed freedom,
each day of the year;
because of Marines...
like the ones I saw here
I had to wonder
how many deeds went uknown,
of the men spending Christmas
in a land far from home
Thinking of this,
brought tears to my eyes;
my knees hit the deck,
and i started to cry
Some Marines turned to me,
saying "santa don't cry,"
"We're here for a purpose,
we'll get these bad guys"
We fight for freedom,
each other, the Corps;
and for this reason,
we'll win this war
Before turning away,
they said "This is our job."
I couldn't control it,
I continued to sob
I continued to watch
and silently weep;
seeing the esprits de corps
that ran so deep
I wanted to stay
on that cold desert night,
with these warriors for freedom,
so willing to fight
But a Marine came to me,
eyes steady and voice sure,
"It's Twenty-five December,
So carry on Santa, All is secure."
In that instance I knew,
the cause was just and right,
"Merry Christmas Marines;
Semper Fi and good night"
they lived far from home,
in dark,sandy quarters,
but not all alone
After clearing the checkpoints,
and with presents to give,
I wanted to see the Marines
Who in these quarters did live.
As I looked all about,
an awesome sight I did see,
some of the few and the proud,
U.S. Marines
Some young, some old,
with boots full of sand,
Marine Corps brothers
with rifles in hand.
Seeing bravery, courage,
and toughness of mind,
a sobering thought came thru my mind
For these quarters were different,
housing hardcharging Marines;
Who make it through
with various routines
The only easy day was the one they just got thru;
Uncommon valor, still a common virtue
Yet their spirits were high,
Minds and bodies were strong;
Despite the months
that were trying and long
These were the heroes
of whom I had read;
Whose main purpose was
to make the enemy dead
I knew the Americans
who i saw on this night
owed their lives to these men,
the first ones to fight.
Soon 'cross the country,
Americans would rise;
ready to celebrate
with joy in their eyes
Each one enjoyed freedom,
each day of the year;
because of Marines...
like the ones I saw here
I had to wonder
how many deeds went uknown,
of the men spending Christmas
in a land far from home
Thinking of this,
brought tears to my eyes;
my knees hit the deck,
and i started to cry
Some Marines turned to me,
saying "santa don't cry,"
"We're here for a purpose,
we'll get these bad guys"
We fight for freedom,
each other, the Corps;
and for this reason,
we'll win this war
Before turning away,
they said "This is our job."
I couldn't control it,
I continued to sob
I continued to watch
and silently weep;
seeing the esprits de corps
that ran so deep
I wanted to stay
on that cold desert night,
with these warriors for freedom,
so willing to fight
But a Marine came to me,
eyes steady and voice sure,
"It's Twenty-five December,
So carry on Santa, All is secure."
In that instance I knew,
the cause was just and right,
"Merry Christmas Marines;
Semper Fi and good night"
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| Devil Dog Card |
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