Hi, this is Charles Hoskinson broadcasting live from warm, sunny Colorado. Always warm, always sunny—sometimes Colorado. Today is a very special day; it is the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. They were established in 1775 at Tun Tavern on November 10th, and they fought the good fight at the tip of the spear during the Revolutionary War, the Continental Marines.
Many of you know, both in the United States and abroad, that the Marines are considered to be one of the most elite and effective all-around fighting units the United States has. They are some of the hardiest people I’ve ever met. Some of you may not know, but my grandfather was a Marine. He served from 1948 to 1952. On this 250th birthday, I want to share a little something about our family history.
These are my grandfather’s medals. You can see Staff Sergeant Austin Corel had a Purple Heart, among other things. He was in Marine demolitions and did all kinds of crazy stuff during the Korean War. True to form with people of his generation, he never told us anything about it. He kept quiet for more than five decades, and we found all of his medals sitting in a box in the basement. We decided to take them, frame them, and put them up. It was a very transformational experience in his life, and it made him the man he was. He went on to become a lineman, raised seven kids—five sons and two daughters, including my mother—and ended up getting over 100 patents. He worked in the cable industry and was formative in many of the early days of the cable business, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, before he retired in the 1990s.
His story is that of countless millions, mostly untold, who served in the Marines. The Marines have one of the most interesting cultures. When a person serves in the Army, Navy, or Air Force, they say, “I used to be in the Army” or “I used to be in the Air Force” or “I used to be in the Navy.” But you never stop being a Marine. When you meet a Marine who’s a real Marine, they say, “I’m a Marine,” and it doesn’t matter if they’re 90 years old or newly minted from 29 Palms or any other place. They are Marines, and they will always carry that with a great degree of pride.
So if you know a Marine or see a Marine, wish them a happy birthday. Marine and Semper Fidelis, thank you so much for your service and for being the tip of the spear. The Marines are the ones who have the smallest budget and face the greatest hardships, yet they are some of the toughest warriors ever made. They are among the best fighters the United States has ever had. For 250 years, they have always been the tip of the spear, taking on the most difficult jobs. There’s not a single war we fought where they weren’t an elite fighting unit in some tough battle, whether it be the Frozen Chosen or something else. They will continue that legacy and reputation into the future.
I’m very glad we have them in the United States, and they are here to fight. Marines are also some of the most disciplined people with the highest character you can find. I’m glad they all get to share this birthday. So, happy birthday! Happy 250th birthday! This is a special one. A quarter of a millennia is a significant milestone for such an elite and great institution. From the Commandant on down, thank you all for your service and for what you’ve done for our country and continue to do for our country. Semper Fidelis. Cheers.
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