Take a moment today (Nov. 10) to pause and reflect on the United States Marine Corps, which celebrates 240 years of service to this nation both on land and on sea.
On Nov. 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that "two Battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces with the fleet.” With that, the Continental Marines were established.
After the end of the war, the Continental Marines went out of existence until hostilities with France necessitated their creation, this time for good, in 1798. During this time, the Marine landed in Santo Domingo, and took part in many operations against the Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli.”
Since then, Marines have participated in all the wars of the United States, and in most cases were the first service members to fight. They have executed more than 300 landings on foreign shores. The Marine Corps motto of "Semper Fidelis" ("Always Faithful") was adopted in 1883.
MFRI would like to convey to every Marine family – active and retired – our thanks for their service to our country. Semper fi!