The Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines, later designated the United States Marine Corps, on this day in 1775 in Philadelphia. Marines have served in every American armed conflict.
Marines' Hymn
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job
The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven’s scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.
Thanks and best wishes to Marines everywhere and a special remembrance to my fellow historian, never-ending inspiration, former National Park Service colleague, and Marine, Edwin Cole (Ed) Bearss, who passed away in September 2020 at the age of 97. Ed had a vast curiosity about the world, a wicked sense of humor, a
endless repetoire of personal stories that he generously shared with colleages and friends, and an amazing ability to use storytelling to interpret in great detail every aspect of every military action in the American Civil War. I'm not exaggerating that last aspect of his character. He was indeed a walking encyclopedia of military history and a master interpreter the likes of which the National Park Service will never see again.
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| Ed leading a tour at Gettysburg in 2005 |
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