USMC 246TH
HONOR
Semper Fi, the abbreviated Marine Corps motto—is an expression Marines use with each other as a greeting and farewell. But, what does it actually mean? The Latin translation of Semper Fidelis is, “always faithful.” Faithful to God, country, and Corps. In boot camp, we were taught about honor, courage, and commitment. However, I shall submit another Latin phrase that should be commonplace, “Semper Honesta,” always honorable.
One of life’s greatest accomplishments a Marine reflects upon is graduating from Marine Corps boot camp. A sense of pride is instilled from the event that cannot be removed. Why? Because it was completed not only by physical endurance and perseverance but by building a moral character using Marine Corps core values. Becoming a Marine is an honorable endeavor that will stay with you all the days of your life. The adage, “once a Marine, always a Marine” is not just a saying, it is an absolute truth.
The moment your feet touched those yellow footprints, it began—the indoctrination into Marine Corps values. Without a doubt, if you have never been taught about the meaning of honor, you were about to find out. An “esprit de corps” that will be embedded in your core and will never fade.
What is it about honor that captivates? The belief is that you should never lie, cheat, steal, and always maintain your integrity. Always doing the right thing—even when no one is looking. These are universal traits, but in the Marine Corps, they are drilled into you so they will never be forgotten. Once you leave military service and reenter civilian life, the Marine core values you were taught continue. They are just as valuable in civilian life as they were in the military.
Honor in the Marine Corps is also about respect. Respect for your superior officers, your fellow Marines, and yourself. Honor and respect are inseparable. On the very first day of boot camp, you were taught to answer with “yes sir” and “no sir” to all Marines. Once graduated from boot camp and becoming a Marine, the “sir” and “ma’am” are extended only to officers. At first, the boot camp “siring” was mostly rendered out of fear of retribution. But soon after enduring the struggles and pain of boot camp training, it became apparent the Marines you were addressing with a sir had earned that respect and honor. Even now in my senior years, I still give a courteous sir or ma’am to individuals I consider honorable. Something the Marine Corps taught me is to honor and respect those who have earned it.
When you think of honor, the first thing that comes to mind is the Medal of Honor, the highest United States military award for bravery. What more exemplifies honor than this award? The qualifications are rigorous with only about 3,500 recipients since its inception in 1861. With such an honorable and highly respected award, all uniformed members of service render a salute to Medal of Honor recipients regardless of their rank.
Throughout history there have been many thousands of honorable men and women in military service—I also wish to be remembered as honorable...and so should you.
VL Stevenson - Corporal, USMC - Vietnam 1966 – 1968
COURAGE
In the Marine Corps, courage is ingrained into us as part of our core values. We are taught Honor, Courage and Commitment. Courage is 2nd. I believe the reason why it is second is because in order for you to have courage, you must have honor first. Because without honor, your courage has nothing worth working hard for. Courage is the mental, moral, and physical strength of a Marine. It carries us through the challenges of training and combat, and aids us in overcoming fear. Because of courage, I have been able to adapt and overcome many challenges in my life.
I went into the Corps just 6 days after graduating high school. After the Marines I knew very little about how the civilian world would be. I now had two kids to support while I was going through a failed marriage. Courage kept me pressing forward to make necessary decisions to find work and support my kids once I became a single father. After my failed marriage and relationship, it soon led to the risky decision to move to California as a single parent with my teenage kids. I had no job, no vehicle, and didn’t know anyone. I had a responsibility to support my kids. I hit the ground running. Got a job and a place of our own within a few months.
Fast forward 4 ½ years later, I was not happy at my job; I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and do something that I was passionate about. Because of the courage instilled in me, I quit and started my own woodworking business called Kamikaze Wood Werks. I took a big risk starting it. Woodworking was a big part of my young and young adult life. Throughout my Marine Corps career, I was making things one way or another; like turning pallets into a bench while stationed in Kuwait.
After about 6 months into the wood working another opportunity happened that took courage to pursue, something I had no clue about. I started another business making Chocolate Crayons called Crayons Ready-to-Eat. This idea came from turning the Military joke of calling us Marines “crayon eaters,” and I wanted to turn the joke into a reality.
This is also a passion for me because of the interaction it has with the military community. I’m putting smiles on others’ faces with a lot of laughter. We hit many roadblocks when we started. But I didn’t stop. I have the courage and strength to press forward and work through each hurdle. 3 years later, the woodworking business is on hold while Crayons Ready-to-Eat is my main focus. Now we are crowdfunding and in talks with facilities so we can bring this to market and put smiles on many faces.
Without the courage that the Marine Corps gave me I would not have been able to take the risks and be the man I am today. I’m honored to be here today because of the courage to be committed to everything I do in life and business.
Happy 246th Birthday Marines! Semper Fidelis.
FE Manteau - Sergeant, USMC - Desert Thunder - Post 9/11 1995 - 2002
COMMITMENT
In the Korean War, pulling the trigger at Chosin Reservoir when you no longer feel your frozen fingers. Flying back to lead your embattled Marines in Iraq while your mother succumbs to cancer. Taking your finger off the trigger when the deep wounds of war and fleeing family create a pain that seems unparalleled.
From the yellow footprints where we began to yellow ribbons that recall the ultimate commitment to each other and our nation, Marines’ resolve has taken many forms. 246 years of sharpening the mettle of the next generation of war fighters and adapting to ever-changing national priorities has cemented the Marine Corps as a cornerstone for the security of the United States and our allies across the globe.
With the end of America’s longest war in Afghanistan, the rising threat of major power conflicts, and our nation wrestling with agendas at home, Marines remain steadfast in defending the constitution from enemies both foreign and domestic.
Marine Veterans across the nation never dropped their packs as they volunteer to respond to natural disasters, risk their lives to defend those in our communities, and remain on call in the Reserves.
One month after graduating from Parris Island, Lance Corporal Byrd maneuvered himself between a bleeding motel receptionist and a knife wielding assailant. Byrd fought off the attacker then applied first aid to the receptionist’s wounds. Lance Corporal Byrd embodied our commitment to being Marines 24/7, regardless of danger, in any time and place.
In every generation of Leathernecks there are unsung heroes who never had the recognition of their valiant deeds. Yet every Marine knows full well the expectations to act deliberately and appropriately from dining halls to the folding of the flag for fallen comrades. Retirement ceremonies are particularly a bittersweet reminder that no matter how dedicated, there comes a time when our commitment to Corps and country shifts from the front lines to nation building at home.
Veterans bring unequivocal experiences and tenacity to communities across America. To cities and towns unsure of what next steps to take in local societal conflicts. As in Vietnam, Somalia, and every conflict our Corps has fought, Marine Veterans continue to strive to foster a greater peace and combat our nations foes.
The 30th Commandant General Mundy stated that commitment is “…the value that establishes the Marine as the warrior and citizen others strive to emulate.”
Today’s America can rely on the commitment of Marines from all eras to help dress the wounds felt by many of her citizenry while deterring those within our borders bent on tearing apart her virtuous and moral fabric. Our motto of Semper Fidelis, “Always Faithful”, warns our enemies, assures those we protect, and is a lifelong promise from one Marine to the next to stand by them and never leave a Marine behind.
E Sower - Sergeant, USMC - Post 9/11 2002 - 2017
