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Before I start, I would like to welcome Vice Admiral Casimiro
Armando Martinez Pretelin of the Mexican Navy and Major General
Humberto Fernando Chapa Casas of the Mexican Air Force. Vice
Admiral and Major General, thank you for the service you do
for your country and thank you for being with us here tonight.
On behalf of our entire Embassy Community, Deputy Chief of
Mission Leslie Bassett and I would like thank Gunnery Sergeant
Kreston Monroe and all of the Marines from the Embassy here
with us for putting together such an extraordinary night.
While I never served in the Marines, my life in public service
has been profoundly influenced by a Marine who made clear
to me what duty and service was all about. Twenty years ago,
I served as a judge in South Texas alongside a fellow by the
name of Bill Card, who, at that time, was the Mayor of Harlingen,
Texas. Bill was sworn in as a Marine in 1939 at the age of
17 by his father, Brigadier General Horace W. Card. One year
later, Bill was called to active duty. Bill served in the
Marine Corps for over 30 years, rising to the rank of Colonel
and participating in military action in Saipan, Tinian, and
Iwo Jima during the Second World War; he also saw action at
the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. By the
time I met Bill in the late ‘80s, he had retired from the
Marines, but, as all of us know, “once a Marine, always a
Marine.” I’ll never forget Bill turning to me at a time when
I was struggling over a particularly difficult decision. Bill
said “Tony, you don’t ever want to be known as a person who
stands silently by when action is needed.” To me, that sums
up the spirit of the Marines. Our country is a better and
safer place thanks to their commitment to action.
We are here tonight to celebrate an important occasion, the
232nd birthday of the founding of the United States Marine
Corps. This occasion is certainly important for the Marines
who are with us in uniform here tonight and who are celebrating
throughout the world, but the anniversary is also an important
celebration for all Americans.
The founding of the Marines occurred at the dawn of the American
Revolution. They have fought with honor in every major American
conflict since their birth. Beginning in the last century,
the Marines boldly have participated in peace missions throughout
the world, serving as diplomats and representatives of the
United States in places where it was unsafe for others to
go. Closer to home, the “Marines sitting with us here tonight
provide for the safety and security of our Embassy community.
They serve in over a hundred other Embassies throughout the
globe as well.
It is difficult to say what the United States would be like
without the continuous and loyal service of these brave men
and women. But without them, I do know this: our country and
our world would not enjoy the safety and prosperity that we
have now, nor would we have such high hopes for an even safer
and more prosperous future. Our American past, present, and
future are intertwined with the Marines.
Please join me in toasting, first to all of the members of
the armed services, who have so bravely served their country
with honor. And here is to the Marines in particular on this
night of their birthday celebration, may they continue the
courageous work that started 232 years ago in Philadelphia’s
Tun Tavern. Thank you for your dedication, your sacrifice,
and your service. |
