Happy Birthday, Marines!

Today we take a break from discussing substance abuse in the legal profession to honor the brave men and women serving in the United States Marine Corps. My service in the Marines included a stint as Director of a division Substance Abuse Counseling Center. That's where my involvement with the prevention of substance abuse began.

On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress approved a resolution calling for the raising of two battalions of Marines to fight for independence at sea and on shore. Samuel Nicholas became the first Commandant of the newly formed Marines, and recruiting commenced at Tun Tavern, Philadelphia – the birthplace of the United States Marine Corps. Each year, Marines proudly celebrate November 10th as the birthday of the Corps by honoring those Marines who have come before them. This year, the Marine Corps is paying special tribute to the Marines who served in the Korean War. So will we.

The photograph shown here is that of Marine First Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez leading his Marines into action. On September 14, 1950, elements of the First Marine Division conducted a daring amphibious landing 100 miles behind enemy lines at Inchon. Lieutenant Lopez was the first man to scale the 10-ft seawall.

During the subsequent battle, Lieutenant Lopez was shot in the shoulder just as he prepared to throw a grenade. He died while smothering the grenade with his own body, thereby saving the lives of the Marines around him. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. A war correspondent said that Lieutenant Lopez “died with the courage that makes men great.”

After Inchon, the Marines fought their way to Seoul in 10 days. Later in the war, the First Marine Division defeated numerous Chinese divisions at Chosin Reservoir despite being outnumbered 8 to 1. The worst weather in 50 years cut off air support and assaulted the Marines with snow, wind and temperatures of -40 degrees F. Even so, the "Chosin Few," as they would come to be called, decimated 10 Chinese infantry divisions and fought their way back to the sea to rejoin the American forces.

Today, Marines continue to serve in the brave tradition of Lieutenant Lopez and the Chosin Few. November 10, 2010: The 235th Birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Happy Birthday Marines, and Happy Veterans Day to all who have served.
Semper Fidelis.



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