Dick Lugar: “On November 10th, we honored the 227th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. For more than two centuries, the U.S. Marine…”

“On November 10th, we honored the 227th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. For more than two centuries, the U.S. Marine Corps has exemplified the highest virtues of commitment, service, and sacrifice. From the Barbary Coast to the far reaches of the Pacific, in the jungles of Vietnam and across the vast expanse of the Arabian desert, America's Marines have lived up to their motto: 'Semper Fidelis.' Through the long march of our history, the U.S. Marine Corps has built a proud tradition. The smallest of the four service branches, they have typically been the 'tip of the spear' of American military might. U.S. Marines have been among the first troops dispatched to international crises over the past century. Always apace with world dynamics, they have expanded their expertise to encompass the entire spectrum of conflict from humanitarian assistance to major theater war. Amphibious Forces have demonstrated--in times of crisis and frequently on very short notice--that they possess a capable and formidable 'package' of ships and Marines to meet the threat across the full spectrum of modern conflict.”