The birthday of the US Marine Corps and Veterans Day fall on successive days, Nov. 10 and Nov. 11 respectively.

It just happened that way, but in the fervor to do Veterans Day upright and respectfully, sometimes we omit making mention of the Marine Corps birthday. It is noteworthy that the Marine Corps was 239 years old this past Nov. 10, a fact not lost on any Marine Corps veteran.

Two battalions of Continental Marines were created on Nov. 10, 1775 by the Second Continental Congress for the War of Independence from Great Britain.  President John Adams signed the Act establishing the US Marine Corps in 1798.

It is always cause for celebration by “the few, the proud” who gather in this area at the Faunsdale Bar and Grill in nearby Faunsdale for the occasion. The present organizer of the event is Marine Corps veteran Roy Lee of Greensboro.

Not only is Roy a veteran, but also four of his and Charlotte’s children are Marine Corps veterans. Two of their sons were F-18 Hornet pilots and a daughter served in Iraq during the war. This is truly a Marine Corps family gung ho and ready to go. There is a quote floating around that some attribute to Ronald Reagan, and he did utter it. But whether it is original to him or not, I am not sure. It states, “Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.”

At any rate, the Marine Corps 239th birthday celebration at Faunsdale this year was attended by about 50 enthusiastic Marine Corps veterans. There is a tradition of the oldest veteran receiving the first slice of cake and offering it to the youngest Marine in attendance. Harold Cleveland of Goodwater received the first and Roy’s daughter Melissa Lee of Huntsville received it second.

Speaking of Melissa (Captain – USMC 1999-2004) and her serving in the Marine Corps brings me to women who serve in our armed forces. There are now about 2.2 million women veterans or roughly 10 percent of the 22 million veterans in our country. Women have always played an important role, even from the beginning of our fledgling nation. Before they were allowed to enlist, some found ingenious ways to participate included disguising themselves as men.

Many served as nurses and clerks at first but have progressed to be allowed in most areas of military service.

Perhaps we should incorporate more recognition for the contributions of women on Veterans Day and other patriotic holidays.

World War II brought an influx of women to all branches of military service. Total women veterans in Alabama is 47, 711 out of 2,294,308 in the United States.

No one can deny they have served with honor, great courage and distinction.

To all Marine Corps Veterans, Semper Fi.