I am an unabashed admirer of the United States Marine Corps and those who have earned the privelege to call themselves Marines. One of my very good friends, about whom I’ve written before, is a Marine of the old-school vintage. I called him this morning, as I do every November 10th, to wish him a Happy Birthday and he answered his phone, as he does every November 10th, with “Semper Fi”. It’s not truly his natal day, but it is a birthday to him and I’m pleased to honor that, and his incredible service, with a phone call. It wasn’t a long call but I told him I missed not being able to spend as much time with him as I’d like and that I love he and his marvelous wife. When we hung up, I was smiling and I could hear the grin on his end, too. November 10 is always a good day for him.
Maybe you could give the Marine in your life (and there is one. You just have to look a bit harder) a phone call and wish them a Happy Birthday as well. I bet they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about when you call.
Here, by the way, are the other birthday posts I’ve written over the years. I’m surprised that I’ve done one every year since I started The Sundries Shack, given how bad I am at remembering people’s birthdays and anniversaries and such like that. On the other hand, remembering my call today, perhaps I’m not that surprised after all.
This year’s birthday message from the Commandant is here, in PDF form. Cassandra’s always-excellent celebratory post is here.
Amen! God bless them all!