[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 189 (Wednesday, November 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S17787-S17788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  MARINE CORPS ANNIVERSARY OBSERVANCE

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I attended the Marine Corps 
Anniversary Observance at the Marine Corps War Memorial. The speaker at 
those ceremonies was our colleague from New Hampshire, Bob Smith. As a 
former marine, I was very impressed with Senator Smith's remarks, and I 
ask that they be printed in the Record for all--Marines and those who 
wish they were--to read.
  The remarks follow:

       Remarks of Senator Bob Smith--Marine Corps 220th Birthday

       Thank you very much, General Krulak. Secretary Perry, 
     Secretary Dalton, General Shalikashvili, Senator Warner, 
     Colonel Dotter, and distinguished guests. It is a great honor 
     to join with you all today in commemorating the 220th 
     birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Before we begin, 
     I want to take this opportunity to commend you personally, 
     General Krulak, on the superb readiness of your troops, and 
     for your outstanding leadership as commandant of the Marine 
     Corps.
       It is fitting that today's commemoration coincides with the 
     observance of Veterans Day. Indeed, as our Nation pauses to 
     reflect upon the historical sacrifices of its warriors, what 
     better place for us to congregate that here at this great 
     shrine. What better way to honor our Nation's veterans than 
     to celebrate 220 years of Marine Corps history.
       As you know, I was not a marine. However, I took my share 
     of ``incoming'' on the floor of the U.S. Senate fighting the 
     battle for those M1A1 tanks and MPS ships, and I am proud of 
     it. I am a marine in spirit, and I have a letter from General 
     Mundy to prove it.
       The Marine Corps was created on November 10, 1775 when the 
     Continental Congress decreed that two battalions of Marines 
     be organized under the direction of Captain Samuel Nicholas, 
     the first commandant.
       Recruitment procedures being somewhat different back then, 
     the Marines were recruited at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. 
     Although their indoctrination was not quite as rigorous as a 
     trip through San Diego, Parris Island, or Quantico, these 
     pioneering Marines made history by launching an amphibious 
     landing at New Providence Island in the Bahamas, capturing a 
     British fort and securing its arms and powder for 
     Washington's Army. They later went on to fight at such 
     locations as Trenton, Morristown. Penobscot Bay, and Fort 
     Mifflin.
       In the two centuries since those colonial battles, the size 
     and structure of the Marine Corps has evolved, doctrine has 
     changed, and areas of operational responsibility have 
     expanded. The corps has emerged as a truly global force, 
     deploying to Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and the 
     Middle East, with the status of being the first to fight.
       But what has never changed, and what continues to 
     distinguish the United States Marine Corps from any other 
     fighting force in the world, is its unique culture and 
     character.
       The Marine Corps is rich with tradition, its men and women 
     strong on character and conviction. Honor discipline, valor, 
     and fidelity are the corps virtues; dedication, sacrifice, 
     and commitment its code. To those who willingly join this 
     elite society, service is not merely an occupation, it is a 
     way of life. Once a marine, always a marine.
       It is this way of life, this absolute, unwavering 
     commitment to duty, honor, and country, that has 
     distinguished the United States Marine Corps from every other 
     fighting force in history. And it is this selfless 
     dedication, manifested through uncountable examples of 
     battlefield valor, that has preserved our freedom and enabled 
     our nation to prosper.
       But there have been costs. Tremendous costs. Look at the 
     costs of Iwo Jima. Between February 19th and March 26th 1945, 
     nineteen-thousand Americans were wounded 

[[Page S 17788]]
     and seven thousand were killed in the campaign to capture that 
     strategic four mile island. Against tremendous adversity, our 
     marines persevered and prevailed in this critically important 
     campaign. Four of the men depicted in this memorial died 
     within days of raising the flag.
       But those of us who have served in the Armed Forces and 
     gone to war know that freedom is never free. We knew it when 
     we enlisted, we know it today. So many of our brave soldiers, 
     sailors, airmen, and marines have perished in defense of 
     freedom. So many more have been wounded or disabled. Each of 
     us has suffered the loss of a fallen comrade or loved one.
       This veterans day has a very special significance for me. 
     For it was 50 years ago that I lost my father on active duty 
     during World War II. He was a naval aviator who flew combat 
     missions in the South Pacific.
       He knew the risks, he knew them well. And he accepted them. 
     The stakes were too high not to. My father gave his life in 
     service to his Nation. And on this very special occasion, 
     when I am so honored to join with you today, I want to pay 
     tribute to my father and mother who, together, rest on a 
     quiet little hillside in Arlington Cemetery. Like my dad, my 
     mother never wavered in her love of country, even when she 
     saw her only two sons depart for Vietnam.
       Freedom is never free.
       But some things are worth fighting for. Some universal 
     principles of freedom, of morality, of human dignity, and of 
     right and wrong must be defended, no matter what the costs. 
     And through thick and thin, the United States Marine Corps 
     has answered the Nation's call, remaining true to its 
     convictions and determined in its vow to be most ready when 
     the Nation is least ready.
       Whether it be the colonial battles at new providence island 
     and Trenton, or the historic campaigns at Belleau Wood, 
     Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Inchon, the marines have always 
     delivered for our Nation for the cause of freedom.
       And today, whether rescuing American citizens in Rwanda, 
     maintaining the watch off Somalia, conducting migrant rescue 
     and security operations in the Caribbean and ashore in 
     Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, responding to crises in the Persian 
     gulf, or rescuing downed pilots in Bosnia, the Marine Corps 
     continues to deliver on its commitment to the American people 
     and the United States Constitution. They even survived the 
     media onslaught when they landed in Somalia.
       When I think back upon the uncountable acts of heroism and 
     sacrifice by our marines, I am always reminded of the words 
     of Admiral Chester Nimitz following the battle of Iow Jima.
       From the fleet, Admiral Nimitz concluded, and I quote, 
     ``Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon 
     valor was a common virtue.'' Unquote.
       Let me briefly provide an example of the kind of valor to 
     which Admiral Nimitz was referring. On February 23, 1945, a 
     young marine corporal named Hershel Williams earned the 
     Congressional Medal of Honor at Iwo Jima. When marine tanks 
     were unable to open a lane for the infantry through a network 
     of concrete pillboxes and buried mines, Corporal Williams 
     struck out on his own to suppress the Japanese onslaught.
       Corporal Williams fought desperately for 4 hours, covered 
     by only 4 riflemen, preparing demolition charges and using a 
     flamethrower to wipe out multiple enemy positions.
       On one occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox under heavy 
     fire, inserting the nozzle of his flamethrower through the 
     air vent, and destroying the enemy guns that were ravaging 
     our troops.
       According to the Medal of Honor description, Corporal 
     Williams' unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism 
     in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly 
     instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically 
     defended Japanese strongholds, enabling his company to reach 
     its objective.
       This is the kind of uncommon valor that Admiral Nimitz was 
     talking about. But one does not have to reach back into 
     history to find heroism. It is right here in front of, and 
     around me, today. The highest decorations that our Nation 
     bestows are worn on the chest of many of you here today. It 
     is you who carry the torch of freedom, and you who continue 
     the legacy of Corporal Williams and the millions of other 
     marines who have served our Nation. And you do it willingly, 
     sometimes without receiving the credit you so richly deserve.
       Though the world remains dangerous, and the future 
     uncertain, there is one constant that we as Americans can 
     take great pride and comfort in. That is the fact that our 
     United States Marine Corps remains on station, throughout the 
     world, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, every year, defending 
     our freedom and preserving our security.
       The honor, the dedication, the sacrifice, and, yes, the 
     uncommon valor of every marine who has served before lives on 
     through those of you who stand watch today. As we honor this 
     history, we should pause to reflect upon the 275 Marine Corps 
     soldiers who are still listed as POW/MIA from Vietnam, Korea, 
     and other wars. They are always in our hearts.
       I know that my friends in the Navy, Army, and Air Force 
     will understand when I take the liberty of saying to General 
     Krulak and all members of the Marine Corps--past, present and 
     future--Semper fi.
       Thank you very much.

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