The Shores of Tripoli

  On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that "two battalions of Marines be raised" for service as landing forces with the fleet. This established the Continental Marines and marked the birth of the United States Marine Corps. Serving on land and at sea, early Marines distinguished themselves in a number of important operations, including their first amphibious raid on foreign soil in the Bahamas in March 1776, under the command of the Corps’ first commandant, Capt. Samuel Nicholas. The 1783 Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War and as the last of the Navy’s ships were sold, the Continental Navy and Marines disbanded.

Following the formal re-establishment of the Marine Corps on July 11, 1798, Marines fought in conflicts with France, landed in Santo Domingo and conducted operations against the Barbary pirates along the "Shores of Tripoli."

  We at Dunnellon Online salute The United States Marine Corps, and hope that on July 11th, you will say a prayer of thanks for all those Leathernecks who stood in the breech and defended out freedoms. The following is a poem dedicated to all Marines, the living and The Honored Dead.



"The Final Inspection"

The Marine stood and faced God, which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Marine, how shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns, can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent, because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place, among the people here.
They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne, where the saints had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly, for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Marine, you've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~

Semper Fidelis

"Goodnight, Chesty, wherever you are!"