Two hundred and forty-four years ago, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Tun Tavern in Philadelphia is regarded as the birthplace of the Corps and the origin of a few good-natured ribs about the quantity of rum required to create a Marine Corps. Notwithstanding imbibed recruits, the Marines have heroically defended our country in every war since November 10, 1775.
A special tribute to my favorite Marine, Captain J. R. Shemeld, USMCR and his 26-year career that spanned Nicaragua, WWII, and Korea. A ‘Mustanger’, my father received three Purple Hearts for “zigging when he should have zagged” and was in the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa. I also know he received a commendation from General Dwight Eisenhower for work he did in Europe. Why a Marine was in Europe I’ll probably never know because true to members of the ‘greatest generation’, he virtually never spoke of his service.
Semper Fi to Dad and all my fellow former and current Marines.
Robert Shemeld,
Sergeant USMC