November 10th, 2006
This entry was posted on November 9, 2006 8:24 PM and is filed under Heroes.
November 10th, 2006 ... HAPPY 231st BIRTHDAY MARINES!
I have had the honor of knowing Marines all my life. A brotherhood like no other warriors on the planet. I have a lot of Army, Air Force and Navy friends who I love and respect and they'll tell you, ... there is no warrior brotherhood like the Marines. (They may not like though. lol)
My cousin Charles Genitti, USMC served in Vietnam. His name his engraved on the West Wall of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. Charlie went to Vietnam to help his brother John who was serving in the Army. John wrote to his brother and told him that Vietnam was "Hell on Earth," and being not only a Marine, but also a brother, Charlie wanted to get to John as soon as he could. Charlie's platoon paid the ultimate price seven days after he entered Vietnam. John and my cousin Dick came home with Charlie's flag draped coffin and they never returned to Vietnam.
Most of you know about my cousin Ryan Joseph Cantafio, USMC who paid the ultimate price on Thanksgiving night 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq. I witnessed the most beautiful and saddest funeral I have ever seen on a cold December morning in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The US Marines attended in huge numbers to comfort my cousin Joey, Ryan's dad, Ryan's mom and Ryan's young wife Amanda.
A song was inspired that day. I titled it "Brave Warrior." Those of you who have seen me with my band the 101st Rock Division or solo, know I dedicate this song to Ryan and all fallen heroes. It's my way of keeping my promise to Joey to never let Ryan be forgotten.
I believe that would be the same fear I would have if something ever happened to one of my great daughters, but I really don't know that feeling. In tribute to his son, Joey named his auto body shop "Ryan's Auto." I mentioned that in a blog I wrote a few days ago and I posted a photo of Ryan.
Since that blog was posted, emails and phone calls have been pouring in to our family and to this blog by a lot of wonderful people. First, I want to thank everyone for your kind words and love for my cousin Joey, his sister Cathy and Ryan's young widow Amanda.
I received an email from my friend Col Dennis Arinello. Denny has been a blessing to my life and to lives of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of Marines. I met Denny in the chow line at Camp Victory in Baghdad in February of 2004.
To prove my point about the brotherhood of Marines, Denny writes;
Col. Dennis Arinello, USMC
The Colonel sends
The following was found on the Internet and I wanted to share it with all Marine lovers!
The U.S. Marine Corps is the United States' military band of brothers dedicated to war fighting. The proud Brotherhood of Marines is guided by principles, values, virtues, love of country, and its Warrior Culture. This brotherhood of American Patriots has no song. Instead, Marine Warriors have a hymn. When The Marines' Hymn is played, United States Marines stand at attention. They silently show their pride in their fellow Marines, their Corps, their Country, their heritage, and their hymn.
The Marines' Hymn is a tribute to Warriors. Marine Warriors stormed fortress Derna, raised the American flag, and gave us "the shores of Tripoli." Marines fought their way into the castle at Chapultepec and gave us the "halls of Montezuma." Marines exist for the purpose of war fighting. Fighting is their role in life. They "fight for right and freedom" and "to keep our honor clean." They fight "in the air, on land, and sea." The Marine Corps is Valhalla for Warriors. U.S. Marines need no song. They have a hymn.
Ironically, no one knows who wrote the hymn, which was in widespread use by the mid-1800s. Col. A.S. McLemore, USMC, spent several years trying to identify the origin of the tune. In 1878 he told the leader of the Marine Band that the tune had been adopted from the comic opera Genevieve de Barbant, by Jaques Offenback. Yet, others believe the tune originated from a Spanish folk song. Whatever! Regardless of its origin, The Marines' Hymn has remained a revered icon of the United States Marine Corps for almost 200 years.
In 1929 The Marines' Hymn became the official hymn of the Corps. Thirteen years later in November 1942 the Commandant approved a change in the words of the first verse, fourth line. Because of the increasing use of aircraft in the Corps, the words were changed to "In the air, on land, and sea." No other changes have been made since that time. When you have attained absolute perfection, there is no need for further modification:
To all Marines, my veteran friends, Ed Bartt, Joe Jones, Jim Bender, Jack Shiffler, ... and to Denny Arinello, Aaron Angell, Eric Jazak, Georgette and Roy Frank and Michael Forras, ... Hoo Rah, Happy 231st Birthday Marines!
I have had the honor of knowing Marines all my life. A brotherhood like no other warriors on the planet. I have a lot of Army, Air Force and Navy friends who I love and respect and they'll tell you, ... there is no warrior brotherhood like the Marines. (They may not like though. lol)
My cousin Charles Genitti, USMC served in Vietnam. His name his engraved on the West Wall of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. Charlie went to Vietnam to help his brother John who was serving in the Army. John wrote to his brother and told him that Vietnam was "Hell on Earth," and being not only a Marine, but also a brother, Charlie wanted to get to John as soon as he could. Charlie's platoon paid the ultimate price seven days after he entered Vietnam. John and my cousin Dick came home with Charlie's flag draped coffin and they never returned to Vietnam.
Most of you know about my cousin Ryan Joseph Cantafio, USMC who paid the ultimate price on Thanksgiving night 2004 in Baghdad, Iraq. I witnessed the most beautiful and saddest funeral I have ever seen on a cold December morning in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. The US Marines attended in huge numbers to comfort my cousin Joey, Ryan's dad, Ryan's mom and Ryan's young wife Amanda.
A song was inspired that day. I titled it "Brave Warrior." Those of you who have seen me with my band the 101st Rock Division or solo, know I dedicate this song to Ryan and all fallen heroes. It's my way of keeping my promise to Joey to never let Ryan be forgotten.
I believe that would be the same fear I would have if something ever happened to one of my great daughters, but I really don't know that feeling. In tribute to his son, Joey named his auto body shop "Ryan's Auto." I mentioned that in a blog I wrote a few days ago and I posted a photo of Ryan.
Since that blog was posted, emails and phone calls have been pouring in to our family and to this blog by a lot of wonderful people. First, I want to thank everyone for your kind words and love for my cousin Joey, his sister Cathy and Ryan's young widow Amanda.
I received an email from my friend Col Dennis Arinello. Denny has been a blessing to my life and to lives of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands of Marines. I met Denny in the chow line at Camp Victory in Baghdad in February of 2004.
To prove my point about the brotherhood of Marines, Denny writes;
Joe
Joey Cantafio, father of Ryan J. Cantafio USMC. Ryan was lost to us on Thanksgiving night 2004. - I read your article -- the tears are streaming down my cheeks ...
I want your cousin's phone number -- I plan to call him over Thanksgiving weekend to tell him his son, my Marine isn't forgotten and will NEVER be forgotten - Marines don't forget Marines - it's that simple!
Col. Dennis Arinello, USMC
The Colonel sends
The following was found on the Internet and I wanted to share it with all Marine lovers!
The U.S. Marine Corps is the United States' military band of brothers dedicated to war fighting. The proud Brotherhood of Marines is guided by principles, values, virtues, love of country, and its Warrior Culture. This brotherhood of American Patriots has no song. Instead, Marine Warriors have a hymn. When The Marines' Hymn is played, United States Marines stand at attention. They silently show their pride in their fellow Marines, their Corps, their Country, their heritage, and their hymn.
The Marines' Hymn is a tribute to Warriors. Marine Warriors stormed fortress Derna, raised the American flag, and gave us "the shores of Tripoli." Marines fought their way into the castle at Chapultepec and gave us the "halls of Montezuma." Marines exist for the purpose of war fighting. Fighting is their role in life. They "fight for right and freedom" and "to keep our honor clean." They fight "in the air, on land, and sea." The Marine Corps is Valhalla for Warriors. U.S. Marines need no song. They have a hymn.
Ironically, no one knows who wrote the hymn, which was in widespread use by the mid-1800s. Col. A.S. McLemore, USMC, spent several years trying to identify the origin of the tune. In 1878 he told the leader of the Marine Band that the tune had been adopted from the comic opera Genevieve de Barbant, by Jaques Offenback. Yet, others believe the tune originated from a Spanish folk song. Whatever! Regardless of its origin, The Marines' Hymn has remained a revered icon of the United States Marine Corps for almost 200 years.
In 1929 The Marines' Hymn became the official hymn of the Corps. Thirteen years later in November 1942 the Commandant approved a change in the words of the first verse, fourth line. Because of the increasing use of aircraft in the Corps, the words were changed to "In the air, on land, and sea." No other changes have been made since that time. When you have attained absolute perfection, there is no need for further modification:
|
From the Halls of Montezuma, Our flag's unfurled to every breeze, Here's health to you and to our Corps |
Sir Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister, became an ardent admirer of the U.S. Marine Corps. In the company of guests of state, he often demonstrated his respect for U.S. Marines by reciting, from memory, all three verses of The Marines' Hymn.
To all Marines, my veteran friends, Ed Bartt, Joe Jones, Jim Bender, Jack Shiffler, ... and to Denny Arinello, Aaron Angell, Eric Jazak, Georgette and Roy Frank and Michael Forras, ... Hoo Rah, Happy 231st Birthday Marines!