The White Falcon - 11.11.1962, Blaðsíða 7

Sunday, November 11, 1962
WHITE FALCON
7
Marines Celebrate 187th Birthday
Acquiring perfection in firing the riot gun.
To develope versatility, these men practice descending steep cliffs.
November 10, 1962 marks the
187th anniversary of the founding
of the U.S. Marine Corps and the
16th month that the Marine Bar-
racks, Keflavik, Iceland has been
in existence.
A memorial service was held
across from Iceland Defense Force
Headquarters in memory of the
Marines who so bravely served
their country. As our country’s
flag waved gently above the honor
guards, the invocation was given,
the Marine Qorps message and a
message by the Commander of the
Marine Corps were read. An echo-
taps ended the ceremony.
At the birthday party, held in
the Viking Service Club at 2 p.m.,
our National Anthem was played
as the Color Guard entered the
ball room. All Marines joined in
singing the Marine Corps Hymn.
A beautiful birthday cake was
escorted into the ball room.
Speeches were read by various
visiting dignitaries, then the cake
was cut as the last official act
Machine gunners and bazookamen stand ready to defend against an aggressor.
The men of the Marine Barracks stand all gate sentry duty, both
on and off the base.
of this 187th birthday of our Mar-
ine Corps.
The Commandant of the
Marine Corps, General David
M. Shoup sent this birthday
message:
On this day we pause briefly
in our assigned duties to pay
tribute to all those who have
held the name Marine. We re-
flect on the chronicle of their
achievements and remember
the places where our heritage
was born and fostered. We re-
call the beaches and jungles,
deserts and mountains and the
sky overhead where they made
their countless sacrifices. The
names of these places are a
page in the roll call of our
Nation’s glory — New Provid-
ence, Belleau Woods, Wake,
Tarawa, Korea. These and fif-
teen score more are the tap-
roots of our legacy and they
are anchored deep in the his-
tory of our country.
We, who have chosen to be
their sentinels, well know that
what we guard is nearly 200
years of courage and loyalty,
of unbeatable spirit and devo-
tion to Country and Corps.
Today, as in the past, our
strength is in our readiness
and willingness to carry out
any mission assigned — up-
holding the high standards of
those who have gone before.
Let us then face the future,
guided by the steadfast devo-
tion and singleness of purpose,
that has made the name, Un-
ited States Marine a proud and
honored one.
To all Marines throughout
the world, and to all Marine
families, on the 187th birthday
of our beloved Corps, I extend
by heartiest congratulations
and my very best wishes.
Formally activated in July of
last year the Barracks has out-
grown its original accommodations
which consisted of only one room
in an Air Force barracks, and is
now permanently located in Build-
ing 741 which is officially design-
ated as Marine Barracks.
Personnel-wise the Marines are
in a minority among the services
represented at the Naval Station
but due to the multiplicity of
duties performed they appear
much larger in number.
Marine Barracks is primarily a
Guard Detachment. As such, its
personnel perform duties involv-
ing the security of the Naval
Station. Commencing with the
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant
Colonel R. R. Miner, who serves
in the duel capacity as Security
Officer of the Naval Station, the
marines stand duty as gate sen-
tries, security sentries (both on
and off the station), brig guards,
military police and in other secur-
ity areas. One of the duties per-
formed by Marines, which is prob-
ably more familiar to personnel
aboard the station, is the daily
raising and lowering of the Na-
tional Ensign by the Color Detail.
In addition, Marine Barracks also
maintains two smaller guard de-
tachments at security sites located
at Hvalfjordur and Grindavik.
Regardless of at what station
or of the job performed by the
individual Marine, he is first and
foremost a rifleman. This fact is
particularly emphasized in the
training program conducted at the
Marine Barracks by its personnel.
This training includes condition-
ing hikes and marches to insure
physical fitness, scouting and pat-
noling instructions and daily
school on weapons such as the
pistol, riot-gun, rifle, machine-
gun, motars and hand-grenades,
which are the basic tools of the
marine rifleman. A vigorous off-
duty education program is also in
affect, with over 50% of the Mar-
ines currently actively enrolled in
correspondence courses from the
Marine Corps Institute, U. S.
Armed Forces Institute and the
University of Maryland Extension
School.
Hiking is popular among the servicemen at Keflavik. Here the Marines practice this pasttime in a dif-
ferent manner during a recent exercise.