Happy 250th Marines – Earned. Never Given. Semper Fi.

The United States Marine Corps marks 250 years of service this year. Two and a half centuries of Marines standing watch, answering the call, and carrying forward a legacy built on discipline, courage, and commitment. From the first Marines who gathered at Tun Tavern in 1775 to the Marines serving around the world today, the Corps has shaped American history by showing up in the hardest moments and leading with character when it matters most.

What makes the Marine Corps unique isn’t just the battles fought or the missions accomplished. It’s the identity that comes from earning the title Marine. It’s the quiet pride, the relentless standard, the expectation to give everything and then give a little more. It’s a legacy passed down, not by ceremony, but by example.

For many of us connected to the Marine Corps community, this anniversary holds personal meaning. It’s a reminder of the people who loved the uniform, lived the values, and carried themselves with the integrity that makes the Corps what it is.

One of those Marines was Captain John Sax. The first photo he ever uploaded of himself holding the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor he had just been presented for the first time carried a simple caption that summed up everything the title represents:

“𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝. 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧. #𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐢”

Happy 250th Birthday, Marines.

#marineaviator#flymarines#semperfi#marineaviation#memorialfoundation#marinecorps