MARINES’ 246TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED
It’s been 246 years that Marines remain in combat, forward-deployed throughout the world confronting every challenge with courage, loyalty and faithfulness.
For many years, Ukiah veterans of all branches of the services have been welcomed at the Ukiah Elks Club for the Marines’ Nov. 10 birthday celebration. Organizing the event this year was Rick Harreschou, a retired machinist. Though he is not a veteran, the family has sailors and Marines in their history.
Daniel Harreschau, M.sgt. (Ret.) USMC was master of ceremonies.
Long applause of thanks was paid in tribute to the Elks Club kitchen crew, including Bill Hindrickson, “Rocky” Sherock, Harold “Ducky” Inong, and many volunteers, who cooked and served the meal.
The somber beginning opened with the Colors (the American Flag and the Marine Corps Flag), brought in by four members of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Harreschau read the 1921 Commandant message:
“Marine Corps Birthday Message,
Marine Corps Order No. 47 (Series 1921), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Washington, Date: 1 November 1921. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it will be read upon receipt.
“On Nov. 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of Continental Congress. Since that date, thousands of men have borne the name “Marine.” In memory of them it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.
“The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world’s history. During 90 of the 146 years of Its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the nation’s foes. From the Battle of Trenton: to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war, and in the long eras of tranquility at home, generation after generation of Ma
rines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas, that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.
“In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term “Marine” has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.
“This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as “Soldiers of the Sea” since the founding of the Corps.” John A. Lejeune, Major General Commandant
Joe Goeken read the 246th birthday message from General Berger, CMC:
“On 10 November 1970, Commandant Chapman challenged all Marines, active and inactive, young and old, deployed or recently returned from combat, “not to look back. But instead, to look to the future.” He insisted that we celebrate our anniversary: ‘not as an end of almost two centuries of dedicated service but as preparation for new service, new dedication, and new achievement.’
“Those sage words resonate across time and are as applicable today as they were 51 years ago.
“Our Corps holds to traditions that link us to the elite warriors who wore the uniform before us, but the traditions we hand down through the generations go far beyond tangible displays, symbols, or customs The most important traditions that link us to our past and must be carried into the future are the intangible ones — traditions, of courage, trust, discipline, loyalty, respect, perseverance, adaptability, and leadership. Today, 246 years since our warfighting legacy began, we celebrate those traits that have been forged in all Marines — past and present.
“The character of Marines, our unwavering commitment and relentless pursuit of excellence, remains unchanged from that of past generations, even as the character of warfare is ever-changing. These changes will require us to do what Marines, do best — adapt and innovate to win any battle or respond to any crisis. Just as Marines who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan over these past 20 years adapted to the demands of protracted counter insurgency operations — which would have been all too familiar to the Marines of 1970 — we will adapt to the demands of the present and future, while learning the hard lessons from our recent past.
“We can’t know for certain where future battlefields will be or how our methods of warfighting will be redefined as threats to our nation evolve, but we can ensure that the Marines who fight these battles will be forged of the same courage, spirit, and warfighting excellence as all Marines before them.
“We who serve today represent an unbroken chain
that stretches back 246 years. As me mark our anniversary, we remember those who went before us, and as we look over the horizon to ‘new service, new dedication, and new achievement,’ solemnly swear to uphold their example of honor, courage, and commitment.
“Happy 246th Birthday. Marines! Semper Fidelis”
One of the more poignant moments, always, is the recognition of the Prisoners Of War (POW) and Missing In Action. There is a small table, set for one, symbolizing the fact that members of the Corps are missing from the ranks.
“We call them comrades,” explained Daniel Harreschau.
“They are unable to be with their loved ones and families so we pay humble tribute to them, and bear witness to their continued absence. The table is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors. The tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms. The single red rose signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. The rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.
“The yellow ribbon represents those worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us.
“A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate. The salt on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait. The glass is inverted — they cannot toast with us today. The chair is empty — they are not here. The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their
captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.”
Special recognition was paid for those who served in WWII — 80 years ago; Korea — 71 years ago, Vietnam — 56 years ago, the Gulf War — 30 years ago, and Iraq and Afghanistan — 20 years ago. Though the numbers surviving from these conflicts diminish annually, there were two WWII veterans present, both 94 years old, one Navy, but former USMC Pete Ancellotti was chosen to cut the birthday cake. According to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 240,329 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive in 2021.
Tribute was paid to Fred Keplinger.
“Fred was a true Patriot and served as a U.S. Navy Corpsman attached to a Marine Division in Vietnam and was a Marine through and through. After his time in the service, he started a career in law enforcement where he subsequently retired as Chief of Police of Ukiah Police Department in 1998. In the early 1990s, Fred along with Wayne Mcbride, Greg Smith and a few others started the local Marine Corps Birthday Celebration after attending the one in Sonoma County many years.
Fred came from a long line of Patriots. He was instrumental in getting the Veterans Memorial Wall outside the Elks Building where you will see the name Keplinger on nearly half of the plaques, spanning back to the Civil War.”
Following singing of the Service Hymns, led by singer Carole Hester and accompanied by Trumpeter Blake Phillips, there was a rousing auction of items to fund-raise for next year’s event. Ukiah Police Chief Noble Waidelich and former Sheriff Tom Allman oversaw the raffle tickets.
Since veterans receive a free dinner at these birthday celebrations, serious fundraising and planning
take place all year long.
A huge donor to the event was USMC Keith Hewitt, owner of All In One Auto Repair & Towing, Ukiah. Additional major sponsors were Walt Barr (Barr
Family Chiropractic), Big O Tires, Bill Pauli (Yokayo Vineyards), Joe Fernandez (Broiler Steak House), and Rich Fiero, who donated the ceremonial sword for the raffle.