 to celebrate in this training and education command, training command, and Headquarters Battalion Marine Corps Birthday Ball. From their humble birth at Tung Tavern on 10 November 1775, Marines have chosen an honorable life of service and sacrifice, unselfishly devoting their lives for country and corps, and to re-battle our great nation this fought. Through the barbaric shores of Tripoli, the Argonne Forest in France, the beaches of Tarawa, Iwo Juma, Okinawa, the frozen tundra of chosen reservoir, the humid jungles of Southeast Asia, and the scorching deserts of both Iraq and Afghanistan. The most disciplined and legal fighting force the world has ever known, that to the United States Marine Corps, has for 248 years led the charge, stood the watch, and through it all, they have upheld the highest standards, kept their honor clean, and remained Simper Fidelis, always faithful.