Many Americans recognize “semper fidelis,” or “always faithful,” as the motto of the Marine Corps, and they can at least hum the tune of the Marine Corps Hymn, which is the oldest official song in our armed forces. Like other venerable branches of the military, the Marines Corps, over its long history, has woven together a rich tapestry of slogans, slang, and statements of purpose, such as “leathernecks” and “The Drill Instructor’s Creed.”
More recently added to this collection is the Marine’s Prayer.
Written by Silver Star winner Charles Blythe, a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, this prayer is remarkable for its ordering of a Marine’s priorities. After asking God to make one aware of His presence and obedient to His will, the prayer’s next two sentences read:…