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What Is the Marine Corps League About? The Marine Corps League is a veterans organization of the U.S. Marines. It is composed of Marines and former Marines with honorable service. It aims to perpetuate the traditions and spirit of the U.S. Marine Corps through the continuous association of Marines who served under the Globe and Anchor at any time, in war or peace. There are League attachments all across the country. Regular meetings are conducted under a unified ritual, with the Marine Corps spirit and atmosphere predominating. The one and only membership qualification is honorable service in excess of 90 days in the Marines. This means that, regardless of rank held, regardless of when or where a Marine served, regardless of what division or wing he may or may not have served with, that Marine, male or female, is welcome in the Marine Corps League. A common trait of League members is the spirit of Semper Fidelis, the spirit of being "always faithful" to the country, the Corps, and to their fellow marines, in-service and out. So deep is this ingrained in members that, long after most have hung up their uniform for the last time, they still dare to call each other 'Marine". Each seems to hold the League slogan as a personal truth of "Once a Marine - Always a Marine". Being a Marine is what it's all about. John A. Lejeune, who founded the Marine corps League in 1923, put this first above all else. Although he was the Major General Commandant of the Corps, a declared hero of the First World War, and the former Commanding General of the victorious Second Army Division, he said was first claim to fame was, "I am a Marine!" The U.S. Government felt that the purpose of the Marine Corps League were so valid that in 1937 it granted the league a federal charter. League members know a special bond of comradeship unique to those who have worn the Marine Emblem. The members look after one another and assist the widows and orphans of their Marines. They observe national holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and days of special interest to Marines like "the Birthday", the landings at Guadalcanal, Inchon, and DaNang, the anniversary of the flag raising at Iwo Jima, and the day the Fourth Marine Brigade entered Belleau Wood. Auxiliary members help carry out the purposes of the League. Their members as well as Leaguers may be seen almost any day in the wards of our veterans hospitals, visiting the sick and wounded under their volunteer program. Both assist our veterans with rehabilitation work, too, and their trained service workers often assist Marines in obtaining their veteran rights. Perhaps the Marine Corps League performs its most important service on the local level through programs of benefit to the communities. Many detachments recognizing a need, embark on special programs to help advance their towns and cities. Others have adopted one of the League's national youth programs, the Young Marines, or the Youth Physical Fitness. These programs seek the mental, oral, and physical development of our youngsters. The Marine Corps has continuously stood in the forefront, too, serving in our hospitals helping our communities, working with our youth, and assisting our Marines and veterans. Its members realize some of the greatest rewards of life, those of friendship and the sense of individual and group fulfillment.
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