Spirit of the Corps


As I lay in my bed one night,
a vision did appear.
A young marine spoke out to me
His words were loud and clear



I am the Spirit of the Corps
that flows through time and space
Shaped by a strength of character,
from principles I embrace.



I’ve been around protecting you
before our nation’s birth.
I’ve fought on many battlefields
at all points on this earth.



Through Montezuma’s drafty halls
On sandy Tripoli shores
Wherever battles have been fought,
there will be found our Corps.



In jungle, desert, mountains, in
extremes of heat and cold
we’ve fought to keep our country great,
left many tales untold.



At Belleau Wood in World War One
to heed our country’s call
In island wars of World War Two,
We saw great numbers fall.



At Korea’s Chosen Reservoir
We fought the Chinese horde
The ruthless terrorists in Iraq,
removing evil our reward.



If freedom’s bell is still to ring
and honor our nation’s goal,
The Spirit of the Corps should be
instilled in every soul



For current troops and future ranks,
for those who’ve gone before,
we pledge our loyalty to God,
our country and our Corps.


© Shelby Forrest

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