Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1925-10-15

France government cruisers took "a armed French
vessels; lost but one. 1t was Decatur who
freed the young nation from the exactions of the
Barbary pirates. Sloat and Stockton won Califor-
MIA for us. In the Spanish American War our
naval victories at Manila bay and Santiago were
in accord with the best traditions of the service
And the Marine, Soldier and Sailor too,
picked volunteer fighting with character and
brains-why, here's glorious theme for able
orator. The United States Marine Corps is an
Independent branch--and the odest-of our mill
tary service, with its own major general COM
mandant. In general the Marines are subject to
orders from the secretary Of the navy, but the
President may send them to help out the army
Maj Gen. John A. Lejeune-"Joh the HARD
commands these hard-boiled diplomats and handy
men, especially handy in connection with our
Monroe Doctrine-witness their work in Nicara-
qua, Santo Domingo and Haiti All kinds of fight
ing in any old place look alike to the Marines
and they have been busy all over the world for
century and half, protecting American interests
in time of trouble. "The Marines have landed and
have the situation well In hand"-thats the word
Washington always gets from them. They were
a little slow in reporting to this effect from
France, but everyone knows that they had their
own situation we'll in hand all the way from
Chateau-Thierry to ST. Mihiel, and the Bois de la
Brigade de Marine
And the Navy has to its credit victories of
peace ''no less renowned than those of war;" 1t
was Perry, for example, who by friendly diplomacy
opened the ports of Japan the Hermit Nation"
It was Peary who raised the Stars and Stripes
at the North Pole. 1t was the Navy that
veritabe angel of mercy at the burning of Smyrna
and at the earthquake disaster in Japan.
The Navy operates on the sea, under the sea
and in the air. So it is called our First Line of
Defense" Also, because of it's manifold activities
it is useful institution in times Of peace. And
without the Navy the Monroe Doctrine would be a
theory and not a condition
So Navy Day in spirit is in fine accord with:
birth as the nation of earth dedicated to free
dom, to equality of rights and opportunity and to
the pursuit of happiness;
Memorial Day, which we honor patriotic
dead who gave that final test Of loyal citizenship
the will to give life itself in defense Of country
Thanksgiving Day, on which a Christian
people give thanks TO that Divine Providence
which has so often assisted progress from
dependent colonies to the most happy, prosperous
and powerful nation of earth
Equally fine in the American spirit and equally
our own are Defense Day and Navy Day and Flag
Day. These national days and what they stand
for are the spirit and genius of America. We seek
no conquests. We not militarisSc. We would
lessen international armament. We would have
Nworld peace We wish all deserving nations we'll
We will help those that help themselves. But we
intend to protect ourselves and own. And on
Armistice Day we celebrate at that new American
national shrne-the tomb of the unknown Dead"
the old, old American ideal: Peace with honor
and patriotic devotion to country.