249 Birthdays...and counting

The Marine Corps will hit 249 tomorrow.  It's tradition that I send out an annual message of celebration to the many Marines I've "collected" and I've been mulling over what I wish to impart in the message this year. Here it goes.  

It seems fitting that today, the day before, is my 23rd year of federal service, 19 of which was as a Marine Corps historian.  In those years, one filled with many proud moments, I hold one achievement above all.  The commemoration of the centennial of Marines in the First World War, it was my soul focus aside from my day-to-day work.  

Adding another 10 years to my life

I served as the series historian for the six commemorative histories published (several articles as well), participated in the staff rides for both the 5th and 6th Marines when they went to Belleau Wood, edited an updated version of McClellan's history, compiled my own published work, assisted with the 100th anniversary celebration of the 6th Marines, participated in the recreation of a 100 year old formation photo of the 2d Battalion, 6th Marines in Quantico and organized and coordinated the WWI symposium that saw more than 150 people in attendance including general officers, scholars, WWI reenactors, collectors, and families!

To say that the Marines of WWI remain close to my heart is an understatement.  Even now, nearly five years since I left employment of the Corps, these Marines (in particular) remain very near and dear.  So much so, that I spent part of my vacation this year tromping around Belleau Wood, Blanc Mont and St. Mihiel, as well as a bit of the Rhine where the Marines participated in the occupation. 

 Why?  So I could tell their tales and bring them back to life, even for a a little bit.  Therefore, for the Marines reading this as part of my annual birthday message, let me tell you about one of your own that I visited while in France.

Strand behind his mother

As planning for my trip to Europe commenced, there was never any question that we'd (because I went with dear friends, one of whom is a retired Marine Colonel) go to Belleau Wood.  I am a firm believer that every Marine, past and present, should make the pilgrimage one day.  In addition to Belleau Wood, I suggested Blanc Mont (because, Lejeune, of course) and the Colonel suggested Verdun (because, Verdun!).  We were also planning a visit to Koblenz, where the Marines headquartered the Rhine River Patrol.  It was during this stage another dear friend asked if we could visit the St. Mihiel cemetery and pay our respects to a Marine, Corporal Clarence Strand.   Without hesitation, we all said YES!

Clarence H. Strand, was born 6 April 1892 in Newman Grove, Nebraska where he was raised on the family farm.  Strand enlisted on 14 June 1917 and underwent recruit training at Mare Island, California.  After recruit training he was assigned to the 8th Regiment which was at Fort Crockett, in Galveston, Texas.

After being transferred to Quantico in 1918, Strand was promoted to Corporal on 3 May 1918 while with a replacement battalion.  He shipped over to France and joined the 75th Company, 6th Regiment on 3 August.  Corporal Strand was killed in action on 14 September 1918 as part of the battle for the St. Mihiel Salient.  

Mrs. Sophia Strand, 1930

Corporal Strand was interred in the St. Mihiel American Cemetery outside Thiaucourt, France, where he remains today surrounded by farmland and lovingly cared for by the staff of the American Battle Monuments Commission. In 1930, as part of the Gold Star Mothers pilgrimage, Mrs. Strand visited her son one last time.  She died the next year.

There are many visitors to the cemeteries of the ABMC each year.  Many of the graves have been adopted by locals who attend to the graves, adorning them throughout the year, visiting as if they were one of their own family.  It is, at the time of this writing, unknown if Cpl Strand has been adopted by a local family and most certainly unknown if anyone has made a point of visiting him since his mother in 1930 before last month.  

Corporal Clarence Strand grave

As many know, I have a penchant for stopping in the random cemetery and wandering in search of Marines.  To that end, I carry small USMC flags to leave behind at the grave to let all who see that a Marine rests there.  So, as I packed my bags to go to Europe last month, I made sure to include one of my last flags (need to reorder) and hope that it didn't break in transit.  

Because October isn't the high tourist season, the cemetery was quiet and we were the only visitors.  The superintendent came out thinking we were a family he was planning to meet, but was pleasantly surprised to know we were there to visit Cpl Strand.  He walked us out to the grave and I told him what I knew of the Corporal as I placed the flag into the ground.  

So, for you Marines who've made it through this post, written in honor of your 249th birthday, I offer "Happy Birthday, Marine!"  Tomorrow I will join 101 year old Major John "Jack" Elliott, USMC (ret) at the National Museum of the Marine Corps for cake--he of course will be the oldest Marine present--and I will toast each of you and those who came before, and since.

Happy birthday, Marines!