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The League is a veteran's organization of the U.S. Marines. It is composed of Marines and
former Marines no longer on active duty 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 Eagle, Globe and Anchor at any time, in war or peace.
There are League detachments 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. Recently, the FMF Corpsmen who served with the Marines have been approved for
Membership. This means that, regardless of rank held, regardless of when or where a Marine
served, regardless of what Division or Wing or Marine Installation they may have served with,
that Marine, male or female, is welcome in the Marine Corps League. Associate members (non
Marines) are accepted at most detachments for people of like mind who would like to support the
activities and traditions of the Marine Corps.
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 the uniform for the last time,
they still dare to call each other "Marine". Each seems to hold the League slogan as a personal
truth. That 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 a Major General and Commandant of the
Marine Corps, a decorated hero of the First World War and the former Commanding General of the
victorious Second Army Division, he said his first claim to fame was, "I am a Marine!" All his
other attainments came farther down the list. There was nothing more important to him than
being a Marine..
For more information on the Marine Corps League Detachment nearest you, contact any of the
Detachment Officers listed on this web site
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