WASHINGTON – Today, on the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement:
“Twenty-five years ago, I made one of the best decisions of my life when I joined the United States Marine Corps. For 250 years, the Marines have stood as a symbol of courage, discipline, and strength at home and abroad.
“Generations of Marines have answered the call to defend our nation, to serve with honor, and to uphold the values that make America strong. Being a Marine doesn’t end when you hang up the uniform; every Marine is a rifleman first and foremost, a Marine first, last and always.
“It was the greatest honor of my life to serve with Lima Company, 3/25, some of the most dedicated men I’ve ever known. But being part of this great tradition is bigger than any one of us. Every Marine who has ever served lives on in the Marines who wear the uniform today. Esprit de corps.
“For 250 years, that spirit has carried the Corps forward and made it one of the America’s greatest institutions, built on brotherhood, duty, and a belief in the common good. Today we honor every Marine past and present who has answered the call to serve and be a part of that legacy.
“Semper Fi.”
Since the start of this year, Senator Gallego has traveled across Arizona to present local Marine Corps Leagues with proclamations honoring the Corps’ milestone anniversary and thank Arizona’s Marine community for their continued service and leadership.
He has visited:
- Ira Hayes Detachment 002 of Phoenix, AZ
- San Francisco Peaks Detachment 912 of Flagstaff, AZ
- Thunder-Mountain Detachment 1248 of Sierra Vista, AZ
- Saguaro Detachment 554 of Mesa, AZ
Ira Hayes Detachment 002 of Phoenix, AZ [1/24/25]
San Francisco Peaks Detachment 912 of Flagstaff, AZ [3/21/25]
Saguaro Detachment 554 of Mesa, AZ (presented in Apache Junction, AZ) [8/11/25]
11/10/25