WEBVTT 00:09.270 --> 00:11.420 At the Battle of Bella Wood , Marines 00:11.420 --> 00:13.420 displayed the tenacity and fighting 00:13.420 --> 00:15.420 spirit in the face of intense enemy 00:15.420 --> 00:17.587 fire that the world has come to expect 00:17.760 --> 00:19.593 from its finest fighting force . 00:21.219 --> 00:23.180 Marines first held the line , then 00:23.180 --> 00:25.040 launched aggressive relentless 00:25.040 --> 00:27.262 counterattacks , ultimately turning the 00:27.262 --> 00:29.690 tide of battle . No longer a simple 00:29.690 --> 00:31.857 naval infantry but an elite force with 00:31.857 --> 00:34.450 a fearsome reputation . Bellow forged 00:34.450 --> 00:37.090 an ethos , no better friend no worse 00:37.090 --> 00:39.209 enemy , and a legacy that echoes 00:39.209 --> 00:41.153 through every marine who wears our 00:41.153 --> 00:44.720 cloth today . 250 years is a milestone 00:44.720 --> 00:47.310 within our institution . It reminds us 00:47.310 --> 00:49.366 that there was something bigger than 00:49.366 --> 00:51.189 ourselves . This milestone is a 00:51.189 --> 00:53.411 powerful moment of reflection and pride 00:53.869 --> 00:56.150 for me . It's a reminder that we are 00:56.150 --> 00:57.928 part of something timeless , an 00:57.928 --> 01:00.470 unbroken chain of honor and service for 01:00.470 --> 01:02.909 every marine . It's a reaffirmation of 01:02.909 --> 01:06.110 who we are adaptable , lethal , and 01:06.110 --> 01:08.470 dedicated to the mission and each other . 01:09.309 --> 01:11.489 It's also a time to recommit ourselves 01:11.489 --> 01:13.656 to upholding the legacy of what's been 01:13.656 --> 01:17.510 entrusted to us . For 250 years , 01:17.760 --> 01:20.239 many have came before us . Some gave 01:20.239 --> 01:22.870 the ultimate sacrifice . The least we 01:22.870 --> 01:25.680 can do is carry on the honor that they 01:25.680 --> 01:29.099 left behind . Lineage and tradition are 01:29.099 --> 01:31.210 what bind us together beyond time and 01:31.210 --> 01:33.330 rank . When a marine steps onto the 01:33.330 --> 01:35.552 yellow footprints , they become part of 01:35.552 --> 01:37.849 a story bigger than themselves . From 01:37.849 --> 01:39.960 our battle streamers to our customs , 01:39.970 --> 01:42.129 these traditions serve as a compass , 01:42.139 --> 01:43.806 guiding Marines in moments of 01:43.806 --> 01:46.459 uncertainty and unifying us under one 01:46.459 --> 01:48.681 standard , the standard of excellence . 01:49.089 --> 01:52.400 Today we stand again together . With 01:52.400 --> 01:54.970 our French , German and British allies 01:55.319 --> 01:58.559 side by side now as brothers in 01:58.559 --> 02:01.839 arms , we share a common purpose . We 02:01.839 --> 02:04.129 will deter aggression . And if called 02:04.129 --> 02:07.370 the fight , we will answer the call and 02:07.370 --> 02:09.740 we will win . Honoring those who fought 02:09.740 --> 02:12.259 and died is not just a tradition , it's 02:12.259 --> 02:14.779 our duty . It reinforces the values of 02:14.779 --> 02:17.649 sacrifice , courage , and commitment 02:17.860 --> 02:20.082 that form the bedrock of our identity . 02:20.179 --> 02:21.957 In today's ever changing global 02:21.957 --> 02:24.012 environment , remembering Bella Wood 02:24.012 --> 02:26.235 connects us to our heritage and reminds 02:26.235 --> 02:28.457 us that freedom isn't free . We fight , 02:28.529 --> 02:30.970 we win . We are both more ready and 02:30.970 --> 02:33.081 more willing to fight for our country 02:33.081 --> 02:34.137 than our enemies . 02:36.660 --> 02:38.779 Most importantly , we have a moral 02:38.779 --> 02:40.835 responsibility to the generations of 02:40.835 --> 02:43.057 Marines whose shoulders we stand upon . 02:44.360 --> 02:47.039 We won't let them down . We won't let 02:47.039 --> 02:47.529 ourselves down .