written by Linda Stewart
For many Minnesotans, the best week of November is Thanksgiving, especially since it has become more than a single day but has become a “weekend” starting on the fourth Thursday of November. But for one resident in the Camden area, the best week starts earlier in the month.
For “Sarge,” his celebration starts on November 10, otherwise known to U.S. Marines as the Marine Corps (USMC) birthday/anniversary. The Marine Corps was first signed into duty on November 10, 1775 by the Continental Congress, which predates the United States of America birthday in 1778! While the Continental Marines were disbanded in 1783, some of those Marines continued to serve on Naval vessels. Today’s branch of the U.S. Marine Corps was commissioned in 1778, but most Marines recognize 11/10/1775 as the birthday of the Corps.
Following on the heels of the USMC birthday is Veterans Day on November 11. This Federal holiday recognizes those who served in the U.S. military. This holiday was first called Armistice Day to recognize that the major hostilities in World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Renamed to Veterans Day in 1954, this holiday now recognizes all who served in the military for the United States.
Wrapping up the week of celebration was Sarge’s birthday. He did not have normal birthdays as a child, so as an adult he has made it his point to celebrate with cake and friends. [In his military days, it was “adult beverages” and Marines.]
Sarge wanted to share one key impact in his life. Due to the absence of a standard family unit in his childhood, Sarge spent a few happy years in a Minneapolis orphanage. When he graduated at 8th grade, he took the opportunity to leave Minneapolis to attend Father Flanagan’s Boys Town in Nebraska for high school. While Father Flanagan passed away in 1948, his teachings have continued to be a positive impact on thousands of boys. Sarge recognizes that life is a gift and he has been blessed to have met many wonderful people. Appreciate the positives, learn from the negatives, and have good intentions each day.