Governor Greg Abbott participated in a ceremony at the Texas Capitol to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps. The event brought together Texas Marines, service members, and veterans.
“We must remember that we are the mightiest country in the world because we have the mightiest military in the history of the world,” Governor Abbott said during his remarks. “Marines play a crucial role in the story of our people, protecting our rights and liberties for a quarter of a millennium. On this momentous 250th birthday, we salute our Marines past and present who embody their timeless motto, semper fidelis.”
As part of the celebration, Governor Abbott presented retired USMC Colonel Joe McPhail with a Texas flag that had flown over the Capitol as well as a proclamation honoring 250 years since the founding of the Marine Corps. Governor Abbott and Colonel McPhail then participated in cutting a cake commemorating the milestone, using a Marine Corps Officers sword. Colonel McPhail is recognized as both the oldest living F4U Corsair pilot at age 104 and for his service during World War II and the Korean War, where he completed two deployments to the Pacific and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Other attendees included USMC Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Dawsley; Chuck Wright, Secretary of the Texas Veterans Commission and Marine veteran; Joe Esparza, Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission and Marine veteran; Round Rock High School JROTC Marine Color Guard; singer Monty Warden; and Fox 7 Austin anchor Mike Warren.
Additional photos from this event will be made available later.
