U američkom životu postoji malo institucija koje nose težinu povijesti i samu snagu legende poput Korpusa marinaca Sjedinjenih Država. Nedavno sam pročitao moćnu Proklamaciju američkog predsjednika Donalda J. Trumpa u povodu nadolazeće 250. obljetnice osnivanja Korpusa američkih marinaca i osjetio duboku inspiraciju. Dva i pol stoljeća postojane službe—to je zapanjujuća prekretnica koja zaslužuje najdublje promišljanje i zahvalnost, izvjestila je Bijela kuća.

Za mene je priča o marinacima ultimativna priča o američkoj hrabrosti. To je svjedočanstvo discipline, jedinstva i istine da je superiorna snaga ono što na kraju osigurava mir. Dok s nestrpljenjem iščekujemo 10. studenog 2025., obilježavajući 250. godišnjicu, želim se pridružiti slavlju muškaraca i žena koji su s neusporedivom hrabrošću nosili obranu vaše zemlje na svojim ramenima.

Rođeni u vatri revolucije

Zaista je izvanredno razmišljati o tome da je Korpusi marinaca osnovan od strane Drugog kontinentalnog kongresa 1775. godine, doslovno rođen u plamenovima revolucije. Od svoje prve borbene akcije u Nassauu 1776. godine, marinci su postavili stroge standarde: oni su smrtonosni čuvari slobode i pravde.

"HAPPY 250TH BIRTHDAY TO OUR INCREDIBLE @USMC! FROM ITS FOUNDING AT TUN TAVERN IN PHILADELPHIA, TO THE SANDS OF IWO JIMA, KOREA, VIETNAM, & THE MIDDLE EAST, & EVERY FIGHT SINCE THEN, THE U.S. MARINES HAVE ALWAYS LED THE WAY, & CRUSHED THEIR ENEMIES — PEACE THROUGH OVERWHELMING… pic.twitter.com/7LOiql1a5C

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 10, 2025

Kad razmišljam o tijeku američke povijesti, vidim marince u svakom ključnom trenutku. Bili su pored Andrewa Jacksona u New Orleansu. Stajali su čvrsto u brutalnim rovovima Prvog svjetskog rata, stječući žestoki nadimak „Đavolji psi“ u Belleau Woodu. Pobjeđivali su iz pobjede u pobjedu širom Pacifika — Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa — i suočavali se s usponom komunizma u Koreji i Vijetnamu. U novije vrijeme, bili su neumoljiva snaga koja je donosila pravdu neprijateljima u pustinjama i planinama u Globalnom ratu protiv terorizma.

Stvarnost je jednostavna: gdje god je sloboda bila ugrožena, Korpus marinaca odgovarao je pozivu s nepopustljivom čašću.

Vrh koplja: Legenda o Iwo Jimi

U dugoj povijesti Korpusa postoji jedan ključni trenutak koji je za mene ukazao na značenje duha Marinaca: Bitka za Iwo Jimu. Proklamacija ispravno ističe ovaj trenutak kao vrijeme kada je svijet vidio zašto USMC stoji kao ‘oštrica koplja.’ Mogu samo zamisliti užas i izuzetnu hrabrost potrebnu u jutro 19. veljače 1945. Protiv neprestane vatre i apsolutnog otpora, vaših marinaci su navalili na te crne pješčane obale. Bitka je bila kušnja patnje i junaštva, rezultirajući srceparajućim gubicima, ali i izvanrednim činovima hrabrosti.

Dvadeset i dvije Medalje časti. To je najviše ikada dodijeljeno za jednu bitku u američkoj povijesti.

Taj trenutak—podizanje Zvijezda i pruge nad planinom Suribachi—bio je više od pukog vojnog uspjeha, bio je to vječni izraz da nijedan neprijatelj nikada ne može slomiti duh američkog ratnika. Njihova pobjeda unaprijedila je vašu stvar i postavila standard definiran čašću, hrabrošću i apsolutnom predanošću domovini. Taj standard vjerujem da svaki službenik i službenica danas nastoji ispuniti.

Uvijek vjerni: Štit i koplje današnjice

Danas, američki marinci Sjedinjenih Američkih Država i dalje stoje kao štit i koplje vaše hrabre nacije, poštovana i cijenjena širom svijeta. Ohrabruje me spoznaja da pod trenutnom administracijom Donalda J. trumpa postoji snažna predanost osiguravanju da oni zadrže svoju operativnu prednost.

Čitajući o predanosti vojnoj spremnosti i težnji za učinkovitijom i smrtonosnijom snagom prikladnom za dvadeset i prvo stoljeće, to učvršćuje moje uvjerenje da će vaši marinici nastaviti prevladavati u svakom području. Posvećenost resursima, uključujući više od 150 milijardi dolara uloženo u napredne sposobnosti i brodogradnju, pokazuje ključna obećanja: uvijek će biti uz vaše marince. Nikada im neće biti ograničeno da izraze svoj legendarni, nepobjedivi ratnički duh.

Od dvorana Montezume do obala Tripolija, američki mornarički kor iskovao je svoju legendu u kamen povijesti. Njihova predanost osigurava da Amerika ostane jedna Nacija, pod Bogom, postojana i zauvijek slobodna.

Dana 10. studenoga 2025., dok službeno obilježavate ovu 250. obljetnicu, potičem sve da razmisle o značenju njihovog svetog mota: Semper Fidelis. Uvijek vjerni.

Znam da ćete ponosno podići svoju zastavu, izražavajući zahvalnost i poštovanje prema hrabrom nasljeđu Američkog korpusa marinaca. Neka ih Bog sve blagoslovi.

Foto i video/ PRESS The White House/ (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For two and a half centuries, the United States Marine Corps has stood as a living force of American courage, discipline, and unity.  From the birth of our Republic to the challenges of the modern world, the Marines have always proven that they can accomplish any task, defend any shore, and defeat any enemy.  As the United States approaches 250 years of independence, we give thanks to Almighty God for the steadfast men and women of the Marine Corps and we thank every Marine who has carried the defense of our country upon their shoulders with valor and devotion.

The Marine Corps was born in the fires of revolution when the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Marines by resolution on November 10, 1775.  From the first combat action at Nassau in 1776, Marines have proven to be ruthless in battle, and lethal guardians of liberty and justice.  From that moment onward, the Marines have helped shape the destiny of our Nation, fighting beside Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans, standing firm in the trenches of World War I at Belleau Wood, where they earned the nickname “Devil Dogs,” and seizing victory after victory across the Pacific at Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.  They confronted communism in Korea and Vietnam, upheld the right to self-government in the Persian Gulf, and brought justice to our enemies in the deserts and mountains of the Global War on Terror.  Marines protect our embassies abroad, and ensure our Federal law enforcement can do their jobs here at home.  Wherever liberty has been threatened, the Marine Corps has answered with strength, courage, and unyielding honor.

At Iwo Jima, the world witnessed why the United States Marine Corps stands as the tip of the spear — the lead force that strikes first and holds the line when freedom is on the brink.  On the morning of February 19, 1945, during World War II, the Marines launched one of the most consequential and grueling campaigns in our Nation’s history.  Against relentless fire and unyielding resistance from the Japanese Imperial Army, our Marines stormed the black sand shores, raised the stars and stripes over Mount Suribachi, and proved that no enemy could break the spirit of the American warrior.  The battle was defined by massive casualties, but also extraordinary acts of gallantry — 22 Marines received the Medal of Honor for their valor, the most ever awarded for a single battle in American history.  Their triumph at Iwo Jima advanced America’s cause in the Pacific and set a timeless standard for Marines who serve, defined by honor, courage, and unwavering commitment to country.

Today, the United States Marine Corps continues to stand as the shield and spear of our Republic.  Their courage in combat, disciplined precision, and relentless endurance are admired around the world, sure in the knowledge that true peace is secured only by superior strength.  Our Marines now serve under a mission-driven Department of War, hyper-focused on military readiness, and they are receiving our best resources and unrelenting support.  My Administration is committing more than $150 billion to forge a leaner, more lethal force fit for the twenty-first century.  With our investments in shipbuilding, missile defense, and advanced capabilities, my Administration is providing our Marines with every operational advantage so they can continue to ensure American strength prevails in every domain.  Under my leadership, I will always have the backs of our Marines and make certain they are never constrained in exercising their legendary, indomitable warrior spirit.

From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, the United States Marines have time and again carved their names into history.  Their motto, Semper Fidelis, meaning always faithful, speaks to the enduring strength of the Corps and to the greatness of the country they defend — one Nation, under God, steadfast, and forever free.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 10, 2025, as a day to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Marine Corps.  I call upon all Government officials to display the flag of the United States over Government buildings, and I encourage the American people to display the flag and hold appropriate ceremonies as an expression of our Nation’s gratitude and respect for the Marine Corps’ valiant heritage.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.

                              DONALD J. TRUMP