WHEREAS, on November 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress of the United States resolved to create two battalions of Continental Marines; and
WHEREAS, commanded by Captain Samuel Nicholas, these battalions served during the War for Independence with fighting capabilities at both Land and Sea; and
WHEREAS, today, the United States Marine Corps has grown to include more than 185,000 active duty service members and more than 38,000 reservists; and
WHEREAS, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville represent the heart of Marine Corps activity on the eastern seaboard; and
WHEREAS, Caucasian women have served in the United States Marine Corps since 1918, and in 1942 the first African American men to ever serve in the Marines commenced their training at Montford Point Camp near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; the first African American woman was able to enlist in 1949; and
WHEREAS, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is integral to Marine Corps activity on the Eastern coast of these United States; and
WHEREAS, the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis, represents the undying commitment of faith between the Marines and the United States, a bond that continues today;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 10, 2020, as “UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS BIRTHDAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.