The Marine Corps Marching Hymn chorus rings in my ears today: “From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli…”

Marines are the defenders of US Consulates and Embassies worldwide. Now, four of our countrymen, including the US Ambassador to Libya, were murdered last night in a conspiracy* of Muslim radicals and insiders. Today Marines have been sent in.

BACK STORY

The Marines first gained fame in our country’s first war after the Revolutionary War— a war directed by President Thomas Jefferson against Muslim pirates who had attacked our shipping, taken hostages of our crews and citizens, and had attacked our embassy tearing down its flag. ( 1801-1805 First Barbary War )

Sound familiar? Yes our first real war after declaring independence from Great Britain was against Islamist extremists in the North African country now known as Libya, some 200 years ago.

MARINES TO THE SHORES OF TRIPOLI

Actions today should make any Marine especially proud as we witness the honor, courage, and commitment of fifty of their brethren who enjoy the distinct honor to secure the American consulate compound in Benghazi, overrun by Muslim extremists on the 11th annivesary of another radical Islamic attack upon America — 9/11/2012.

As should be done, the Pentagon under the direction the CINC chose to send a quick reaction force of highly trained Marines, called a Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team or “FAST.”

“A team of about 50 Marines has been dispatched to Libya after attacks Tuesday on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi left four Americans dead including the U.S. ambassador, military officials told Fox News.  Officials said a Marine “fast team” is being sent from the U.S. Naval base in Rota, Spain. They are not yet on the ground.”   Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/09/12/marine-unit-dispatched-to-secure-consulate-in-benghazi-after-deadly-attacks/#ixzz26HdWRTd4

At this hour we still don’t know how the CINC, aka President Obama, will authorize their use, whether as a security force to hold our property and help evacuate our citizens, or authorized to use deadly force if necessary.

Be assured, the FAST Marines will have all the assets of the US Navy – Sea, Air and Land, available to them if needed.

USMC MOTTO:

You can always trust the Marine Corps. The return of  our Marines two centuries later in a crisis errily similar to the one Thomas Jefferson faced,  reminds us of the first Marine Corps Motto:

“The Marine Corps adopted Semper Fidelis as its official motto in 1883. Semper Fidelis is also the title of the official musical March of the Marine Corps. Translated from Latin, Semper Fidelis means ‘Always Faithful.’ U.S. Marines use an abbreviated verbal version, “Semper Fi,” to voice loyalty and commitment to their Marine comrades-in-arms. Previous mottos of the Marine Corps were (1) To the Shores of Tripoli, adopted in 1805…” http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/marine_corps_motto.htm

A word of thanks to a Marine and a big “SEMPER FI” to all Marines today is the least we can offer as we watch to see what fifty some Marines in Libya will be called upon to do for America, her citizens, and property.

*Conspiracy: US Special Forces (unknown which branch) were sent to a “safe house” and met with gunfire. Safe houses are deemed that way for a reason… Just saying, this smells of a government and radical conspiracy. Another clue — parading the dead body of the Ambassador, which President Obama claimed today was Libya’s helping hand to get the Ambassador to the hospital.  You mean the government of Libya doesn’t have a car? http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/12/us-libya-usa-attack-idUSBRE88B0EI20120912

James Michael Pratt is a New York Times bestselling author of inspirational fiction and non-fiction, editor and owner of Jerusalem Reports, and frequent contributor to Red State and other conservative sites. His personal website includes biographical and other information regarding his work. He can also be found on FACEBOOK and Twitter.