Celebrating the U.S. Marine Corps

On November 10, 2009 the United States Marine Corps will celebrate its 234th birthday. Over the past ten years, St. Baldrick's has been fortunate enough to have a number of Marines shave their heads for the cause. In addition to dedicating their lives to their country, these brave men and women are also dedicated to the St. Baldrick's cause and have shown this dedication by even holding shavings in Iraq and Afghanistan. Besides shaving, the United States Marine Corps has also done all they can to support some other brave little soldiers--children fighting cancer. One of these brave little soldiers was Jake Guidicy, who had dreamed his entire life of becoming a US Marine. At 10 years old, Jake was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and had his pitching arm amputated and later underwent a double lung tumor removal surgery in February 2008. When Jake was too sick to take his Make-A-Wish trip, a couple of his mom's friends got together to make Jake's dream of becoming a Marine...a reality. Two months before he passed away, Jake was officially inducted as a United States Marine. A troop of officers presented Jake with dog tags, a flag, and Army issued camo during an assembly at school. His mom said, "He really felt like a Marine, and he fought like one too." Jake passed away a few days after Independence Day in 2008. Today, his mom still wears his dog tags and his flag was present during his funeral. St. Baldrick's would like to recognize all the brave men and women of the United States Marine Corp for not only serving our country but fighting for brave little soldiers like Jake. Happy Birthday US Marines!