What does a hunk of wood, a castle in Mexico, and the red stripe on the dress blue trousers worn by Marine NCOs and Officers have in common? They are all part of the history of the Mexican American War. Recently, we obtained from the descendant of an officer who fought at the famous battle of Chapultipec, this section of the flag-staff from the famous castle that fell to US forces, and ultimately gave the Marines Hymn it's opening line ... "From the Halls of Montezuma." You can read about the artifact by clicking the image of the flagstaff above. Legend has it that so many Marine NCOs and Officers died assaulting the castle in 1847, that the Marines added the "blood stripe" to the uniform to commemorate their sacrifice.
Unfortunately, the story of the "blood stripe" is not true. The red stripe on the trousers was added to the uniform of Corporals and above, in 1840 ... seven years before the famous battle. Still, the famous battle is forever enshrined in the hallowed halls of Marine lore, which makes this section of flag staff even more impressive. What Marine wouldn't want it on his or her desk or bookshelf? Sorry devil dogs, only one to go around!
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