Today, August 29, marks the 110th birthday of the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

The Marine Corps Reserve was established on August 29, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Naval Appropriations Act of 1916. Created as the United States prepared for the possibility of entering World War I, the Reserve provided a trained force that could augment the active-duty Marine Corps when the nation needed it.

That mission has continued for 110 years. Reserve Marines have served alongside active-duty Marines in every major American conflict since World War I. During World War II alone, approximately 70 percent of the nearly 590,000 Marines who served were reservists.

Today, Marine Forces Reserve provides approximately 100,000 Reserve Marines who can support and augment the active component in times of war, national emergency and contingency operations, as well as in training, exercises, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and other missions.

The Air & Space Forces Association Palm Springs Chapter 134 recognizes the men and women of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, past and present, for 110 years of service to our nation.

Happy Birthday, Marine Corps Reserve. Semper Fidelis.