It happens every year during this week. Our family has five memorable days, an anniversary of sorts, a day of remembrance and four birthdays, but this year is more special than those in the past were.

Happy 238th birthday to the United States Marine Corps. On Nov. 10, 1775, the Continental Congress commissioned Samuel Nichols, a Rhode Island, Quaker innkeeper, to recruit two battalions of Marines. That same day, he went to Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, and appointed the tavern’s manager, Robert Mullan to be the “chief Marine recruiter.” Volunteers flocked to the tavern drawn by the promise of cold beer and opportunity to join the new corps. Nothing much has changed, and I find it most fitting that the world’s premier fighting force had its birth in a tavern.

The Corps was in good company for its formation. Benjamin Franklin had used the tavern for recruitment of the Pennsylvania Militia. Tun had also hosted a meeting of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, as well as the Continental Congress. The Masonic Lodge of Philadelphia also claims the tavern as its birthplace.

Nov. 10 has further significance for our family. Under the command of the Admiral and Princesses, but captained by me, our sailing vessel, “Starchaser” arrived in Fairhope on the 10th at 1 in the afternoon. As we tied off, we knew we were here to stay, and so we have been for the past seven years.

We are landlubbers now, and glad to be so. Fairhope is a wonderful place to have dragged anchor. We are here and will be for a long while until the nomadic spirit in my soul declares, “Enough!” We will then be off to more adventures and places, but God only knows where and when, and He is not telling.

Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, a national holiday and day of remembrance on Nov. 11, 1919. Its purpose was to honor the end of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

It wasn’t until 1945 when World War II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Ala., had the idea to expand Armistice Day to include all veterans, not just those of World War I. Dwight Eisenhower liked the idea and proclaimed it so. Ronald Reagan who called him “the Father of Veterans Day” later honored Raymond Weeks at the White House.

Nov. 13th, especially if it comes on a Friday, will ever be a very special day for our family. That is the day Princess the Younger came to us for her sojourn on the earth. This year will be the 16th time we observe her birth, so you know what that means. Soon there will be a new driver, and another car project, and more insurance, and of course, at 16, she will know everything.

At 16, the expense of having a girl and maintaining her doubles. I do not know why, but it is a truism. The car has something to do with it, but in our house, they can date at 16, and a new outfit must be worn on every date, or so they think. As I write this, the Admiral and Princess the Younger are saying goodbye as they hurry out the door to go birthday shopping. Oh dear, but I do not object too vehemently. This is the last 16-year-old I will have, so go forth, spend, enjoy. You are only 16 once. I will hear about that statement from the previous seven 16-year-olds, but I have mellowed with the process of raising teenagers. Either that or I am too tired to fight, probably some of both.

Nov. 14, we will observe my father’s 90th birthday. We celebrated the event this past weekend with a family gathering and a hundred or so of his closest friends. When the friends had offered their congratulations, left their cards, and were gone, we had a family dinner.

Dad has lived longer than anyone on the Atwood side of the family for as far back as I have been able to research, and that being several centuries. It was wonderful to see him surrounded with children, grand children, and great-grand children representing four generations.

The only thing missing was Mom, but she passed 24 years ago, so we have rather gotten used to her absence although there was a hole in all our hearts. If she had lived, we would have been celebrating her 86th birthday last week as well. Such events can be bittersweet.

To say that November is an eventful month for us is an understatement. Every week there is something to be thankful for and to celebrate. Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away and with it, family and friends once again gather. It is my favorite holiday in my favorite month, and no wonder. I just hope I can remember to remember all the events. I am told writing it down helps. Maybe it has.

David Wilson Atwood is a local writer whose human-interest columns offer a unique perspective. He may be contacted at: www.starchasers.us.