'... To the shores of Tripoli'

Many of us know the lyrics to the U.S. "Marines' Hymn": "From the Halls of Montezuma/To the shores of Tripoli/We fight our country's battles/In the air, on land and sea ... ."

The song's reference to Tripoli dates back to the early 1800s, when Marines were instrumental in a war against the Barbary States on the Mediterranean Coast of North Africa to halt piracy against American ships in the area.

Tripoli is in the news today, of course, as Libyan despot Moammar Gadhafi is being challenged near the Libyan capital by rebels.

The United States has closed its embassy in Tripoli, evacuated its staff and frozen Libyan assets under our control.

But fortunately, there is no need for U.S. Marines or other American forces to intervene in Libya today.

Upcoming Events