The Blood Stripe

Written by Jay Hartwell

Revelation 5:9-10
And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

Matthew 26:28
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Thoughts:
The most distinctive uniform in the military - The Marine Corps Dress Blues.

Every detail of the dress blues uniform reflects the proud legacy of Marines who have served for more than two centuries.

The scarlet "blood stripe" runs down each trouser leg of the dress blues worn by Noncommissioned Officers, Staff Noncommissioned Officers and officers. Originally it honored those Marines who fell in the Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican War in 1847. Today, the blood stripe honors the memory of all our fallen comrades.

The day when a Marine works his or her way up to the prestigious ranks of a Noncommissioned Officer, is a day that represents a turning point of the life of a Marine. Typically, the Marine will be handed more leadership and given more responsibility. And it is then when the blood stripe is stitch to their dress blues. Marines humbly and soberly, with pride, wear their dress blues with a new honor. They represent their fellow Marines who died fighting for others, who sacrificed their lives for the sake of others, who shed their blood for freedom.

I can remember vividly the day I earned the honor of wearing the blood stripes on my dress blues. It almost seemed as if the uniform was then complete. I wore it with pride, with honor, with freedom.

The Marine Corps blood stripe is yet another example of the finger print of God. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice on the face of this earth by shedding his blood for all mankind: past, present and future, giving us freedom of an eternal type. His blood stripes are forever seen running down the rugged cross. His life was a living sacrifice transform to a living life within each person who represents His great love.

A Christian is the physical: living, walking, breathing representation of Christ. We as Christian warriors wear the ultimate blood stripes, we wear it with pride honoring Him who has shed His blood for the sake of freedom, eternal freedom.