Division celebrates Marine Corps Birthday in Afghanistan [Image 8 of 9]

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

11.17.2011

Photo by Cpl. Marco Mancha 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

Marines with 2nd Marine Division (Forward), escort a birthday cake Nov. 10, during the unit’s 236th Marine Corps Birthday ceremony. As is customary, the first piece of cake is presented to the oldest Marine in attendance, who takes a bite and passes it to the youngest Marine present to symbolize the passage of knowledge and tradition from one generation to the next. The oldest Marine present at this ceremony was Mitchellville, Md., native Staff Sgt. Eddie Ragland, while the youngest Marine was Fairfield, Calif., native Pfc. Nancy Pearl. Marines around the globe, whether in combat zones or at their home bases and stations, pause to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday each year on Nov. 10, honoring the Corps’ proud history and traditions and those Marines who have gone before them. That particular date was chosen because the Marine Corps traces its lineage to Nov. 10, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Continental Marines. It is customary for the ceremony to include the reading of Maj. Gen. John A. Lejeune’s birthday message; a Marine Corps order issued in 1921 summarizing the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps; the reading of the current commandant’s birthday message; and a cake-cutting ceremony, when possible.

• Date Taken: 11.17.2011
• Date Posted: 11.17.2011 02:01
• Photo ID: 488602
• VIRIN: 111110-M-RE261-022
• Resolution: 5498x3744
• Size: 1.8 MB
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF