Photo By Lance Cpl. Samantha H. Arrington | Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point celebrated the 235th Marine Corps birthday with...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Symbolized by the passing of cake from the oldest to youngest Marine at Marine Corps birthday celebrations; the Corps is rooted in tradition, yet blossoms with youth.
At Cherry Point, the passing of knowledge from old to young is far from only ceremonial. It can be found in the cake itself.
“I make the cake because of the tradition behind it,” said John Negron, the general manager of Cherry Point’s mess hall. “I’ve been doing it for more than 20 years now.”
Negron, a retired master sergeant, enlisted the help of Cpl. Andrew S. Tackett, a food service specialist here, to prepare the birthday cake for the Marine Corps’ 235th birthday meal served, Nov. 9, at the air station’s mess hall.
With more than one thousand Marines, sailors and civilians to feed, Negron and Tackett spent 13 hours building the three layer monument to tradition. Tipping the scales at nearly 400 pounds, the cake is one of the biggest the Marines said they have crafted.
“I have made a few other cakes before this one, but this is the biggest one,” said Tackett. “I like doing this. I gave up my Sunday and I don’t mind.”
After the Marines stack the bare cakes, Tackett smoothes on icing. Each gentle stroke creates a blank canvas for Negron’s work. Negron’s face contorts in concentration as he delicately turns red icing into art and tradition. He places the last decorations on the cake and after hours of mixing, cutting and spreading, the cake is complete.
Negron explained that years ago food service specialists were divided into two categories, cooks and bakers. The specialists have since been combined into one military occupational specialty.
“Because they have combined them, baking doesn’t happen a lot,” said Negron. “It’s a dying art and because someone passed the tradition onto me years ago, it’s now my turn to do the same.”
The mess hall served more than 1,200 patrons Nov. 9 for the Marine Corps birthday meal and Negron said he’s proud to keep at least a small part of Marine Corps history alive.
| Date Taken: | 11.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2010 12:17 |
| Story ID: | 60404 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 148 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
This work, Sweet traditions: Cherry Point Marines come together to make birthday cake, by LCpl Samantha H. Arrington, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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