CLB-2 celebrates Marine Corps’ 236th birthday

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bruno Bego | Sgt. Maj. Stephanie K. Murphy (right), a Pine Bluff, Ark., native, the battalion sergeant major and the oldest Marine present, passes a piece of cake to the youngest Marine, Lance Cpl. Christiana C. Morales (middle), a ground radio operator, both with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group during a cake cutting ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 9. After a six-mile hike and other physical training exercises, the Marines enjoyed a traditional cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the Marine Corps’ 236th birthday.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

11.09.2011

Story by Sgt. Rachael Moore 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group came together, Nov. 9, 2011, for physical training and then a traditional cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the 236th birthday of the Marine Corps.

“As Marines our traditions and customs are instilled within us from the first day of boot camp,” explained Lance Cpl. Paul W. Vande Wettering, a Kaukauna, Wis., native, and a motor vehicle operator with CLB-2. “We are taught the importance of them and instructed to maintain them.”

The birthday celebration started with a six-mile hike and other physical fitness exercises.

“It was a good reminder to all of us of our roots,” said Vande Wettering. “We are all basic riflemen and should be ready to perform as such when needed. The hike challenged both our physical and emotional strength.”

Once they completed the hike, the Marines gathered for a traditional cake cutting ceremony at which a piece of cake is passed from the oldest Marine present to the youngest.

“The Marine Corps’ birthday tradition of passing the cake is significant because it recognizes regardless of rank, each Marine is a critical part of the Corps, and it shows how we strive to make each other better by the passing our knowledge and experience,” Vande Wettering added.

In addition to this cake cutting ceremony, Marines with CLB-2 celebrated at the CLR-2 birthday ball.

• Date Taken: 11.09.2011
• Date Posted: 11.15.2011 14:34
• Story ID: 80077
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US