Photo By Sgt. Eric Quintanilla | Recruits and their drill instructors aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego bow...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO - Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego celebrated the 236th Marine Corps Birthday with a week-long series of events.
Celebrations included a cake cutting ceremony, uniform pageant, dedication run and birthday ball.
In 1952, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., the 20th commandant of the Marine Corps formalized a directive written by Lt. Gen. John A. Lejuene, the 13th commandant, as a reminder of the Corps’ birth to all Marines. Shepherd is responsible formalized the cake cutting ceremony Marines know today.
As a precursor to the birthday, Marines aboard the depot ran one mile for every year the Marine Corps has existed. Every 10 minutes, a Marine ran a lap around the depot’s parade deck carrying the depot guidon.
Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo, commanding general of MCRD and the Western Recruiting Region and other depot leadership began the run at 4:20 p.m. Nov. 8, running the first three miles. For the last three miles of the run, all depot Marines formed in battalions and ran the last stretch Nov. 10.
“We took a short 236 mile jaunt,” said Yoo “I believe that the dedication run is a great way to ring in our birthday.”
After the run, active duty and retired Marines, and other guests gathered at Shepherd Memorial Drill Field for the annual cake cutting ceremony and uniform pageant.
“It makes me happy to be part of this tradition,” said Cpl. Fatemeh Carradine, a cake escort for the ceremony, “I feel honored to be an escort for the most important part of this ceremony.” Carradine is a postal clerk with Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion.
The ceremony was a chance for active duty Marines and retirees to get together and celebrate 236 years of Marine Corps traditions and history.
“This is our day to get together and celebrate,” said retired Master Gunnery Sgt. Jake Tyseling from Lakeside, Calif. “The Corps has always been kind to me, and I had been in for 30 years. Today’s Corps is absolutely wonderful, they are doing a fine job.”
Depot Marines stood in formation as fellow Marines displayed historic Marine Corps uniforms – from the modern Marine Corps combat utility uniform to the leather-necked style of the revolutionary war.
Lejuene’s birthday message was read followed by Gen. James F. Amos’ 2011 birthday message.
“Since the Continental Congress created two battalions of Marines 236 years ago, our legacy as an ever-ready, ever capable, victory producing organization remains intact,” wrote Amos in his birthday message. “Our rich heritage of selfless service and fidelity to nation and to one another lives on in all who currently wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor - those who have answered the clarion call to duty with remarkable courage, dedication and unshakable resolve that Marines are so well known for. To all Marines - past and present - and especially to our families, I extend my deep gratitude for all you have done and all you continue to do.”
Yoo followed Amos’ speech with his own remarks and said the birthday gives Marines the chance to reflect, renew and reinforce what it means to be a Marine.
“This Marine Corps Birthday, for many, is their first,” said Yoo. “I’d like to tell the recruits in attendance to pay really close attention because this ceremony is like a window into the soul of who we are as Marines.”
The traditional cake cutting ceremony followed. The birthday cake is cut with a sword to remind Marines they are a band of warriors and committed to carry the sword so that the nation may live in peace.
The first piece of cake was given to the oldest Marine aboard the depot, Col. Robert W. Gates, chief of staff MCRD and WRR. He was born Dec. 11, 1961, and commissioned April 21, 1980. After taking a bite of cake he then passed the piece of cake to the youngest Marine aboard MCRD, Pvt. Shawn P. Horn, Basic Marine Platoon, Support Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment. He was born Aug. 9, 1993, and enlisted June 27, 2011.
The passing of the birthday cake from oldest to youngest symbolizes the old and experienced Marines passing their knowledge to the new generation of Marines.
Yoo reminded the audience of Marines around the world celebrating the day – even those in harm’s way.
“There will be Marines all over the globe celebrating,” said Yoo. “It may not be as formal as here, it may be just two Marines raising a glass together or a squad of Marines and their corpsman in Afghanistan slicing a piece of pound cake from a (meal ready to eat).”
After the ceremony, attendees were invited to each lunch at Duncan Hall for the traditional Marine Corps birthday meal. Guests were treated to a steak and lobster meal and received a piece of birthday cake.
“As we celebrate our 236th birthday, let us look forward to future challenges whatever they may be,” wrote Amos. “And reaffirm our pledge to be America's premier crisis response force, to be the first to fight. Always ready for the toughest and most challenging assignments.”
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.21.2011 13:23 |
| Story ID: | 80333 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Depot celebrates Corps’ 236th birthday with history, tradition, by LCpl Katalynn M. Rodgers, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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