Subscribe
For the first time back in his home town Frederick, Maryland, as a United States Marine, Pvt. Michael Collins Jr. stands in front of the congregation of RS Frederick personnel while he devours the entire piece of cake passed down to him by the oldest Marine as the crowd bursts into laughter during the cake cutting ceremony at RS Frederick’s family day celebration in Frederick, on Oct. 29, 2021.
For Sgt. Maj. Michael Collins Sr., the sergeant major of RS Frederick, and the oldest Marine in attendance, this wasn’t any normal passing of the cake. He had been anticipating this particular ceremony for over 18 years because Collins Sr. was able to participate in the unforgettable Marine tradition of the oldest Marine passing the cake to the youngest Marine, and this time it was to his son.
“I joined the Marines Corps because I wanted to carry on my dad’s legacy and prepare myself for the future by learning new skills to help me through life,” said Collins Jr., a recent graduate of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. “I don’t think I would have joined the Marine Corps if my dad wasn’t the sergeant major of RS Frederick, because without him, I wouldn’t have seen the benefits and transformation that the Marines can give to someone.”
Collins Sr. always wanted his son to become a Marine, but went out of his way to ensure that his son knew that he could be anything he wanted to be, even if that wasn’t a Marine.
“I’m glad he made the choice to become a United States Marine,” said Collins Sr. “When I was a recruiter, apprehensive parents would always ask me if I would allow my son to be a Marine, and I would always tell them how proud I would be if my child joined the Marines, and now it’s true.”
Born in January of 2003 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Collins Jr. is now on his way back to Twentynine Palms to complete his training as a communications Marine and begin his Marine Corps career.
| Date Taken: | 10.29.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2021 16:28 |
| Story ID: | 409079 |
| Location: | FREDERICK, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 86 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Passing of the cake and passing of tradition, by SSgt Ryan Sammet, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
