Community members watch a firework display during Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s 250th Marine Corps Birthday Celebration in Havelock, North Carolina, December 9, 2025. Service members, families, and local leaders gathered with the City of Havelock for its first Marine Corps Birthday celebration, highlighting the community’s partnership with MCAS Cherry Point. The evening featured time-honored traditions including the birthday cake cutting, sword detail, and the reading of the Commandant’s message. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Casey Ornelas)
U.S. Marines, Sailors, and local residents participate in Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s 250th Marine Corps Birthday Celebration in Havelock, North Carolina, December 9, 2025. Service members, families, and local residents came together to celebrate Havelock’s first Marine Corps Birthday celebration, featuring the traditional cake cutting, the symbolic passing of traditions, a sword detail, and the reading of the Commandant’s birthday message. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Matthew Williams)
“He would do it again if he could,” said Pam Turnage, daughter of retired U.S.
Marine Corps Col. LeRoy Barton. At 102 years old, Barton is one of the few
Marines who has served in three wars and is still living today.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Barton’s strong sense
of patriotism drove him to serve his country. Four months after the attack, Barton
took the Oath of Office and joined the Marines as a pilot in World War II. During
his service, he discovered a strong sense of pride and camaraderie after multiple
near death experiences with his fellow Marines.
During the parades celebrating the end of World War II, Barton left the Marine
Corps and returned to his old job as a railroad worker.
However,...
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point established the first Warrior Athlete Readiness and Resilience kitchen in the Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 barracks, featuring a fully remodeled kitchen setup including a new stove, fridge, pots, pans and other kitchenware to encourage better nutrition and healthy meal preparation. Marine Corps Community Services and Headquarters Marine Corps partnered up to provide Marines with specialized...
The Devil Dog Gym is one of the many facilities offered at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to help keep Marines and Sailors in peak physical condition. Maintaining well-rounded fitness is essential to mission readiness, ensuring that every service member is prepared to answer the nation’s call at a moment’s notice.
