Quantico celebrates Corps' 234th birthday

Lance Cpl. Seth Albert, dressed in a uniform of one of the first Marines circa 1775, stands at the head of the line of subsequent incarnations of Marine uniforms at the Marine Corps Birthday Pageant in the Little Hall Theater at Quantico Marine Corps base on Nov. 10.

By: Julia LeDoux | Inside NoVA
Published: November 16, 2009

Shouts of “Happy Birthday” rang out as Quantico Marine Corps base celebrated the 234th birthday of the Corps’ on Nov. 10.
Marine Corps Combat Development Command hosted the base’s annual observance with a birthday pageant Tuesday at Little Hall to commemorate the anniversary.
The commemoration included the recognition of the organizational colors of the unit’s that call Quantico home and the playing of Commandant Gen. James T. Conway’s videotaped birthday greeting to Marines around world.
“From each generation an elite warrior class emerges to defend our nation,” said Conway in the message. “Today we pay tribute to past warriors who fought valiantly for the freedoms we enjoy and we salute the new generation of patriots who carry on that tradition of valor.“
The video played tributes to Marines both past and present while defining what sets those who earn the title of Marine apart from those who serve in other branches of the nation’s Armed Forces.
“Our distinction is our ability to endure hardship and that’s engrained immediately when you step into boot camp,” explained Sgt. John Rice of the Wounded Warrior Regiment.
The pageant also included a uniform pageant during which 22 of today’s Marines donned the uniforms of yesterday’s Marines.
“These Marines represent our legacy of valor that has been handed down to us to make us the Marines we are today,” said the event’s guest of honor, Brig. Gen. Timothy Hanifen, the deputy director at Marine Corps Combat Development Command.
The event concluded with the traditional cake cutting ceremony in which the youngest and oldest Marines present participated, symbolizing the passing on of knowledge and experience.

Quantico celebrates Corps' 234th birthday

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