JACKSONVILLE, N.C. – This week, the U.S. Marine Corps marked its 250th birthday at Camp Lejeune with a ceremonial celebration. While the official birthday falls on November 10th, the event featured a traditional cake-cutting ceremony, highlighting the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance.
Marine veteran Paul Levesque expressed his pride in the occasion, noting the importance of maintaining the Corps’ customs and traditions. “This is just a great thing to see, the pageantry and the traditions of the cake cutting. The birthday of the Marine Corps is always a great day for us,” Levesque shared.
Fellow Army veteran Wayne Gray reflected on what military service signifies, stating, “I dedicated ten and a half years of my life to the military. Served two in Vietnam, so this country means everything: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And so far, I’ve done pretty well.”
The celebration also featured a pageant show that honored 16 different Marine uniforms worn since the Corps’ inception in 1775, showcasing the evolution of their attire from cloth to modern materials. “We bleed red, white, and blue, and this country is really worth fighting for,” Levesque remarked.
Unfortunately, the ongoing government shutdown prevented active-duty Marines from interacting with the media during the event. Nonetheless, the birthday celebration served as a reminder of the dedication and resilience of those who serve in the military, emphasizing the values that Marine Corps embodies and the pride of its members in serving the nation.