 Good morning ladies and gentlemen on behalf of the commandant and sergeant major of the Marine Corps Welcome to the Marine Corps cake cutting ceremony celebrating the 246th birthday of the United States Marine Corps Please rise for the arrival of the official party Ladies and gentlemen, please stand by for honors to the commandant of the Marine Corps general David H. Berger And now ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the presentation of the colors and the playing of our national anthem on one November 1921 the 13th commandant of the Marine Corps Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune Directed that a reminder of the honorable service of the Corps be published by every command to all Marines around the globe on the birthday of the Corps Since that day Marines have continued to distinguish themselves on many battlefields and foreign shores in war and peace On this birthday of the Corps therefore in compliance with the will of our 13th commandant Article 38 of the Marine Corps manual edition of 1921 is republished as follows on November 10th 1775 a core of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress Since that date many thousand men have borne the name Marine in Memory of them. It is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the Glories of its long and illustrious history The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history During 90 of the 146 years of its existence the Marine Corps has been in action against the nation's foes From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long areas of tranquility at home Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas so that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security and Every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction Winning new honors on each occasion until the term Marine has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and Soldierly virtue this high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who have preceded us in the Corps With it we have also received from them the eternal spirit Which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines at every age So long as that spirit continues to flourish Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past And the men of our nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who served as Soldiers of the sea since the founding of the Corps This inspiring message of our 13th commandant has left its mark in the hearts and minds of Marines By deed and act from bella wood to the argon from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima From Incheon to the Korean armistice in interventions from Lebanon to the Dominican Republic From the opening battles in Vietnam to Grenada Panama and Kuwait and from operations in Somalia and Kosovo to those in Iraq and Afghanistan Marines have continued to epitomize those qualities which are their legacy The success they have achieved in combat and the faith they have borne in peace will endure The commandant and our many friends have added their hearty praise and congratulations on this our 246th birthday Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the presentation of the Marine Corps birthday cake One tradition of the Marine birthday is the cake cutting ceremony This ceremony is important to all Marines as it is an annual renewal of each Marines commitment to the Corps and the Corps Commitment to our nation's quest for peace and freedom worldwide The birthday cake is traditionally cut with the Mamaluk sword as a reminder that we are a band of warriors Committed to carrying the sword so that our nation may live in peace The first piece of cake is presented to the oldest Marine in attendance as a sign of honor and respect According to experience and seniority Our oldest Marine enlisted in the Marine Corps on 16 April 1975 She was born on 17 January 1947 and has served for 16 directors of operations of which three were or are Commandants of the Marine Corps ladies and gentlemen, please welcome 74 year old Staff Sergeant Marilia Guillen Fraguero United States Marine Corps retired For 246 years our experienced Marines have nurtured and led young Marines to fill our ranks and renew our corps Our oldest Marine will now pass the piece of cake to the youngest Marine in attendance symbolizing the passing of wisdom knowledge and experience as well as signifying trust and confidence in those who will carry on our Marine Corps traditions in the future The youngest Marine present is Lance Corporal Jonathan Steinbach who currently serves as an administrative specialist at Marine Barracks, Washington headquarters and service company Lance Corporal Steinbach enlisted in the Marine Corps on 22 June 2020 and was born on 9 July 2002 Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the departure of the official party and remain standing for the playing of the Marines him