Capt. James Kenny, Fort Sill Marine Artillery Detachment instructor, reads the traditional 1921 Marine Corps birthday message from Maj. Gen. John Lejeune during the MARDET’s celebration of the Corps’ birthday Nov. 10, 2020, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Marines from the Fort Sill Marine Artillery Detachment re-enact the flag raising on Iwo Jima Nov. 10, 2020, during the Marine Corps’ 245th birthday celebration at the MARDET Parade Field at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Burnley meets with the oldest Marine retired Sgt. Maj. Billy Grant, age 80, before the start of the Marine Corps birthday celebration Nov. 10, 2020, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

A Marine from the Fort Sill Marine Artillery Detachment dressed in a World War II uniform and holding a replica tommy gun stands in front of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (and crossed cannons) emblem at the Corps' 245th birthday celebration at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Nov. 10, 2020.

The history of the Marine Corps was highlighted by Marines in period uniforms, accompanied by that era’s music, from the Revolutionary War to the current fight, Nov. 10, 2020, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Col. Christopher Tavuchis, Fort Sill Marine Artillery Detachment commander, addresses the crowd during the birthday celebration Nov. 10, 2020, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Marines roll out the birthday cake Nov. 10, 2020, to begin their 245th celebration at the Fort Sill (Oklahoma) Marine Artillery Detachment.

FORT SILL, Oklahoma (Nov. 19, 2020) -- Retired Sgt. Maj. Billy Grant, age 80, remembered his first Marine birthday celebration. It was 1958, and he was 18 and a trainee at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. It was the Corps’ 183rd birthday, and to celebrate the recruits were taken to a movie theater and saw “The Sands of Iwo Jima” starring John Wayne.

On the Marines’ 245th birthday Nov. 10, 2020, Grant was the oldest Marine here, and he was served the first piece of cake as the Fort Sill Marine Artillery Detachment (MARDET) celebrated the occasion.

“For us to know where we’re going to go, we gotta know where we came from,” said Grant, who retired as an infantryman after 27 years of service. “We have a great Marine Corps that is getting better every day because they have good men and women.”

Grant gave the second piece of cake to the youngest Marine, Pvt. Ethan McQuivey, age 18, of St. George, Utah.

“Him handing me the cake was like, ‘Hey, carry on the legacy,’” said McQuivey, who will be a student in the Fire Direction Control Specialist Course. “That meant so much to me. I love it.”

2nd Lt. Hannah Malone, a student in the Marine Artillery Officer Basic Course, has been in the Corps since August 2019. She attended Norwich University, in Vermont, on a Naval ROTC scholarship.

“Our birthday is definitely one of the highlights of the year,” said Malone, who is from Manchester, New Hampshire. “I’m just excited that we’re still cutting and eating cake (despite the pandemic).”

As part of the celebration, about 20 Marines modeled uniforms from the Revolutionary War through today’s war. Program narrator Gunnery Sgt. Michael Daly, MARDET Cannon Crewman Course chief, described the conflicts as each Marine took center stage, and the 77th Army Band provided music from those eras.

Then six Marines re-enacted the famous U.S. flag raising on Iwo Jima’s Mount Surabachi.

As part of tradition, the 1921 birthday message from 13th Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. John Lejeune was read by Capt. James Kenny, MARDET instructor.

“In 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,” recited Kenny.

Col. Christopher Tavuchis, MARDET commander, cut the cake with a bayonet affixed to an M1 Garand rifle.

In his remarks, Tavuchis thanked a group of Vietnam veteran radar operators who attended.

“Gentlemen, we are humbled by your presence, and you are always welcome back,” the colonel said.

The tradition of a cake cutting for the Marine Corps birthday began in 1952, under the 20th Commandant Lt. Gen. Lemuel Shepherd Jr., Tavuchis said.

“It’s a symbol so rich and deep in meaning that it’s not only revered, but it has become fundamental to our very ethos,” he said. “Passing down the most meaningful traditions of our Corps is a binding agent that serves to rekindle our spirit, sharpen our resolve, and propel us forward in an unbreakable bond.”

Tavuchis noted that over 117 years of Marine birthdays have been celebrated during times of war.

This year the MARDET could not conduct its annual birthday ball because of COVID-19 precautions, Tavuchis said.

“There is no apology since it remains our solemn duty to protect our Marines, our families, and our friends,” Tavuchis said. “I can’t thank the staff and families enough for their continued resilience during these trying times. We continue the mission.”

Afterward, Marines and guests dined on steaks, green beans, potato salad, rolls, and watermelon at picnic tables at the MARDET Parade Field.