Fort Sill Marines celebrate Corps' 238th birthday

FORT SILL, Okla. (Nov. 14, 2013) -- The Fort Sill Marine Corps Artillery Detachment celebrated the Marines 238th birthday Nov. 7 with a cake cutting, traditional reading of orders and a lunch outside the Marine Barracks off Randolph Road here.

The U.S. Marine Corps turned 238 years old Nov. 10.

Hundreds of Marines from the MARDET cadre, Marine Cannoneer School and other courses stood in formation and heard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jason Jolicoeur, MARDET adjutant, read the 1921 Marine Corps Order from Lt. Gen. John Lejeune, the 13th commandant.

"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 Jolicoeur.

In his invocation, USMC League Chaplain (Sgt.) Fred Blaylock said, "We are Marines, who understand honor, devotion and duty and protection of this unique country that we serve."

During the ceremony, Col. Wayne Harrison, MARDET commanding officer, assisted by Sgt. Maj. Joe Thornton, MARDET sergeant major, cut the birthday cake.

Harrison served the first piece to the oldest Marine at the MARDET, retired Lt. Col. Phillip Beck, age 57. After one bite, Beck then served the second piece to the youngest Marine, Pfc. Todd Nichols, 18, to symbolize the passing down of the experience, knowledge and traditions of the Corps from the elders to the youngest generation of Marines.

Nichols nodded indicating the cake passed his taste test. It's an honor and privilege to be part of the ceremony, said Nichols, of St. Martinville, La.

Program narrator Sgt. Ethan Hutchman, MARDET instructor, read the 2013 birthday message from Gen. James Amos, Marine Corps commandant, and Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett, sergeant major of the Marine Corps.

"This year, we celebrate the anniversary of several epic battles in our celebrated history: The 70th anniversary of the 2nd Marine Division landing on Tarawa, the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Hue City, and the 10th anniversary of the march-up to Baghdad," said Hutchman. "Marines who fought in these legendary battles ... have passed a rich and illustrious legacy on to us."

In his speech, Harrison said that the Marines take pride in their creation Nov. 10, 1775, at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, where Marine recruiting first took place.

"We take pride in the fact, as the commandant said, that we've never lost a battle," said Harrison, who took command here in July. "We take pride in the fact that we are measured against some of the finest fighting armies that the world has ever known."

TODAY'S CHALLENGE

Afterward, Harrison said like the rest of the DoD armed forces the 186,000 active-duty Marine Corps is facing downsizing because of budget constraints. He noted that only a few years ago the Marine Corps stood at 212,000 troops.

"In the next decade, all of the services are going to have to learn how to do things on the cheap, and in a leaner fashion."