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Marine Corps Celebrates its 234th Birthday at NU

By Alicia Hood

On December 14, 2009

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The United States Marine Corps has been celebrating honor, courage and commitment since Nov. 10, 1775, according to Gunnery Sergeant Jamie Tsang, assistant Marine officer instructor at Norwich University.

After serving 40 years in the Marine Corps, Major General John A. Lejeune issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921. This order directed the history, traditions and mission of the Marine Corps to be read to all Marines to honor the service's creation.

In 1925, the first formal Marine Corps Birthday was held in Philadelphia, according to the Heritage Press International (http://www.usmcpress.com/index.htm).

"Celebrating the Marine Corps birthday signifies tradition," Tsang said. "It honors what we have done in the past, and what we will do in the future."

The 234^th annual Marine Corps Birthday was celebrated at Norwich University on Oct. 25, 2009.

"The birthday ball is traditionally held just for Marines along with Navy Corpsmen in the fleet," Tsang said. "However, here at Norwich it's a little unique because we do not have the resources to honor the Navy and Marine Corps separately, so we combine the balls. We try to honor both services as best as we can."

With Tsang's oversight, four midshipmen and the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program planned the event. For the ball this year, planning began in early May, according to Tsang.

Although the ball is designed to mimic the way the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday conventionally in the fleet, Norwich traditions are honored as well, according to Tsang.

"The simulation of the flag raising at Iwo Jima and the representation of all 50 state flags are Norwich's traditions that we honor," Tsang said.

"We celebrate by doing three things. We have a formation, which can be considered the ball; we have the reading of the current commandant's message as well as General Lejeune's message, and the cake-cutting ceremony," Tsang said.

During the cake cutting ceremony, "The youngest and oldest Marines are present as well as the guest of honor, and each receive a bite of cake as it's passed down the line to them. This symbolizes the knowledge that is passed from the oldest to the youngest Marines," Tsang said.

"It is a long, lustrous tradition of being a Marine and the best fighters in the world," Tsang said.

"The Marine Corps represents a strong bond," said Sergeant Adam Bradford, 25, a junior physical education major from Riverside, Calif. "No matter what, a Marine will have my back to help me when I'm down and don't think I can go on anymore. I know a Marine will be there to motivate me."

Tsang said the Marine Corps represents honor, courage and commitment. "We can do anything with the fewest resources and the least amount of money, and still accomplish the mission when others could not," he said. He said he is extremely proud to be serving as a United States Marine.

The Marine Corps continued to uphold long-standing traditions by celebrating its birthday on Nov. 10, as well as honoring the message passed on from Gen. Lejeune.

"I love being a Marine. It's the greatest job in the world and there is no words that can describe it," Sgt. Bradford said.