Station celebrates 234th Marine Corps birthday

Story by Lance Cpl. Jakob Schulz

The station held its 234th Marine Corps birthday celebration on the parade field here Friday, celebrating the long and prestigious history of the Corps.

The festivities included a pageant showcasing uniforms throughout the Corps' history and the traditional cake cutting ceremony.

During the uniform pageant, depictions of Marines from conflicts of old as well as Marine aviators, expeditionary Marines, modern-day sailors and Marines in dress uniforms, were displayed by service members.

Following the pageant, Petty Officer 3rd Class Charles White, Search and Rescue corpsman, rappelled 100 feet out of a SAR HH-1N Huey helicopter delivering the ceremonial sword to Col. Mark Werth, station commanding officer, so he could cut the birthday cake.

After the first slice was cut, it was presented to the oldest Marine on station, Master Sgt. Roberto Pou, 52, Marine Attack Squadron 513 family readiness officer, who took a bite and then passed the piece to the youngest Marine, Lance Cpl. Robert Hedgepath, 18, station Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting turret operator.

"It was a really proud moment," said Hedgepath. "Being part the tradition was very interesting."