Whidbey Marines celebrate Corps 239th birthday

By Kelly Pantoleon • November 13, 2014 11:39 am

By Naval Aircrewman Operator 1st Class Ted J Mansikka
CNATTU reporter

Every year on Nov. 10, the Marines pause to celebrate the anniversary of the Corps.

With a small contingent of Marines working at the Center for Naval Technical Training Unit Whidbey Island, they upheld this tradition by celebrating the Marines’ 239th birthday with a cake cutting ceremony.

Master Sgt. Ken Owens, along with the oldest Marine present Tom Tomfohr, who was commissioned in the Marine Corps in January 1968, and the youngest Marine Lance Cpl. Justin Jennings, who enlisted in the Marine Corps September 2013, led the ceremony.

This ceremony reminds Marines of their commitment to the Corps and the Corps’ commitment to the nation’s quest for peace and freedom worldwide. The cutting of the cake is performed using the Mameluke Sword, the traditional sword carried by the Marine Corps which dates back to the assault of Derna, Tripoli in 1805.

Master Sgt. Ken Owens with the Center for Naval Technical Training Unit on Whidbey Island cuts a cake in honor of the Corps’ 239th birthday on November 10.

Once the cake is cut, each of the honored members enjoyed a bite, which symbolizes the passing down of knowledge from the most senior to the most junior.